Give 'Em the Works...Waterworks, That Is

That was a favorite film of my younger brother's. I say "was" because I don't know if it still is. About 15 years after its release, he found himself in a federal pen on tax fraud charges and, after eight years as a guest of the feds, it would seem indelicate to ask him. 

Indeed, especially when you begin them in your mid-50s. I'm glad you came out alive and, I hope, not too much the worse for wear.

Earthquake 1974, not just an earthquake but a man made water reservoir cracked and crumbled.

That's a two-for-one!

You might recall that it was advertised as being "In Sensurround," which entailed a series of speakers capable of reproducing very low frequencies meant to simulate the rumbling of a quake. A couple friends and I went to see it on opening day at Hollywood Blvd's Chinese Theater, and we noticed netting stretched across the auditorium's ceiling. When we asked the usher about it, she explained that testing of the Sensurround system had shaken pieces loose from the ornate ceiling's plaster work. We were young and we bought it at the time, but came to realize later that it was probably nothing more than a publicity gimmick. 

Great to see you here.

The famous sewers of Vienna where Harry Lime moves around unseen, until the final chase, in The Third Man 1949.

That's a biggie, one of the most memorable and iconic final pursuit/confrontation sequences of all time. And you, Teleadm were the one to nail it. Thank you!

My waterworks thread having dried up, I'll drown it with this:

The Parallax View

In the peaceful stream below a huge dam, the silence is suddenly pierced by the eerily blaring horn warning of opening spillways as undercover reporter Joe Frady (Warren Beatty) meets with the local sheriff, and soon comes to realize he's in danger from more than just the now-thundering water.

This gripping film drips with paranoia from beginning to end, and director Alan J. Pakula knows just how to ladle it out.