10 Movies Based On Mystery Novels You Might Not Know About Written by Mystery Sequels on October 9, 2013 · 7 Comments I love reading mystery novels, and I love watching action packed movies. I know that watching a good movie is a more popular past time than reading books, but did you know that many of the movies you’re watching are actually based on mystery novels? I have already listed 7 great mystery novels turned into movies , however the difference is that the books that sparked the creation of those movies are well know (e.g. Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code). However there are some quite popular movies that you might not actually know that have been in fact made from previously written books, some real gems that are worth discovering if you like reading mystery novels. So just for your entertainment, here are 7 movies based on mystery novels that you might not even know about. 1. Die Hard With Bruce Willis Did you know that the first movie in the Die Hard series (made back in 1988) is actually based on a book? The novel is called Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorpe.

It was first published in 1979 and it was in fact the second part in a series (the first novel in the series is called The Detective and it was first released in 1968). The movie adaptation is a bit different from the movie in that the main character is younger here, the names are different as well. In the book we’re talking about an older ex-cop named Joe Leland, while we know that Die Hard has John McLane as main character. 2. Rambo: First Blood With Sylvester Stallone Even if you’re not so ‘old’, I’m sure you’ve at least heard of the Rambo series with Sylvester Stallone. Or you might have even watched them. Granted, they’re a bit ‘dated’, but I do remember having watched them back in the day and yes, Stallone was my hero for quite some time, lol. The movie Rambo: First Blood was actually made from First Blood by David Morrell. Back in the day I used to love David Morrell’s books, I think I’ve read all of them, including probably the book that is the most popular all around, The Brotherhood Of The Rose.

In fact did you know that First Blood was actually David Morrell’s debut novel, published back in 1972? 3. Drive With Ryan Gosling The movie Drive is quite new (2011) and it features Ryan Gosling as main character. It is a really good one, I enjoyed watching it. However many people don’t know that it was also based Drive (same title book as the movie) written by James Sallis, which is the first in the Drive mystery series (the second novel, Driven, was published in 2012). If you haven’t watched the movie, is worth checking out, and so it is the book series, I quite recommend it. 4. Goodfellas With Robert de Niro, Ray Liotta And Joe Pesci Goodfellas is a very well known movie with anyone who enjoys anything related to Mafia – or loves watching movies with any of the actors playing this one. I admit, I’m not a huge mafia movie lover, but hubby is, so I watched it once with him when I had nothing better to do. It was good, but alas, not my type.

The book that sparked this movie is called Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family and it was written by Nicholas Pillegi in 1986. The book author was the one who adapted the novel to the big cinema screen. The book, btw, is a nonfiction story about life of mobster turned FBI informant Henry Hill. 5. Paranoia With Harrison Ford Paranoia is a movie I want to see, but haven’t gotten the chance to do it. It was released quite recently, in fact, in August this year. I’ll probably make it around this Christmas when I have some time and the movie comes out in DVD. I love Harrison Ford, have enjoyed watching his movies ever since I saw The Patriot years ago, and I expect this movie to be equally awesome. I think it comes out on DVD around November this year. But did you know that it is, in fact, made from a book called Paranoia by Joseph Finder? The book was written in 2004 and if you like spy thrillers, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. 6. The Company You Keep With Robert Redford Robert Redford is another actor that I highly regard.

Have been watching all his movies including Havana and Brubaker, and he is really a stellar actor, at least in my opinion. So I was quite happy to see that this year he is playing again in another movie, called The Company You Keep. And this was one case where I also had a surprise – I had no idea that the movie was made based on The Company You Keep by Neil Gordon. While I have read the books mentioned previously, this is one that I will have to read before I watch the movie when it comes out in DVD. The book was first published in 2003. 7. The Woman In Black With Daniel Radcliffe I’ve seen this movie simply because I loved Harry Potter. Nuff said. I think Daniel Radcliffe did a great job in it. The movie is kind of a supernatural mystery/thriller (some might call it a horror movie, but personally I don’t think it went that far). What you might not be aware of, however, is that the movie was made in 2012 based on the novel The Woman In Black by Susan Hill, who first wrote it back in 1983.

