When I was couch-bound the last couple of weeks, I watched a lot of movies, and I thought it would be fun to do a few mini-reviews:
- The Longest Day (1962) — Before Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers, this was the closest a non-combatant could get to the D-day invasion. I am a huge fan of Band of Brothers, and it was great to see one of the films in its family tree. I especially loved the performances from Robert Mitchum and John Wayne. Like Midway, all the non-English speaking characters are subtitled, which gave it a docudrama feel that I enjoyed. The title isn’t misleading, though. This film is l o n g, so get comfortable.
- Bullitt (1968) — If you think, as I did, that this is just about a great car chase, you’re missing out. Robert Vaughn turns in a fantastic performance as the guy you’re not quite sure you can trust, Steve McQueen is as cool and unflappable (without being aloof) as ever, and I have a crush on the 1968 version of Jacqueline Bissett. The DVD that I have includes a couple of cool features about the making of the movie, produced when the film was in production, that help a 2005 audience understand how ground-breaking this film was.
- California Split (1974) — Contrary to what I expected, this is not a simple gambling movie; this is a movie about two incredibly loveable losers, played to perfection by Elliot Gould and George Segal, who happen to be compulsive gamblers. The acting, story, and direction are fantastic. All the actors feel like real people, and the whole thing has such an air of authenticity, the audience could feel like it was just along for the ride with these guys, if Altman could just let the camera sit still for a second. It’s constantly pushing in or pulling out, and just when I started to feel like I was witnessing real, flawed, fascinating people . . . the damn camera would make some unnecessary move and scream, “Hey! You’re watching a movie!” I still think it’s a great film, though. I can’t say enough about the improvisation between Elliot Gould and George Segal, and Gwen Welles is outstanding. If you like character-driven movies, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
- Night of the Hunter (1955) — Also known as the Robert Mitchum “Love” and “Hate” tattoo movie. This film disturbed me the same way that “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe?” did, but for entirely different reasons. Robert Mitchum plays a bad, bad man, who claims to be a preacher, but is actually a con-man and thief. When he finds out that his cell-mate Ben Johnson (played wonderfully by Peter Graves)’s family has $10,000 hidden somewhere in their possession, he tries to get the cash by marrying Johnson’s widow. Trouble is, the widow (Shelly Winters) doesn’t know where the money is — that knowledge is held in the heads of her small children, who were sworn to secrecy by their father before he was arrested. Winters is amazing as the woman who is so afraid of becoming a spinster she’ll marry Mitchum, who oozes as much malevolence as the devil himself. I won’t spoil any of the story, because it’s one of the most suspenseful things I’ve ever watched. A+++++++ Will Do Business Again!!!1
- The Cincinnati Kid 1965 — I wasn’t trying to have a Steve McQueen-a-thon, I swear. I just figured that if I couldn’t play poker, at least I could watch what is almost universally considered to be the best poker movie of them all (yes, that includes Rounders) Okay, after Bullitt, The Great Escape, The Magnificent Seven, and The Cincinnati Kid, I totally have a not-gay crush on Steve McQueen. I wish I could be 1/8 as cool as he is . . . and those eyes! You know how “Nobody fucks with the Jesus?” Well, nobody fucks with the Steve McQueen, either, if they know what’s good for them. Karl Malden, Edward G. Robinson, and Ann Margaret give flawless performances in this film about a hot poker player (McQueen) who takes on a player so amazing, he’s simply known as “The Man” (Robinson). I have this thing for characters who are deeply flawed, yet sympathetic, and Karl Malden, as McQueen’s friend Shooter, is one of the greatest I’ve ever seen. Ann Margaret is so sexy, so sultry, and so much trouble . . . and that’s all I’ll say about that. Rip Torn and Joan Blondell round out a superb cast, and Norman Jewison, who also did . . . And Justice For All and the original, superior-to-the-remake-in-nearly-every-way The Thomas Crown Affair (and I’m not just saying that because it stars my hero Steve McQueen) knows when to be subtle, and when to really let us have it. My DVD has a very entertaining commentary from Dave Foley and Phil Gordon on the poker scenes, that even non-poker players will enjoy. Poker players, on the other hand, almost certainly wait for the day when they hit their one-outer and get to say, “That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Making the wrong move at the right time?”
- Star Wars (1977) — A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas still cared about story and characters. The remastered DVD is gorgeous, and Empire of Dreams could make a weaker person forget about Episode One.
I also watched a whole bunch of WSOP 2004 and 2003 reruns on ESPN, and almost the entire second season of World Poker Tour on DVD. I know that I watched more than six movies, but they’ve blurred together into a medication-woven Gerald Scarfe / Ralph Steadman tapestry that I think is best left undisturbed.
