Settle in at the cinema! It’s time to have some fun with movies that begin with the letter “F”, all part of my “A-Z” of film!

Remember, while these are ten GREAT movies with an “F”, they are not in any order – all ten are amazing, mix and match and watch them all!

Let’s get started with the greatest “empowered female” exploitation film of all time!

10 – “Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!”

It has one of the most iconic movie titles in history – and it celebrates female empowerment!

Director Russ Meyer LOVED WOMEN – in fact, most of his movies involved women who loved to kick ass!

“Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” not only has the greatest movie title ever, but it parades a bevy of buxom women across the screen – living hard and loving hard as well – that’s what Meyer was known For!

Check out this campy trailer:

Meyer’s films are low budget classics, and this is without a doubt his most memorable. See more about the cast of “Pussycat” here!

https://johnrieber.com/2012/03/16/sexploitation-classics-the-russ-meyer-edition/

Speaking of empowered women, what about Frances McDormand as the smart Cop who solves a murder?

9 – “Fargo”

Frances McDormand won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1996 for her work in this brilliant thriller – check out the trailer:

William H. Macy was also outstanding as the used car salesman who unwittingly sets off a murder spree – you can click here to see more about the film:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/04/12/hungry-cops-working-girls-and-martyrs-these-women-can-act/

From one classic movie to another – and I’m serious, this next movie was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar in 1987!

8 – “Fatal Attraction”

Yes, it’s a pulp classic, but it’s also a great film! Check out the iconic trailer:

Glenn Close was also Oscar-nominated for her performance, a brilliant portrayal of a woman who “won’t be ignored!”

Here is some great trivia for you:

Did you know that the boiling bunny was real? That’s just one fascinating bit of trivia about this great film, and you can see a lot more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/26/elevator-sex-boiled-bunnies-the-wild-oral-history-of-fatal-attraction/

Glenn Close gave an amazing performance, and next up is another terrific one as well – by Michelle Pfeiffer:

7 – “The Fabulous Baker Boys”

This 1989 musical drama tells the story of two brothers – The Fabulous Baker Boys – who perform together in Seattle bars, wedding receptions, or wherever they can book a gig for “piano duos.”

They decide to hire a singer – and their world changes forever – check out the trailer:

Michelle Pfeiffer is terrific as the “singer with spunk” who quickly shakes things up between the brothers – who are played by real life brothers, Jeff and Beau Bridges….

This is a great film – terrific performances, a sharp script that is funny honest and heartbreaking at times.

Next up is a gritty crime drama from 1973 starring one of Hollywood’s legendary bad boys:

6 – “The Friends Of Eddie Coyle”

Robert Mitchum gives one of his great, late career performances as Eddie Coyle, a “worker bee” in the world of Boston mob life, who is facing prison time and quickly running out of options…check out the classic movie trailer:

Criterion has a great new blu-ray with a pristine copy of the film – a great action drama – and if you want a full night of “mobster middle men”, this makes a great double bill with Al Pacino in “Donnie Brasco” – see more about that here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/12/29/everyday-goodfellas-donnie-brasco-and-eddie-coyle-great-mob-movies/

There are many great action movies, and Director John Woo made a couple of the best, like this one:

5 – “Face/Off”

This 1997 action thriller is a classic!

John Travolta plays an FBI Special Agent trying to find a biological weapon placed in Los Angeles by a sadistic terrorist-for-hire and criminal mastermind, played by Nicolas Cage.

Oh yeah, and then they trade faces!

Check out the trailer:

You know when they say it’s “so crazy you can’t make it up?” Well, this movie is that! And as terrific as John Travolta is in the film, he’s no match for the “subtle” acting of Nicolas Cage, who chews up the scenery in the most wildly entertaining way!

I love Nicolas Cage as an Actor because he will put it all out there – and I really do wish that Tim Burton’s Superman film starring Cage had become a reality:

There is a terrific documentary that tells that story – see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/26/superman-lives-nicolas-cage-is-superman-incredible-documentary-on-tim-burtons-amazing-superman-reboot-debacle/

In 2002, Director Todd Haynes told the story of a frustrated housewife in the 50’s – who befriends a black man as her own husband discovers Conneticut’s gay underground:

4 – “Far From Heaven”

Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid and Dennis Haysbert star – check out the trailer:

Director Haynes evokes the tone and style of a classic Douglas Sirk 50’s melodrama, as he tackles the issues of sexuality and racial tension in a bucolic northeast town:

Julianne Moore is, as always, dynamite in the film – a great drama in the classic 50’s style…now, if you want to celebrate movies “of their time”, then how about this!

3 – “Fuzz”

Yes, the early 70’s were full of action comedies like this one starring Burt Reynolds and Raquel Welch as Boston cops out to stop a mad bomber!

Check out the trailer to see Burt Reynolds in a Nun’s habit!

“Fuzz” is good, old-fashioned 70’s movie fun, with offbeat humor that winks to the audience – along with fun action scenes.

Allegedly, Raquel Welch hated Burt Reynolds at the time and refused to do scenes with him! Here is more about the movie and about Raquel, who has an incredible body of work!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/18/raquel-welch-dinosaur-slayer-burt-reynolds-feud-seinfeld-catfight-a-million-reasons-to-love-this-iconic-sex-kitten/

Any list of “F” films has to include the 1971 Best Picture, which has one of the greatest action sequences ever captured on film!

2 – “The French Connection”

Gene Hackman also won an Oscar as Best Actor for his portrayal of the NY Cop Popeye Doyle, who tries to break up a french drug ring!

The action centerpiece involves a car chasing a subway train – and Director William Friedkin operated the camera from inside Hackman’s car because it was too dangerous to ask the Director Of Photography to do it!

Click here for more trivia about this movie, and for my list of Gene Hackman’s ten greatest performances:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/01/30/happy-birthday-gene-hackman-ten-roles-that-defined-a-hollywood-legend/

Finally, I wrap my list with an obscure 70’s horror film from France!

