Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of The Last Voyage of the Demeter, we’re counting down our favorite movies which take place on a boat! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
I love the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, but back in 2003, I had reservations about it being turned into a movie. Disney didn’t have a strong track record for these types of films, but thankfully Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl became an amazing hit. Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is now an iconic character, and earned Depp a much deserved Oscar nomination. Geoffrey Rush goes toe to toe with Depp as Captain Barbossa, a formidable villain. The world building in this film is outstanding — it set the stage for a billion-dollar franchise that Disney still wants to continue. Pirates of the Caribbean has been a great risk/reward story for Disney, and one that it has continued to chase until as recently as a few weeks ago with Haunted Mansion, another movie based on a ride. (Mike Hilty)
With all the period films about winning or surviving the war, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is about living on the sea during a war. About a decade into the Napoleonic Wars, Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) must find a way to out sail the French to keep his crew safe. There isn’t a clear goal for Aubrey’s crew at the start of the story, and when it ends, the war is still far from over, because this is just a window into the crew’s living life at sea. The real driving force is the relationship between Jack and the ship’s surgeon, Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany). Crowe and Bettany work so well off of each other, and Jack tries to wrestle with being both Stephen’s captain and his friend. An early scene where Jack jokes about choosing, “the lesser of two weevils”perfectly demonstrates their casual relationship. I also find Stephen’s surgery scenes fascinating, as they show how difficult life as a surgeon was without modern equipment or antibiotics, not to mention a steady platform to work from, as he often has to perform surgery while at sea. The visuals are also phenomenal; they might have travelled back and filmed an actual crew from the early 19th century. There is also a good variety of scenes — funny ones of people talking, tense fight scenes, battling to stay afloat during a storm, and slower scenes where they explore and round Cape Horn. (John Tillyard)
When a survival movie is done well, it’s one of the most thrilling genres of movies to me. We usually see them take place in a jungle or a desert, but Ang Lee’s Life of Pi follows Pi (Suraj Sharma) as he tries to survive on a small lifeboat… with a tiger. Along with some stunning visuals, this film explores questions of meaning and life, and explores the ideas of letting go of the things that are the most meaningful in our lives. And at the same time, it’s one of the best survival movies to come out of the last 15 years. (Robert Bouffard)
Lifeboat is quite the collaboration of artistic heavyweights. Directed by the “Master of Suspense,” Alfred Hitchcock, the 1944 film is an adaptation of a story written by famed American author John Steinbeck specifically for Hitchcock’s project — though he ironically wasn’t pleased with the result. Produced while World War II still raged, it follows a group of survivors on the titular type of seafaring craft after a German U-boat sinks the merchant vessel they had been traveling on. As they wait for the rescue they hope is coming, distrust festers among those on board, fearing a spy in their midst. Like Rope would later do, Hitchcock utilizes the singular location to help develop the tension. The fact that it’s a World War II tale produced during the conflict makes it an interesting case study, even if the overall mystery itself doesn’t rank among the legendary director’s best. (Jake Bourgeois)
Moana is the story of a young girl in the Pacific islands who struggles to please her chieftain parents, while staying true to herself and the adventure that calls to her out on the ocean. When Moana’s grandmother bestows upon her a gift from the ocean, she sets out on the sea of adventure to rediscover her ancestor’s sea-fairing traditions, and to learn to set aside her fears of becoming a leader to her people. At its core, this is an adventure movie akin to Pirates of the Caribbean, with sea monsters and ancient magic; it is a ton of fun. Auli’I Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson have great chemistry as Moana and Maui, the shapeshifting demigod — one of my favorite parts is when he teaches her the sailing traditions of her ancestors. This re-found knowledge of sailing and navigating the sea is what helps Moana find her own path of leadership and to reawaken the spirit of adventure and discovery in her people. Moana is a beautiful coming-of-age story about forging your own path, and not letting anger or fear control your choices throughout your journey. It is heartfelt and full of beautiful music that makes it a classic, and one of my personal favorites. (Nick Ferro)
