Thursday Movie Picks: Natural Disasters: Wandering through the Shelves hosts a weekly movie challenge in which you choose 3-5 movies based on that Thursday’s theme and explain why you chose those movies. Today’s theme is Natural Disasters, and I felt like sticking to ONE type of natural disaster… the scariest, IMO… tornadoes.
twister (1996)
I went to see Twister in high school for a first (and only) date. The movie was so much fun! The cast was terrific – Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, and Philip Seymour Hoffman (both RIP) – the soundtrack was fantastic, and the twister sequences were tense. If this movie is on television, I’ll likely stop to watch it. It’s by far one of the best “natural disaster” movies out there just because it’s so damn entertaining.
into the storm (2014)
I feel like Into the Storm wanted to be the next Twister. But then again, it feels like every tornado movie that came out after Twister wanted to be Twister. I watched this movie with my sister and grandma ages ago, and yes, there are some really harrowing tornado sequences, but overall, this movie was just kind of “meh”.
the wizard of oz (1939)
Maybe The Wizard of Oz isn’t what you would call a natural disaster movie, but it DOES have a tornado. In fact, it’s the tornado that triggers Dorothy’s adventure in Oz! I remember loving the tornado sequence as a kid and being frightened of Margaret Hamilton as Miss Gulch as she bicycled by the window and transformed into the Wicked Witch. Yikes! This movie is still a classic.
Joel
June 17, 2021A theme within the theme! Love those.
First of all I LOVE that you picked The Wizard of Oz!!! It absolutely fits since the tornado kicks the whole story into high gear but there is so much to it. When I was a kid and first saw it the film was only shown once a year as an event (this was before cable of course….or even VCR’s) and all those things you mentioned scared me too. But so much of it was, and is enchanting both in the sepia segments (Judy plaintively singing of her dream to go over the rainbow) and in Oz (pretty much the whole thing). If you ever have the chance to see it in a theatre I recommend it, the scope adds a lot to the film.
Twister is a fun actiony not terribly deep flick with some great set pieces. I’m not much of a fan of Helen Hunt but Bill Paxton made up for her.
I’m game for any disaster film so hit play on Into the Storm with high hopes especially since Richard Armitage was in the cast but I thought it was dumber than dirt.
I’m a disaster film junkie, as I said I’ll give any one of them a chance, but since the disaster theme has been used in other years I’ve used my faves already. So I went in the same direction you did with the Wizard of Oz and chose three where the disaster wasn’t the whole story but impacted it mightily (and I have a tornado movie!)
The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)-Soldier Darios (Rory Calhoun) arrives on the Isle of Rhodes during the Hellenistic period to finds King Serse (Roberto Camardiel) has commissioned a larger-than-life statue of Apollo (destined to be one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World) meant to protect the harbor. Upon meeting master builder Carete (Félix Fernández), who has been commissioned to erect the statue Darios falls in love with his daughter Diala (Léa Massari). Through their alliance Darios also becomes involved with Peliocles (Georges Marchal) and his rebel force who seek to overthrow the tyrannical king. As a revolt foments a massive earthquake lays waste to nearly all.
Tornado (1943)-Coal miner Pete Ramsey (Chester Morris) has a whirlwind romance with rapacious showgirl Victory Kane (Nancy Kelly) who is passing through town and impulsively marries her. Social climbing Victory pushes Pete to work his way up in the company to enter a high tax bracket but still unsatisfied takes up with Gary Linden (Morgan Conway), the philandering son of the mine owner behind Pete’s back. As matters come to a crisis point the title tornado blows into town and coal isn’t the only thing to hit the fan.
Red Skies of Montana (1952)-After a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of his crew smokejumper Cliff Mason (Richard Widmark), unable to recall the event, is fearful that cowardice might have been at fault. Though cleared though an investigation he is determined to prove himself again especially since one man’s son, Ed Miller (Jeffrey Hunter), suspects Cliff was responsible for his father’s death. When a canyon wildfire breaks out Ed pursues Cliff there for a confrontation but when they become trapped Cliff must take desperate measures to save them both.
Sara
June 17, 2021I remember back in the day when they played Wizard of Oz during Thanksgiving! This was around the time of VHS but when cable was still really expensive. It’s just a classic movie and I’m feeling the itch to watch it again here soon!
I have never heard of your picks!! But honestly, they all sound like something I’d like to see, especially Red Skies of Montana! I’m going to check it out.
Katy
June 17, 2021Love the theme within a theme…I selected Twister, but I can’t believe I didn’t go with the other two. I agree – Into The Storm was just meh, but The Wizard of Oz is such a classic. It’s hard to ignore.
Sonia
June 18, 2021I’m not sure whether I’ve watched Into the Storm or only the trailer because I barely remember a thing about it. I would have never thought of The Wizard of Oz for this theme but, as you said, there’s a tornado and it all happens because of it so it fits.
ThePunkTheory
June 20, 2021Wizard of Oz is a brilliant pick – I wish I would have thought of that!
Brittani
June 21, 2021I like the tornado theme! Twister is such a campy classic. I remember the ride at Universal Studios scaring the crap out of me though because it felt so real and was so hot with all the fire they used.
Birgit
June 21, 2021I love your theme! I have to say tornadoes scare the hell out of me…I think of them as the devil’s finger twirling up disaster. I am not a fan of Twister even though I like Bill Paxton but Hunt is irritating long with her buffoons whom you can’t think of as scientists in any shape or form. One note…I live near a 4 plea drive in and, when this movie came out, it was playing at the drive-in. A tornado did touch down, ripped through an RV sales place and, as Twister was showing, a real Twister went right through the screen just like in the movie but not as severe. Thankfully, no one was hurt. I have t seen your second pick but love that you went with The Wizard of Oz which sent Dorothy on her adventure.
Wandering through the Shelves
June 24, 2021I have seen Into the Storm…not very memorable…only saw it for Richard Armitage.
I actually can’t think of other tornado movies other than Twister and Into the Storm.
Sara
June 25, 2021Yeah I was trying to think of more tornado movies and all I could think of was Sharknado.