Thursday 10 September 2015

Thursday Movie Picks: Train Movies

It’s Thursday again! Time for another round of Thursday Movie Picks hosted by Wanderer at Wandering Through the Shelves


This week, it feels like Autumn is well and truly on it’s way, and it won’t be long before the work commuters will be hearing the dreaded ‘...delayed due to leaves on the line’ whilst they wait for their busy train to work. I’ve been there! So, without further ado, here are my train related picks this week.

train-source-code-movie-jake-gyllenhaal
"Tickets and passes please...tickets and passes..."
Probably one of the most obvious choices, but absolutely one of my favourites, Source Code (2011) is a cracking thriller in which Jake Gyllenhaal discovers he is part of an experimental government program in which he needs to find out who the bomber of a commuter train is. He has only 8 minutes to find his target, or the train will blow up and he’ll have to start all over again. I thought it would be a little stale with the repeated scenes, but it’s actually one of my favourite movies ever.

polar-express-train-movie-tom-hanks

It’s only September, I know, but we’re talking about trains, and how can I not mention one of my favourite Christmas movies, The Polar Express (2004)? A magical movie in which Tom Hanks plays over 50% of the entire cast, Santa’s elves not included, and I can’t believe that it’s 11 years old now. Since starting to blog I’ve come to realise not many out there like The Polar Express much, but the songs in it give me festive goosebumps!

unstoppable-movie-train-chris-pine

The only reason I watched Unstoppable (2010) a couple of years ago was for Chris Pine, and I fully expected it to be a bore-fest. How interesting could a movie be about a freight train out of control? Very, it turns out, and I was sat on the edge of my seat for quite some time. It had a great mix of action scenes and drama, and I was really proved wrong.

I want to put out an honourable mention to Snowpiercer which I would have included, but I’ve picked it for a different theme already. 

22 comments:

  1. Nice picks! I love that you went with Source Code. I really did not see the ending of that movie coming at all. The other two I really didn't care for, but they're perfect for this category.

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    1. Ugh, me either. Although I rarely work these things out before the big reveal, haha!
      - Allie

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  2. You say Source Code a really obvious pick, but nobody's picked it apart from you. I didn't even think of it. Great choice and great film.

    Haven't seen Polar Express but have seen Unstoppable which, despite the name, the train was very much stoppable. It's like the Mission Impossible films, the missions are not impossible just very difficult. I liked Unstoppable though, it was a lot of fun

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    1. Yeah, I stand corrected on that one. I guess certain movies seem obvious to certain people!
      I agree with you on Unstoppable, but it was a lot of fun :)
      - Allie

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  3. Unstoppable is a very fun movie. I actually didn't hate The Polar Express so I appreciate that you picked it. I did hate The Source Code. The less said about that movie, the better.

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    1. Oooh controversial! I'm glad I have a semi-friend with The Polar Express at least :)
      - Allie

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  4. I don't know about Source code but it sounds intriguing-another on my ever growing list. I love Polar Express and watch it every Christmas. I want to find a bell like the one in the film. I never thought I would see Steven Tyler as an elf. Love the last film! I, too, thought it would be a one note film but Denzel Washington was in the film so I thought to give it a chance. I'm glad I did

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    1. Yay! I'm the worst for watching films just because of one particular actor, ha. If you ever find a bell like the one in Polar Express let me know, I would love to have one too :)
      - Allie

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  5. Good choices. I didn't care much for Polar Express but then I'm not the target audience either. Love Source Code and to honest I didn't think of it but I had chosen it in a previous sci-fi week. I found it a highly involving thriller. So glad to see Unstoppable which is my bonus pick of the week. I thought it would be everywhere today since it was a recent release, was successful and fit so well but this is the first mention I've seen. I was reluctant to see it at first since I'm not a fan of Denzel Washington but I found him less grim than usual and the picture really was a fun ride.

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    1. Unstoppable was the first movie that came to my head, I thought it would be featured a few times, too :)
      Denzel Washington does have a habit of playing quite grim characters, I hadn't thought about it until you said that!
      - Allie

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  6. I used to read The Polar Express when I was very young - the movie was good but a tad cheepy as one child has a man voice. I think I also need to give Source Code another chance. The first time viewing, everyone, including me was just not enjoying it.

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    1. Haha! I know what you mean about the man voice! The quality doesn't stand up well at all really, I have to admit, but I love the story :)
      It seems like Dell didn't enjoy Source Code either so you're not alone there!
      - Allie

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  7. Ooooh! How could I forget Source Code! I would've definitely included that, it's a great film! I did include Snowpiercer on mine though :D

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    1. I do that every Thursday you know, struggle to pick 3 movies, then read everyone else's posts like 'oh how could I forget this one!'
      - Allie

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  8. Huge regrets! I have seen none of these. Great picks! I so want to see all of them.

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    1. Nooo really! If you try any, give Source Code a chance, that's my favourite out of the 3 :)
      - Allie

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  9. I almost went with Source Code myself, actually. LOVE that movie. Really liked Unstoppable, too. Nice picking!

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    1. Thank you! Unstoppable was much better than I was expecting it to be :)
      - Allie

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  10. Source Code was a great movie! Unstoppable was quite fun to watch - both the movie and the experience as well (I saw this in the cinema and it was a full house. During some scenes the screen was really bright so I could see how those beside me were so engrossed with what was happening). I have yet to finish watching The Polar Express; it puts me to sleep every time I attempt to watch it!

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    1. I always think movies like that are better to watch in the cinema! Comedies with a full house screen are my favourite, I can really laugh out loud and not stand out, ha!
      - Allie

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  11. Source Code was the first film I thought of when I read the week's theme...so I'm right there with you.

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    1. We're just on the same wave length, right? Great minds think alike and all that ;)
      - Allie

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