Movies that hold up vs. those that don't

[Ope3]

I would agree-in fact, getting too close to Mitch would likely complicate things with Jodi, I could imagine. Plus, Jodi made the move on Pink, and I don’t believe it was because he was taking care of Mitch.

On a similar note, I read the oral history of D&C recently and the cliques between the female characters on screen were present off screen. Parker Posey (Darla) and Joey Lauren Adams (Simone) were tight and shut others out, particularly the actress who played Jodi.

I wasn't envisioning the relationship being long enough with Jodi for it to become complicated.

 

[coolhandgopher]

My first movie on my long return trip to India was Tango & Cash, which I watched for the first time since perhaps the movie theatre (I discovered afterward it was the very last movie released of the '80s, through Bill Simmons' Rewatchables podcast) and it was so awesome in its overwhelming '80s action film--it has everything: cheesy one liners, rogue cops doing it their own way, over the top villainy, gratuitous boob shots, a Harold Faltemeyer score, prison fights, and a ridiculously explosive ending involving a prototype vehicle that allowed Tango & Cash to vanquish all comers.

And, AND! for Seinfeld lovers, just a who's who of alums--it was like the casting director watched the movie and just started calling up the actors. Here's who I spied during the movie, some more obvious than others:
-Teri Hatcher ("they're real and they're spectacular"). Hatcher has been a beauty for years, but wow, was she in her glory during T&C.
-The maitre'd from the Chinese restaurant ("Cartwright! Cartwright!")
-Mr. Littman
-Clint Howard (who was the real serial killer that Kramer was accused of in L.A.)

. . . and a couple others who I am sure were on Seinfeld but I just couldn't place them exactly

 

[Ope3]

I just re-watched The Black Stallion. It's a real classic, quite a gem.

I'm pretty sure I have not seen it since it was originally in the theater released in 1979, so I only recalled a basic plot outline. The first half adventure is really an entirely different genre than the second, a good but sort of by the book underdog sports film.

That first half is just shot and edited superbly. So are the horse racing aspects. The cinematographer is Caleb Deschanel (father of Emily & Zoey), who also shot The Right Stuff, so no surprise I marvel at the imagery.

Teri Garr only has a couple of scenes as the mother but is quite effective. I had in my mind that Mickey Rooney was quite an old timer when this was filmed, but he was just in his late 50s.

 

[Ope3]

Just sort randomly, I had a Robert Redford, behind the lens week watching A River Runs Through It and Ordinary People. SPOILER ALERT - found it interesting that both films there's the thread of families dealing with the death of young adult sons. Both films hold up, big time.

While A River Runs Through It, is not in my Top 10 all time, it's right up there and doubt I can find 25-30 films I like better. I don't even enjoy fishing in the least bit, but that film is just shot so spectacularly it has me wanting to sign up for a trip to Montana and start casting. Along with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, I think it's one of my favorite Brad Pitt roles. Otherwise great ensemble cast/performances, including Redford's own narration. Even though it's predominantly a somber film, there's a few comedic touches I really enjoy.

Ordinary People, other than Lord of the Rings 3, had the distinction of being the most recent Best Picture Oscar Winner, that I had never seen. I understand why I did not see it as a kid (I was 10 when it was released), but should have found time to watch it sometime this century. What an amazing directorial debut, and everyone in this was great as well. Not good. Great.

Timothy Hutton's performance was Oscar worthy, though not sure why he was in the Supporting Actor category, he seemed to be the main character. I suppose had he been in the Best Actor category, no way he bests DeNiro (Raging Bull). Judd Hirsch's nomination, also well deserved, and I think Donald Sutherland was short changed.

Much has been said of how out of the box picking Mary Tyler Moore was for the mother. Indeed it was. For Mother's Day I got sucked in on some click bait rating TV mothers. I think Laura Petrie got robbed, I would have had her #1. As a cinematic mother, this character may be near the bottom, a true testament her acting range. Quite an about face also from Mary Richards. She might have had better luck if she was in the Supporting Actress category, plus I think she was more of a supporting character. Probably based on the fact she had the most female screen time. Tough to argue with Sissy Spacek getting the trophy for Coal Miner's Daughter as Best Actress.

Lastly, for American directors, if you take Redford's top 3 films (these 2 plus probably Quiz Show) I don't think he has to take a backseat to anyone.

Bumped post in honor of Robert Redford.

 

[coolhandgopher]

Bumped post in honor of Robert Redford.

I don't know if I responded to this back when you originally posted, but Ordinary People is indeed extraordinary (I couldn't help myself). I know over the years it's caught a good deal of grief for winning Best Picture over Raging Bull, but it's such a well done family drama and so wonderfully cast and directed. I first viewed it in college, in a psych class and have watched it several times over the years, but it's been awhile, it's time to rewatch.

Btw, I never realized this until this moment, but Donald Sutherland was never nominated for an Academy Award. He did receive the consolation prize of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, but never a nomination. His run from 1978-80 (Animal House, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Ordinary People) deserved at least one nominee, not to mention his roles in M*A*S*H, Klute, The Dirty Dozen and even Backdraft (and I know I'm missing others or haven't seen others). As I recall the films I've seen him in, he's generally the most memorable actor in those movies.

