To me, nothing will EVER top the magic of Smokey and the Bandit.
Literally one of Hal Needham's and Burt Reynolds's greatest works to date. The plot is very simple: The Bandit accepts a challenge set by Big and Little Enos, which is to travel down to Texarkana, TX to illegally bootleg 400 cases of Coors, and deliver them back to Atlanta, GA, all within a 28 hour time limit. This film's plot actually makes a lot of sense when you think about US laws of the time. Bootlegging laws were much more stricter back then, especially in Texas. Taking beer east of Texas was considered as bootlegging, and it would have severe consequences for anyone who was caught doing it. So, this film's plot is actually based off of the real US laws of the late 70s. It only adds to the authenticity. Laws since then have gotten much more leniant, but they are still made to keep people in check from time to time. It's almost interesting to see the changes from the late 70s to now. It was like a completely different world entirely, and that authenticity only made the film more special, since we got to see the relics of a by-gone era of the United States. I mean, just look at the set comparisons on YouTube. It's like it became a whole different world overnight.
Then, you also have the AMAZING and WONDERFUL country soundtrack composed by the one and only Jerry Reed. He actually stated himself that the film, originally, did not have a music score when he was pulled in as the composer, and the film was nearly ready to be released. So, within a short time span, Jerry Reed composed an entire film soundtrack in such a short timespan, and gave us one of the most legendary pieces of country music in the form of "Eastbound and Down". But that's not it. Jerry would also make "Westbound and Down" as well, which would prove to be quintessential to the film's plot. You see, in the film, when they are heading down to Texas to get the beer, they are going westbound, and you hear "Westbound and Down" playing as a result. This is during the very beginning of the journey. And when they are on the freeway passing by a truck convoy, they are heading back to Georgia, which means they're going eastbound, and that's why you hear "Eastbound and Down", which plays MUCH later into the journey. It shows which direction they are traveling across the US at that time; "Eastbound and Down" playing signals they are nearing the end of their journey, and "Westbound and Down" means the journey has just begun. All in all, that is some truly EXCELLENT soundtrack continuity. It really goes to show how much of a blast they were having making this. He did a wonderful job composing the soundtrack.
But, of course, the star of the movie, is of COURSE Jackie Gleason, who plays as Sheriff Buford T. Justice. Oh man, he was SO FUNNY in this film. In fact, most of his dialogue was completely improvised and wasn't even actually in the script. The things he said during the movie? That was all him doing that on the fly, off the top of his head. His improv in this film was truly off the charts. He made that movie very special. In fact, you know that entire scene where Buford T. Justice and The Bandit run into a restaurant and have a nice, friendly chat, all the while Buford doesn't even realize he's talking to the very person he is after? Guess what? That was Jackie's idea. That entire scene wasn't even supposed to be in the movie. He came up with the idea himself, and as such, it was added to the film on Jackie's request and he made that scene entirely his own. Well, lemme tell ya, that scene became one of the most important scenes of the film, and quite frankly, one of the funniest as well. If it weren't for Jackie Gleason with his incredible improv, this film would have just been a mediocre 'modern-day Western'. But, Jackie's funny dialogue made the movie, he quite literally stole the show. His incredible talent in this film will never be matched. Ever. His improv was literally incredible. God, I miss him and his energy...
This is an absolute must-watch for any car/truck lover. You will absolutely love this film and have a good laugh!
Favorite is difficult and changes over time. But it's gonna be one of these:
- The Big Lebowski
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- Clerks
- Tron
- Airplane!
- Die Hard
- Escape From New York
Now I think The Pianist is the best movie of all time, which is a different thing, but that newer movie 1917 sure competes.
Have no idea why 1917 was less commented than Dunkirk. The former is a masterpiece and the latter is just bad
That whole scene is so well made. The music, cinematography and plot all culminate in that beautiful but still twisted moment. Brilliant!
I got to see it opening weekend with my mom and stepdad who took me to see it because I wasn't 13 yet but was absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs to a more academic extent than your average 9 year old even has any business being. The box office had a giant hand sculpted pterodactyl in a nest on top of it which was one of the coolest things ever.
You should also definitely read the books, there is a much stronger emphasis on how capitalism makes everything shittier and endangers workers and compromises scientific integrity, which makes it especially shameful that toward the end of his life Crichton turned into a fuckin climate change denying right wing crank.
I'll consider reading the books then. I wish I had seen it in the cinema but I must have been 4 or 5 when it released so I may have been a bit young. Although I did watch it on vhs at home like one year later, so...
One is not enough, and a lot of great movies where already named, still, some great movies are missing:
- Heat (Michael Mann) Every single time I see it, it is brilliant and I discover something new
- Jin Roh (The original animation movie), awesome atmosphere and only after the 2nd viewing one can really appreciate it
- Near Dark (1987) Why the hell did nobody ever produce something like this ever again?
- Miami Vice (Michael Mann), 'Style over substance', in a great way, although I have the shaky camera
- Seven Samurai
- Casablanca
- Strange Days
- Point Break
- XXX (Nobody understood that it was a parody back in the days :-P)
- What we do in the shadows
- Brazil
- Rocky
- Eternal Sunshine ...
- The city of lost children
- Leon the professional
- Dolls
- The Killer (The original of course)
- The last unicorn
- Dark City
- The thing
- The Lost Boys
- Spirited Away
- Donnie Darko
- Rashomon
- Brother (2000)
- Parasite
- Hatsukoi (First Love)
... from the top of my mind. :-P
The prince of egypt. I'm not even religious, but the musics, the story and the visuals stayed in my heart. I will also say:
-Léon / the professionnal
-Interstellar (i am basic)
-Nausicaä and the valley of wind
-Inside out, wall-E and Up
and a ton of others...
The Magnificent Seven is way better, and predates it by 80 or 90 years. Rumour has it that John Sturges was so impressed by the Seven Samurai, that he presented Kurosawa with a Colt Single Action Army Revolver and said "You have made a great movie, but it's my movie, ya dig."
(you may crucify me now.)
I think you got that backwards. Magnificent seven came out in 1960, seven samurai in 1954. It even says magnificent seven is just an adaptation of seven samuria.
As someone who spent their developing years slamming heroin ofc "trainspotting" is my fav
For all the good they've done, I might as well have stuck them up my arse!
Great pick!
So many quotes from Casablanca are part of our everyday culture... and AFAIK it is the first movie ever to feature a flashback in a flashback. Combined with the awesome cast of actors this is a masterpiece. :-)
Interstellar.
I've watched it so many times, yet I still ugly cry at least twice every time I do.
No one ever mentions this movie but my favorite movie is The Fountain, with Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz.
It's basically a love story set in three timelines, with absolutely amazing music, dark storytelling, and an unbelievably satisfying ending. A lot of it is left up to interpretation but it's not overly complicated. Cemented me as a huge fan of Aronofsky even if he's not always a pop culture favorite.
It's a tie between The Motorcycle Diaries and Howl's Moving Castle.
The first I found extremely touching, the second is just incredibly magical and charming.
