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"Favour gonna kill you faster than a bullet!" Always thought this is one of Brian DaPalmas best films. A taut thriller about cool criminal called Carlito Brigante ( Al Pacino, in a great performance!) who we see freed from jail by his shrewd lawyer Kleinfeld ( an even better Sean Penn, in an Art Garfunkel hairdo!) And despite wanting to go straight ( he hopes to get into the car rental business and rekindle his romance with the delectable Gail (Penelope Ann Miller, and who wouldn't?!) but gets dragged back into the sordid crime world by his ever corrupt "best friend" Kleinfeld, leading inevitably to a tragic finale. Despite knowing the ending ( it's depicted in the excellent opening credits!) you really are rooting for Carlitos happy ending. DaPalmas fluid camerawork, and some cracking setpieces ( the train station shootout climax is splendid!) and an excellent cast ( who can forget John Leguizamos "Benny Blanco from the Bronx!") and we get a well made, gripping thriller.
Good film mate. With all of De Palma's irrepressible flourishes. The Train station sequence is masterful. And obviously, Al Pacino is immense.
On side note there is a film called Q&A (1990) based on the same author's work. Which is also very good.
Directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Nick Nolte and Armand Assante.
I saw Q & A, It's a quite, and Nick Nolte is superb in it! Not quite up to Sidney Lumets greatest, it's sill very watchable
Ah good stuff. It's a disgrace that Nolte wasn't nominated for an award. Because that is what you call acting
Armour Of God 2: Operation Condor
My new favourite Jackie Chan film (previously that had been Who Am I?). I loved the fight in the wind tunnel.
Shanghai Noon is my favourite overall Chan film. Who Am I? is my favourite for great fighting, Operation Condor is my favourite for sheer creativity in action.
Ivanhoe'82......not-for-me,no-excitement-in-it.....some-familiar-007-stars-in-it (JGlover/Gothard&Pushkin)
BigBoss,part2......besides-being-a-lost-film-for-yrs-this-is-waste-of-time,imo
Imitator-BruceLe-only-has-a-cameo&its-LoLieh-whos-the-star
his-scenes-with-his-woman-goes-nowhere&just-filler
its-nice-seeing-BB-mansion-again&the-manager-from-original-Boss-is-the-new-boss
fight&actionscenes-were-lacklustre.....only-good-thing-was-boss-getting-his
its-not-about-drugs-like-film1,but-about-gold-smuggling
2/6
watched-some-HarryO-shows,seems-okay
watched-'77to83-MASH-episodes......hilarious-when-Hawk&BJ-refuse-to-shower&Charles-playing-that-horn,lol.......Igor-the-cook-also-has-to-assist-in-surgery-when-nurses-are-gone :P
(aka Non si deve profanare il sonno dei morti)
Italian-Spanish Romero-inspired zombie flick that's set in rural England, including the typical social commentary (or more accurately eco-commentary in this case). It's slightly gory, very atmospheric and it has a few unique takes on the zombies' weak spot. Enjoyable, if this is up your alley.
8/10
Great script, cast, music. 10/10
Rocky Trailer (HD)
Caught this on T.V. other night. Didn't expect to stay with it, but found it very enjoyable true story. Directed by Clint Eastwood, it tells the story of Jewell, a Security Officer who becomes a hero at the Atlanta bombing incident, but then becomes Prime suspect. Solid cast with Paul Walter Hauser giving a lovely lead performance as Jewell, and Jon Hamm as the FBI man determined to convict him,, Kathy Bates as Jewells mother, but best of all is the marvellous Sam Rockwell as Jewell wily defence attorney. Olivia Wildes character as the sleazy reporter who instigates the hounding of Jewell , has an unconvincig story arc, ending up believing him, that part just doesn't convince. Otherwise very engaging film, and quite disturbing in how an innocent person can be vilified in this way by piecing thigs of their lives ( Jewell was a gun freak!) together for wrong reasons. As Jewell states in a wonderful speech at the end, it may deter other heroes from doing the right thing and just run away!
