The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

I get that the plot’s not supposed to be the star here, but when it’s written as lazily as it is (the villain’s motivations are completely absent, as is the romantic chemistry between Frank and Jane), its presence distracts from what is otherwise an appreciably large and creative collection of silly sequences (see the driving instructor during car chase), pointed one-liners (“just think: next time I shoot someone I could be arrested”) and ever-escalating side gags (see the baseball montage).

6

The Towering Inferno (1974)

At the opening party of a colossal, but poorly constructed, office building, a massive fire breaks out that threatens to destroy the tower and everyone in it. (IMDb)

The disaster drama here is excellent, adeptly building from a spark of discomfort and brief but torturous dramatic irony to an epic and arduous fight for survival featuring plenty of exciting plot turns and equal amounts small triumphs and terrifying tragedies (Bigelow’s futile run through the fire is a searing memory). Throw in great turns from Newman and co., hints of intriguing building specification scandal, and solid visuals and you have yourself a great action-thriller.

7.5/10 (Really Good)