FFA Movie Poll - 1974 Countdown Monday is here. (1 Viewer)

[Ilov80s]

Although not a cinematic release, I think the miniseries Lonesome Dove is as fine an adaptation of a great novel as I've seen.

Most novels really need  a miniseries to do them justice. 

 

[Ilov80s]

I think Of Mice and Men was well done by Gary Sinise (who directed, produced, and starred in it along with John Malkovich).

It was fine but I wouldn't call it a classic movie and doubt it's on many all time great movie lists. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

Most novels really need  a miniseries to do them justice. 

especially Dickens. the difference between the films and miniseries is whole nuther

 

[wikkidpissah]

Anyone rolling with Foxy Brown or Big Bad Mama?

You have to take Foxy Brown seriously - it won the Oscar for "Best Merkin"

 

[Gr00vus]

You have to take Foxy Brown seriously - it won the Oscar for "Best Merkin"

For those of you that haven't already and were thinking about it, probably not advisable to google the term merkin at work as I just did. Hi IT guys! 

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Most novels really need  a miniseries to do them justice. 

You're right, but I think many of the miniseries from that classic late 70s/80s period were much better than the books they were based on. 

Lonesome Dove, IMO, is as great a novel as this country has produced and damned if the miniseries didn't hold its own.

 

[Eephus]

Anyone rolling with Foxy Brown or Big Bad Mama?

I haven't seen Three the Hard Way in decades but it appears to be on YouTube

 

[Gr00vus]

I haven't seen Three the Hard Way in decades but it appears to be on YouTube

Come on E, that merits at least 3  s.

 

[rockaction]

Confession time.

Hated the book.  Hated every version of the movie I saw.  Even hated the story line in Entourage when he made the movie.  There isn't a single thing I like about that story and to this day hate the teacher who made me read it.

Go ahead, attack.  Don't care.  About the only saving grace of that book is that it isn't nearly as bad as Moby ****.  But few things are.

That's an odd comment considering the source. I think Fitzgerald and Melville are our greatest national writers. Strange you would hate them both. Ever read Tender Is The Night or Bachelors of Paradise/Tartarus of Maids? 

Just curious. Maybe their "side" projects would appeal to you. No judgments; it just seems that both novels are THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL, something you'd dig. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

Come on E, that merits at least 3  s.

that's why the merkins required scaffolding to construct

 

[simey]

while we're up in here, was on the fence with "Missiles of October" - great made for TV flick - Devane and Sheen were Jack and Bobby - but figured a TV production would've been a stretch ...  it was a remarkable piece of work, had the feeling of live theater, would've loved to see it on B'Way. 

William Devane could really pass as a Kennedy. He can make his voice sound just like a Boston native, and he looks like a Kennedy. I loved him as Greg Sumner on Knots Landing.

 

[Ilov80s]

Off to see Vertigo at the theater. I know it’s not 74 but I figure this is the de facto movie thread for the moment. It’s never been a movie I really got the love for. Maybe seeing it at the theater will leave a different impression on me.

 

[rockaction]

Off to see Vertigo at the theater. I know it’s not 74 but I figure this is the de facto movie thread for the moment. It’s never been a movie I really got the love for. Maybe seeing it at the theater will leave a different impression on me.

I personally love it. More than almost any movie. Stewart is annoying, but Carlotta Valdes, my man. Carlotta Valdes. What's awesome is that Stewart (or Valdes's) house in SF is the same house that Sharon Stone lived in for the filming of Basic Instinct. Kim Novak is unreal in the film.  

 

[Eephus]

Off to see Vertigo at the theater. I know it’s not 74 but I figure this is the de facto movie thread for the moment. It’s never been a movie I really got the love for. Maybe seeing it at the theater will leave a different impression on me.

I'm with you on this one.  It's almost inevitable that a film rated so highly by critics and historians manages to disappoint on some levels.  The melodramatic, portentous tone seems dated and the central plot twist is telegraphed.  Hitchcock is a master of course and the film is a textbook example of the mechanics of film making.  But there are a number of other Hitchcock movies I'd rather watch than Vertigo.

