The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)

In a remake of the 1974 thriller, Denzel Washington plays the dispatcher in charge when John Travolta hijacks a subway train, demanding $10 million in an hour. Tony Scott’s direction can be distracting, but the performances are top-notch.

d: Tony Scott | imdb.com | trailer | Hostage | First one to go

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Jeff Bridges casually plays the Dude, a man for whom casualness is a way of life — Creedence, White Russians and bowling with his buddies. Meanwhile, the Coen Brothers construct one hell of a ride — mistaken identity, kidnapping and Technicolor blackouts.

d: Coen Brothers | imdb.com | trailer | They peed on your rug.
Blow on my toes. | Jesus | The Bag Man | Shomer Shabbos