1. Buried (2010)
Buried stuffs all of the Hitchcockian characteristics mentioned above in a blender and creates the ultimate, Hitchcockian smoothie. However, director Rodrigo Cortes manages to make the film his own through unique lighting, creative camera angles, a very contemporary plot, and a chair-gripping performance by Ryan Reynolds. As written in one of the reviews on the films poster, Alfred Hitchcock would have been proud of Burieds magnitude of suspense despite the coffin's walls constricting the chances of more elaborate methods throughout its running (or should we say, lying?) time. Paul Conroy is an American truck driver based in Iraq who wakes up in paranoia when he realizes that he has been inexplicably buried alive. The oxygen is regulated; the space, claustrophobic; the layers of soil above, compressing; the outcome, mesmerizing. The stage is set for an intense 90 minutes as soon as the plot starts rolling. Think of it as Spoorloos sequel; once in the coffin, the only thing left to do is try and escape (there you go). The only tools at Conroys disposal are a Zippo lighter and a Blackberry, which he must use rationally as respectfully continue consuming oxygen and running out of battery. He receives a phone call from the perpetrators threatening to leave him there unless they are paid a five million dollar ransom. Conroy has to deal with unreachable demands, hostage killings on video, and an American government that appears willing to sweep his case under the rug. It is a motivational test from the very beginning, and Conroy battles through to the very end. Most of us would have probably given up early. Whether he makes it out alive or not is something you ought to experience yourselves. And no, no hints this time. Go watch it! Do you think any example is missing? Please let us know in the comments!