G

The Game (1997)

Rated R

129 Minutes

Directed by David Fincher (The Social Network, Fight Club, Se7en)

Budget - $50,000,000

Box Office - $109,423,648



Ok.  So with a $50,000,000 budget and a cast including Michael Douglas and Sean Penn, this shouldn't be allowed on the list, but I love Fincher, and I didn't have room for Fight Club or Se7en - so this is his one.  Also, Char believes this to be the definition of a Frank Movie.



Reasons that it's a Frank Movie:



1.  This scene alone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfzRP1tCmsk




2.  It twists your mind like a pretzel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYQIObd_bog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFUVGfsVzhQ


3.  Best use of Jefferson Airplane.

I hate this fucking song.  But, it's perfect for this scene:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1pxwIwnU9Q


For anyone interested, here's Roger Ebert's original review:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-game-1997





Runner-up:  The Getaway (1994)

Ok.  So, Alec Baldwin will be all over this list.  Just be prepared.  This is the movie that put him together with Kim Basinger, and it was a great collaboration.  Yes, it's a remake, but the original with Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw was awful.

None of those things are the reason that it's a Frank Movie.  These are:

1.  James Woods as the villain.

I love Jimmy Woods.  Like in anything.  This is a premiere role for him as the douchebag.  Beautiful.

2.  Michael Madsen's best role.

Not Mr. Blonde.  Not Bump Bailey.  Not Sonny Black.  Rudy from The Getaway is his greatest role.  Period.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmDqDjJV3tI

p.s.  Jennifer Tilly in a dead heat battle with Nancy Travis for best butter face.  Just sayin'...


Honorable Mentions:  The Ghost and The Darkness (1996), Go (1999), The Girl Next Door (2004)