Some “Countdown Classics” To Help Mainers Get Thru This Week

This week's like living in the most suspense-filled movie you can imagine. How is it going to end? How long till we get there? When we will know....? Make some popcorn and hunker done with any one of these nerve-wrackers instead of watching the news...

"The Andromeda Strain" (1971) - In order to defuse a bomb that's going to blow up and spread a virus that could wipe out the world, you first have to not get killed by an automated laser beam system designed to keep you from doing so. Must-see viewing for any pandemic non-believer.

"Goldfinger" (1964) - Sean Connery's best Bond film is all about beating the clock, from the raid on Fort Knox to the laser beam (again with the lasers!) that just might split him in two. The tick-tocking that goes on while 007 is up against the more-than-formidable villainous Oddjob ranks as one of the most nail-biting fight sequences ever!

"Speed" (1994) - You gotta love Dennis Hopper as The Mad Bomber who's rigged a bus with explosives that automatically arm when then the vehicle tops 50 mph. It's one of the most sinister plans ever: the bomb will go off should the bus slow down to under 50. Throw in the question of what to do when the bus runs out of gas and...well, good luck with your blood pressure.

"WarGames" (1983) - Computer geek Matthew Broderick rather ridiculously decides to play thermonuclear missile attack games with a U.S. Dept. of Defense super-computer that interprets the "game" as reality. A pretty decent spin on the Humans Vs. Robots theme actually: can you make electric toys understand feelings and emotions before we all go KA-BOOM?