1 – “Fascination”

Cult Director Jean Rollin has made many moody, eerie horror films, but his one from 1979 is my favorite – check out the trailer:

How can you not love a film with this imagery? While Rollins made many classic horror films, this is his best – you can see more of them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/13/bloody-fascination-sexy-shockers-wildest-cult-horror-directors/

I love discovering obscure movies and the Artists who create them, and share them on list like this….like this one from my “A” list:

Greg Kinnear’s portrayal of Actor Bb Crane is fascinating – see more about it – and all of my “A” list films here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/09/give-me-an-a-ten-classic-films-that-begin-with-a-movies-a-z/

If you want to see some classic “B” movies, try this one:

“Body Heat” is a great film noir, smoldering and sensual, with a script that darts and weaves as the net around William Hurt closes. Here are more of my favorite “B” movies as well:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/13/b-movies-indeed-my-list-of-ten-great-films-beginning-with-b/

I also posted on ten great “C” movies, like this cult classic:

“Chuck & Buck” was joined by a wide range of great movies that began with the letter “C” – see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/16/the-c-list-great-cult-movies-beginning-with-c/

I also posted a list of ten films that began with the letter “D”, like this one:

A great slice of 90’s pulp! That’s just one of the amazing movies with the letter “D” – see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/22/movies-with-a-d-ten-classic-d-list-movies-revenge-sex-the-dawn-of-007/

My most recent post was for “E” movies, and how can you go wrong with this one?

The “subtle” charms of “The Exorcist” are just one of the “E” gems, see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/28/incredible-cinema-with-a-capital-e-my-movies-a-z-countdown-continues/

Let me know how many of my “F” films you’ve seen!

Celebrating Cinema – One Letter At A Time!

For those who have been playing along, I’ve been looking at great films that begin with the same letters – so far I’ve gone from “A” to “F”…highlighting great movies like these:

The concept is simple, but it’s a fun way to share ten movies from each letter – in no particular order, but I did try to mix up genres so there were blockbusters and cult gems as well.

Of course, I missed some great ones – I mean, how could I leave this out of the “B” list?

Most recently, my list of ten great “F” movies didn’t have this masterpiece:

As you can see, there are just too many great films – still, it’s great when people give me more options!

If you’ve missed any of my letters, here’s a short recap of “Movies A-F”:

An amazingly iconic movie poster sets the stage for a list of classic “A” movies – from “Alien” to “Auto Focus” and more – see them all here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/09/give-me-an-a-ten-classic-films-that-begin-with-a-movies-a-z/

If you want to see some classic “B” movies, try this one:

“Broadcast News” is a great film, a prescient look at television news in a time to great social change. Here are more of my favorite “B” movies as well:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/13/b-movies-indeed-my-list-of-ten-great-films-beginning-with-b/

I also posted on ten great “C” movies, like this cult classic:

“Chuck & Buck” was joined by a wide range of great movies that began with the letter “C” – see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/16/the-c-list-great-cult-movies-beginning-with-c/

I also posted a list of ten films that began with the letter “D” – a few ere big hits like “Disclosure” with Michael Douglas – and some were more offbeat, like this one:

Yes, “The Sushi Bites Back!” That’s just one of the amazing movies with the letter “D” – see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/22/movies-with-a-d-ten-classic-d-list-movies-revenge-sex-the-dawn-of-007/

If you like “movies with an “E”, there was classic “Evil Dead” horror, the black comedy “Election”, and this early 70’s cult gem:

This cult 70’s film is now on blu-ray – see more from my “E” list here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/28/incredible-cinema-with-a-capital-e-my-movies-a-z-countdown-continues/

Finally, I recently posted my list of “F” movies like “Fargo” and “Fascination”, as well as this Best Picture nominee from 1987:

Yes, it was nominated and deservedly so, it’s classic pulp cinema that Hollywood does better than anyone! Oh, the boiled bunny was real, too! Read more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/31/my-favorite-movies-with-a-big-f-fatal-bunnies-faster-pussycats-fuzz-too/

More “Movies A-Z” to come!

Listen Up! My “A-Z” Celebration OF Cinema Continues With “G”!

Lean in closely, because I’ve got ten great films that begin with the letter “G” – if they are good enough to get Don Corleone’s attention, then they should be good enough for you!

As always, this is NOT a countdown, just ten movies from a variety of genres that capture what make cinema so great – although this list does happen to end with my favorite movie of all time!

Let’s begin with a movie that showcases some of our greatest Actors!

10 – “Glengarry Glen Ross”

Yes, this is an acting masterclass from Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, Al Pacino and Kevin Spacey – and of course, Alec Baldwin!

It’s one of the great films about selling – and the salesmen whose motto is “Always Be Closing!”

Check out the trailer for this great 1992 film from the David Mamet play:

Here is some amazing trivia:

Alec Baldwin’s part was written specifically for the movie – that scene wasn’t in the play!

That’s right – the “always be closing” speech was written by Mamet specifically for the movie! See more great trivia here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/08/25/a-b-c-always-be-cheering-glengarrys-brightly-burning-movie-addition-alec-baldwin/

Speaking of great performances, here is one of the great ones from the 70’s:

9 – “The Gambler”

James Caan is terrific as a gambler who just needs one more score to pay off his debts. Here is a great scene with James Woods as a banker who disrespects Caan’s Mom:

This is a terrific film about gambling addiction, and of course James Caan is perfect in the role as a guy who is on the edge…it’s one of then great “Wrath Of Caan” movies, and you can see the others here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/02/05/the-wrath-of-caan-james-caans-greatest-hits/

As I said, I want to hit all kinds of movie genres with this countdown, so how about an offbeat British thriller from the early 70’s with a very strange title?

8 – “Girly”

A teenage girl and her brother play strange parlor games with the men who visit their house – and while “Girly” isn’t that strange of a title, you have to celebrate a neglected horror movie that had the audacity to originally be called:

“MUMSY, SONNY, NANNY AND GIRLY!”

Oh yes, it did. Here’s a spanish language trailer for the film, and guess what? Even in spanish you can see EXACTLY what it’s about!