Who Am I has one of my favourite fights, the 2v1 fight one on the rooftop
With my interest in 70s EuroHorror, I'll have to maker a note of that film. I feel like I have seen the title many times, but never took the time to sit and watch the film.
Unhinged (1982)
An early, post-Friday The 13th slasher film. It made the infamous 'Video Nasties' list. Other than the sweet sounding synth-heavy score, there is nothing else to write home about. The acting is poor, the kills are really muted (though how much was cut is anyone's guess), and the twist ending.... probably had more impact in 1982 than 2025.
It's in full on Youtube as: Don't Disturb the Sleeping Dead. Which is actually a better translation of the original titles.
I have a weakness for synth-heavy scores, mixing that with a slasher seems right up my alley. Perhaps something to check out...
I wouldn't suggest going out of my way to watching it. But if you do stumble across it, you might like the score.
Thanks for the advice!!
As for tonight, I watched:
AMSTERDAMNED
Saw it turning up in this very thread a few days ago and it sounded so up my alley that I just ordered the Blu-ray and watched it. It's like a Dario Argento film paired with a Roger Moore 007 film, with some seasoning by Jaws and The Third Man. Seems like what you then get is a Dutch variant on a giallo / poliziottesco mix. Apparently, our own Vic Armstrong was involved in the stuntwork. Great synth score too.
10/10
(P.S. for all the petrolheads out there, Huub Stapel drives an amazing Alfa Romeo in this one)
Speaking of Argento, yesterday I watched:
CAT O' NINE TALES
(aka Il gatto a nove code)
A typical early Dario Argento thriller full of atmosphere, great cinematography and mystery, featuring a charismatic James Franciscus and a beautiful Catherine Spaak. Perhaps not Argento's very best film, but definitely good fun nonetheless.
9/10
Glad you liked Amsterdamned. It might have been my post that brought it up, as I discovered it recently. In case you weren't aware, there's a belated sequel due for release later this year, with two of the original cast reprising their roles.
Thanks for the heads-up, Major!! :)
Tier 4: The Disappointments - Two films that fall significantly below the others, and the only two Lynch films that I do not enjoy overall.
10. Inland Empire (2006)
Unfortunately, David Lynch's tenth and final film is also my least favorite one. I know that Inland Empire has a lot of fans, but in two separate tries now, I just cannot get into this movie for the life of me. Most of Lynch's work includes puzzling, unorthodox storytelling, but his last movie is the only instance I find myself completely frustrated and lost by, whereas I can make connections and interpret all his other "confusing" films. The anthropomorphic rabbits and some of the disturbing imagery was cool, but the film is far too long and boring for me. The acting is fine, but I did not really care about any of the characters, either. I wish I could see what others do in this one, but alas, Inland Empire is a big swing and a miss for me from one of my favorite directors, and I do not find myself wanting to revisit it again anytime soon.
9. Dune (1984)
Dune, Lynch's third movie, is the one that he admittedly "sold out" with, and luckily it was the one and only time that he did not have a solid amount of creative control on a film that he directed. In the worst way, Dune feels like a movie that could have been directed by anyone, and the lack of Lynch's personal touch and care is palpable. Despite a linear structure, the story is difficult to follow, especially for someone like me who has never read the classic novel that the movie is based on. The acting is brutally bad across the board, the special effects are rough, and the film is strikingly inferior to other notable sci-fi films around its time like the original Star Wars and Star Trek movies. The reason that I personally ranked Dune above Inland Empire is that I at least found a little charm and laughter in its goofiness, plus it is about 45 minutes shorter than the demanding 3 hours of Inland Empire. I can understand why most would rank Dune last among Lynch's films, though; it is bland, uninspired, and the most un-Lynchian of all of Lynch's work.
Tier 3: Solid & Satisfying - Two films that I find to be really good and memorable, but not quite perfect.