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I’m glad to see someone else breaks out the Steve McQueen when stuck on the couch. I haven’t seen “Night of the Hunter” yet, but you’ve now prompted me to put it on my online rental list. Thanks, Wil!
Your movie listing is great, and gives me some ideas for a rent on the few I haven’t seen.
Your inclusion of Star Wars is just one of the reasons why I keep coming back: You speak to the heart of all of us 30-year old guys refusing steadfastly to grow up too much.
Thank you, Wil.
Glad to see some light conversation. I’m glad you feel the way you do about the new trilogy. I think the whole thing is one big pointless disaster.
I did secretly hope you would be boycotting the “special” edition original trilogy DVD’s, but I know they are hard to resist. My laserdiscs are starting to look horrible, but I can’t stand the thought of the special editions replacing the originals. I’m hoping someday Lucas will see the light and release the originals (but I doubt it happen).
Nothing better than vegging out and blurring movie after movie when you’re half-delirious and hurting. I did it at least 3 times last year when I was still living in the Northwest. Something about the humidity… or something.
Steve McQueen always struck me as ridiculously sexy. I wasn’t alive during his heydey, but he seems to command a screen like no one else in our modern generation.
Now that I live in LA, I’ve had the fortune to enjoy some great, old-school flick double features at the Egyptian. A couple of weekends ago I watched Casablanca (for the first time ever!) and then stayed for Hitchcock’s Notorious. Casablanca just blew me away! And I thought it was all hype. The first 20 minutes of Notorious had me worried about the rest of the film, but once I convinced myself that the romance between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman existed, at least for the time being, it picked up the pace and ended fabulously. Ingrid Bergman plays a charming drunk.
Hope you’re feeling better. Just thought I’d mention that my comedy nerd boyfriend constantly teases me for being a regular reader of your blog, but when he found out (too late) that you performed at the ACME, he couldn’t believe I didn’t mention anything, and he told me he would have accompanied me. It made me happy.
Thanks for the reviews. You’re a fabulous writer.
Night of the Hunter. Charles Laughton is the bizarro world Moonlight Graham of film directors. Hits a walk off home run in his only at bat, then disappears.
Man, I’m a sucker for Steve McQueen films. The one film of his that I can count on, day or night, is The Great Escape.
Nothing makes me smile bigger than watching him ride that bike all over the hills, jumping those spiky fences.
Yee-haw.
The next time you have a few hours, check out The Best Years of Our Lives. I find it in the player whenever my hubby has spent some sick time at home on the couch. The general impression is that WWII vets didn’t come home as “messed up” as Vietname vets, but this one proves otherwise.
i know the new trilogy has it’s detractors, but I simply feel bad for the crowd that hates the new one. No, i’m not going to do a fanboy “this is why it’s awesome” rant, because that’s both stupid and useless. Hating the new triology is a 100% opinion matter. Some hate it (Wil, 1000s of others) – it just didn’t click for them, others love it (me, 1000s others) – it just clicked for us.
All I know is that my 5 year-old nephew loves episode I more than any of the other 5 (well, 4 – he still hasnt seen ep3). The podrace scene makes him smile and cheer EXACTLY like a scene i adored at his age: Marty McFly’s skateboard chase outside the diner in Back to the Future (1). Oh, and Jar Jar makes him giggle.
Again, you guys have every right to gripe about why you hate the new trilogy. I’m just saying it’s a shame you hate it. You have a right to hate it, but hating a movie is so much less fun than loving one. Oh well. Hopefully you’ll find another movie more to your taste (and, nice to see, from these mini-reviews – you did).
My favorite McQueen movie of all time is Papillon, co-starring Dustin Hoffamn. Excellent, excellent, excellent movie. It’s one of those flicks that pulls you in and makes you feel that you’re part of the story.
Steve McQueen was the MAN. I grew up watching Bullitt. For as long as I can remember all I’ve ever wanted was a Hemi Charger or a Shelby California Special Fastback Mustang. *swoons* Not to many girls would rather have the car then the guy.
I always have movie-thons when I’m sick, it’s the best way to pass the time, especially if you’re a movie junkie like me.
Isn’t it a sin to say anything bad about Star Wars and George Lucas?
That’s it, you’ve ruined my revision. I’m going to have to submit to a Steve McQueen day tomorrow, exams can wait!
The husband and I just finished watching Star Wars naka A New Hope last night. Afterward, we both remarked that if George Lucas had spent half as much time on the actual story for the new trilogy that he did on the special effects, then the new trilogy would have been a triumph for him.