Though perhaps not as memorable as Buster Keaton’s other boat-centric film, Steamboat Bill Jr., 1924’s The Navigator acts as a far better representation of this week’s topic with its off-at-sea premise. Played by Keaton, the wealthy Rollo Treadway is shocked to find himself aboard the Navigator with the woman who had rejected his proposal of marriage the previous day. Of course, Keaton being Keaton, the boat setting acts as a brilliant means of crafting all manner of stunts and Rube Goldberg-style contraptions. One early sequence in which our two leads frantically search the boat for one another while just missing each other in increasingly comical ways feels like an undeniable precursor to every romantic comedy that would follow. Notable for pioneering some of cinema’s earliest underwater sequences, you can’t get much better than Keaton seizing hold of a swordfish to engage in a sword fight with yet another swordfish. Though not as technically impressive as Sherlock Jr. or The General, The Navigator remains a perfect representation of the heart and ingenuity that make Keaton’s films so special. (Foster Harlfinger)
Remember when piracy was making a comeback, and the danger of the high seas was an almost constant news story? Tales about modern-day Somali pirates and the dangers they posed in international waters were ripe for adaptation, none more so than Captain Phillips. Starring Tom Hanks as the titular Captain Richard Phillips, it tells the tale of the first American cargo ship to be hijacked since the 1800s. Say what you want about Paul Greengrass’s directing style, but the man knows how to direct tension. The hostage situation is handled perfectly. The action is engaging and, despite its true story nature, Greengrass manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. It also gives us the best Hanks performance since the ‘90s. In particular, in the quiet moment post-rescue, Hanks gives a masterclass in the craft. I still don’t know how he didn’t get an Oscar nom, and no, I’m not still mad about it. (Jake Bourgeois)
The Titanic was arguably the most famous ship of all time. It had many things going for it; it was the biggest ship of that time, and was famously (or infamously?) labelled “unsinkable.” That was until one iceberg entered the chat, and on April 15, 1912, the impossible became very much a reality, as the ship sank, killing well over 1,500 people. And then, 80-something years later, one James Cameron had an idea to make it an epic movie that somehow became the number-one-grossing movie of all time (until 2010, when Avatar, another Cameron film, took over that spot). There are only a handful of movies in the history of Hollywood one could label a phenomenon, and Titanic was 100% one of them. Whether you like it or not, chances are you have seen it, whether that was due to the impressive visual effects, or the young, up-and-comer “power couple” Leonardo DiCaprio alongside Kate Winslet. The movie still works after more than a quarter of a century, and you can’t think of it without hearing the one and only Celine Dion in your head. Yes, Titanic came, saw, and conquered everything, from the box office, the Oscars (winning 11 out of 14 nominations), to most of our hearts that will go on. Without a shadow of a doubt, Titanic is one of the quintessential Hollywood movies of all time. (Luke Burian)
It’s increasingly rare today for movies to be filmed in exotic locations over the accessibility of CGI, but believe it or not, in the late 1940s, it was equally uncommon to shoot on location. For decades, lavish tropical jungles were being built on elaborate sets as a flora and fauna facsimile. 1951’s The African Queen took a risk, being one of the first films to actually be made in East Africa, giving viewers some of earliest mainstream images of real life jungles and wildlife (no CGI alligators here, Mr. Branagh). The on-location setting alone may have been enough to draw audiences at the time. However, when coupled with leading man, Humphrey Bogart, as the drunken steamboat captain (Charlie Allnutt) and the ever impressive Katharine Hepburn as a pious stranded missionary (Rose Sayer) contracting his services, The African Queen had a recipe for success. Hepburn and Bogart’s back-and-forth banter that turns from hostility, to understanding, and later attraction are a joy to behold. They elevate what was likely meant to be a romantic adventure movie into a thrilling rom-com. Together, the mismatched pair traverse a raging river, filled with lethal wildlife, in a quest to find and sink a Nazi warship with a makeshift torpedo in a broken down steamer. If you saw The Jungle Cruise, think of it as a generic cinnamon toaster strudel — The African Queen is a delicious homemade apple pie, and you should definitely try a slice. (Patrice Downing)