8. Wild at Heart (1990)
Lynch's fifth movie, Wild at Heart, is a sizeable step up in quality from the last two movies I ranked. Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern are reliably energetic and entertaining whenever they are on screen here, and Willem Dafoe and Diane Ladd give some awesome villainous performances. Other than those characters, though, I was not too invested in anyone else, and I think that Willem Dafoe should have gotten a larger role and more emphasis in the story. I also did admittedly feel that there were some pacing issues with the movie, including an interesting but awkwardly executed finale. Besides those small gripes, though, I had a great time with Wild at Heart. There is a great blend of romance, comedy, action, and drama at work here, and the many homages to The Wizard of Oz are nicely done. It is highly eccentric, explicit, and yes, wild. I would say that Wild at Heart is the closest thing Lynch made to a traditional "adventure movie," and it is a lot of fun seeing his quirky sensibilities baked into a plot that could have been done a lot more plainly by another director.
7. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is David Lynch's sixth movie, so coincidentally, it is the exact middle section of his filmography - this one and Wild at Heart - that ended up in Tier 3 of my ranking. Without having seen a significant amount of the Twin Peaks TV show, I figured that I would have problems understanding and appreciating this film, but I actually found it simple enough to follow, and as far as I am concerned it has great standalone value. The first part of the movie is supposed to be more like the show, which has a little more humor, while the rest and majority of it is darker. Sheryl Lee as Laura Palmer is rightfully the heart of the story, giving us an immensely tragic and sympathetic character that is painfully realistic and relatable. The other cast members and characters do great as well, but it is Laura's specific story that stuck with me. The movie is consistently effective in being disturbing and emotional. Other than some issues with the pacing and lengthiness, I found Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me to be a strong film that allows Lynch to fully be himself while telling a compelling, heartbreaking story that many can sadly relate to in some capacity.
Tier 2: Straightforward & Superb - Two films that are based on real people and events, are easy and simple to follow, and truly excellent in quality.
6. The Straight Story (1999)
The eighth movie of Lynch's career, The Straight Story, is aptly named for its protagonist's name, Alvin Straight, as well as being remarkably straightforward for the director's standards. Being a literal G-rated Disney film, it is arguably the biggest outlier of Lynch's films, although the real life story that it is based on seems to be appropriately unique and quirky enough for Lynch to be interested in. At any rate, The Straight Story is packed with beautiful imagery of Midwest America, genuine and heartwarming interactions between Alvin and the many different people he meets, and a whole lot of inspirational vibes for the arduous undertaking that Alvin puts himself through to make amends with his brother. There is a healthy amount of both humor and drama in this lovely slice-of-life picture, and watching it again made me believe the best in people in spite of our shortcomings and past mistakes. It may not be a particularly Lynchian movie, but The Straight Story is as beautiful and touching of a film as the director ever made, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who has not seen it.
5. The Elephant Man (1980)
The Elephant Man, Lynch's sophomore effort, is a remarkably humane and emotional movie that stayed with me ever since I first saw it years ago. Though I enjoy it and The Straight Story about equally, I decided to give The Elephant Man a small edge in my ranking. This movie has terrific black-and-white cinematography, great Victorian era period piece costumes and setting work, and a powerful story with a timeless message that can be difficult but important to watch. The acting from everyone is incredible, especially Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt in the lead roles. David Lynch did a very impressive job taking on this big, classic production after his indie debut with Eraserhead and making sure everything was so well done in every area. Like The Straight Story, The Elephant Man is one of Lynch's more accessible films, and it is a wonderful movie that deserves to be loved and respected.
Tier 1: The Mount Rushmore - Four films that represent David Lynch at his very best for me, and are each some of my all-time favorite movies.
4. Lost Highway (1997)
Lynch's lucky seventh movie, Lost Highway, is one of the most intense and twisty pictures of his career. It features one of my favorite characters of his, the Mystery Man, who appears to be a strong connecting force between the movie's two "worlds," so to speak. At first, it was jarring for me to see what felt like two different films when we transition from Fred to Pete, but the further the story goes and the more I watch the film, the more clever and appealing the connections and progression feel. I adore the noir elements of Lost Highway, which also has a great deal of sex and violence going for it. I find myself so invested in the plot and cannot ever take my eyes away from the screen whenever I watch this one, and I always find it fun and rewarding to keep coming back to it. I believe that Lost Highway hit the Lynchian sweet spot of being confusing but not too confusing, and it offers great room for interpretation while providing plenty of entertaining content that I will happily continue to revisit and rethink.