In Star Wars, the special effects supported the story. Sure, the dialogue was still cheesy and I really hadn’t realized just how whiny Luke Skywalker was in this one, but you cared about the characters! You cheered for them and wanted the heroes to win. Compare that to Phantom, AotC or RotS, and there’s just no heart in the new ones. Some kick-ass lightsaber fights and some wowee special effects, but, aside from ObiWan, you really don’t feel for the characters.
I just hope that in 30 years time (we’ll be in our 60s then!) that the original trilogy will still be loved and appreciated the way it is now. That would be a beautiful thing.
what a weird coincidence…as i type this, i’m watching Night Of The Hunter. after years of trying to catch it on tv and being pissed when they only would show it at 5 in the morning, i FINALLY get to see it. it’s pretty good so far, and Robert Mitchum is scaring the crap out of my little sister. i for one think he’s rather ruggedly handsome…but that’s me and my weird taste in men (no offense Wil!).
Speaking of Bullitt — surly one of the coolest movies ever made — while I was recently recovering from walking-pneumonia, my TV/DVD binge included a lot of Futurama. What has one to do with the other? In the commentary on a Futurama episode that involved a car chase through San Francisco, they mentioned a tribute to Bullitt, in that as the car careens through the streets, it loses five hubcaps, just like in Bullitt.
For what that
Favorite McQueen movie: The Great Escape (1963).
Which reminds me of another classic that I *love*: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). (Yes, that’s Ben Kenboi as the Colonel).
Favorite Duke flick: Rio Bravo (1959). Also starring one of the. most. talented. people. ever: Dean Martin.
Wayne and Mitchum teamed up again in El Dorado (1966). Treat yourself.
Ok, gotta hit NetFlix now for California Split.
–AJ
These sound like awesome movies, and I agree that Steve McQueen is riveting no matter what the role. He’s definately movie-hero material. I might just have to go rent some of his movies next time I do a movie night. ^.^
On the side, I wanted to thank you for setting an example for me. When you posted your opinions on the voice actor business you got a lot of angry comment, but you didn’t shut down and run off. I recently had my own blog attacked because I quit a game. How childish is that? Anyway, my friends told me I should delete my blog and start a new one. I agreed at first, and Thank God Live Journal gives you 30 days to change your mind. Because of you I decided not to run away. I’m gonna keep my blog.
Thanks again.
Good to see that you (appear to) love IMDB.
Ooo Star Wars *drools* Lol, I have Episode IV in my VCR right now, and as soon as I’m done on the net I’ll be heading back to my room to watch it. But I just don’t get why people, mostly fans who were around for the 1977 release, hate the new trilogy. For me it was Phantom Menace that got me into the whole Star Wars thing in the first place.
Wil is correct. Steve MvQueen rules and The Cincinnati Kid is The. Best. Poker. Movie. Ever.
This only proves to me that I need to get out and find people that can expand my horizons. Steve McQueen who? Anyway, I think the only movie I’d ever heard of was Star Wars, and I fell asleep during that one. I think THAT is the sin. Somebody’s going to shoot me now that I admitted it aloud.
“A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas still cared about story and characters.”
Yes. That’s true. I am one of those folks completely, utterly underwhelmed by the prequels. I think the Tomato Nation gal put it best when she said that starting the story ‘in the middle’ was an excellent technique – did we necessarily need to see how Darth became evil? Not really. We could let our imaginations run and conceptualize it however we saw it. I’m not any richer for watching Padme go from a girl with some strength to someone who would just up and die pathetically. Or for watching Anakin scream “nooooooo” and want to laugh (or yell “Stella!” at the screen). I just think it lame that he would “pad” the first two movies and then leave 60%+ of the remaining info for this one.
Memo to George: Always always always start with story first. That’s what the folks at Pixar do with every movie. THEN you create visuals to support it. And dialogue, preferably written by actual screenwriters.
And now I’ll get off my soapbox.
The husband and I just finished watching Star Wars naka A New Hope last night. Afterward, we both remarked that if George Lucas had spent half as much time on the actual story for the new trilogy that he did on the special effects, then the new trilogy would have been a triumph for him.
In Star Wars, the special effects supported the story. Sure, the dialogue was still cheesy and I really hadn’t realized just how whiny Luke Skywalker was in this one, but you cared about the characters! You cheered for them and wanted the heroes to win. Compare that to Phantom, AotC or RotS, and there’s just no heart in the new ones. Some kick-ass lightsaber fights and some wowee special effects, but, aside from ObiWan, you really don’t feel for the characters.
I just hope that in 30 years time (we’ll be in our 60s then!) that the original trilogy will still be loved and appreciated the way it is now. That would be a beautiful thing.
The husband and I just finished watching Star Wars naka A New Hope last night. Afterward, we both remarked that if George Lucas had spent half as much time on the actual story for the new trilogy that he did on the special effects, then the new trilogy would have been a triumph for him.
