Freaking Awesome investigation thriller films

Thriller films are always a treat to watch. It gives the audience an adrenaline rush to what will happen in the next scene. A common aspect of crime thriller films is that, it involves an extended investigation conducted by police, lawyers, journalists and private detectives. But most of them happen to be predicable in the midway. Only a few films will leave us puzzled till the end, and there are also films that require multiple viewings to know what actually has happened. Here are some of the best and of course my favorite of such films. I call them freaking awesome because they really are! I don't like the idea of ranking the films while making a list, as each of the film is different in its own way.

1. Se7en (1995) – USA

Director: David Fincher

A soon to be retired veteran detective and his newly transferred replacement are on hot pursuit after a serial killer whose motifs are based on 7 deadly sins. Believe me, this is the best thriller film I have ever seen. Se7en is an outstanding film in all the aspects, especially the way the thrill element is maintained throughout is really terrific. The cinematography and visual effects gives you a haunting effect that will remain with the viewer for quite a while. The film brings out one of the finest performances from Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt. For thriller movie freaks, this is a not-to-miss film.

2. The Secret in Their Eyes (2009) – Argentina

Director: Juan José Campanella

  In the Argentinean era of political unrest and state sponsored terrorism, the film tells the story of a murder case and its effect on the lives of persons closely involved. Switching back and forth between 1974 and 2000, this film sets the standards of how a mystery drama film should be, with an intense and engulfing plot, mesmerizing performance, excellent execution of a well written script by the director. For those who are bored of mediocre Hollywood films, go for this emotional and rich thriller. You will not be disappointed!

3. Memories of Murder (2003) – South Korea

Director: Bong Joon-ho

Two detectives with different mindset and methods in approaching homicide cases are appointed to solve unsolved mysteries behind murders of young girls. The film is based on the true story of South Korea’s first known serial murders. The film moves in a slow pace but that suits it very well with a fantastic character development, acting and a flawless screenplay at the top. You can find many thriller films like this but not like this one for sure. Films like this are very uncommon and far better than most of the Hollywood counterparts.

4. Angel Heart (1987) – USA

Director: Alan Parker

A private detective is hired by a mysterious man to find a missing singer and soon realizes that things are not simple as he expected it be in the course of his investigation and finds himself in lot of trouble. What makes this interesting is its blend of horror, mystery and detective genre, a gripping and intriguing plot and great performances from Rourke and de Niro. The eerie soundtrack is excellently coherent with the dark and unnerving plot. Read my review about the film here.

5. The Ghost Writer (2010) – British/German

Director: Roman Polanski

A ghost writer is hired to complete the memoir of an ex Prime minister, and in the course of writing, his own life is put under risk.The film turned out to be a slow paced gripping thriller, thanks to Ewan McGregor’s powerful performance and Roman Polanski’s stylish direction. This may not be the best of Polanski, but it surely is a terrific mystery thriller film that keeps you engaged till the end. Other than the plot, I really liked the film’s chill and rainy environment. Upon its release, the film drew controversies because of its sensitive political content.

6. Shutter Island (2010) – USA

Director: Martin Scorcese

 Set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Edward Daniels arrives at a mental hospital for criminally insane located in the titular Shutter Island, to investigate the disappearance of a murderess escaped from the hospital and suspected to be hiding nearby. When you have a film directed by Scorcese with Dicaprio in it, what else you need! Shutter Island’s great success lies with Marty’s superior command and flair in delivering a simple plot as a sophisticated psychological thriller. Dicaprio portrays Edward as a desperate one in finding the truth in a brilliant manner that we start to follow him in his quest to solve the puzzle. Shutter Island combines variety of genre like detective, fantasy, period, film noir and psychological thriller, and heavily influenced by Hitchcock films.

7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) – USA

Director: David Fincher

Financially broken journalist Mikael Blomkvist is hired by leading business magnet Henrik Vanger and assisted by an aggressive and talented computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, to find a woman from Vanger family who has been missing for 40 years. Fincher has given yet another immensely enjoyable film with a captivating plot staged brilliantly. The film is technically superior, well acted, excellently shot and progresses in fast pace. You will never get a boring or dull moment with captivating performances from Craig and Rooney Mara. An apt choice for those who prefer a fast paced mystery thriller.

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Respect thy mother!!

Let me narrate you a story, a small incident that happened before 2 months.  Please do bear with me if the writing is crude and narration is boring.

It was a chill Sunday night, around 8.30 PM. It was a busy place in the city, where a few shopping malls are located. As it was a week before Christmas, all the shops were flooded with people busy in their purchases. The place was a junction of 4 roads. All the buses leaving the city must cross the junction to take bypass road and the buses entering the city must cross to reach the central bus stand. From there people can get town buses to their respective places in and around the city. 

After a few minutes, a boy stepped out of a bus that stopped there and walked towards the town bus stop. He was carrying a small bag in her back. Looking very tired he glanced around the bus stop as to whether he could sit somewhere. There were around 30 to 40 people waiting in the bus stop. Some of them had to go their villages and they looked restless as the buses to their places were a bit rare after 9 PM.

The boy took his mobile and saw the time. It was 9.05 PM. He already knew to some extent about the bus timings to his locality. He remembered that he once took bus from the same place to his house at around 9.25 PM, though he is not sure whether it is a regular timing. As there was no charge in his mobile phone, it was difficult for him to pass the waiting time. He always used to browse with his internet enabled mobile phone when he happens to wait at any place. He simply forgets everything at those instants. Unfortunately on that day, his battery was low. So he stood there calmly. Slowly the crowd in bus stop started to move as buses come and there were only 10 in the place.

The time was 9.20 PM. There came a bus that goes to a village “Veeralaperumselvi” through his place but takes another road one stop before his stop. If he boards that, he has to walk half a km to his house. That’s not a big issue. He had done it many times but as he was tired and exhausted because of continuous travel on that day, he was not ready to walk. He was hungry too. At first he suddenly moved forward to board the bus. Then his mother’s words stopped him. His mother often tells that whenever Veeralaperumselvi bus comes, after a few minutes, surely bus going through his house stop will come. He also thought that what if the other bus won’t come or will come very late. He thought rather than waiting there, he could board the bus and walk slowly to his house. He could get a lift from two wheeler riders or call his cousin to pick him up from bus stop. With these thoughts, he at last boarded the bus.

In another 10 minutes, he reached the bus stop and got down from the bus. He called his cousin only to find that he was out of station on that day. As he put his mobile in his pocket and raised his head, he saw the other bus approaching the stop. He was shocked to see that and cursed himself for not considering his mother’s words. Much to his dismay it didn’t stop there as there was no one got down and no one waiting. So he had no other choice than walking to reach his home. He badly needed to take a cup of tea. But the tea shops were closed earlier than the usual as it was Sunday. An acquaintance offered him lift in his bike in the mid way and dropped him nearby his house, and at last he reached his house at 10 PM. He kept on thinking about not considering his mother’s words while walking all the way.

Now the whole thing about telling the above is very simple and straight. Always hear, respect and follow your mother’s words, no matter how big or small the situation is! Even the toughest things will become easier like a walk in the park with her wise words. Though the boy reached his house, he could have done it easily without having to walk amidst his tiredness and hunger if he had followed what his mother told.

P.S. The boy in the above incident is none other than me.