The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Sturdy, stark, gritty but at times awesomely goofy -- entire money delivery sequence, for example -- caper with such an unbelievably gifted and precise cast. We don't know much about these characters, and actually we don't even need to, because it's just grumpy and bored old men doing their jobs (mostly well, even the criminals) while bitching about another hard day of work in this damn loud and chaotic city. Love the tonal shifts, from typically 70s brutal outbursts of violence to cold procedural through phone calls and every little movement by the chain of command. Matthau and Stiller, what a duo.