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!
I’m upvoting you on pure enthusiasm.
The Princess Bride, with In Bruges being a fairly close second. But I think The Princess Bride stays permanently at number 1 for me.
“Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
My ex used to fall asleep to this movie. I’ve seen up to the sword fight scene more time than I can count. Still love it.
Me too, thanks.
And a hearty “fuck yea” for In Bruges, too
Back to the future part 1
That’s heavy
“There’s that word again, ‘heavy.’ Why are things so heavy in the future? Is there a problem with the Earth’s gravitational pull?”
Blues Brothers. It’s damn near perfect.
And I still hate Illinois Nazis.
My dad had The Blues Brothers on VHS. I used to watch it ALL the time. I’ve seen it upwards of 100 times. It is still one of my favorite movies of all time. When I was a kid 95% of it went over my head, but as an adult, it’s just so good.
Same, when blues brothers 2000 came out, i was really excited, because back then, i had no idea how sequels work and that they are often just shit. Even tho i was the target audience for that movie, i really hated it.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, followed by Life of Brian.
Shawshank Redemption
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Came here to find this. Every time it’s moving.
It would be boring if I said The Empire Strikes Back so I’m going to say The Thing instead
Aliens
I just quote it constantly so it has to be … or Dune part 2, probably needs a bit more time to breath before I can call it my favorite though.
Game over man! Game over!
Awesone movie. Aliens, terminator 2 and the abyss are just a goldmine of things that became culture backbone.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
“Do you think Death could possibly be a boat?”
No, no, no…Death is…not. Death isn’t. You take my meaning. Death is the ultimate negative. Not being. You can’t not-be on a boat.
(Apropos user name!)
I’ve frequently not been on boats!
Ahhh!!! I can’t choose one. It would be a toss up between these:
The Birdcage, Death to Smoochy, Soapdish, Drop Dead Gorgeous, or Clue
Death to Smoochy
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else reference this film, ever. I watched it far too young, my parents got it in a pile of cheap DVD’s thinking it was a typical Robin Williams kid friendly comedy, and it scarred me… 😂
One of my favorite dark comedies. Ridiculous yet hilarious. RIP Robin Williams.
+1 for drop dead gorgeous, my favorite comedy along with muppets from space.
Just so many great lines, great characters, awesome cast. Between its age and non-mainstream release, it is one of those gems that easily gets overlooked.
I was just mentioning Britanny Murphy’s performance to my husband the other day, she was such an island of (hilarious) sincerity in a perfect river of satire.
Also I think I say “it’d be real easy” like … once a week?
“Drive me home?”
“Don’t let her fool you, she lives two trailers down!”
“So? It’d be real easy!”
I didn’t realize until years later that Amy Adams was the cheerleader.
Death to Smoochy is so underappreciated. Fantastic movie.
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…
It’s still Office Space.
Damn it feels good to be a gangster
I’ve been wanting to rewatch. Nice.
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 music drop.
That whole scene is so well made. The music, cinematography and plot all culminate in that beautiful but still twisted moment. Brilliant!
Were you born between '78 and '83?
Matrix
Thoughts on the sequils?
There are sequels?
Yeah, but better, because it’s spelled wrong.
Better to watch the original 4 times in a row.
I need to watch the new one a couple more times before I can solidify an opinion on it, but I celebrate all the rest of them on an equal footing. My basic thought, is that the original was amazing, but it was also meant to sell the movie as a new concept. The other two are meant to be watched at a different level, which a lot of moviegoers don’t want to, but could only be made because of the success of the first one. That includes the animatrix. There are just too many wide open questions that the first one brushes off as movie logic unless you watch the other two, like how could the Oracle be a good guy, or tell the future, when she’s obviously a computer program, and how is one guy with completely unexplained to superpowers supposed to bring down the whole system.