The book is categorized either a spooky mystery, a ghost mystery, a horror novel, a paranormal mystery, take your pick. Whatever it is called, it’s one of the books I recommend to read around Halloween . It’s perfect for the occasion. Related Posts The 25 Most Exciting Action Movies The 25 Most Exciting Action Movies Although clunky and thin, Liam Neeson's A-to-B actioner is undeniably exciting. 24 The Bourne Identity The first piece of evidence that Matt Damon could pack a wallop, and the last testament of director Doug Liman's real talent before 'Edge of Tomorrow.' 23 48 HRS. A seedling of the buddy cop action-comedy and one of the better examples of the genre thanks to the dynamic chemistry (and complementary bravado) of Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy. article continues below ad 22 Casino Royale The first (and most recent) Bond entry on this list, 'Casino Royale' instilled the secret agent with an otherwise long dormant sense of zest. 21 The Cannonball Run Goofy for sure, but iconic in its madness as a comedy and an action film both.

20 Kung Fu Hustle A little bit of action, a little bit of fantasy, and a whole lot of lunacy, Stephen Chow's 'Shaolin Soccer' follow-up build a wild, highly engaging world of adventure. article continues below ad 19 Big Trouble in Little China See this movie at midnight (the way it was meant to be seen) and you'll be up past six flying high on adrenaline. 18 Goldfinger This early Bond gem is one of the spy's most memorable for a reason: yes, it's slow-paced compared to the Bonds of later years, but it has plenty of action prowess up its sleeve. 17 The Fugitive One of Harrison Ford's final action pieces before stepping into rom-com and family fare, 'The Fugitive' is a special entry thanks to its terrific performances from Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. article continues below ad 16 Terminator 2: Judgment Day Far superior to James Cameron's original killer robot flick, Schwarzenegger switches sides to save the Connor name in this legendary action masterpiece. 15 From Russia With Love Another point for Connery's Bond.

His greatest turn as 007 comes even earlier than 'Goldeneye,' in this thrilling Cold War ballad that is chock full of action and adventure. 14 Assault on Precinct 13 Some more serious material from John Carpenter, the original 'Assault on Precinct 13' is a gritty, grueling man vs. man blitzkrieg that shows off the dirty potentials of the genre. article continues below ad 13 Face/Off Weird and wily, this love-it-or-hate-it flick from the late '90s should be celebrated for its unadulterated devotion to its zany ideas. 12 Predator Riveting and carnal fear is achieved in John McTiernan's great action sci-fi 'Predator,' which renders its obstacle as dangerous as it is mysterious.

11 Point Break Well before she graduated to masterpieces like 'Zero Dark Thirty,' Kathryn Bigelow showcased her panache for thrills in the truly exciting 'Point Break.' article continues below ad 10 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon While most action flicks on the list utilize fast cars and firearms to get the thrills in, Ang Lee's 'Crouching Tiger' ends up an especially piercing picture to behold with only the old school methods. 9 On Her Majesty's Secret Service The final, and best, Bond on the list: George Lazenby's only turn as the agent is perhaps the best thing we've ever seen of him, both in terms of action and, most definitely, dramatic work. 8 Kill Bill Vol. 2 While Quentin Tarantino's couplet of Bride films are in earnest one large piece, the second entry kicks things up in the realms of creativity, pacing, and some genuine heart... even if it's a heart that eventually explodes. article continues below ad 7 Lethal Weapon Equal parts wry and sincere, Richard Donner and Shane Black's first 'Lethal Weapon' movie perfects the blend of action, comedy, and male camaraderie.

