‘Mad Max 2’ is another movie dense with automobiles. It’s one of those sequels that rivals the original. Released in theaters as ‘Road Warrior’ in 1981, it follows up on the original 1979 Mad Max story inhabiting a post-apocalyptic desert landscape where everything is scarce, especially the fuel that powers each machine across the vehicle-heavy wasteland. The cars aren’t recognizable, this movie is full of modified machines from a dystopic future.
Mad Max, played by Mel Gibson, is stranded in a wilderness of dust and dirt and lives as a nomad having lost his wife and child. Cruising in his modified Ford Falcon, a ruthless-looking black V-8, road battles are a common theme, and Max faces villain Wez (Vernon Wells) in one of the epic road battles. He also pairs up with Gyro Captain (Bruce Spence). Plots to acquire black gold, oil in other words, drive the action. It’s one of the most classic action-adventure sci-fi films ever made. It’s a must-see.
Mad Max
Mad Max Rockatansky is legendary. He’s a badass cop who survives an apocalyptic disaster in the Australian outback. 'Mad Max' is a 1979 futuristic sci-fi taking place during the not-to-distant future after the collapse of society. It’s a ruthless world and he’s seen the worst of man. The worst of the worst is a bloody, murderous pack of motorcyclists who were furious after Mad Max gutted one of their guys. In retaliation, the biker gang slaughtered Max’s entire family. He has nothing left to do but go savage on them to avenge the murders.
Written by James McCausland with director George Miller, the film sparked a massive franchise with Mel Gibson as Mad Max. The modified black Ford Falcon, a ferocious V-8, is Max’s vehicle of choice that is a constant in the franchise. The car stunts are epic.
Taste of Cherry
Here’s a predicament. Suicide is illegal under Islamic law, and Mr. Badii, living in Tehran, is searching for someone to bury him after he commits suicide. Specifically, he wants to be buried under a cherry tree. This film by Abbas Kiarostami won the 1997 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
On Mr. Badii’s search to find someone to provide his wish, he runs into a Turkish taxidermist who drives him around the dusty roads of Iran while trying to convince the suicidal man of life’s beauty. Critics liked it. Time wrote, “The talk flows persuasively; the picture pulses with art and humanity.”
Senna
'Senna' is a British documentary released in 2010. It reviews the life of Brazilian motor-racer Ayrton Senna (hence the title), as well as his untimely death after sustaining fatal injuries at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The film was directed by Asif Kapadia, who chose to focus on Senna's career from his 1984 debut race until the crash that ultimately killed him.
The film also reviews Senna's rivalry with racer Alain Prost. Despite the fact that Senna was famous in his time and was publicly interviewed in several different occasions, Kapadia chose to use footage provided by Senna's family and video recordings of Senna's races.
The Love Bug
'The Love Bug' from 1968 is the film where Herbie, probably the most famous Volkswagen Beetle, makes its first appearance. The film was made by Walt Disney Productions, which would explain how it gained its iconic status. Interestingly enough, Herbie was never specified as a Volkswagen Beetle before the film's production.
Much like Hollywood's best actors and actresses, there were many cars that came to audition for the part. If things would have gone differently, Herbie could have been a Toyota or a Volvo. The final choice was made after crew members literally felt compelled to pet the pearly white car when they saw it.