In Star Wars, the special effects supported the story. Sure, the dialogue was still cheesy and I really hadn’t realized just how whiny Luke Skywalker was in this one, but you cared about the characters! You cheered for them and wanted the heroes to win. Compare that to Phantom, AotC or RotS, and there’s just no heart in the new ones. Some kick-ass lightsaber fights and some wowee special effects, but, aside from ObiWan, you really don’t feel for the characters.
I just hope that in 30 years time (we’ll be in our 60s then!) that the original trilogy will still be loved and appreciated the way it is now. That would be a beautiful thing.
The husband and I just finished watching Star Wars naka A New Hope last night. Afterward, we both remarked that if George Lucas had spent half as much time on the actual story for the new trilogy that he did on the special effects, then the new trilogy would have been a triumph for him.
In Star Wars, the special effects supported the story. Sure, the dialogue was still cheesy and I really hadn’t realized just how whiny Luke Skywalker was in this one, but you cared about the characters! You cheered for them and wanted the heroes to win. Compare that to Phantom, AotC or RotS, and there’s just no heart in the new ones. Some kick-ass lightsaber fights and some wowee special effects, but, aside from ObiWan, you really don’t feel for the characters.
I just hope that in 30 years time (we’ll be in our 60s then!) that the original trilogy will still be loved and appreciated the way it is now. That would be a beautiful thing.
I too salute your decision to donate the remaining funds. If the world had more resposible animal owners like you, we could put those shelters out of business for good.
As for the movies, though. What, no Lebowski? That just seems very wrong to me.
Personal favourite Steve McQueen movie Love with the Proper Stranger…but then again maybe I’m being girly.
BTW props on your music selections Wil! That is I’m assumin’ the amazon linked albums are ones you either possess or listen to…..
You watched Dr. Strangelove too!!!!!
Behold the power of WWDN. Bullitt has been in my Netflix queue for weeks, and is finally near the top. Suddenly, it shows up as “Short Wait” only a day after it is listed in Wil’s mini-reviews. Coincidence?
The Longest Day was quite a spectacle in it’s day. The new DVD has a very interesting extra feature documentary about the impact the film had on the film industry at that time.
Midway is one of my favorite films but I think you’re remembering Tora Tora Tora in terms of the Japanese subtitles. Midway used Japanese-American actors speaking in English, with the exception of the great Toshiro Mifune who was dubbed. Tora Tora Tora was co-directed by Richard Fleischer who handled all the American scenes and Kinji Fukasaku who directed everything Japanese (with extensive subtitles). I can’t think of another film that was done that way. Both great films.
If you liked the film (“The Longest Day”) try reading Cornelius Ryan’s book. One of the few where both the book and the film are great. Be careful, however, if that takes you into some of his other work, “The Last Battle” is also very good but the Fall of Berlin wasn’t a happy place.
The Longest Day is awesome. Say, since you like the original Star Wars so much, what are your thoughts on the latest one? Personally, I hated episodes I and II and I felt that III really helped him redeem himself… other than a few bad parts and some cardboard acting. It almost rivals my favorite, Empire Strikes Back 🙂
“Night of the Hunter” is a good movie, but around the same time they released an album of ‘Hunter’ -abridging the story but with the same actors. You don’t know scary until you’ve listened to that, in the dark . . . Yikes! I still can’t hear Robert Mitchum’s voice without a little chill running down my spine.
I ended up watching Evil Dead on cable the other night cause I couldn’t sleep. I think getting that Trilogy on DVD would be pretty cool. Particularly cause Sam Raimi has all these stories to go with the movies too.
Don’t you think that Robert Mitchum and Hugh Jackman look eerily alike?
Your entry today reminded me I have to take the cats to the vet next week for a check up…
Yesterday I bought a copy of Python on DVD. It cost $3. It was a pretty crappy movie, but you with purple hair made it totally worth watching.
Hmmm. Night of the Hunter. That is a real classic. It was such a shame that the studio marketed the film so badly that if completely flopped on release.
The UCLA Film & Television Archive have the cuttings collection and a couple of years ago I was lucky enough to be able to attend a showing of the “film with narration”. Laughton kept the camera running between takes as a matter of course, so the rushes were fascinating viewing, particularly where the two children were concerned. I’d recomend anyone to see the UCLA presentation if they got the opportunity.
And if you think that’s bad, I once got to meet Steve (when I was about 15). If you think he had presence on screen, it was as nothing compared to him in person.
And he was really cool to me and my brother (then 16) who ran across him at a club where my dad was playing. Didn’t play “movie star” hardly at all, and was very cool. Hmmm… kinda like someone else I can think of. 🙂