 

[coolhandgopher]

I got sucked into watching Good Will Hunting last night, once the kids went to sleep and let me tell you, it holds up and then some. It's hard to track in my mind that the movie was released nearly thirty years ago and to realize how that set off the careers of Damon and Affleck squared, plus the finest movie role of Robin Williams is pretty extraordinary-and the maturity of the script for a couple of kids from Boston. My wife and I were talking about it this morning and while there's a lot of external distractions in Affleck's career, the man is talented. And if Damon only had this movie plus the Bourne trilogy, he'd be one of my favorite actors.

 

[Slim Tubby]

I got sucked into watching Good Will Hunting last night, once the kids went to sleep and let me tell you, it holds up and then some. It's hard to track in my mind that the movie was released nearly thirty years ago and to realize how that set off the careers of Damon and Affleck squared, plus the finest movie role of Robin Williams is pretty extraordinary-and the maturity of the script for a couple of kids from Boston. My wife and I were talking about it this morning and while there's a lot of external distractions in Affleck's career, the man is talented. And if Damon only had this movie plus the Bourne trilogy, he'd be one of my favorite actors.

The first movie I ever watched with Damon was called School Ties with Brendan Fraser, Cole Hauser and others. His talent was very evident way back then and it's well worth the watch if you haven't seen it.

 

[Ope3]

My wife and I were talking about it this morning and while there's a lot of external distractions in Affleck's career, the man is talented. And if Damon only had this movie plus the Bourne trilogy, he'd be one of my favorite actors.

Well, he also IS Private Ryan, being saved.

The first movie I ever watched with Damon was called School Ties with Brendan Fraser, Cole Hauser and others. His talent was very evident way back then and it's well worth the watch if you haven't seen it.

That's where I first noticed him too. Another pre-GWH role in which he shined was as the medic in Courage Under Fire.

It's a pretty solid Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan & Scott Glenn feature. When it's on TV, I usually find myself sticking with it for a while.

 

[coolhandgopher]

Well, he also IS Private Ryan, being saved.



That's where I first noticed him too. Another pre-GWH role in which he shined was as the medic in Courage Under Fire.

It's a pretty solid Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan & Scott Glenn feature. When it's on TV, I usually find myself sticking with it for a while.

I didn't phrase my original post very well-meant to say on the basis of just GWH and Bourne trilogy would be enough for a legendary career in my book. Add in Saving Private Ryan, The Informant!, The Martian, The Departed, True Grit, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Ocean's 11. . . a hell of a career that stands up to just about anyone's from his era. (there's quite a few movies of his that I either need to re-watch or watch, I've realized, including Courage Under Fire and School Ties--been a long time for both of those).

A couple of interesting tidbits, looking at his IMDB profile:
* One of his upcoming movies in 2026 is The Odyssey
* His first credited role is Mystic Pizza, which was Julia Roberts second credited big screen movie.
* He was in Field of Dreams, uncredited as a fan at Fenway Park

 

[Ope3]

I didn't phrase my original post very well-meant to say on the basis of just GWH and Bourne trilogy would be enough for a legendary career in my book. Add in Saving Private Ryan, The Informant!, The Martian, The Departed, True Grit, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Ocean's 11. . . a hell of a career that stands up to just about anyone's from his era. (there's quite a few movies of his that I either need to re-watch or watch, I've realized, including Courage Under Fire and School Ties--been a long time for both of those).

A couple of interesting tidbits, looking at his IMDB profile:
* One of his upcoming movies in 2026 is The Odyssey
* His first credited role is Mystic Pizza, which was Julia Roberts second credited big screen movie.
* He was in Field of Dreams, uncredited as a fan at Fenway Park

I totally got what you meant in the initial post, I just thought playing the titular character in an iconic film early in his career deserved attention, with GWH & Jason Bourne.

I have found it such an interesting cinematic choice to not show who the film is named after well into the proceedings at the start of the final act. It worked for Spielberg in Jaws as well.

I have also read how Spielberg kept Damon separate from the rest of the main cast who had to go through rigorous training to prepare which led to genuine resentment towards him from the other actors.

 

[Ope3]

I don't know if I responded to this back when you originally posted, but Ordinary People is indeed extraordinary (I couldn't help myself). I know over the years it's caught a good deal of grief for winning Best Picture over Raging Bull, but it's such a well done family drama and so wonderfully cast and directed. I first viewed it in college, in a psych class and have watched it several times over the years, but it's been awhile, it's time to rewatch.

Btw, I never realized this until this moment, but Donald Sutherland was never nominated for an Academy Award. He did receive the consolation prize of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, but never a nomination. His run from 1978-80 (Animal House, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Ordinary People) deserved at least one nominee, not to mention his roles in M*A*S*H, Klute, The Dirty Dozen and even Backdraft (and I know I'm missing others or haven't seen others). As I recall the films I've seen him in, he's generally the most memorable actor in those movies.

I would have thought M*A*S*H snagged a nomination for Sutherland.

His just one scene as "X" in JFK has always left a lasting impression.

Redford also never won an Oscar for Acting. His only nomination was for the The Sting.

As Best Director he was nominated twice, for Ordinary People and Quiz Show respectively. He took home the trophy for Ordinary People.