Movie with the word last

by christophershobris
| created — 16 Jan 2019
| updated — 16 Jan 2019
|

Public

A lot of films seem to have the word Last in their title. Here are some if not all.

It’s surprising to realize just how many movies there are that begin with the word «last» (or «the Last.») ironically, the first thing you hear about these movies (their titles) instantly suggests finality, but there must be something intriguing about it. Otherwise, we probably wouldn’t see so many movies use the word «last» at the start of their title.

Whether it’s because it sounds ominous, interesting, dramatic, or all of the above, it has to work in grabbing an audience’s attention. Many movies invoke this strange (and admittedly niche) phenomenon: these «last» movies may be the best you’ve ever seen.

‘Last Action Hero’ (1993)

At a point in his career, Arnold Schwarzenegger started frequently appearing in comedies. Truth be told, while a number of them may be nostalgic, they’re not all necessarily great movies and tend to be more family-oriented, featuring less in-your-face action than some of his more explosive roles.

That makes Last Action Hero feel surprisingly refreshing, as it combines comedy and action well in a story about a young action fan entering the world of his favorite movie character, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s very silly in parts but undeniably funny, charming, and action-packed, making it both a very good action-comedy and a good «Last» movie.

‘The Last Detail’ (1973)

A gritty dramedy starring Jack Nicholson, The Last Detail is about two men from the Navy who are asked to take another (younger) seaman to jail. They feel conflicted about their task, and a friendship develops between the three. The film then becomes about the trio enjoying their freedom and doing all they can to have a good time.

The Last Detail is the kind of movie that only really seemed to get made (and become popular) in the 1970s. It’s deliberately slow, more focused on characters over plot, and feels overall gritty and down-to-earth. It’s also notable for being one of the most profane movies of all time…at least at the time of its release. Certain movies released in its wake make The Last Detail’s salty language look mild in comparison.

‘The Last Duel’ (2021)

An unfairly overlooked film from 2021, Ridley Scott‘s The Last Duel shows the director still firing on all cylinders, well into his 80s. It’s a film that shows a terrible crime and its aftermath from three differing perspectives, all building to a climactic duel to the death, ending the film in a tense, brutal fashion.

In showing one truthful recount of a horrific event and two warped ones, The Last Duel shows how memory (or perhaps arrogance, too) can distort the truth. Its refusal to shy away from violence and misogynistic behavior makes it difficult to watch. However, the way it reflects and comments on issues that are still relevant today makes it an essential and hard-to-forget film.

‘The Last Emperor’ (1987)

Winning a staggering nine Oscars, including Best Picture, The Last Emperor is a film that runs close to three hours in telling the life story of Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the final Emperor of China. It’s a standard biopic at its core, but it is bolstered by a great score and beautiful visuals.

It also more than earns the «Last» in its title, given how it deals with the end of an era and the life of the last person to hold a particular title in China, one that went back over 2000 years. Puyi only had the title briefly as a child and wasn’t technically an emperor for much of his adult life, though it’s still an interesting story and should appeal to any fans of historical dramas.

‘Last Flag Flying’ (2017)

A spiritual sequel of sorts to the similarly-titled The Last Detail, Last Flag Flying also concerns the friendship between three men and feels like a dramedy, too (though perhaps it emphasizes drama more than it does comedy).

It is a very sad film, with one of the men having to bury his son, who’s recently died at war, with his two friends along for emotional support. Despite the heavy subject matter, it is a film that’s easy to like and get absorbed in, and it benefits from the three central performances of Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne, and Steve Carell.

‘The Last Picture Show’ (1971)

Perhaps the best film directed by the late Peter Bogdanovich, The Last Picture Show is a moving (and often downbeat) coming-of-age drama. It takes place in a small, dying town and deals with a group of high-school seniors, their romances, and their interactions with their parents, all while they hope they can escape the town and its restrictive, even oppressive atmosphere.

For anyone who’s felt stuck in life, The Last Picture Show may make for a cathartic watch…or it could just make the emotions that come with feeling stuck and without purpose even stronger. Either way, it’s endured as a classic because of its bold black-and-white cinematography and for helping kickstart the careers of actors like Jeff Bridges, Ellen Burstyn, and Cybill Shepherd.

‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ (1988)

Controversial upon its release but better understood today, The Last Temptation of Christ isn’t what one might consider a typical Martin Scorsese movie. It’s set 2000 years in the past and doesn’t involve any characters from the mafia, nor is it filled with catchy, iconic pop and rock songs.

It doesn’t adapt text from the Bible exactly, even though it features Jesus and has some basic similarities. Instead, it aims to delve deep into Jesus’ state of mind in the last few days of his life, becoming a psychological drama of sorts set in Biblical times. The last temptation of the title refers to the Devil trying to get Jesus to abandon his mission on the cross, and the extended, surreal sequence where Jesus is made to imagine what his life would be as a «normal» man is partly what landed the film in so much hot water upon release.