As you can see, Girly and her brother have plans for the guys who come to visit…this is a quirky goofy British horror film from the early 70’s – one of those obscure films that has been rescued by the home video market.

You can see more funny trivia about the movie here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/10/15/killer-girly-sex-kitten-vanessa-howards-neglected-british-horror-thriller/

Now, I am listing ten great “G” films, trying to mix and match so that I am hitting on all sorts of genres….thanks to my wife, I can share an example of pure 80’s filmmaking:

7 – “Gotcha!”

Full disclosure: I had never seen this film – but my wife did when she was young – and so now we own it, I’ve watched it, and let’s be honest – it’s kind of fun!

Check out the TV ad for the film:

Pre-“E.R.” Anthony Edwards plays a game called “Gotcha” in which he hunts and is hunted by other college students with paint guns.

Yes, this game would NEVER FLY TODAY!

While on vacation, he meets the sexy Linda Fiorentino, who gets him involved in a real-life game of espionage. It’s a fun 80’s movie and turned Florentine into a sex symbol!

Next up is a serious look at high school reunions, highlighted by this line:

“Everyone Has Swelled!”

Yes, it’s a terrific “high school reunion” film from 1997, “Grosse Pointe Blank”, starring John Cusack, Minnie Driver and an inspiringly wacky Dan Aykroyd!

This film is dark, violent, and very funny, a deadly high school reunion with laughs and romance as well! It’s part of a classic “reunion” double bill you need to watch now. Here it is:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/08/03/hilarious-high-school-reunions-romy-michelle-john-cusack-too-gross-points-indeed/

My next choice is one of 2017’s best movies so far, the acclaimed thriller that caught everyone off guard!

5 – “Get Out!”

Jordan Peele wowed Critics and audiences alike with his terrific thriller about a black man who goes into the country to meet his white girlfriend’s family – yes, it a horror version of “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner!”

Click here to see the trailer and get more trivia on this great movie!

https://johnrieber.com/2017/03/06/get-out-and-get-to-a-theater-jordan-peele-shocks-you-with-the-best-film-of-2017/

Michael Caine is one of our greatest Actors, but you don’t think of him as a “tough guy”…well, think again:

4 – “Get Carter”

The setup for this early 70’s London gangster film is simple: Michael Caine returns to town and want to find out what happened to his brother – and nothing will stop him from getting answers…check out the trailer:

Michael Caine knows how to play it tough, and this gritty thriller is worth checking out.

Another great 70’s action film stars another iconic Actor:

3 – “The Getaway”

Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw fell in love while making this great Sam Peckinpah thriller – check out the trailer:

This is a classic 70’s action film, and Peckinpah gives it a lot of stylized action – a really fun movie with great performances as well!

See more about this film and other classic 70’s action movies here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/01/24/the-greatest-70s-action-films-ever-biggest-stars-with-the-biggest-guns/

I love films about Hollywood, and next up is one of my favorites:

2 – “Get Shorty”

This classic 1995 comedy skewers the entertainment industry as it tells the story of a mobster who “goes Hollywood”…check out the trailer:

John Travolta and Rene Russo head a terrific cast, including Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, James Gandolfini and Dennis Farina – from a novel by Elmore Leonard, it’s one of the best “movies about movies” – here are five more:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/02/25/lights-camera-oscars-5-more-great-movies-about-movies/

We wrap up our ten “G” movies with what is, for me, the great film of all time:

1 – “The Godfather”

What can you say? The Best Picture of 1972 is a masterpiece, the story of Don Corleone and his family 0 a cast headed up by Marlon Brando, along with James Caan, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton.

What can you say about this film – well, aside from the fact that Marlon Brando didn’t like memorizing his lines, so Robert Duvall wore them off camera!

Cue The Horses Head!

Or what about this trivia: the horses head in that bed was REAL!

Here’s so much more fun trivia about the greatest film of all time!

https://johnrieber.com/2017/02/15/brandos-cue-cards-real-horse-heads-the-godfathers-best-stories-2/

If you’ve missed any of my other letters, here’s a short recap:

An amazingly iconic movie poster sets the stage for a list of classic “A” movies, see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/09/give-me-an-a-ten-classic-films-that-begin-with-a-movies-a-z/

If you want to see some classic “B” movies, try this one:

“Broadcast News” is a great movie. Here are more of my favorite “B” movies as well:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/13/b-movies-indeed-my-list-of-ten-great-films-beginning-with-b/

I also posted on ten great “C” movies, like this cult classic:

“Chuck & Buck” was joined by a wide range of great movies that began with the letter “C” – see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/16/the-c-list-great-cult-movies-beginning-with-c/

I also posted a list of ten films that began with the letter “D”, like this one:

Yes, “The Sushi Bites Back!” That’s just one of the amazing movies with the letter “D” – see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/22/movies-with-a-d-ten-classic-d-list-movies-revenge-sex-the-dawn-of-007/

If you like “movies with an “E”, you might like this one:

A cult 70’s gem that is now on blu-ray – see more from my “E” list here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/28/incredible-cinema-with-a-capital-e-my-movies-a-z-countdown-continues/

If you like the letter “F”, then you had a ton of great films to enjoy, like this Best Picture nominee from 1987:

Yes, it was nominated and deservedly so, it’s classic pulp cinema that Hollywood does better than anyone! Oh, the boiled bunny was real, too! Read more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/31/my-favorite-movies-with-a-big-f-fatal-bunnies-faster-pussycats-fuzz-too/

Let me know your favorite “G” movie!

Movies, Movies, Movies…

Ahh, the joy of a packed movie palace, settling in to enjoy a great film with a crowd full of friendly strangers….it’s why we love the cinema, right?

Well, we also love it because of great Actors like George C. Scott, shown here being “choked out” a bit – and guess what: Scott shows up TWICE on my “A-Z” countdown of great movies that begin at the letter “H”!

In addition to George C, we have angry cowboys, bad breakups, chainsaw hookups AND shamefully mis-titled Hookers!