6 Raiders of the Lost Ark Wide-eyed and earnest Indy faces off against nazis, drunks, criminals, rolling boulders, beams of soul-penetrating light, and (of course) snakes in one of America's touchstone series. 5 The Road Warrior How weird can an action flick get without going overboard? That doesn't seem to be a concern of Frank Miller's, as the second 'Mad Max' film is one of the oddest (and greatest) actioners to date. article continues below ad 4 Scott Pilgrim vs. the World A modern entry but a magnificently fresh one, Edgar Wright takes us somewhere between the real world and video game land to tell a story about a young man fighting for love. It's as kinetic as today's movies get. 3 Die Hard McTiernan tops 'Predator' with his average-joe-having-a-bad-day classic 'Die Hard,' which turned Bruce Willis from that wiseass from 'Moonlighting' into an action hero. 2 Con Air Pure unadulterated mania takes cinematic form in the otherwise incompetent director Simon West's first movie 'Con Air.' He had something back then.

article continues below ad 5 BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES You May Not Have Known Were Books First Summer movie season is here and the theaters will be well stocked with action-packed adventures, sci-fi spectacles and other films made to prove the old saying that bigger is better. This is the time of year for escapism and razzle-dazzle. Leave the serious subject matter and literary adaptations for Oscar season, right? Well, sort of. To be sure, summer is a time for larger-than-life blockbusters that go down easy with a bucket of buttered popcorn. But many "popcorn movies" once lived only on the shelves of bookstores and libraries, and in the imaginations of readers. Book-O-Saurus Rex With this year's re-release in 3-D, Jurassic Park made another fortune at the box office to go along with the one it earned when first released 20 years ago. With two sequels and another on the way, it's clear that people aren't tired of seeing dinosaurs rampaging at the local multiplex. The world of Jurassic Park is so cinematic that people forget it was first a best seller by Michael Crichton .

The author also co-wrote the screenplay for Steven Spielberg's film and he was no stranger to crossovers between books and movies. Crichton wrote many novels adapted for the screen, including The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Disclosure and Twister. He was also a filmmaker in his own right, writing and directing Westworld, Coma, and Looker among other movies. As if all this wasn't enough, Crichton (a former medical student) created the long-running TV series, ER. Reading About Rambo With The Expendables and The Expendables 2 proving that aging action stars still have some box office juice, it's worth noting that one of the signature roles of Sylvester Stallone's career had literary roots. Nope, not Rocky. That was an original screenplay by Sly himself. But the avenging veteran Rambo first appeared in the novel First Blood by David Morrell. Published in 1972, the book made it to the silver screen a decade later and has spawned 3 sequels so far, plus a short-lived animated series.

Die Hardcover Bruce Willis had cameo roles in both Expendables movies and has done pretty well with action fare himself since the worldwide success of Die Hard in 1988. With four sequels to date, Die Hard has become an iconic macho movie -- hardly the stuff of bookworms. Yet it was in print where the thrills began, in a 1979 novel called Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. The book itself was a sequel to The Detective, published 13 years earlier. And that book was made into a film starring Frank Sinatra in 1968, so Thorp clearly had a way with creating fictional tough guys ready for the Hollywood treatment. Going Ape Few movie franchises have been as durable as the Planet of the Apes . The groundbreaking 1968 original led to four direct sequels, a live action TV series, an animated TV series, Tim Burton's 2001 big screen remake, and most recently, the smash hit prequel Rise of the Planet of the Apes. With Dawn of the Planet of the Apes due in 2014, the movie monkeys seem ready to keep swinging well into the future.

But it all began with a French novel by Pierre Bouelle published in 1963. Bouelle also wrote The Bridge Over the River Kwai, which was adapted for the screen with the Academy Award-winning 1957 war epic. Night Of The Reading Dead From popular "zom coms" like Warm Bodies and Zombieland to the devoted following for TV's The Walking Dead, it's clear that zombies remain the monsters of choice these days. So an epic zombie movie like this summer's World War Z is perfect for audiences hungry for more creatures hungry for human flesh to fill their casual dinnerware . Before Brad Pitt took his place as the hero of this post-apocalyptic saga, however, the story was told in a top-selling horror novel by Max Brooks. The author is the son of legendary comic Mel Brooks (The Producers, Blazing Saddles), but don't assume there is a scary/funny divide between the Brooks generations. Aside from making one of the most popular horror spoofs of all time with Young Frankenstein, the elder Brooks' production company also backed the grisly 1986 version of The Fly.

