Monday Movie Meme - Plan B
As I work to complete a final version of my “Abyss” movie -- one that is suitable for film festival submissions -- the deadlines for (festival) review continue to fly by. Coming up against setbacks such as exporting files that don’t play properly, crossing off potential festivals to submit to and being in a frenzy over the steep learning curves of features within post-production software programs, I find myself having to constantly readjust my end goal for this project. That brings us to the theme of this week’s Monday Movie Meme: Plan B.
Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies where the main characters have to make one or more backup plans. They are in a situation where their first plan is either no longer available or it has become a liability that will put them at risk for undesirable results.
Here are my selections for this week’s Plan B theme.
World War Z
When one man and his wounded guard are abandoned by their private aircraft, they board a commercial flight to remain safe from zombies in this action horror starring Brad Pitt and Matthew Fox. It’s one of those situations where you have no time to compare and contrast alternative options – you have to be quick on your feet or else…it won’t be pretty!
Heat
A bank robber makes last minute changes to his itinerary, after believing that his initial getaway plan might be compromised. I recently watched this crime thriller, starring Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Ashley Judd, Val Kilmer and Amy Brenneman, in its entirety and know of few other movies where the characters are so thorough that they can put together a Plan B, C -- and D if necessary -- at a moment’s notice.
Bad Boys II
A detective instructs other members of his squad to “Go to Plan B,” after realizing that he and two other law enforcement agents won’t making it back to an escape tunnel in enough time to ensure everyone’s safety. His decision seems like a good strategy, except for one important factor -- the squad is not aware of any existing Plan B. In fact, one of them asks “Plan B? What the hell is Plan B?”
What movies, featuring characters who need a backup plan, would YOU add to this list?
Reader Comments (5)
Speaking of World War Z, my friend's brother said it was super depressing. He loves that type of thing, but even he couldn't finish the book.
Sorry things are so tricky Nicole, but glad to hear things are coming together!
I think any apocalypse movie every written. Plans never come together on the first try. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed World War Z.
Plan B, or C, or D....yeah, some characters in the movies need all of these and more at times! Heh...
-The Losers: Bad guy needed a "plan 'B'" when cornered by "the losers" at the top of a crane
-Independence Day: Plan 'B' involved a drunken pilot in a crop dusters
-Jaws: Always nice to have compressed air and a gun when you need a Plan 'B'
-The Blob: Plan 'B'....freeze the monster
-Run Lola Run: This movie had multiple versions of Plan 'B' ;-)
Ice Girl,
World War Z is based on a book? I didn't know that. At first, I wondered how a zombie story could be depressing but then if your brother was thinking about it from the viewpoint of unexplainable sicknesses and/or diseases that we have no cure for, I can certainly understand how that would be a downer. The film is pretty action packed with little surprises sprinkled along the way. Thanks for joining in on this week's meme :)
Maurice,
Yeah I suppose nothing comes easy. Thank you for your support on my film; a friend of mine tells me "it's part of being an independent filmmaker," saying that the woes, setbacks, frustrations, etc. come with the territory of choosing this path and I know my friend is right. I just wish it wasn't the case -- for me or any other person embarking on a movie. Ah well, we shall see what comes of it either way.
Sydney Aaliyah,
I think I saw one of the apocalypse movies a few years ago. They were throwing people's heads down a stairway (unless I'm thinking of the wrong film). Apocalypse Now, maybe? Yep World War Z was a pleasant surprise, indeed. I wasn't too keen on the premise and thought it was some weird, oddball Brad Pitt flick that was going to die a horrible box office death...but alas, it was actually entertaining after all.
Herman,
Your JAWS description for a "plan B" made me laugh and ooh, how I want to watch INDEPENDENCE DAY again...but I don't know where my VHS tape (yeah you read right, don't judge me. ha!) of it is located, but OMG the THE BLOB is one of the coolest movies ever made! The backup plan was a matter of life and death for the people trying to escape the wrath of that monster goo, where that movie is concerned. I'm not familiar with THE LOSERS but keep passing up opportunities to rent RUN LOLA RUN when I can. Great selections! You pick the best stuff, I tell ya!