As always, this is not a countdown – all ten films are equal in my book – so let’s get to counting – with an incredible action movie starring a hospital full of babies!

10 – “Hard Boiled”

I want to begin with this 1992 movie, directed by John Woo, because it has some of the most incredible action sequences ever put on film, including an extended climax that takes place inside the baby ward of a hospital!

Chow Yun Fat is outstanding as a Cop who won’t back down – even when the mob storm a children’s hospital – this is one of the most action-packed sequences ever captured on film.

“Hard Boiled” brought Chow Yun Fat and Tony Leung to American audiences – it’s an amazing action film – check out this trailer, which is basically 3 minutes of incredible action scenes set to music!

this film takes no time to mesmerize: in the first five minutes, you meet Chow Yun Fat when he literally wipes out a whole room full of gangsters – while sliding down a bannister!

If you haven’t seen this film, search it out now – it is incredible! Read more about this genre of Hong Kong action film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/06/30/killer-assassins-hard-boiled-killers-death-by-hammer-classic-asian-thrillers/

I am a fan of westerns: classics with John Wayne, more modern versions with Clint Eastwood and everything in between, which takes us to this gritty 1971 oater:

9 – “The Hunting Party”

This is an obscure 1971 film starring Gene Hackman, Oliver Reed and Candace Bergen – check out the trailer:

Oliver Reed is the outlaw who wants to learn to read, and Candace Bergen is the school teacher he kidnaps to teach him – except she’s also the wife of cattle baron Gene Hackman – who rustles up a “Hunting Party” and begins to pick off the bad guys one by one.

There is lots of grindhouse violence here, but kind of interesting to watch a B-movie being acted out by some well-known “A”-list Actors. This came out the same year that Hackman won Best Actor for “The French Connection!”

Speaking Of Oscar-winning performances:

8 – “Hannah & Her Sisters”

In 1986, Michael Caine and Diane Wiest both won Supporting Acting Oscars for their work in this terrific Woody Allen film – check out the trailer:

Mia Farrow and Barbara Hershey are also outstanding – a film with heart, humor and a lot of emotion. Woody Allen won the Oscar for his screenplay and the film was nominated as well for Best Picture.

Now, another Oscar-winning Actor in a very powerful role:

7 – “Hardcore”

First, while this poster is incredibly powerful, George C. Scott NEVER says that line in the movie!

He does, however, experience the most intense movie screening of all time – check out the trailer:

Paul Schrader directed Scott and Season Hubley in this gritty thriller about a father searching the porn districts of LA and San Francisco, looking for his runaway daughter.

The movie was shot in the real XXX-rated theater districts of those two cities. It’s a powerful film, and you can see more trivia about the making of it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/09/28/hardcore-a-journey-into-70s-porn-hell-classic-george-c-scott-performance/

Let’s lighten things up with an offbeat comedy from 1972 that made Charles Grodin a star:

6 – “The Heartbreak Kid”

Grodin stars as a man who meets – and falls in love with – the beautiful Cybill Shepard – while on his honeymoon! Check out the trailer:

This is a great film, do NOT watch the awful remake with Ben Stiller – search this one out instead.

OK, our countdown continues now with an 80’s cult classic:

5 – “Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers”

The classic horror comedy came out in 1988, and it’s an over-saturated ball of fun!

This blend of comedy, violence and good clean “naughty fun” is a real treat – and I found a clip of pre-movie star Greg Kinnear at the film’s premiere!

Check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/10/21/hollywood-chainsaw-hookers-greg-kinnears-movietime-premiere-shocking-halloween-2015-horror/

Now, time to check-in with Doctor George C. Scott again:

4 – “The Hospital”

In 1971, Scott starred in this great black comedy about hospitals, doctors, and crazy patients!

Here is the trailer:

Paddy Chaefsky wrote the screenplay, which skewers the health care industry – he would go on to the do the same to television five years later with “Network.”

See more about this movie here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/01/16/movie-medical-malpractice-the-hospital-classic-caustic-comedy-where-does-it-hurt/

Are you yearning for some “J-Sploitation?” Or just wondering what it is?

3 – “Helldriver”

Welcome to the amazingly inventive genre of film known as “Japanese exploitation” – widely imaginative and eye popping – here is a trailer that offers up a ton of proof!

These movies always feature young women who have been wronged – and they always exact bloody revenge…this is a great example of the genre, and you can see more o them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/05/01/female-ninja-warriors-extreme-asian-cinema-updated/

Have you ever seen a movie that had been re-titled? Who knows why – perhaps the first name didn’t resonate – but here is one with THREE DIFFERENT NAMES!

2 – “Hooker’s Revenge!”

I love the “Queen Of Artsploitation” Christina Lindberg. In the early 70’s she shocked American audiences with her performances in european art films that were full of sex and nudity. Here is the classic “double bill” trailer for one of her movies:

There is just one problem: “Hookers Revenge” was the third title for the movie – it had already been released TWICE before in the US!

Yes, the film was originally released as “Thriller: A Cruel Picture”, then a year later as “They Call Her One Eye” – and finally years after that as “Hookers Revenge” – and it was the same movie!

It’s classic sexploitation, and Christina is terrific in it – the wild thing is the titling – because she was NEVER a hooker!

Read more about Lindberg’s amazing career, which inspired Quentin Tarantino, by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/11/christina-lindberg-speaks-the-queen-of-artsploitation-bares-all/

Finally, what many consider to be the greatest film shocker of all wraps up my countdown:

1 – “Halloween”

“The night HE came home!” Director John Carpenter scared us to death with this movie – remember the classic trailer?

Jamie Lee Curtis was dubbed America’s greatest “Scream Queen” because of this film, and it has influenced horror films ever since…see the trailer and a ton of movie trivia here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/03/shocktober-day-3-screams-halloween-scream-queen-jamie-lee-curtis/

So there you have it, a great collection of “H” films to get caught up on or enjoy again…

If you missed by first six letters of the alphabet, here is a story about “Movies A-F”:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/04/classic-movies-a-f-sixty-great-movies-with-one-thing-in-common-the-alphabet/

And you can’t miss “G”, which is full of great stuff like this:

Yes, that “Godfather” scene with the horse’s head was real! Check out all of my “G” list here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/05/g-is-for-gangsters-gotcha-and-a-b-c-too-my-movie-celebration-continues-with-classic-g-films/

Let me know your favorite films with the letter “H”!

