L

Layer Cake (2004)

Rated R

Directed by Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class, Kick-Ass, Stardust)

105 Minutes

Budget - $6,200,000

Box Office - $11,850,214


Note: Layer Cake is a Top 5 movie for me, regardless of the parameters.  If you have not seen it, run, don't walk, to buy it on Blu-Ray.  It is an ensemble piece for Anglophiles.  Watch it.

Reasons that it is a Frank Movie:


1.  The introduction of Daniel Craig.

This is the role that got Daniel Craig his audition for the role of .007.  I'll take this one over his work as Bond.  In a heartbeat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_0D8F_X7us

\2.  Sienna Miller.

'Nuff said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8F-gdBS73E

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

3.  The soundtrack.

It is an English film, and it strictly uses English bands, all to perfection.  Not the least of which is my favorite band of all-time, The Cult, and "She Sells Sanctuary".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4thL6DPmA_g


Here's Roger Ebert's 2004 review:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/layer-cake-2005



Runner-up:  Lifeforce (1985)

Directed by Tobe Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist, Salem's Lot)

Reasons that it's a Frank Movie:

1.  Dan O'Bannon.

This is the guy who wrote Alien, The Return of the Living Dead, and Total Recall.  He is the forefather of the sci-fi/horror genre.  And this is the movie that he longed to write.  He inspired Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, Wes Craven.  All with this film.

2.  Steven Railsback.

He has a storied television career, including two episodes as Duane Barry on The X-Files, but he will always be Colonel Tom Carlsen in Lifeforce.  And, yes, that is Patrick Stewart standing next to him.

Honorable Mentions:  Less Than Zero (1987), License To Drive (1988), Lust, Caution (2007)