So don't think autumn leaves have to fall or Christmas decorating has to be on your agenda before catching a flick with literary origins. The movie industry has known since its beginnings that a good story is a good story, and viewers -- like readers --are looking for those no matter what the calendar says. And if you're hunting for some quality reading, film-related or otherwise, check out the selections available for all ages at The Lakeside Collection. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Terms and Conditions PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING THIS SITE. BY ACCESSING THIS SITE YOU ARE AGREEING TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. USE OF SITE: This site is operated by The Lakeside Collection� ("Lakeside") from its offices within the State of Illinois, United States of America. Lakeside makes no warranty or representation that materials in this site are appropriate or available for use outside the United States. Persons who access this site from locations outside the United States are solely and individually responsible for compliance with all local laws which may be applicable. COPYRIGHT: All of the text, graphics, design and other content of this website Copyright 2000-2015 The Lakeside Collection� All rights reserved.

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We use this address to communicate with you about your account. We do not sell your email address to others. How else do you use information about me? Once you make a purchase from us, you become a part of our customer file. As a valued Lakeside Collection� customer, you will be put on our mailing list to receive catalogs from us in the future. How do I remove my name from The Lakeside Collection� mailing list? If, at any time, you wish to be removed from our mailing list please contact us by email with your name and address or click on the 'Contact Us' option. View All Critic Reviews (3) Audience Reviews for The Detective Frank Sinatra gives a gritty performnce in the crime thriller The Detective. It is pretty clear that Sinatra wanted The Detective to be as good a movie as he could manage, It provides a clear, unsentimental look at a police investigation, and even the language reflects the way cops and the rest of us talk. Cassandra Maples Super Reviewer Seeing how a "A Good Day To Die Hard" is about hit theaters here in the states I've chosen to take a look at the whole "Die Hard" series.

Which some of you might be wondering what connection this movie has with "Die Hard". Well John McClane first made his debut on print in the novel "The Detective". That novel had a sequel called "Nothing Lasts Forever" that got adapted into the action classic "Die Hard" which makes "The Detective" the first time John McClane has ever appeared on screen and debatably makes this the first entry of the "Die Hard" series. "The Detective" is about police detective Joe Leland investigation on the murder of a homosexual man. While investigating, he discovers links to official corruption in New York City in this drama that delves into a world of sex and drugs. The story does have some interesting aspects like Joe Leland love life and him exposing corruption in the police department. However, when Joe Leland does actual detective work is when the film becomes dull. Scenes are often drawn out and some character reiterate things we already know. The case itself is nothing too interesting either. There is a brilliant twist towards the end, but aside from that twist the actual crime solving aspect leaves something to be desired. The plot in general is so-so as the change in quality in certain part of the story is clearly visible.

Frank Sinatra is technically the first actor to play John McClane since the sequel novel was adapted and Frank Sinatra was even offered to reprise his role in "Die Hard" at the age of 73. He's brings a Oscar worthy performance with his portrayal. He carries the entire film on his shoulder even making some of the unintentional comedic moments be possible to take seriously. The rest of the supporting actors are good too. The editing could have been better. Some scenes could have been left out and certain scenes should have occurred later in the movie instead sooner. "The Detective" is too long for its own good only being saved by strong acting. "The Detective" wasn't a good film debut for John McClane, but to be completely honest it wasn't a bad either. It was slightly above average. Caesar Mendez Super Reviewer A gripping and riveting performance from Frank Sinatra in a role that you would never expect from The Chairman of the Board(in a rare form beyond the glare) and the subject matter so intense it will leave you asking for more.

