What was the last movie you've seen?

[Forlorn Drifter]

We have, yes. But looking at the carsploitation genre, with films like Death Race 2000, Vanishing Point, Gone in 60 Seconds, and Mad Max, I never forgot what those films were about. With Deathproof, I did. That's why I don't find it effective.

And the "Tarantino vibe" is not enough to make me enjoy a film. I love Reservoir Dogs not because it's Tarantino, but because the actors brought their characters to life in ways I genuinely enjoyed. Madsen's Mr. Blonde is psychotic and terrifying. Buscemi's Mr. Pink is frantic and paranoid. Keitel's Mr. White is intelligent and reasonable, almost fatherly. I feel like I get to know these characters over the course of the film, and this is because the actors do such a phenomenal job, not just because the film has a certain feel.

I don't really see how you could lose what Deathproof was about, but I can definitely see people finding it boring.

I do understand how some people don't see the Tarantino vibe as enough to like a movie. I've just get a certain amount of comfort out of it all, because I was practically raised on Tarantino. I saw From Dusk til Dawn the first 100 times or so before I was 5, and I've been able to quote Pulp Fiction since I was about 7, so I've never not seen a Tarantino movie and not liked it- I'm pretty much conditioned too.

[noiseredux]

Forlorn, I feel like you're the only person I've ever talked to who gets Deathproof the way I do. Man, I've watched it so many times. I love it and think it's a pretty perfect homage to seedy cinema.

[Ack]

The Asphalt Jungle



I do love a good heist movie, and this is one of the best of its day. The plot is solid (a diamond heist that goes wrong due to a mix of bad luck and treachery), the cast generally wonderful, and for the most part, the script is excellent. I do have a couple of complaints, but by and large the film delivers.

My only real complaint? Sterling Hayden's performance. He has the physical bearing and prowess needed to be the film's heavy hitter, and he succeeds admirably here. But his dialogue wavers between decent and garish, leading me to suspect his character was mentally challenged or that Hayden just didn't like his lines: in short, when he's moving, he's dynamite. When he's talking, he's not nearly as good.

But he's only one actor in a cast that did some marvelous work, and I genuinely feel bad for the criminals and how their personal vices lead to their undoing.

[prfsnl_gmr]

My only real complaint? Sterling Hayden's performance. He has the physical bearing and prowess needed to be the film's heavy hitter, and he succeeds admirably here. But his dialogue wavers between decent and garish, leading me to suspect his character was mentally challenged or that Hayden just didn't like his lines: in short, when he's moving, he's dynamite. When he's talking, he's not nearly as good.

I agree that he is incredibly hit-or-miss, and I waver between thinking he is one of film noir's best and worst leading men.

Also, Asphalt Jungle is awesome BTW. If you enjoy heist films - and if you have not already seen it - I highly, highly recommend Rififi (1955). The completely silent heist in that film is simply breathtaking.

[Johnodog]

I loved DEATHPROOF. Great movie. Great characters and just plain fun to watch. Tarantino does make the same movie over and over. I.e. Every movie he has done has been a revenge plot. That is okay with me. I love a good revenge movie. Throw that 70's grindhouse vibe on top and I am entertained.

I recently re-watched The Treasure of the Sierra Madre with Bogart and Huston. OMG what a movie. I tell you Bogart was not a handsome man but Jebus does the camera love him, and you can't take your eyes off or him of Huston when they are on screen. One of the best psychological thrillers posing a western as I have ever seen.

[Johnodog]

Speaking of Westerns, I recently have been going back through my movies and watching a lot of classic westerns. I truly miss that Genre. I watched Maverick with Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson. I mean they were in it, not that I watched it with them LOL. Funny movie and Alfred Molina is great in it. James Gardner( the original Maverick) playing a cameo role was a nice touch.

[Luke]

Speaking of Westerns, I recently have been going back through my movies and watching a lot of classic westerns... I watched Maverick

MAVERICK is a classic western?

Well I guess if some people think the PS2 is retro, a film from 1994 can be considered a classic.

[AppleQueso]

Speaking of Westerns, I recently have been going back through my movies and watching a lot of classic westerns... I watched Maverick

MAVERICK is a classic western?

Well I guess if some people think the PS2 is retro, a film from 1994 can be considered a classic.

1994 was almost 20 years ago after all.

...what's the cutoff for "classic" consideration?

[o.pwuaioc]

Speaking of Westerns, I recently have been going back through my movies and watching a lot of classic westerns... I watched Maverick

MAVERICK is a classic western?

Well I guess if some people think the PS2 is retro, a film from 1994 can be considered a classic.

1994 was almost 20 years ago after all.

...what's the cutoff for "classic" consideration?

1979. Westerns have a long history, so 20 years no longer cuts it. Also, Maverick doesn't feel "classic" to me, but that's just my feeling on it.

[Ack]

1994 was almost 20 years ago after all.

...what's the cutoff for "classic" consideration?

1979. Westerns have a long history, so 20 years no longer cuts it. Also, Maverick doesn't feel "classic" to me, but that's just my feeling on it.

I agree with this. I have trouble considering Pale Rider a "classic," and it was released in 1985. The only post-1979 Western I can think of that I would consider close to a classic would have to be Unforgiven (though I suppose an argument could easily be made for Dances with Wolves and possibly Tombstone).