Summary thread of disaster movies watched during the Great Pandemic of 2020/2021 with thanks to @racsterls for the idea...

...First of all in summary there are some well-loved essential elements, especially a) science-type who knows the awful truth but no-one listens b) The President (eventually listens to scientist) c) A separated family d) A dog e) Someone you like is sacrificed f) A disaster

1. The Day After Tomorrow: exemplary inclusion of separated family, President, scientist and even dog. Fully lost it when the 'cold' chases several of the cast. Exodus to Mexico very funny. Likeable guy falls through roof of shopping centre. Superb introduction to the genre 9/10

2. Armageddon: Absolute fromage from start to finish, some confusion as to whether this was a space film or a disaster movie. Strong gruff separation-dad effort from Willis. No-one would survive a disaster with decision-making like this. Don't remember a dog. Absurd. 4/10

3. Deep Impact: Awesome destruction of NY scenes, actually quite emotional in places esp. the tidal wave 'suicide scene'. Some strong crowd panic. Full marks for ending with Pres. Morgan Freeman in front of the Capitol. Excellent dog. Suprisingly serious 9/10.

4. Independence Day: The biggest slice of Hollywood US propaganda you will ever see, capped by announcing 'the world's independence day' Have a word. +1 Pres is the hero. +2 Strong re-united family vibes. Aliens very shonky. +2 for dog + Will Smith 5/10.

5. 2012: Very unlike the real 2012. Bit where tidal wave engulfs Everest absolutely absurd but oddly thrilling. Weather off the scale. Far too many near misses. Has dog and President Danny Glover is excellent. If you need a shortcut, this is every disaster movie in one film 7/10

6. Into The Storm: Dispatches with any form of plot or disaster element + no Pres and no dog. Separated family but not in any way related to the plot. Gets straight to the point and has a firenado. Can actually tell when the actors are in a wind tunnel 5/10

7. The Quake: Scandi-noir disaster movie unlike any other. Takes an age to do anything but fully worth it, especially for the 'glass scene' at the end. Not even the Norwegian Pres is in it. No dog. Absolutely superb science-type who no-one listens to. 8/10

8. San Andreas: Absolutely banging tectonic pseudo-science guy who no-one will listen to. No dog. No Pres. Very satisfying to see a different city to NY get absolutely pummelled esp. Hoover Dam + Golden Gate. Always wanted to parachute into Oracle Park. Also The Rock 10/10.

9. Geostorm: Thought maybe the budget had run out mid-shoot as a lot of padding before the storm arrives. Techno-angle to weather management allowed for some excellent new angles e.g. flood in Dubai, frozen village in Afghanistan. Too much set in space. Complete nonsense. 3/10.

To be continued!