“The Only Living Boy In New York!”

What a great title for a movie! This new Amazon release was directed by Marc Webb and stars Callum Turner, Kate Beckinsale, Pierce Brosnan, Cynthia Nixon and Jeff Bridges.

Alex and I are looking forward to seeing this film, because it’s not only a great movie title, it’s actually a classic Paul Simon song that was written as a protest against his singing partner Art Garfunkel!

Simon & Garfunkel – And The Movie That Broke Them Up!

One of the great musical duos of all time were Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel – Simon wrote classic songs like “Mrs. Robinson”, “The Sound Of Silence” and “Homeward Bound”, and Garfunkel had the voice of an angel.

Simon and Garfunkel concert Ohio University 10-29-1968

But as you can see from this picture, there was a distance between them – and by the time they created their greatest masterpiece, a movie broke them up!

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” – VERY Troubled!

In 1970, Simon & Garfunkel delivered a masterpiece – and a swan song as well.

The brilliant “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was only their 5th studio album, and it was to be their last: filled with classic songs like “Cecelia”, “The Boxer” and “El Condor Pasa”, along with the seminal title track. That song won five awards at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards in 1971, including Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Here they are singing the song together in their famous Central Park concert:

There is a terrific article about the album at “UltimateClassicRock.com” – and it goes into the tension behind the scenes that led to their breakup.

Here is what Art Garfunkel said about “Bridge”, which Paul convinced him to sing solo:

“I was very pleased to hear such a rich song intended for me. I always felt he did some of his best writing when it came in the form of a gift. When people get outside of themselves and say, “This is for you,” it taps the better part of themselves,” Garfunkel told Paul Zollo years later. “And I loved it.”

Calling the song “something of a mystery to me,” Simon recalled:

“Nothing prompted me to write it. I was listening to a lot of gospel quartets, particularly the Swan Silvertones and the Everly Brothers album Songs Our Daddy Taught Us. I was stunned and I thought, ‘that’s a lot better than I usually write.’”

So, a brilliant album, an iconic song – and a disaster unfolding behind the scenes!

It all started to unravel for Simon & Garfunkel when Art Garfunkel took a role in Director Mike Nichols’ film of the classic anti-war novel “Catch-22”:

The movie had an all-star cast including Alan Arkin, Richard Benjamin, Jon Voight, Martin Sheen, Bob Newhart, Orson Welles and Charles Grodin – so Garfunkel was in heady company.

Although his part was small, filming stretched stretched out for months, leaving Paul Simon to sit and stew alone in New York, waiting to record the “Bridge” album…prompting him to write a song about his frustration with “Tom”…

Paul Skewers “Tom”!

Yes, Paul Simon skewered “Tom!”

When Simon and Garfunkel began singing together, they were known as Tom & Jerry – so Paul wrote a song to him – here are the opening lyrics for “The Only Living Boy IN New York”:

“Tom, get your plane right on time
I know your part’ll go fine
Fly down to Mexico
Do-n-do-d-do-n-do and here I am,
The only living boy in New York”

Yep, Paul was chastising Art for not leaving the film set and coming home…leaving him to wait to record the album!

As “Ultimateclassicrock.com” reports:

“Garfunkel admitted that his row with Simon over Catch-22 was really just a symptom of a much larger problem. “We weren’t having a good time. We weren’t enjoying ourselves. We were tired of working together. We wanted a break from each other,” he told SongTalk. “We were not getting along particularly well, and there were a lot of conflicts that were unpleasant conflicts. … I remember thinking, ‘When this record’s over, I want to rest from Paul Simon.’ And I would swear that he was feeling the same thing, like ‘I don’t want to know from Artie for a year or so.’”

This is a great article, as it points out the divisions that had grown between the two over the years:

“The catch, supposed Garfunkel, was that it ended up being his absence rather than Simon’s edict that put the brakes on their work — and so instead of a hiatus, it turned out to be a split. “I was in love with Simon & Garfunkel. I thought we were a neat act. I didn’t want to tip that over, I just wanted to take a rest from it,” Garfunkel insisted. “And here, with the help of Mike’s offer, I wanted to enrich my side of the group with this acting role. Well, Paul couldn’t abide by these things. They were evidently threatening. So, in his mind, waiting for Artie is something he couldn’t do. Now, I was waiting for Paul to write the tunes all the time, before we’d go in the studio.”
Simon admitted, in a talk with Rolling Stone, that “it was very hard work, and it was complex. I think Artie said that he felt that he didn’t want to record, and I know I said I felt that if I had to go through these kinds of personality abrasions, I didn’t want to continue to do it. We didn’t say, ‘That’s the end.’ We didn’t know if it was the end or not. But it became apparent by the time the movie was out, and by the time my album was out, that it was over.”

The song lyrics continued to press Garfunkel to let his “honesty shine” and come home – but clearly, by that time the damage was done and the song was Simon’s way of telling his friend goodbye…

“Half of the time we’re gone but we don’t know where
And we don’t know where
Here I am
Half of the time we’re gone, but we don’t know where
And we don’t know where

Tom, get your plane right on time
I know that you’ve been eager to fly now
Hey, let your honesty shine, shine, shine
Like it shines on me
The only living boy in New York
The only living boy in New York”

The song is beautiful, by the way, melancholy and reflective.

Here is a gorgeous live version from Paul Simon in 2012:

Was the movie worth it to Garfunkel? Well, “Catch-22” was a box office bomb when released, but has grown in stature over the years. Director Steven Soderbergh recorded a commentary track with Nichols for the home video release and it’s amazing:

If you haven’t seen this movie, it’s amazing – see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/24/the-brilliant-black-comedy-catch-22-a-neglected-movie-masterpiece/

Bravo once again to the Writers at “Ultimateclassicrock.com” – see their whole story here:

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/simon-garfunkel-bridge-over-troubled-water/

And check out the new movie as well!