‘The Last of the Mohicans’ (1992)

Michael Mann may be best known for his crime-thrillers and modern-day action movies, but he’s also the director of The Last of the Mohicans, which is naturally very different. While it’s pretty action-packed and maybe even «thrilling,» the 18th-century setting—and focus on the conflict between the French, British, and Mohicans—makes it a far cry from something like the cops and robbers story in an L.A. setting found in 1995’s Heat.

To Mann’s credit, he does a great job at directing a very different film, with The Last of the Mohicans even being among his best directorial efforts. It’s bolstered by a great lead performance from the always compelling Daniel Day-Lewis, its fast pace, and some visceral action sequences.

‘Last Night in Soho’ (2021)

One of two films that Edgar Wright released in 2021, Last Night in Soho, sees the filmmaker moving further away from his comedy origins than ever before, albeit to moderate success. It’s not a seamless or perfectly executed psychological thriller/horror film, but in large part, it works, with an engaging premise about a young woman being transported to the 1960s and finding it far darker and seedier than she’d imagined.

It’s the look of the film that proves most intoxicating, with its trippy visuals and great use of color. Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy are also both very good, and it’s overall the kind of movie where you can overlook some of its shortcomings, thanks to its stronger aspects being particularly strong.

‘The Last Seduction’ (1994)

The last «Last» film worth mentioning is The Last Seduction, from 1994. It’s a film that time seems to have forgotten, to some extent, which is a little unfair: it’s a gripping and very well-made neo-noir about a modern-day femme fatale and the various (usually shady) men she uses for her benefit.

As far as neo-noir films that directly capture classic film noirs go, The Last Seduction has to be one of the most directly inspired by black-and-white films from the 1940s and 1950s, though with a post-modern 1990s spin to the proceedings. With a committed central performance from Linda Fiorentino, The Last Seduction is a movie that should be on more people’s radars if it wasn’t already.

KEEP READING: 10 Times The Character in a Film’s Title Wasn’t The Main Character

We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.

With M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender (click here for review) opening on July 1 it got me thinking. Movie studios love the word «last.» Can’t get enough. Just this year there’s Miley Cyrus’ The Last Song. The Last Station just came out on DVD. There’s classic bombs like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s The Last Action Hero, and perhaps the worst of the bunch, The Last Holiday starring Queen Latifah.

Now, let’s talk about the best of the bunch. These are the «TOP 7 Movies with the word ‘Last’ in the Title.» As always, I had to make some tough cuts, so those simply make it into the comments section below.

7. The Last Boy Scout (1991)

Recap: A detective (Bruce Willis) and ex-quarterback Jimmy Dix (Damon Wayans) are thrown together to attempt to solve a murder.
Reason: Writer Shane Black and director Tony Scott finally have the gumption to put a loaded gun on the football field and in the hands of a star running back. It’s over-the-top insane. But not nearly as insane as the ex-quarterback joining forces with a rouge cop to save the day. «Touch me again and I’ll kill you,» still remains a line I love to break out whenever possible. Though, I rarely follow it up with smashing a guy’s nose into his brain. Rarely. This film hit me at my Bruce Willis high. Not even dancing a jig could slow down the fun I had with this flick.

6. The Last Samurai (2003)

Recap: An American (Tom Cruise), who has spent years defending this country, begins to understand the ways of Japan around the time of the American Civil War.
Reason: Yes, there’s a formula at work here. Yes, it feels like Dances With Wolves or the number __ movie on this list. Yes, it didn’t make my recent TOP 7 Tom Cruise Movies. But can you stop being so negative for one second with this film? It’s good. Just never great. Once again Cruise pours himself into a role, and throws his body around whenever possible. Having Ken Watanabe and Billy Connolly around is just good thinking.

5. The Last King of Scotland (2006)

Recap: Based on true events of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). We get an inside look at his regime through the eyes of Dr. Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy).
Reason: It’s a very intimidating performance by Whitaker, and it gave him the Academy Award for best actor. This is the part where I once again rant that McAvoy is the lead of this film, and Whitaker is the supporting actor. After all, McAvoy is in every scene! More importantly the movie balanced violence and charm with such a fine line that you’ll be begging for more Idi Amin.

4. The Last Emperor (1987)

Recap: Pu Yi (John Lone) was born to be the absolute ruler of China. But when the world changes, he is forced to move beyond the tradition and be the last emperor his nation will know.
Reason: This sprawling epic gives us a glimpse into another world, which is simply mind blowing. It’s only 100 years ago and the spectacle that is the emperor’s life is entrancing. It hops around a little too much to be any higher on the list, with the best moments of the film always involving the great Peter O’Toole. One more thing, for a PG-13 rating, this pushes some sexual boundaries.

3. About Last Night … (1986)

Recap: A man (Rod Lowe) and woman (Demi Moore) have an affair even though their friends are trying to stop them.
Reason: David Mamet wrote the play that this film is based on. Simply knowing that makes you realize it isn’t a no-brain sex comedy. Edward Zwick gets two films on this list. He also directed The Last Samurai. Elizabeth Perkins and James Belushi are the best friend sidekicks and nail the role. has shown rare moments of acting, this is one of them. Plus, Chicago is given a starring role. There’s a Cubs game before the rooftops became popular and 16-inch softball. Lowe pulls off the pretty, simple man. Moore actually is the one in charge. This film came out three years before When Harry Met Sally but rarely gets the credit for pushing adult romantic comedies to the next level.

2. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Recap: A dying tribe of Mohawk Indians is in the middle of battles between the British and French troops. Hawkeye aka Nathaniel Poe (Daniel Day Lewis) has been adopted by the tribe, and now protects Cora (Madeleine Stowe) and her sister.
Reason: Michael Mann makes you care. Day Lewis makes you really care. For all those ladies swooning over Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, take note of the perfect job Day Lewis does. This film is a great example of putting you in a big picture, but honing it down to just a few characters. Avatar doesn’t exist if this movie (yes, a remake from a novel) is never made. It’s also one of the best musical score’s ever from a film.

1. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Recap: Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is back in the third installment of the series. This time he needs his father (Sean Connery) to help track down the holy grail, before it falls into the hands of Hitler and Nazi Germany.
Reason: The first may be the best. This one, however, is the most fun of the series. The banter between Ford and Connery is perfect for any father/son to appreciate. The action sequences on foot, motorcycle and airplane keep us on the edge of our seats. And at the end … we ride of into the sunset, never to see Ford put on the classic hat again. Wait a minute, what about Indy Part 4? No, no, no. We ride off into the sunset! This I command! And as for the number one pick on this list, I chose … wisely.

There’s the Top 7, now what should be in the Top 10?

Have you ever noticed how many movies there are with last in the name? From classics like The Last of the Mohicans with Daniel Day-Lewis to modern comic book movies like X-Men: The Last Stand, this list ranks the best movies with last in the title, regardless of genre or rating. What is your favorite movie with last in the name? This is kind of an odd way to categorize movies, but that’s also why it’s so fun! There are probably one or two movies with last in the title that you instantly think of, but you might be surprised how many others there are too as you scroll through this list.

This ranked poll of films with last in the title includes good movies like I Know What You Did Last Summer and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Don’t forget that this list is interactive, meaning you can vote the film names up or down depending on much you liked each movie that has the word last in it.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Last Word
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Mark Pellington
Written by	Stuart Ross Fink
Produced by	Mark Pellington Anne Marie MacKay Kirk D’Amico Aaron Magnani
Starring	Shirley MacLaine Amanda Seyfried AnnJewel Lee Dixon Anne Heche Tom Everett Scott Thomas Sadoski Joel Murray Adina Porter
Cinematography	Eric Koretz
Edited by	Julia Wong
Music by	Nathan Matthew David
Production companies	Wondros Myriad Pictures Aaron Magnani Productions
Distributed by	Bleecker Street
Release dates	January 24, 2017 (Sundance) March 3, 2017 (United States)
Running time	108 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$2,982,004 [1]

The Last Word is a 2017 American comedy-drama film directed by Mark Pellington, from a screenplay by Stuart Ross Fink. It stars Amanda Seyfried and Shirley MacLaine.

The Last Word premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2017. It was released on March 3, 2017, by Bleecker Street.

Synopsis[edit]

A retired businesswoman wants to control everything around her, knowing that she only has a little time left before an imminent death due to a medical condition. She decides to craft her own obituary, so she hires a young obituary writer to work with her to ensure her life story is told her way. The businesswoman tries to expand the horizons of her life, and adopts a young kid for mentoring and lands herself a job as a disc jockey. She grows close with the young writer and influences her life.

Cast[edit]

• Shirley MacLaine as Harriett Lauler
• Amanda Seyfried as Anne Sherman
• AnnJewel Lee Dixon as Brenda
• Anne Heche as Elizabeth
• Tom Everett Scott as Ronald Odom
• Thomas Sadoski as Robin Sands
• Joel Murray as Joe Mueller
• Adina Porter as Bree Wilson
• Philip Baker Hall as Edward
• Sarah Baker as Zoe
• Steven Culp as Sam Serman
• Basil Hoffman as Christopher George
• Todd Louiso as Dr. Morgan

Production[edit]

In September 2015, it was announced that Amanda Seyfried and Shirley MacLaine would star in the film, with Mark Pellington directing from a screenplay by Stuart Ross Fink, while Myriad Pictures would handle sales and finance the film.^[2] In February 2016, Anne Heche, Philip Baker Hall, and Tom Everett Scott joined the cast of the film.^[3] Nathan Matthew David composed the film’s score.^[4]

Filming[edit]

Principal photography began on February 3, 2016.^[5] and concluded on March 11, 2016.^[6]

Release[edit]

In November 2015, Bleecker Street acquired U.S distribution rights to the film.^[7] The film had its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2017.^[8][9] It was released on March 3, 2017.^[10] On its first weekend, the film grossed $35,000 from four theaters in New York and Los Angeles.^[11]

Critical reception[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval of 40% based on 95 reviews, with an average rating of 4.9/10. The website’s critics consensus reads: «The Last Word proves Shirley MacLaine remains a wonderfully magnetic screen presence — and deserving of a far better vehicle for her considerable talents.»^[12] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 40 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating «mixed or average reviews».^[13]

References[edit]

External links[edit]