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October 2, 2008 2:38 PM Subscribe
Please recommend movies set in this century, featuring an ensemble cast racing to find a treasure (or alternatively, an ensemble cast competing to win a bet of some sort.)
I'm thinking along the lines of "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" and "Rat Race" but surely there must be tons of others. It's important that the cast be ensemble, and that it be set in this century.
Not interested in "Lara Croft" or "Indiana Jones" type deals since those feature a central protagonist, as opposed to a group competition/team type situation. Also, I'm on;y interested in adventure/action genres, not films like "Cruel Intentions" which might fall under the "competing to win a bet" category.
Thanks!
I'm thinking along the lines of "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" and "Rat Race" but surely there must be tons of others. It's important that the cast be ensemble, and that it be set in this century.
Not interested in "Lara Croft" or "Indiana Jones" type deals since those feature a central protagonist, as opposed to a group competition/team type situation. Also, I'm on;y interested in adventure/action genres, not films like "Cruel Intentions" which might fall under the "competing to win a bet" category.
Thanks!
Wrong century, gyusan.
National Treasure 2 sort of fits the bill, in that there really are a lot of people on the protagonist's team, plus the competitor's team.
posted by blueshammer at 2:49 PM on October 2, 2008
National Treasure 2 sort of fits the bill, in that there really are a lot of people on the protagonist's team, plus the competitor's team.
posted by blueshammer at 2:49 PM on October 2, 2008
Best answer: Hmm, that kind of specific genre was sort of germane to the era (which is why "It's a Mad, Mad..etc was so popular) so I'm not sure there's a modern equivalent. Perhaps Cannonball Run?
posted by elendil71 at 2:49 PM on October 2, 2008
posted by elendil71 at 2:49 PM on October 2, 2008
Goddammit!! I just fell victim of not reading the whole question. My bad.
posted by msali at 2:50 PM on October 2, 2008
posted by msali at 2:50 PM on October 2, 2008
Haha - so true. Stuck in the last century, I am. Please withdraw my suggestion...
posted by gyusan at 2:53 PM on October 2, 2008
posted by gyusan at 2:53 PM on October 2, 2008
This is out of left field, but what about a reality TV competition? The Amazing Race is a pretty awesome show with that format.
posted by muddgirl at 2:57 PM on October 2, 2008
posted by muddgirl at 2:57 PM on October 2, 2008
Smokin' Aces? Multiple hitmen all vying for the same million dollar contract.
Eh, I got nothing.
posted by cazoo at 3:12 PM on October 2, 2008
Eh, I got nothing.
posted by cazoo at 3:12 PM on October 2, 2008
Perhaps not *exactly* what you're looking for, but there's a lovely British film called "The Wrong Box" that revolves around a tontine agreement between a group of men - that is, last one alive gets the fortune. While it comes down to two warring factions rather quickly, it does have a great ensemble cast with the likes of Dudley Moore, Michael Caine, Peter Cook and Peter Sellers, and a sort of screwball action-y feel.
posted by ilana at 3:26 PM on October 2, 2008
posted by ilana at 3:26 PM on October 2, 2008
Response by poster: Er, right-- by "this century" I actually meant last 100 years or so... Keep forgetting we're 8 yrs into the 21st. So "Goonies" works.
Please keep them coming! These are great.
posted by np312 at 3:58 PM on October 2, 2008
Please keep them coming! These are great.
posted by np312 at 3:58 PM on October 2, 2008
last 100 years or so
Or so: Around The World in Eighty Days.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 4:08 PM on October 2, 2008
Or so: Around The World in Eighty Days.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 4:08 PM on October 2, 2008
You should watch the last five minutes of the Simpsons episode titled Homer the Viligante.