 

[Jayrod]

I don't have enough of a knowledge base to even get to 200 points, so here is my list:

Spoiler

• The Godfather Part II - 30
  
• Chinatown - 22
  
• Blazing Saddles - 17
  
• Young Frankenstein - 15
  
• The Longest Yard - 5
  
• Benji - 2
  
• Herbie Rides Again - 1 (just because I saw this one)
  

 

[KarmaPolice]

For a second I thought I stumbled into the great novel draft.  

 

[Eephus]

I personally love it. More than almost any movie. Stewart is annoying, but Carlotta Valdes, my man. Carlotta Valdes. What's awesome is that Stewart (or Valdes's) house in SF is the same house that Sharon Stone lived in for the filming of Basic Instinct. Kim Novak is unreal in the film.  

I think the Carlotta/Stone connection is an urban legend.  The building was torn down years ago and the site is now the practice fields for the High School my kids attended.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Could we please do the lists via PM?  Surprise element aside, it really is easier for me.  That way I can scroll through the inbox and it keeps it in order as I write names of people who have submitted lists and I don't have to go back through the thread at night.  

ETA:  I can't stop you from posting your lists in here too, but could you also send it to me via PM?

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Wife and I were talking about this thread. Ending up talking about the best t.v. characters of all time.  Another fun conversation.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Wife and I were talking about this thread. Ending up talking about the best t.v. characters of all time.  Another fun conversation.

How hard was she laughing at you for doing this?

 

[Yankee23Fan]

How hard was she laughing at you for doing this?

More at my taste in movies.  It's really the only thing we really deeply disagree about.

 

[rockaction]

I think the Carlotta/Stone connection is an urban legend.  The building was torn down years ago and the site is now the practice fields for the High School my kids attended.

Oh, wow. I always just assumed from the reports. Still love the imagery of SF, its hills and valleys. Very cool, IMO.   

Vertigo is weirdly autobiographical and meta. It seems Hitchcock wanted to write about his passion and fetish for blondes and weakness and wanted to address character; that real people and real characters persist and become what they are. That they have a destiny -- and a past -- is something the movie addresses. It's a trope, that the character takes shape and forms under the watchful eye of the creator, but the trope wasn't so obvious in '54. 

Anyway, happy watching, ilov80s. I still think it's a great film.  

 

[Gr00vus]

that's why the merkins required scaffolding to construct

Fool me once....

 

[El Floppo]

Could we please do the lists via PM?  Surprise element aside, it really is easier for me.  That way I can scroll through the inbox and it keeps it in order as I write names of people who have submitted lists and I don't have to go back through the thread at night.  

ETA:  I can't stop you from posting your lists in here too, but could you also send it to me via PM?

Won't.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Won't.

<_<

 

[Eephus]

Oh, wow. I always just assumed from the reports. Still love the imagery of SF, its hills and valleys. Very cool, IMO.   

Vertigo is weirdly autobiographical and meta. It seems Hitchcock wanted to write about his passion and fetish for blondes and weakness and wanted to address character; that real people and real characters persist and become what they are. That they have a destiny -- and a past -- is something the movie addresses. It's a trope, that the character takes shape and forms under the watchful eye of the creator, but the trope wasn't so obvious in '54. 

Maybe that's my problem with Vertigo.  Other Hitchcock films, even some of his early British ones like The 39 Steps, feel more modern than Vertigo.  The plot of Vertigo and the character of Scottie are obsessed with the past.  It's set in the 50s because it was made then but it really doesn't take place there. 

 

[Ilov80s]

Weird talking about Vertigo and how modern it is and changing opinions. The critics of its time didn’t care for it. Orson hated it (jealously maybe). Now it’s often listed as the best ever. Very odd paths that many of these films take.

 

[rockaction]

Maybe that's my problem with Vertigo.  Other Hitchcock films, even some of his early British ones like The 39 Steps, feel more modern than Vertigo.  The plot of Vertigo and the character of Scottie are obsessed with the past.  It's set in the 50s because it was made then but it really doesn't take place there. 