Time For Some “I” Popping Cinema!

My “Movies A-Z” countdown continues with a great letter – “I”! There are classic comedies, riveting dramas, Oscar-winning best pictures, and some really offbeat stuff as well, so let’s get going.

Remember,this is NOT a countdown, just ten great movies to share with you, beginning with one of Asia’s darkest revenge thrillers:

10 – “I Saw The Devil”

This is a powerful revenge thriller, about a Cop who seeks out the murderer of his fiancé – as the trailer states:

“He’s Not Getting Even – He’s Just Getting Started…”

Check out the trailer:

Choi Min-sik stars as the serial killer who plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with a young Police Detective. He’s best known for his starring role in this brilliant film:

“Old Boy” is just one of many great revenge thrillers – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/01/28/revenge-is-sweet-top-ten-sexploitation-revenge-classics/

Ready for some campy cult horror that actually has some great scares?

9 – “I Saw What You Did (And I Know Who You Are!)”

Legendary Actress Joan Crawford is top-billed, but she’s not in the film much – but it’s a great 50’s thrill ride – as you can see by this classic trailer:

It’s a great premise: making crank calls – until you call a killer! It’s surprisingly fun to watch all these years later – and Joan Crawford has made a great comeback thanks to the new TV series “Feud”:

Of course, someone who was featured in this TV drama didn’t like it so much – in fact she sued them! See the story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/06/30/olivia-de-havillands-big-feud-with-the-makers-of-the-hit-show/

Famous Actors sometimes go out on a limb for their art – here’s an Oscar Winner who went X-rated!

8 – “Inserts”

In 1975, Best Actor winner Richard Dreyfus starred as a reclusive film Director in Hollywood who spends his day making X-rated movies in his mansion!

Click here to see more about this forgotten cult gem:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/05/22/forgotten-movie-sexcapades-big-stars-inserts-and-labors-of-love/

There is a lot of provocative cinema to discover, including virtually ALL of Lars Von Trier’s work!

7 – “The Idiots”

In 1998, Von Trier used his “Dogme” style of filmmaking – no microphones, no lights, no sets – to tell the story of a group of adults who spend their time seeking their “inner idiot” to release their inhibitions.

Check out the trailer:

This is a challenging film to watch – there are moments that are brilliant – but amazingly uncomfortable as well – adults acting like mentally disabled people…as I said Von Trier is no stranger to controversy:

Last year the Director released a star-studded meditation on sex – see the trailer for “Nymphomaniac 1 & 2” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/12/06/nymphomaniac-details-latest-lars-von-trier-provocation-my-von-trier-exclusive/

OK, let’s all calm down now and cheer ourselves up with the greatest holiday movie of all time:

6 – “It’s A Wonderful Life”

This masterpiece from Frank Capra tells the story of George Bailey, who needs to hit bottom to realize that he does, indeed have a “Wonderful Life” – here is the trailer:

There are so many moments of brilliance int he film, which is also very dark as well – a meditation of “Good” versus “Evil” thank to Mr. Potter – luckily George has “Zuzu’s Pedals” to protect him – there is lots of great trivia about this movie, which you can see here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/11/23/amazing-love-actually-facts-rare-wonderful-life-photos-the-best-holiday-movies-ever/

Downsizing has been a big topic in the US for the past few decades, as older workers are pushed out for younger blood – and here is a good film that tackles the issue:

5 – “In Good Company”

Dennis Quaid has a new boss: Topher Grace, who sees Quaid as a washed up Executive – until he meets his daughter, Scarlett Johansson – check out the trailer:

The movie is a romanic comedy/drama that strikes the right balance throughout, and the acting is terrific…now, how about a comedy starring the biggest stars in the world – and a LOT OF THEM?

4 – “It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World!”

This 1963 comedy was produced and directed by Stanley Kramer and starred movie legend Spencer Tracy – along with an all-star cast including Edie Adams, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Phil Silvers, Terry-Thomas, and Jonathan Winters.

Check out the trailer:

It’s a wild chase for $350,000 in cash – whoever gets there first gets it all! While overblown and bloated in places, it’s a great example of an “all-star” cast going all out for fun!

Another incredible cast took home Oscars for the Best Picture of 1967:

3 – “In The Heat Of The Night”

A brilliant film, which won Rod Steiger the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of a racist Sheriff in a small southern town – check out the trailer:

Sidney Poitier was also nominated for his role as Detective Virgin Tibbs of Philadelphia, who confronts this racist town as he investigates a murder…recently, there was a 50th anniversary screening – see that story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/04/09/tcms-amazing-film-festival-in-the-heat-of-the-night-reunion-carl-reiner-sidney-poitier-hollywoods-legends-honored/

Here’s an obscure treat that was just released on a remastered DVD:

2 – “Invasion Of The Body Snatchers”

In 1978, Donald Sutherland starred in the remake of the 50’s sci-fi-fi classic, about aliens who come to earth and take us over – from within – here is the trailer:

This is a dark, moody film that is worth seeking out…and speaking of that, I want to share a very obscure film from 1972, directed by the legendary Robert Altman:

1 – “Images”

Susannah York stars as a woman who is engulfed by terrorizing apparitions. As she kills them, we don’t know if these demons are figments of her hallucinatory imagination – or real people.

Check out the trailer:

Susannah York won Best Actress at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival for her work int he film, with is a classic Altman movie: great images, a dreamlike nature to it, and a raw honesty – all wrapped up in a murder mystery…or is it?

According to IMDB, Susannah York once said of this film:

“It seemed a whole string of incidents with nothing to link them together into a meaningful whole. In fact, I would have turned down the part, only Bob [Altman] rang me up from Los Angeles. Imagine trying to hold a conversation with somebody in America from a telephone box in a Greek village cafe! I couldn’t hear very much, but I gathered he wanted to fly over to Greece to talk things over with me. I was trying to say . . . well, is it really worth your while to come all that way, because I’m not very keen”.

