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"Welcome to the party, pal." Celebrating Bruce Willis and his Career.

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  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    I will always remember and appreciate Bruce in:
    Moonlighting
    Die Hard films
    and let's not forget: The Sixth Sense (I think it's only been mentioned once before on this thread)

    I also remember him singing "Respect Yourself" (Staples Singers song) ... and I always thought of him a such a fun guy - wisecracking, smartass, but nice ... he reminded me of Bugs Bunny early on. Well, still does overall. ;)
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    The Sixth Sense is not a film I often revist though I appreciate what the film does, its very low key obviosly for a very good reason without going into the plot. It is arguably M. Night's best film.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    I have never seen it again (that genre is not my cup of tea), but it was very good and Bruce was fine in his role.
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 7,430
    No one mentioning 'Hudson Hawk'? 🤣🤣
    Agree, Bruce was great in DIEHARD 1 and 3, and very impressive in 'The Sixth Sense' and 'Twelve Monkeys'. 'The Last Boy Scout' is hugely entertaining too. He also does a scene stealing cameo in a movie called 'Billy Bathgate' with Dustin Hoffman! And 'Looper' was a clever sci-fi movie! I remember though being disappointed in 'The Colour of Night' as it was a return to directing for Richard Rush, ('Freebie and The Bean' ,'The Stuntman'). Awful film!
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    I have a very vague memory of Hudson Hawk, for some reason my first thoughts are a flying contraption and Bruce wearing a hat.

    I am a fan of the genre and own The Colour of Night it was bizarre, plus I guessed what was going on way too quickly.

    Striking Distance is a film I have not watched in a long time, I think that was reasonable.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    No one mentioning 'Hudson Hawk'? 🤣🤣
    Agree, Bruce was great in DIEHARD 1 and 3, and very impressive in 'The Sixth Sense' and 'Twelve Monkeys'. 'The Last Boy Scout' is hugely entertaining too. He also does a scene stealing cameo in a movie called 'Billy Bathgate' with Dustin Hoffman! And 'Looper' was a clever sci-fi movie! I remember though being disappointed in 'The Colour of Night' as it was a return to directing for Richard Rush, ('Freebie and The Bean' ,'The Stuntman'). Awful film!

    How could I forget Looper ? Fantastic film and great performances.
  • ProfJoeButcherProfJoeButcher Bless your heart
    edited April 2022 Posts: 1,711
    For some reason I've generally tended to dislike Bruce Willis, but I don't say that to be a dick. Rather as a preface to the fact that I thought he was really great in Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom. He played very much against type and was the biggest surprise of the film for me.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,634
    I always thought he would have made a great Lex Luthor in the 90s.
  • ToTheRightToTheRight
    Posts: 16,167
    Fire_and_Ice_Returns wrote: »
    I have a very vague memory of Hudson Hawk, for some reason my first thoughts are a flying contraption and Bruce wearing a hat.

    I am a fan of the genre and own The Colour of Night it was bizarre, plus I guessed what was going on way too quickly.

    Striking Distance is a film I have not watched in a long time, I think that was reasonable.

    Striking Distance! Yes!! I saw that one in the cinema opening weekend.
    Liked it at the time. I should revisit that one.
  • Escalus5Escalus5
    edited April 2022 Posts: 628
    COLOR OF NIGHT got terrible reviews and flopped financially, but it's an interesting movie by a solid director (Richard Rush, best known for THE STUNT MAN). An offbeat, sexy thriller with a lot of dark humor -- Ruben Blades's character, in particular, is hilarious -- the film has a surprisingly sensitive, multi-faceted performance from Willis as a psychologist. The event early on that traumatizes Willis's character features some of the actor's very best work; his balance of shock and grief is completely convincing. If you seek it out, make sure you view the director's cut.
  • DrunkIrishPoetDrunkIrishPoet The Amber Coast
    Posts: 156
    A pal and I went to see “Looper” because it was a new Bruce Willis movie AND it involved time travel, and that was all you had to say to get us hooked. We liked it a lot and came back and told our wives about, really talking it up. So a week later for their own gal’s day out, the wives went and saw “Looper”—and when they got back, boy! were they P.O.ed! They said, “You guys made it sound like a thoughtful exploration of the paradoxes inherent in the concept of time travel—but it was just Bruce Willis and a machinegun for two hours!”

    And I’m like, as everyone knows there are two (2) kinds of Bruce Willis movies: those where he has a machinegun, and those where he does not. In this one, time travel is just the cherry on top of the machinegun sundae.

