Saturday, November 8, 2008

Revenger's Paradise

Getting Back can feel good.

A silly revenge comedy like "Dirty Work" might not be enough while "First Blood," "The Punisher" and "Get Carter," "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" and "Payback" might be more than you need.

"The Count of Monte Cristo" and "The Shawshank Redemption" show what freedom after a long absence can be like.

"Sweeny Todd" is no less gruesome for its musical treatment nor "Theater of Blood" for its melodramatic one.

"Hamlet" makes you wait for it and then goes all in, while "Titus" doesn't make you wait that long (and then goes in further).

"The Princess Bride" makes you laugh before a serious bit of vengeance.

"The Searchers" ain't just dust, horses and heavy morality, but it's engrossing too.

"Sudden Impact" brings harsh justice in between quips.

"Misery" makes you hate company, but show you how to treat them.

"RoboCop" and "The Godfather" show you the transformative effect of gun violence.

"Fresh," "House of Games," "Trading Places," "Diggstown," "Beverly Hills Cop" and "The Sting" teach you that you only need your wits and a sense of humor.

"Fried Green Tomatoes" raises girl-power to near-fable status just as "Stand By Me" does with boy-power.

"Ghost" brings love, pottery and vengeance from beyond the grave.

"Return of the Jedi" is sci-fi, fantasy revenge on a galactic scale.

"Coffy" is street justice from a tough woman who's sick of taking it lying down.