Trains, locomotives, ridin' the rail, takin' the choo choo - it certainly sparks up a feeling of nostalgia for a different time, a different America (maybe Obama could make trains hip again! like they brought sexy back!). There are some solid, memorable scenes from films involving trains and we have arbitrarily determined what is to be the Top 10 (and not necessarily in any particular order, so save it). Hmmmm yes that is a Searchles TV channel and you can make your own here if that is your pleasure.
1. Stand By Me (1986). Ironic that the dead body the four boys are looking for in this classic god-River-Phoenix-was-good-looking movie is that of a 12 year-old that was hit by a train - they should've known better. One of the most memorable parts of the film is this close-call scene (though we all knew a train was coming). Beautiful scenery, check.
2. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). Speaking of good-looking men... I bet you could mashup a bunch of scenes to make a great Brokeback Butch Cassidy montage. That aside, nothing but love for this movie...and what would a western be without a train robbery, stuff blowing up?
3. Some Like It Hot (1959). Ranked in 2000 by the AFI as the greatest American comedy film of all time - this train scene had less to do with trains and more with Jack Lemmon being extremely talented with physical comedy, yet a train scene nonetheless.
4. The Darjeeling Limited (2007). Since this whole Wes Anderson film revolves around a train - and a very colorful one at that - I figure a montage set to 'Strangers' by The Kinks involving a few slow-mo running-to-catch-train moments will more than suffice.
5. A Hard Day's Night (1964). Oh the Beatles at the height of Beatlemania...lots o'veiled social commentary, Brit-wit, (good music), trains - this particular scene with Paul's grandfather is rather entertaining. Sidenote: I con'ed my way into doing a paper on Beatles films for a Modern British History class in college. It was a good semester.
6. North by Northwest (1959). Cary Grant, Alfred Hitchcock...'nuff said. This particular scene is where he and Eva Marie Saint officially 'introduce themselves'. on the luxurious and 20th Century Limited.
7. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Young Indie (and River Phoenix's second appearance on this list), sure to make Eagle Scout, has his first experiences with both using a whip and with his favorite cuddly animals, snakes, in this action-packed train scene.
8. Midnight Run (1988). Good old Robert De Niro/Charles Grodin chemistry in a 'cross-country chase' that undoubtedly will involve...a train, as most Hollywood haphazard cross-country ventures will.
9. The Lost Boys (1987). So more about vampires than trains but what can I say I think that railroad tracks crossing a foggy gorge really plays a strong role in the scene. Plus it's hard being a vampire teenager trying to fit in.
10. Back to the Future III (1990). I love me a good science-fiction western. Marty and Doc need to push the De Lorean up to 88mph with a steam locomotive. How very 'old meets new.' MMmmmcinematic devices.
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