    Now, who wants to hear my pitch for “Die Hard On The Planet Of The Apes”?
  • cooperman2cooperman2 Uk
    Posts: 380
    I loved Hudson Hawk when it came out. The problem was a question of perception. It was seen by many and indeed sold as a Bruce Willis movie produced by Joel Silver, so people expected a Die Hard style action movie. What they got was a surrealist comedy adventure. If they had sold it as such maybe the reaction would have been different.
  • j_w_pepperj_w_pepper Born on the bayou, but I now hear a new dog barkin'
    Posts: 9,041
    Hey people -

    this seems to be morphing into a series of obituaries. He's still alive, although he's no longer making movies!
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    edited April 2022 Posts: 7,021
    In total I've seen 16 Willis films. Four this year alone: two new ones for me (Mercury Rising and Loaded Weapon 1) and two rewatches (Die Hard and 16 Blocks, the latter of which I watched only a few days before his retirement was announced).

    I remember watching the Mercury Rising trailer in front of Lost in Space back in 1998. I already knew the film well enough (and the music score) but now I saw the whole thing. The logic of the plot could have done with some improvements but the film is still good, as is Willis' performance. It just works.

    My two favorite Willis films are Die Hard with a Vengeance and The Fifth Element. The former is a superb action film, and incredibly energetic. I love the whole cast and the fact McClane is grouchier and more sarcastic than before. The latter film is a delightful, extravagant sci-fi/fantasy story.

    Looking at his filmography I can see at least 10 more films I'd like to watch (not to mention Moonlighting). For one, I've never seen The Sixth Sense, despite it being everywhere back in 1999. Back in the day I even had a screensaver of it that I haven't managed to find again. I remember it showed every human sense from one to five, and then the sixth one.

    Of his collaborations with Shyamalan, I did see Glass in theaters. I never imagined it would be the last second last Willis film with a proper theatrical release.

    Also I really need to rewatch The Whole Nine Yards. That was a wonderful black comedy. Jonathan Lynn has directed some good comedies.

    I read some rumours about Bruce's health last year but didn't really take them too seriously. Now it's pretty clear his health problems go way back. I remember he left the Woody Allen film Café Society in 2015 because he couldn't remember his lines, though the official story was that he left to prepare for the stage adaptation of Misery.

    I must admit I'm a little curious about Bruce's recent DTV films. I saw a clip of Apex in which he's just walking through the woods eating strawberries and talking to a hologram. The music score is awful, and the whole scene is like something out of The Room. Putting aside the unfortunate circumstances that probably led him to such films, these movies do appear to be interesting in their awfulness.

    Despite the many B-movies in recent years, I think he could have continued to have a solid film career if bad health hadn't gotten in the way (and to some extent, he did). There's the Woody Allen film, Death Wish, Glass... good projects were still available to him.

    Another delightful film he was in, and which I saw last year, is Nobody's Fool. Bruce is a big Paul Newman fan. Also, he was sitting in the courtroom in the closing argument scene of The Verdict.

    Anyway, I hope he gets better, or at least doesn't get worse. Lots of good memories of him at the movies.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,634
    mattjoes wrote: »
    In total I've seen 16 Willis films. Four this year alone: two new ones for me (Mercury Rising and Loaded Weapon 1) and two rewatches (Die Hard and 16 Blocks, the latter of which I watched only a few days before his retirement was announced).

    I remember watching the Mercury Rising trailer in front of Lost in Space back in 1998. I already knew the film well enough (and the music score) but now I saw the whole thing. The logic of the plot could have done with some improvements but the film is still good, as is Willis' performance. It just works.

    My two favorite Willis films are Die Hard with a Vengeance and The Fifth Element. The former is a superb action film, and incredibly energetic. I love the whole cast and the fact McClane is grouchier and more sarcastic than before. The latter film is a delightful, extravagant sci-fi/fantasy story.

    Looking at his filmography I can see at least 10 more films I'd like to watch (not to mention Moonlighting). For one, I've never seen The Sixth Sense, despite it being everywhere back in 1999. Back in the day I even had a screensaver of it that I haven't managed to find again. I remember it showed every human sense from one to five, and then the sixth one.

    Of his collaborations with Shyamalan, I did see Glass in theaters. I never imagined it would be the last Willis film with a proper theatrical release.

    Also I really need to rewatch The Whole Nine Yards. That was a wonderful black comedy. Jonathan Lynn has directed some good comedies.

    I read some rumours about Bruce's health last year but didn't really take them too seriously. Now it's pretty clear his health problems go way back. I remember he left the Woody Allen film Café Society in 2015 because he couldn't remember his lines, though the official story was that he left to prepare for the stage adaptation of Misery.

    I must admit I'm a little curious about Bruce's recent DTV films. I saw a clip of Apex in which he's just walking through the woods eating strawberries and talking to a hologram. The music score is awful, and the whole scene is like something out of The Room. Putting aside the unfortunate circumstances that probably led him to such films, these movies do appear to be interesting in their awfulness.

    Despite the many B-movies in recent years, I think he could have continued to have a solid film career if bad health hadn't gotten in the way (and to some extent, he did). There's the Woody Allen film, Death Wish, Glass... good projects were still available to him.

    Another delightful film he was in, and which I saw last year, is Nobody's Fool. Bruce is a big Paul Newman fan. Also, he was sitting in the courtroom in the closing argument scene of The Verdict.