Released in 1968,this was one of the few films that explored police corruption within the force,brutality,and not to mention to taboo subject of homosexuality which shocked audiences with it was release which included scenes depicting of a frank and shocking nature. Based on the gripping novel by Roderick Thorpe with a ripping screenplay by Abby Mann and Directed by Gordon Douglas. This was the first Sinatra film to received an "R" rating for its use of strong language and explicit subject matter. Jack Klugman, Lee Remick, Robert Duvall, Tony Mustante, and William Windom star. Mister Caple Super Reviewer I watched this because it was featured in the Celluloid Closet and it was pretty interesting and edgy for a Frank Sinatra movie. It kinda veers into a weird fantasy world towards the end but it was worth watching. Sunil Jawahir The A-Z of Die Hard - IGN The A-Z of Die Hard Share The A-Z of Die Hard Share. Die Hard's most memorable moments and characters. By Ali Gray With A Good Day To Die Hard due to explode into cinemas any second, we present the definitive A-Z of the Die Hard universe.

Taking in all characters great and small, from Argyle to Zeus via the McClanes, the Grubers and those bloody Johnsons, this entire alphabet has blown up more helicopters, smoked more cigarettes and uttered the MF word more times than is strictly healthy. Yippee-Ki-Yay! A is for... Argyle Jive-talking limo driver Argyle is John McClane 's exposition sponge in the first Die Hard movie, happy to sit back and drive his customer from LAX to Nakatomi Plaza while our hero conveniently fills us in on his profession, marital status and state of mind. He's left to chill in the underground car park listening to Stevie Wonder until he rams the terrorists' escape ambulance and saves the day. Hooray for Argyle, the real hero of Die Hard! B is for... Bruce Willis Got feedback on our player? We want to hear it. It seems crazy now, but Bruce Willis wasn't the first choice for John McClane – he was the seventh. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Richard Gere, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford and Burt Reynolds all turned down the part, leaving the star of TV sitcom Moonlighting to claim the role as his own.

25 years later, and it's impossible to think of anyone else wearing that dirty vest ensemble with quite the same degree of casuality. C is for... Carmine Lorenzo Aka The World's Worst Police Captain. Stationed on duty at Dulles International Airport in Die Hard 2 , Lorenzo develops an instant dislike to McClane and does his level best to stand in his way, even if it means letting terrorists run around his airport like hyperactive children. Carmine is only rivalled in asshattery by his police officer brother, Vito. D is for... Detective, The The origins of Die Hard are actually in print. The movie is based on a novel by Roderick Thorpe called Nothing Lasts Forever, but this was a sequel to an earlier book named The Detective, in which the lead character is called Joe Leland. Frank Sinatra starred in the movie version of The Detective, technically making him the first man to play the McClane character on film. When it came to casting Die Hard, the studio was contractually bound to offer Sinatra the part of John McClane, despite his being 73 at the time. E is for... Ellis, Harry “Hans, booby!

I'm your white knight!” Douchebags of the 1980s, this man was your God. Clad from head to toe in designer clobber and sporting a beard only recently revived by Ben Affleck in Argo, Harry Ellis was the Nakatomi Corporation's coked-up chump-in-residence: a man so confident of his own awesomeness, he thought he could bullshit his way out of a hostage situation. All he received for his efforts were a few swigs of Coca-Cola and a bullet in his brain. F is for... Farrell, Matt 03:26 Interview When diehard Die Hard fans heard of plans to team “analogue watch in a digital age” John McClane with a floppy-haired hacker geek, they almost wet themselves by way of protest. As it happens, Matt Farrell – played by Mac salesman Justin Long – wasn't the irritant he could have been, but instead a rather savvy method of highlighting McClane's allergy to technology and all things young, hip and groovy. Okay, he was a little bit annoying. G is for...