3. Mulholland Drive (2001)
Mulholland Drive is one of David Lynch's most famous and beloved films for good reason. It is definitely one of my favorite films about Hollywood, and it gives us lots of great, interesting characters played excellently by actors like Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, and Justin Theroux. The story is puzzling and intriguing, and there is a satisfying amount of "explanation" provided in the final third of the movie that allows audiences to interpret and still wonder at the same time. I think of Mulholland Drive and Lost Highway as great companion pieces, as they are both stylish, sexy mystery movies with similar but not identical, unorthodox structures. Though I love them both about the same, I went with Mulholland Drive being higher this time around. The film is so well-balanced with humor, drama, mystery, action, and suspense, and though I wish I could see it again for the very first time, I do find myself enjoying it only more and more each time I see it, like I do with most other Lynch movies. Mulholland Drive is a true David Lynch classic, and deserves its reputation as one of his most popular movies.
2. Eraserhead (1977)
David Lynch's first film, Eraserhead, is still one of his very best in my opinion. It is only about an hour and a half long, which is significantly shorter than all his other films, and it is his most abstract and maybe his most unsettling work of all. Iconic imagery like the chicken dinner scene, the lady in the radiator, and of course the baby all help make this movie a truly unforgettable experience. There is some terrific, weird comedy in addition to all the horrifying and scary visuals and vibes of the film. Jack Nance as Henry Spencer is a fittingly nervous, quiet protagonist that has to deal with a whole lot of freaky stuff that just keeps on coming his way. I am glad that Lynch brought him back for several smaller roles in his movies after this one. David Lynch's debut really is an impressive ride that no other director could have possibly made, or even something remotely similar. I find Eraserhead to be immensely entertaining, rewatchable, and artistically satisfying, and I consider it to be as magnificent an example of surreal filmmaking as we have ever seen.
1. Blue Velvet (1986)
Blue Velvet, David Lynch's fourth movie, is his magnum opus in my eyes. It offers the best hybrid of a relatively straightforward narrative and Lynch's reliably bizarre, unsettling elements that make his works stand out so much. I love everything about this movie: the varied and colorful characters, the mysterious and sinister story, the moody soundtrack, etc. It is the very best example of one of my favorite types of movies, which is showing a dark underbelly to a seemingly normal, ideal suburban setting. Though just about everything in the movie is awesome, Dennis Hopper's wild performance as Frank Booth is the single most memorable and spectacular aspect of Blue Velvet; he is electrifyingly entertaining and terrifying for every second he is on screen. If the average film lover were to ask me where to start with getting into David Lynch films, or if they could only pick one for whatever reason, I would choose this one in a heartbeat every time. Blue Velvet is a true American classic, and a masterpiece that will forever sit among my absolute favorite films ever made.
Completely agree on your top 4 Lynch films. Exactly the same as my own.
Blue Velvet is one of the greatest American films ever made IMO
I also agree on INLAND EMPIRE The only film of his i really dislike. From what i can gather, it's not about anything. The 'Rabbits' sequence was shoehorned in from a series of short films of the same name. So in relation to the film, it's meaningless. First time i watched it i thought i was missing something, but then i watched it again and just found it an overlong bore.
This morning I had an enjoyable viewing of this animated film of The Beatles songs! Quite a psychedelic pop art out there movie! It has some wild sequences, and some very good animation. The voices are not the lads themselves, and sometimes I got the feeling I was watching those guys from Harry Enfield show ( "Dey do tho, don't dey tho?!") But it's the songs that stand out. I'm not the biggest fan of theirs ( my brother is, and has all their albums!) but some of the songs here are wonderful, and the animation matches them really well! I had this bluray for a long while and hadn't watched it, I didn't have good memory of it the last time I watched it ( on television) , many years ago, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's very good indeed, and the accompanying booklet declares it groundbreaking and influential ( there's a nice word from Pixar supremo John Lasseter!)
I literally just finished listening to the Yellow Submarine Song track album, it's the version with 15 songs and no George Martin Orchestral tracks. The album arrived today, the songs in the film are a delight.
Good for you mate! Have you seen the movie?