Die Hard [1988] / Speed [1994] [DVD]

Description

Double bill of hostage-taking action films. 'Die Hard' (1988) stars Bruce Willis as New York cop John McClane who is visiting his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles, where she works. They are attending a party at Holly's high-rise office block when terrorists, led by the suave Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) break in, taking everyone hostage. McClane manages to evade capture, however, and sets out to rescue his wife and the other prisoners. It isn't long before he is running barefoot over shattered glass (ouch!) in a sweaty vest, muttering 'Yippy kay aye' as he dispatches the baddies with bullets and a certain earthy wit. In 'Speed' (1994), Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves), an LAPD cop on SWAT detail, has a fearless nature and a keen understanding of the criminal mind, but he is also rather reckless. Together with partner Harry (Jeff Daniels), they rescue a dozen hostages from a booby-trapped elevator rigged by a psychotic ex-cop (Dennis Hopper). With his plans foiled by Jack, the bomber makes alternative arrangements - rigging a city bus to explode if the speedometer drops below 50 mph. It's then up to Jack to save the passengers, including feisty Annie (Sandra Bullock), the passenger who is forced to take the driving wheel after the driver is shot.