Those five minutes are even better than Rat Race.
posted by AloneOssifer at 4:36 PM on October 2, 2008
Those five minutes are even better than Rat Race.
posted by AloneOssifer at 4:36 PM on October 2, 2008
Probably not what you're looking for, but The Chipmunk Adventure features the Chipmunks and the Chipettes in a hot air balloon race around the world. Bonus: it's a musical!
posted by wsquared at 5:17 PM on October 2, 2008
posted by wsquared at 5:17 PM on October 2, 2008
Cannonball Run
Smokey and the Bandit ? (it was for a bet)
posted by Frasermoo at 5:19 PM on October 2, 2008
Smokey and the Bandit ? (it was for a bet)
posted by Frasermoo at 5:19 PM on October 2, 2008
Those Magnificent Men In There Flying Machines. Made in 1965, set in 1910.
posted by the bricabrac man at 5:22 PM on October 2, 2008
posted by the bricabrac man at 5:22 PM on October 2, 2008
The short-lived TV series Drive, although its (deservedly) abrupt cancellation leaves it without a resolution...
posted by jozxyqk at 5:29 PM on October 2, 2008
posted by jozxyqk at 5:29 PM on October 2, 2008
What about movies where the ensemble is racing to STEAL a treasure? In that case, the Ocean's 11, 12, and 13 movies may appeal to you. Also, the recently re-made Italian Job.
posted by geeky at 6:19 PM on October 2, 2008
posted by geeky at 6:19 PM on October 2, 2008
Revenge of the Nerds
hey! they are trying to win respect. plus they have that sweet competition montage.
posted by clearly at 8:48 PM on October 2, 2008
hey! they are trying to win respect. plus they have that sweet competition montage.
posted by clearly at 8:48 PM on October 2, 2008
My housemates are adding:
Inglorious Bastards
The Sting
(I think they are sort of off, here, but you can make that call)
posted by Brody's chum at 9:54 PM on October 2, 2008
Inglorious Bastards
The Sting
(I think they are sort of off, here, but you can make that call)
posted by Brody's chum at 9:54 PM on October 2, 2008
The Gumball Rally. (Much superior to Cannonball Run, IMO: no gimmick cameos, and no Burt Reynolds.)
posted by Lazlo at 11:11 PM on October 2, 2008
posted by Lazlo at 11:11 PM on October 2, 2008
It's not clear whether the classic "caper" films would fit your criteria:
Rififi (Du rififi chez les hommes)
Topkapi
The Italian Job (original or remake)
There are films like The Mummy that feature a number of interesting characters chasing a treasure but are still centered on one protagonist.
There was a whole string of 1970s car-race flicks like Cannonball Run, such as The Gumball Rally, all based more or less on the actual Gumball Race. They also drew on IAMMMMW for inspiration along with, to varying degrees, Bonnie and Clyde and The Sugarland Express. An interesting variant was The Stunt Man. I don't think those three fit your criteria exactly but they seem to me to contain some of the elements that you suggest are important.
The Chase with Charlie Sheen is also a nifty little flick with some interesting and prescient gags.
posted by dhartung at 11:13 PM on October 2, 2008
Rififi (Du rififi chez les hommes)
Topkapi
The Italian Job (original or remake)
There are films like The Mummy that feature a number of interesting characters chasing a treasure but are still centered on one protagonist.
There was a whole string of 1970s car-race flicks like Cannonball Run, such as The Gumball Rally, all based more or less on the actual Gumball Race. They also drew on IAMMMMW for inspiration along with, to varying degrees, Bonnie and Clyde and The Sugarland Express. An interesting variant was The Stunt Man. I don't think those three fit your criteria exactly but they seem to me to contain some of the elements that you suggest are important.
The Chase with Charlie Sheen is also a nifty little flick with some interesting and prescient gags.
posted by dhartung at 11:13 PM on October 2, 2008
Naksha (Map)
As a bonus, it includes killer dancing jungle midgets.
posted by Methylviolet at 12:18 AM on October 3, 2008
As a bonus, it includes killer dancing jungle midgets.
posted by Methylviolet at 12:18 AM on October 3, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by gyusan at 2:43 PM on October 2, 2008