    Anyway, I hope he gets better, or at least doesn't get worse. Lots of good memories of him at the movies.

    In The Verdict, he also has a full head of hair!
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 7,430
    I forgot about '16 Blocks', neat little action thriller, pretty much a remake of Clint Eastwoods 'The Gauntlet'.
    And Bruce's movie was handled in his usual efficient way by the late Richard Donner!
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    I have 16 Blocks on Dvd in storage think I have only watched it once, I forgot Donner directed. I am a big Sci Fi fan I should give Surragattes another go, if memory serves there were one or two good ideas in that film.
  • RyanRyan Canada
    Posts: 692
    The Last Boy Scout is one of my favourite Bruce Willis films. It's basically somewhere between a "lost" Die Hard 2.5 and Lethal Weapon. Good fun and often overlooked. Great chemistry between him and Wayans.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,188
    THE LAST BOY SCOUT was one of the few movies that made me laugh my ass off, and I usually don’t laugh at comedies. I even had the same experience with KISS KISS BANG BANG, another Shane Black flick.

  • RogueAgentRogueAgent
    Posts: 12,526
    Enjoy your retirement Bruce, you have certainly earned it and gave us plenty of fun memories! Thank you!!! :-bd
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,805
    Tubi Original. Also on YouTube.


    MV5BMmY2MjQzY2YtZWIwNS00YjhhLWJjZWMtMzk3NzdhNTM2YmIyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTM1MTE1NDMx._V1_QL75_UY281_CR3,0,190,281_.jpg
    Corrective Measures, Sean Patrick O'Reilly, 2022.
    [Original Graphic Novel by Arcana]
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15391770/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
    Set in the world's most dangerous maximum-security penitentiary, home to the most treacherous criminals, tensions among the inmates and staff heighten, leading to anarchy that engulfs the prison and order is turned upside down.
    Director - Sean Patrick O'Reilly
    Writers - Grant Chastain (source material), Sean Patrick O'Reilly (screenplay)
    Stars - Bruce Willis, Michael Rooker, Tom Cavanagh
    [/quote]


    CORRECTIVE MEASURES Official Trailer (2022) Bruce Willis Movie


    Corrective Measures | First Look | A Tubi Original
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    Bruce Willis' family shares an update on his health and new diagnosis
    https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/02/16/entertainment/bruce-willis-dementia/index.html
  • cooperman2cooperman2 Uk
    Posts: 380
    What a terrible shame. My thoughts go out to his family. Having had a family member with Alzheimer's I know how tough this sort of thing can be. Time to watch some peek Bruce. Die Hard , Last Boy Scout, Twelve Monkeys maybe. I even love Hudson Hawk.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited February 2023 Posts: 25,133
    Through work I have had training and experience with Aphasia and Dementia, Bruce seems to have a great family support group to give him the care he will need. When i first saw Bruce in Moonlighting it was obvious Bruce would be a huge star.

    I still have not watched Glass, I may need to revisit Split first as forgot much of what happens in that film to give me context..
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,473
    It is devastating. My best wishes go out to all the close ones in his life. Bruce has created such an incredible acting legacy, and I know 100% he’s going to be an eternal icon of cinema. My own favorite film of his is Unbreakable. Though he didn’t feature as much in them, Split and Glass are both very good as well and created a very compelling trilogy (Glass, ending and all, worked well for me, but I know I’m an exception here). The character David Dunn, a seemingly ordinary man, has given me much inspiration, and Bruce brought him to life.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited February 2023 Posts: 25,133
    Doctor breaks down challenges that Bruce Willis could face with diagnosis of FTD...

    Patience and understanding will be key for those supporting him.
  • Scaramanga1974Scaramanga1974
    Posts: 728
    His career finished years ago to be honest. Direct to video rubbish only the last few years. Shame he had to bow out of Die Hard franchise with one of the worst action films in history. Anyway I hope he has a peaceful retirement.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    Bruce made all the low budget films intentionally to support himself and his family for what was to come.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,217
    Scaramanga1974 wrote: »
    His career finished years ago to be honest. Direct to video rubbish only the last few years. Shame he had to bow out of Die Hard franchise with one of the worst action films in history. Anyway I hope he has a peaceful retirement.

    I had a horrible taste in my mouth reading this. There won't be anything peaceful about his retirement, unfortunately - the illness is fairly extreme and only ends one way in my experience. I don't really see what his career has to do with it, even though @Fire_and_Ice_Returns is right. It looks like he said yes to everything knowing what was down the road for him, which is just incredibly sad. I really feel for the guy. A screen icon who won't remember who he is. Tragic.
  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    edited February 2023 Posts: 3,152
    CraigMooreOHMSS wrote: »
    There won't be anything peaceful about his retirement, unfortunately - the illness is fairly extreme and only ends one way in my experience...Tragic.
    Indeed, so. My mother developed dysphasia with Alzheimer's and there was nothing remotely peaceful about her last four years. Quite the opposite, tbh. 'Tragic' really is the word for it.
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