Gruber It's probably safe to say the Family Gruber is not on the McClanes' Christmas card list, or vice versa – if there are even any Grubers left. First came Hans, the methodical terrorist who hijacked Nakatomi Plaza in an audacious heist only to end up getting dropped off the roof; then came brother Simon, who attempted to get his own back on John McClane by setting off a series of New York bombs, only to be betrayed by his own bottle of aspirin. Here's hoping they don't have a sister. H is for... Holly The old McClane ball and chain has been absent since Die Hard 2; apparently she just couldn't stomach the fact that the same sh*t could legitimately happen to the same guy more than twice. A spunky soul and no mistaking, Holly McClane née Gennero certainly gave old Hans the runaround in the first movie, and got to land a satisfying sucker punch on Richard Thornburg in the sequel. She's now divorced and assumed to be dating other, very brave, men. I is for... Imitations An immediate success, Die Hard soon became synonymous with the 'lone man fights terrorists in enclosed space' action movie archetype.

After the first movie exploded at the box-office, we saw the likes of Under Siege (Die Hard on a boat), Speed (Die Hard on a bus), Sudden Death (Die Hard in a stadium) and Passenger 57 (Die Hard on a plane). Writer Steven de Souza has joked that someone later pitched him “Die Hard in an office building”, apparently unaware of the irony. J is for... Johnson, Agents Nothing symbolises the ineptitude of ultimate power better than the Agents Johnson – that's Big Johnson (Robert Davi) and Little Johnson (Grand L Bush), no relation – who swagger into the Nakatomi takeover flashing their FBI badges and proceed to royally fuck everything up: “Just like Saigon, huh slick?” The withering response from Little Johnson (“I was in junior high, dickhead!”) is proof these bad apples really didn't fall from the same tree. K is for... Karl Arguably the greatest henchmen who has ever lived.

The Teutonic blonde was understandably miffed when McClane ended his brother (“Nobody kills him but me!”), holding that grudge until the cowboy interloper strung him up in chains – he even pops up to say hello right before the credits, too. He's played by actor Alexander Godunov, who went to school with Mikhai Baryshnikov and trained in the Bolshoi Ballet before becoming Hans Gruber 's right hand man in Die Hard. L is for... Lethal Weapon Die Hard With A Vengeance was originally written as a standalone thriller called Simon Says: according to writer Jonathan Hensleigh, the first hour of the movie is almost word-for-word, save for the character names. Before it became John McClane's crazy New York adventure, it was touted to be the third sequel to Lethal Weapon. Close your eyes and you can just about see Riggs and Murtaugh solving those riddles, can't you? M is for... McClane family 01:18 Clip Early on in proceedings we became acquainted with John, patriarch of the McClane family, and spouse Holly, but later Die Hards saw the introduction of the McClane children.

Both offspring are glimpsed in the opening scenes of the first film, but daughter Lucy (Mary-Elizabeth Winstead) is all grown up in Die Hard 4.0, kicking ass and making daddy proud, while son Jack (Jai Courtney) is making trouble himself in A Good Day To Die Hard. N is for... Nakatomi Plaza 35 storeys and 495 feet high, Nakatomi Plaza was its name and, er, unspecified corporate business was its game. Towering high above Century City in Los Angeles, the setting of John McClane's victory over Hans Gruber is Fox Plaza, the home of movie studio 20th Century Fox. It's also made an appearance in Adam Sandler comedy Airheads, the opening scene of Speed was shot in the lobby, and it's one of the buildings that comes tumbling down at the end of Fight Club. O is for... Oscars Though John McClane's iconic white vest was cruelly denied an Oscar for Best Supporting Undergarment, the original Die Hard was actually nominated for four Academy Awards back in 1989: Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound and Best Sound Editing.

Sadly, it was beaten to all four technical awards, three of which went to Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. P is for... Powell, Al McClane's man on the ground, Twinkie-loving LAPD cop Sergeant Al Powell is instrumental in re-securing Nakatomi Plaza for the forces of good, although he only really becomes involved when a henchcorpse flattens his patrol car. A desk jockey forced back into active service by Gruber's heist, Al tells us his rather unconvincing sob story: “I shot a kid... it was dark, he had a ray-gun, it looked real enough.” Hmmm. Maybe a desk is the best place for you, Al. Q is for... Quips 00:52 Clip John McClane might not match Johns Rambo or Matrix for muscle, but his strength is his lightning wit, as evident in some of his better quips. Some are delightful off-the-cuff retorts (“Just the fax, maam”) while other zingers are a touch more profane (“I'm not the one who just got butt-fucked on national TV, Dwayne!”).