I think it's certainly psychological; and like all things psychological, is really about a moment in time of understanding of the human condition. But Hitchcock ties it in to a love story, which grabs me. The brassiere joke with Madge still feels modern, if quaint and a little dated, but yet not. And symbolic. But I've watched The 39 Steps and can't remember much about it because of the condition my condition was in, so maybe you're right. I'm not a film historian, though I do love this thread and others.  

 

[Binky The Doormat]

anybody else curious why we're spoilering our lists AND spotlighting the #### out of our faves? i'm down if y'all are - just seems weird

in case we have a ruing, Chinatown is as close to a perfect movie as i have ever seen and G2 is just a very good flick - low 20s tops

I thought briefly about that before and came to the conclusion that these aren't really drafts - so a movie can be on multiple lists.  

Spotlighting enhances the chances of someone sniping a song - doesn't matter here.  

Hopefully, people aren't trying to "guess" what will be the top point getting movies ...they are pulling together their favorites.  That way we get exposure to movies we might have ever seen (probably doesn't apply to you  ).

Probably makes sense to hide the amount of points a movie is getting ...but meh.  

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Anyone rolling with Foxy Brown or Big Bad Mama?

No, but Pam Grier and Angie Dickinson occupied plenty of space in my dirty little kid head.  

...so did "One Million Years B.C." Rachel Welch - but that's not important right now.  

 

[Gr00vus]

...so did "One Million Years B.C." Rachel Welch - but that's not important right now.  

A 30 point getter from me if we hit 1966. Another movie "of hers" will be getting high points from me here in 1974.

 

[Eephus]

A 30 point getter from me if we hit 1966. Another movie "of hers" will be getting high points from me here in 1974.

Glad to see somebody else recognizing her 1974 movie.   I don't think Richard Lester gets enough credit as a director.  He had a very strong 20 year run of comedies and action movies that seem effortless.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

not without my back brace...

involuntary reaction.

 

[Gr00vus]

Glad to see somebody else recognizing her 1974 movie.   I don't think Richard Lester gets enough credit as a director.  He had a very strong 20 year run of comedies and action movies that seem effortless.

Those 2 movies are all timers for me personally, my favorite film representation of that source material (which I love). Funny it didn't come up in the earlier discussion about classic literature in film.

 

[otb_lifer]

William Devane could really pass as a Kennedy. He can make his voice sound just like a Boston native, and he looks like a Kennedy. I loved him as Greg Sumner on Knots Landing.

see him hawking that AARP type insurance these days, he still looks great ... always thought he was gonna break muchmuch bigger .. Sheen, as well. 

 

[Eephus]

Those 2 movies are all timers for me personally, my favorite film representation of that source material (which I love). Funny it didn't come up in the earlier discussion about classic literature in film.

I've never read the book  

But based on the many fine movies based on Dumas, I have to believe it's better movie source material than Proust or Faulkner.  I'm a sucker for movies with sword fights.  I even liked the wire fu version that came out a few years ago with Milla Jovovich.  It's not as good as the Ritz Brothers but few things are.

 

[Eephus]

see him hawking that AARP type insurance these days, he still looks great ... always thought he was gonna break muchmuch bigger .. Sheen, as well.

Devane's toughest role was replacing Robert Conrad as the team captain in Battle of the Network Stars.

 

[otb_lifer]

Devane's toughest role was replacing Robert Conrad as the team captain in Battle of the Network Stars.

well, someone had to keep JoAnne Pflug from spilling out her shoulder straps- who better than an ex-prez? 

 

[Gr00vus]

I've never read the book  

But based on the many fine movies based on Dumas, I have to believe it's better movie source material than Proust or Faulkner.  I'm a sucker for movies with sword fights.  I even liked the wire fu version that came out a few years ago with Milla Jovovich.  It's not as good as the Ritz Brothers but few things are.