There you go, ending the letter “I” with a classic Robert Altman film!

If you missed any of my previous posts, you didn’t see this classic film – that begins with a “D”:

“Darker Than Amber” is a great cult film, and you can see 59 others when you click on my “Movies A-F” list here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/04/classic-movies-a-f-sixty-great-movies-with-one-thing-in-common-the-alphabet/

Don’t worry, gangsters haven’t been forgotten, even if Marlon Brando always forgot his lines:

Yep, that’s why Robert Duvall “wore” his lines on set! It’s just one of the great “G” movies, which you can see here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/05/g-is-for-gangsters-gotcha-and-a-b-c-too-my-movie-celebration-continues-with-classic-g-films/

“The Godfather” is a classic, and so is this:

“Helldriver” is Japanese exploitation at its best – just one of ten great films that begin with “H” – see them all here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/08/hard-boiled-movies-with-an-h-my-a-z-classic-movie-list-continues-with-heartbreak-and-helldrivers/

Let me know what you think of the letter “I”!

Classic Rock!

Well, as you can see Roger Daltry and Pete Townsend are over the moon with excitement about this new post. Take a moment to be impressed with just HOW HIGH Townsend leaps during his guitar playing!

For many, “classic rock” is the greatest genre of music ever thanks to The Who and many other bands. Classic rock consists of timeless songs like “Layla”, “Freebird”, “Smoke On The Water” and many, many more…but what is the greatest rock anthem of all time?

“Valhalla, I Am Coming…”

Led Zeppelin created some of the great rock songs of all, with lyrics like these:

“Hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new land.
To fight the hordes and sing, and cry.
Valhalla, I am coming…”

Just seeing pictures of Led Zeppelin in concert tells you that this band KNEW they were mythical: HAMMER OF THE GODS indeed!

But did they record the greatest rock anthem of all time? As I said, there are many contenders to the throne…

Here are three choices for you to ponder, beginning with a group considered the greatest of all time:

Look at that: in just six years, The Fab Four would go from clean-cut suits in classic black’n’white photos to the greatest single concert event ever captured – their London “rooftop” performance of all new material for the documentary “Let It Be”.

It would be, of course, the last time they ever performed together – and it’s an amazing experience to see – in fact, the “Let It Be” documentary was briefly released on VHS, and I have a copy – see some of the great moments here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/04/06/let-it-be-the-beatles-lost-documentary-londons-live-beatles-rooftop-concert/

The Beatles have so many great songs, but there has always been one that was more “anthemic” than all the others:

The Epic Brilliance Of “Hey Jude!”

It begins with some of the most iconic lyrics in music:

“Hey Jude, don’t make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better”

It’s a song that runs longer than seven minutes, Paul singing a song of support to John’s young son Julian, as his parents were getting a divorce.

The band invited a studio full of friends and fans to join them for a live performance of the song, an iconic moment in music…

“Hey Jude” begins as a soft ballad, slowly building before exploding into an audience participation chant of the chorus – it was the longest single ever released at that time.

Here is the amazing “promo film”, introduced in the studio by David Frost, and it begins with a minute of goofiness before the camera cuts to Paul’s closeup, and he awaits his cue to begin:

WOW.

That video has been viewed more than 64-million times! That’s tough to beat, right? You can see all of the promotional films recorded by the band on their incredible new music video release:

You can see more videos and the entire “Hey Jude” film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/09/18/the-beatles-exclusive-new-release-incredible-beatles-music-videos-the-beatles-1-is-here/

So, how do you top that? Well, do these lines strike a “classic rock” chord?

A “Bustle” In My “Hedgerow?”

Yes, Led Zeppelin have stormed into the discussion, with their greatest song ever!

Without a doubt, “Stairway To Heaven” includes some of the most unique lyrics in rock history – and the most memorable!

“If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now,
It’s just a spring clean for the May queen.”

Jimmy Page was one of rock’s greatest Guitarists, and along with Singer Robert Plant, they wrote one of the most mystical songs of all…lyrics like this:

“And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll.”

“To Be A Rock And Not To Roll” Indeed!

Well, these lyrics are known by every rock fan – from what is widely referred to as the greatest rock song of all time – the incredible musical suite known as “Stairway To Heaven”:

The song is from Led Zeppelin’s fourth album, known as “Zoso” or “Runes” – it’s a masterpiece, from the opening song “Black Dog” to the brilliance of “Rock And Roll” and straight through to the end – but one song immediately reached iconic status:

The Majesty Of “Stairway To Heaven!”

It’s a brilliant song with some of the most-known lyrics of all time:

“There’s a lady who’s sure
All that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for.
Ooh ooh and she’s buying a stairway to heaven.”

Here is the band performing the song live in 1975 from Earls Court in London – with the great Robert Plant ad-lib in the middle of the song:

“do you remember laughter?”

WOW. What an incredible performance by the greatest hard rock band of all time.

The slow build, the dramatic shift to hard rock, and the softly sung final lyrics…amazing.

All of the band’s music has been remastered with tons of extras – massive box sets that include rehearsals and alternate takes, plus great music videos as well – see more detail here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/01/led-zeppelin-iv-remastered-zoso-zeppelins-top-5-singles-hoth-remastered-too/

So, there you have it – two of the greatest rock songs of all time – um, wait, there’s one more?

“Who”?

Yes, indeed!

The Who “Won’t Get Fooled Again!”

Before any title is bestowed upon The Beatles or Led Zeppelin, I want to make a case that The Who really nailed the rock anthem in 1971 with their classic “Won’t Get Food Again”!

“I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
No, no!”

Pete Townsend wrote the song, a epic statement about youth, rebellion, revolution and acceptance – eight minutes of rage, anger and energy that reaches a crescendo with what is, without a doubt, the greatest howl in rock history:

“Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

It’s almost impossible to accurately capture the power of this guttural primal scream that Roger Daltry performs in this song:

The song has great musicianship, two different solo bridges, changes in tempo, and of course, THAT SCREAM.