Some, on the other hand, are just confusing: “Hey, Carmine, let me ask you something. What sets off the metal detectors first? The lead in your ass or the sh*t in your brains?” R is for... Richard Thornburg Perhaps cinema's biggest ever Dick. Thornburg is a self-righteous TV news reporter who won't let little things like 'professionalism' or 'blatant disregard for human lives' get in the way of a good story. First, he alerts the media to the Nakatomi situation and throws Holly under the bus, then he broadcasts a special news bulletin from above Dulles International Airport, sending the public into a frenzy. Seriously, what a toolbag. S is for... Stuart, Colonel Got feedback on our player? We want to hear it. The main antagonist of Die Hard 2, ex-Special Forces commander Colonel Stuart is first seen practising martial arts in the nude for some reason. His dastardly plan to hijack the airwaves at Dulles International Airport and intercept drug lord Ramon Esperanza's flight is foiled by the moxie of John McClane.

Devious and cold-hearted, Stuart at least had some rock-hard buns going for him – until they were toasted in a giant fireball, that is. T is for... Thomas Gabriel 02:13 Trailer A far more modern villain, Die Hard 4.0's cyber-terrorist Thomas Gabriel has no time for naked karate – he's too busy being a computer genius and hacking the Pentagon. Described as “not people friendly” (witness the way he heartlessly deletes John McClane's pension from existence) and capable of breaking into even the most secure government systems with just a laptop, Gabriel is no angel, but McClane makes light work of him, even denying him the joy of hearing that catchphrase in full before shooting him dead. U is for... Unbelievably... 01:09 Trailer Believe it or not, A Good Day To Die Hard is the first film in the franchise to actually be written as an original Die Hard movie.

The first film was based on the Roderick Thorpe novel Nothing Lasts Forever, Die Hard 2 was intended to be a sequel to Commando, Die Hard With A Vengeance was originally called Simon Says and was almost a Lethal Weapon sequel and Die Hard 4.0 was written as a story called 'WW3.com' and based on an article from Wired Magazine. V is for... Val Verde Want to set your movie in a politically unsound South American hellhole without upsetting any actual countries? Val Verde is the place to be. Invented by writer Steven de Souza, Val Verde (translation: Green Valley) is the homeland of Die Hard 2 drug lord Ramon Esperanza, but it also features in Commando, is the setting for Predator , and pops up in US Navy TV drama Supercarrier. Judging by the various nefarious characters who call it home, even if it existed we wouldn't recommend going there on your holidays. W is for... Warlock If Justin Long made for a suspiciously athletic, healthy-looking hacker in Die Hard 4.0, perhaps Kevin Smith is more what you had in mind?

The Clerks director makes a last-reel cameo as ub3r h4xx0r Freddie Kaludis, alias Warlock, who operates a high-end cyber control centre from – where else – his mother's basement. Look closely at his monitor and you'll notice he's bidding on a Boba Fett action figure in between sticking it to the man. X is for... Xmas Christmas! It's a time for giving, a time for family, and in the case of Die Hard, a time for filling terrorists full of holes and laughing about it: ho ho ho indeed. 1988 was a Christmas to forget for the McClanes, with Hans Gruber crashing the party (here's hoping John had some comfy slippers under the tree), but 1990 wasn't much fun either: no one likes being stuck in an airport over the festive season. Y is for... Yippee-Ki-Yay Motherf*cker optional. McClane's iconic catchphrase has had one outing per Die Hard movie, even if its fourth utterance was muffled by gun-fire.