Same here. Swashbuckling for the win. I'd watch that Erol Flynn stuff, etc. But this one was special. When I was a kid I'd always scan the T.V. guide as soon as we got the Sunday paper to see if this was going to be the week's "Movie For A Saturday/Sunday Evening", and I'd watch it every time it was.

The cinematography of the fight scenes was genius. Something I wish people would return to today but realize you can't because the CGI just wouldn't hold up without quick edits. But those long, steady shots with minimal edits capturing everyone having at it - just beautiful filmmaking. The climactic duel between Michael York and Christopher Lee, well it doesn't get better than that.

 

[Eephus]

well, someone had to keep JoAnne Pflug from spilling out her shoulder straps- who better than an ex-prez? 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Network_Stars

Devane served as captain of both the NBC and CBS teams. 

Gabe Kaplan was the original captain of team ABC but also captained NBC once.  He had a short-lived NBC sitcom called Lewis & Clark where he played the owner of a honky tonk in Luckenbach, Texas.  Who knew?

And now Kaplan is managing the Philadelphia Phillies.

 

[Keith R]

Anyone rolling with Foxy Brown or Big Bad Mama?

I got Pam Grier covered

 

[Ilov80s]

I have to move my personal rating for Vertigo up. It looked amazing on the big screen, it’s still the best use of color in movie and actually knowing the twists of the movie made it work better imo.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I have to move my personal rating for Vertigo up. It looked amazing on the big screen, it’s still the best use of color in movie and actually knowing the twists of the movie made it work better imo.

That would be a great one to see on the big screen.  Vertigo fascinates me, but I am not sure if it's one of my favorite Hitchcock.  It's hard to rank his movies though.  They are like documentaries for me in that there hasn't been one that I can think of that I have not liked and most are very good - great.  

 

[wikkidpissah]

I have to move my personal rating for Vertigo up. It looked amazing on the big screen, it’s still the best use of color in movie and actually knowing the twists of the movie made it work better imo.

Ever since i first saw Vertigo, i've lived in mortal fear of falling off one of Kim Novak's eyebrows

 

[Ilov80s]

Ever since i first saw Vertigo, i've lived in mortal fear of falling off one of Kim Novak's eyebrows

They are probably pretty slippery with all that wet paint. 

 

[Keith R]

That would be a great one to see on the big screen.  Vertigo fascinates me, but I am not sure if it's one of my favorite Hitchcock.  It's hard to rank his movies though.  They are like documentaries for me in that there hasn't been one that I can think of that I have not liked and most are very good - great.  

Wasn't big on Topaz.  That's the only outlier tho

 

[Eephus]

Wasn't big on Topaz.  That's the only outlier tho

Torn Curtain isn't very good.  It's not bad but it's just a generic 60s spy movie without much Hitchcock flair.

 

[Hov34]

Off to see Vertigo at the theater. I know it’s not 74 but I figure this is the de facto movie thread for the moment. It’s never been a movie I really got the love for. Maybe seeing it at the theater will leave a different impression on me.

Saw it Tuesday night at our local AMC theater.  Cool to see a classic on the big screen!  But I agree.  Slow in parts and the ending sucks balls.

 

[krista4]

I think most people liked Remains of the Day but I was really disappointed by it since the book is so good. Room with a View is a pretty damn good adaptation.

I actually use The Remains of the Day as my primary example of doing a film adaptation right, so I guess I'm in that group you mention.  The book is a favorite of mine, and unlike most adaptations I thought the movie might even be better.  A lot of that has to do with just how phenomenal the acting is, though.

Thanks to @otb_lifer and @wikkidpissah for thoughts on TCM.  I'm going to watch it. 

 

[Ilov80s]

Saw it Tuesday night at our local AMC theater.  Cool to see a classic on the big screen!  But I agree.  Slow in parts and the ending sucks balls.

It’s definitely slow and the ending is so ambiguous and quick that I have reacted to it differently every time I’ve seen it. This was my 3rd time and knowing it was coming, I liked it more this time.