What is one of the most important films at the dawn of cinema? Battleship Potemkin, a story of rebellion, kinship, and the fight for equal rights, which Sergei Eisenstein brought to the world. This film revolutionized Russia, and inspired the working class to stand up to the oppressive powers of the ruling class. It is one of the most important examples of propaganda filmmaking and of films based on a message. We see the crew of a military vessel which is left hungry and suffering by their own government. This story turns towards rebellion, and the people make a stand. But what is most memorable about this film is the legendary Odessa steps sequence. The long takes, evocative close ups, and runaway stroller sequence capture the cinematic imagination of all. The explosions, the death, and the fear sink in and reveal the harsh reality of uprising. Eisenstein has lived on in the annals of cinematic history due to his classic film that truly changed the course of film history. (Shane Conto)
A Night to Remember
I have a deep fascination with the Titanic, to the point where I have seen nearly every dramatic depiction of the disaster. This is why I’m coming to you today to discuss the 1958 film, A Night to Remember, based on the book by Walter Lord, and what I consider to be the gold standard for the depiction of the events the fateful night the Titanic struck the iceberg. While the film focuses largely on Titanic’s second officer Charles Lightoller, we get to see into various other aspects of the sinking, including the inspection that Thomas Andrews has of the ship, the crews of the boilers, and the dynamos, many of whom sacrificed their lives to stay at their post to the last minute, keeping the lights on. We also get to see the drunk baker himself, Charles Joughin, and his (probably mythical) survival. While unlike Jack Phillips, whose SOS was, “The new signal. It may be your last chance to send it,” this movie should be one you put on your radar if you haven’t already. (Joseph Davis)
Poseidon Adventure
This week I decided it would be a good time to cross the 1972 disaster movie, The Poseidon Adventure, off my list of shame. Set aboard the final voyage of the S.S. Poseidon, we see the events that unfold as a group of survivors make their way deeper into the hull of the upturned ship in order to find a way to escape. While it does show its age, much like the aging Poseidon, this movie does still have moments of gravity as the ship slowly floods, with rising waters chasing the passengers the whole way through. Gene Hackman does phenomenally as the lead character of the film Reverend Scott, while the brief glimpse of Leslie Nielsen as the captain has made me realize how much I need to dive into his serious roles. This one is worth watching if you haven’t already. P.S. fun fact: The ship that serves as the backdrop for the Poseidon, the RMS Queen Mary, was had a notoriously slow roll that proved to make her somewhat unstable, as a rogue wave nearly caused her to capsize. (Joseph Davis)
Treasure Planet
Disney has spent the last few years creating live action remakes of their most famous movies, but one movie millennials have been wanting a sequel to for years is 2002’s Treasure Planet, a retelling of the book Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. When a creature with a map to Treasure Planet dies in Jim Hawkins’ (Joseph Gordon Levitt) mother’s inn, Jim sets out with Captain Amelia (Emma Thompson) and their crew to find the infamous planet with all the world’s treasures. Along the way, they encounter space pirates who just want the treasure for wealth, but despite all odds Jim comes to learn a lot about himself on this incredible journey. This movie features an amazing voice cast, with the likes of Martin Short, Laurie Metcalf, and so many more, all of whom elevate it. Treasure Planet takes place entirely in space, and mostly on a ship, and the animation needs to be talked about. With a mix of hand-drawn and 3D animation, it is surprising how many people have forgotten this movie. (Austen Terry)
Triangle of Sadness
When it comes to depictions of the sheer anxiety and chaos of a ship traversing through a rough storm, I can’t think of a film that captures it as well as Triangle of Sadness, a black comedy satirizing the dynamics between the working class and the uber-rich on a luxury yacht trip. At the midpoint of the film, the cruise passes through a bad storm, and as the seas roughen, the camera tilts back and forth at a nauseating rate, emulating the rocking of the boat. It certainly isn’t a pleasant experience, but you really feel the tension of the scene, and the trauma that the passengers and crew are going through, resulting in one of the most evocative scenes in any film last year. Aside from this great sequence, the film offers some great, thought-provoking exploration of wealth and power, and the ways in which they can corrupt all of us. Winning his second Palme d’Or in five years for this film, director Ruben Östlund has more than proven that he’s worthy of keeping an eye on in the future. (Jake Hjort)
Also See: Poseidon, Kon-Tiki, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Death on the Nile (1978), Adrift, Let Them All Talk, Noah