Five Sense Movies

In the 1950’s, it would cost you anywhere between 47-69¢ for a movie ticket depending on where you were and which decade. But we’re not talking about ¢ today. 

On IMDb I watched an interview with Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer about movies that speak to her five senses. With that said, here are mine:

SMELL. definitely comes to mind right away. When a child character is locked in an outhouse by his brother, he is so determined to get out (you’ll have to watch the movie to see why) that he chooses to jump down the hole to escape, completely immersing himself in peanut butter and chocolate sauce. That’s what he was literally jumping into when filming, but you don’t know that when you’re the viewer. When he emerges from the sewage and walks through a crowd that parts easily for him, I wrinkled my nose. Disgusting!

TASTE. This is a bit of an odd pick I guess, but the first that comes to mind is

(2004). In this film Adam Sandler is a chef, and in one scene he is making himself lunch 

on his day off. Now, if I took all the food scenes from movies I’ve watched I’m sure I could fill a hundred grocery carts. So why this one? The scene is shot so well in showing him making the lunch that it could cause any viewer’s mouth to water. Plus, it’s the kind of thing I love to make on my day off: toasted fried egg sandwich with meat, fried onions, lettuce, cheese, mayo, etc etc.

(2000). Every hit that is taken and given, especially by the main character, I felt like I was taking/giving. But I also would have to add a second: (1980) when Luke is getting his new artificial hand. The robot touches his fingers and palm to test its built in reflexes. I feel it every time I see it.

SOUND. Oddly enough, I think I’d pick 

(2008). The sound of the rocks and sand were captured on this movie so well I felt like I was right there in Iraq watching Jeremy Renner diffuse bombs.  (1979) at a close second.

SIGHT. There are so many to choose, though I think (2015) fits best for me. The sound is amazing, and something to be experienced, yet I could easily watch this movie on mute and take in all the visuals on their own merit.

We actually have other senses, so we should be calling the above “the five base senses” or “five main senses,” instead of THE five. For example, we have a sense of balance, and for that I’d choose the documentary (2008) or maybe Cliffhanger (1993). For pain, (1992) for two different scenes. For temperature, (1997) and (2017). There are others, but this isn’t a science or medical blog. I’ll move along…

And when I look at the three nominees for this week, I’ve actually only seen one. However, by just looking at the movie stills, the one that appeals to my senses the best would be…

Congratulations . This is your week.

Best Actor: Kevin McCarthy as Dr. Miles Bennell in

Best Actress:

Julie Adams as Kay Lawrence in

Best Quote: “I am fearful when I see people substituting fear for reason.” — Michael Rennie as Klaatu in What a fitting quote for the western world today.

My favourite movies of the 50’s you ask? Well, they would be…

• (1959)

(1953)

• (1956)

• (1954)

• (1954)

• (1957)

• (1952)

• (1957)

• (1955)

• (1958)