Hans Gruber is the first recipient, prompted by his insistence on calling McClane 'cowboy'; Colonel Stewart would have heard it too, had he not just recently exploded; Simon Gruber's chopper crash elicits the third; and it's the last thing Thomas Gabriel ever hears before he's shot. Z is for... Zeus “Yeah, Zeus! As in, father of Apollo, Mount Olympus, don't fuck with me or I'll shove a lightning bolt up your ass: Zeus! You got a problem with that?” Not at all, sir. In fact, Samuel L. Jackson's godlike sidekick is easily John McClane's most memorable partner: Die Hard With A Vengeance wouldn't have been half as much fun without Zeus's constant barrage of cursing, screaming and sass-mouthing. He's also responsible for the franchise's best one-liner: “You can stick your well-laid plans up your well-laid ass!” IN THIS ARTICLE View All Critic Reviews (3) Audience Reviews for The Detective Frank Sinatra gives a gritty performnce in the crime thriller The Detective.

It is pretty clear that Sinatra wanted The Detective to be as good a movie as he could manage, It provides a clear, unsentimental look at a police investigation, and even the language reflects the way cops and the rest of us talk. Cassandra Maples Super Reviewer Seeing how a "A Good Day To Die Hard" is about hit theaters here in the states I've chosen to take a look at the whole "Die Hard" series. Which some of you might be wondering what connection this movie has with "Die Hard". Well John McClane first made his debut on print in the novel "The Detective". That novel had a sequel called "Nothing Lasts Forever" that got adapted into the action classic "Die Hard" which makes "The Detective" the first time John McClane has ever appeared on screen and debatably makes this the first entry of the "Die Hard" series. "The Detective" is about police detective Joe Leland investigation on the murder of a homosexual man. While investigating, he discovers links to official corruption in New York City in this drama that delves into a world of sex and drugs. The story does have some interesting aspects like Joe Leland love life and him exposing corruption in the police department.

However, when Joe Leland does actual detective work is when the film becomes dull. Scenes are often drawn out and some character reiterate things we already know. The case itself is nothing too interesting either. There is a brilliant twist towards the end, but aside from that twist the actual crime solving aspect leaves something to be desired. The plot in general is so-so as the change in quality in certain part of the story is clearly visible. Frank Sinatra is technically the first actor to play John McClane since the sequel novel was adapted and Frank Sinatra was even offered to reprise his role in "Die Hard" at the age of 73. He's brings a Oscar worthy performance with his portrayal. He carries the entire film on his shoulder even making some of the unintentional comedic moments be possible to take seriously. The rest of the supporting actors are good too. The editing could have been better. Some scenes could have been left out and certain scenes should have occurred later in the movie instead sooner. "The Detective" is too long for its own good only being saved by strong acting. "The Detective" wasn't a good film debut for John McClane, but to be completely honest it wasn't a bad either. It was slightly above average.

Caesar Mendez Super Reviewer A gripping and riveting performance from Frank Sinatra in a role that you would never expect from The Chairman of the Board(in a rare form beyond the glare) and the subject matter so intense it will leave you asking for more. Released in 1968,this was one of the few films that explored police corruption within the force,brutality,and not to mention to taboo subject of homosexuality which shocked audiences with it was release which included scenes depicting of a frank and shocking nature. Based on the gripping novel by Roderick Thorpe with a ripping screenplay by Abby Mann and Directed by Gordon Douglas. This was the first Sinatra film to received an "R" rating for its use of strong language and explicit subject matter. Jack Klugman, Lee Remick, Robert Duvall, Tony Mustante, and William Windom star. Mister Caple Super Reviewer I watched this because it was featured in the Celluloid Closet and it was pretty interesting and edgy for a Frank Sinatra movie. It kinda veers into a weird fantasy world towards the end but it was worth watching. Sunil Jawahir

Question: Which 1988 action movie - the first in a series of five - was based on a novel called Nothing lasts forever by Roderick Thorpe ?
Answer: DIE HARD