What follows that scream is a summation that is cutting – and iconic in rock history – as these lyrics end the song:

“Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss…”

Anger, rage – and acceptance that nothing will ever change…

Pete Townsend is famous for his powerful guitar work – and circular assault on the instrument – throughout the song – but the lyrics are just so incredibly powerful – match by the energy of the entire band – here is an amazing performance of the song live from 1977 – one of the greatest live rock songs of all:

The Who continue to perform 50 years on, and you can still see them with the same youthful energy and passion for music as always – here is a look at their 50 year anniversary:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/10/16/the-whos-new-song-the-who-hits-50-tours-2015-who-i-am-pete-townshend-tells-us-who-he-is-warts-and-all/

Let me know your favorite rockers of all time!

“Jaws” Indeed!

That’s right, find a nice place to relax and get ready to bite into ten great movies that begin with “J”!

The picture is a big giveaway of course, so let’s get right to it – a film that changed the way we went to the movies!

10 – “Jaws”

42 years ago, Bruce the Shark terrorized movie audiences in a way that had never happened before: it was the first time in cinema history that a film opened in thousands of theaters across the country on the same day!

Here is the trailer for the suspense masterpiece they saw:

From the moment crowds lined up across America, movie distribution changed forever…”Jaws” was also a monumental achievement for its young Director, Steven Spielberg.

The movie stands the test of time as well, and 42 years later, people still respond to the shark, the music, and of course, THAT LINE:

“We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

Roy Scheider’s reaction after seeing the shark for the first time is priceless – see more trivia about this great thriller by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/06/23/jaws-42-years-ago-cinema-was-changed-forever-time-to-celebrate-bruce-the-great-white/

Tom Cruise has also had his fair share of box office hits, but one stands out for a classic line as well:

“Show Me The Money!”

9 – “Jerry Maguire”

Cameron Crowe directed this great romantic comedy about a disgraced Sports Agent with one shot at redemption – check out the trailer:

Cuba Gooding Jr. won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and Renee Zellwegger has never been better as the only person who supports – and then falls in love – with Jerry.

A terrific movie with Tom Cruise at the top of his game.

Speaking of that, what about Keanu Reeves?

8 – “John Wick”

What a great action thriller! Keanu stars as John Wick, who just wants a quiet life – but then someone made the mistake of messing with his dog…here is the trailer:

Reeves is an accomplished martial artist, and the fight scenes in this film are brutal and real – and yes, this is one bloody ride!

Reeves has been making a wide range of films lately, so I also want to recommend a film he directed just a few years ago:

Click here to see more about this terrific martial arts film that Keanu directed as well as starred in:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/07/28/keanu-reeves-kung-fu-fight-club-man-of-tai-chi-47-ronin/

Director Danny Boys made a film about Apple founder Steve Jobs last year, but to be honest, I enjoyed this one more:

7 – “Jobs”

Ashton Kutcher does a great job as the single-minded visionary who changed the way we use a phone, listen to music and so much more!

Here is the trailer:

This film deserved more attention, and Kutcher does a terrific job capturing the nuances of a very complicated genius.

Another genius was someone I was lucky enough to work with for years:

6 – “Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work”

Joan was my friend, so I can include her on a “J” list! This incredible documentary is honest, candid and of course hilariously funny, because she’s Joan Rivers! Here is the trailer:

My wife and I worked for years with Joan and Melissa, including this year at the Cannes Film Festival, where we shot a “Fashion Review”.

Joan was one of the most compassionate, warm and caring people I’ve ever had the honor to know. Here is a short tribute I posted when she passed away:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/09/04/rip-joan-rivers-a-world-class-person-is-gone/

The documentary is an amazingly candid look at her life – worth every minute you spend with her.

Time now for a controversial movie that was “of its time”:

5- “Joe”

Peter Boyle starred in this very controversial 1970 film about a man who was fed up with a changing world.

Here is the trailer:

Boyle plays a blue collar worker who sees the “hippies” taking over, and decides to fight back – it struck a chord at the time, as you can see by the advertising they took out to promote the controversy.

Movies like this resonate with me because they capture our country at the time, a chance to understand our history better.

here’s another film that captured a sense of the times:

4 – “Juno”

Diablo Cody burst onto the scene with this black comedy about a young woman who ends up pregnant – here is the trailer:

“Juno” is beautifully written and acted, and I was recently reminded of just how good it is – a real gem.

OK, I’ve gone a long time without dipping into the wild world of “Women in prison” films – but that is about to end!

3- “Jackson County Jail”

The “women in prison” genre has many great titles, but Actress Yvette Mimieux gives this film a certain gravitas – she plays a woman who is falsely arrested and then….well, see for yourself in the trailer:

A young Tommy Lee Jones stars as well – this is a great example of the “Women in prison” genre, as is this one:

“Chick In Chains!”

How can you beat that? Here is a look at more classics of the genre:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/03/21/black-mama-white-mama-queen-of-blaxploitation-pam-grier-naked-showers-women-in-prison-classics/

Next up, a hit TV series goes to the big screen in all its painful glory:

2- “Jackass”

15 years ago, Johnny Knoxville and the boys took their hit MTV show to the big screen, with an absolutely hilarious film – here is the trailer:

No plot, just offensive stunt after stunt after “abuse to the body” stunt – inventive, hilariously profane, and I can watch it every single day!

Finally, we go from jackasses to the world’s greatest “sushi master”:

1 – “Jiro Dreams Of Sushi”

This Tokyo sushi bar costs hundreds of dollars for a single meal, you are fed in twenty minutes, and the Chef may or may not want you to look at him – and it’s so popular you can’t get in – here is the trailer:

Jiro is a Sushi Master, but this is also a touching and poignant story of an obsessive Chef who doesn’t quite know how to communicate with his young son…a great documentary about food and family – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/08/01/hail-the-sushi-master-anthony-bourdain-jiro-uno-my-sushi-jiro-celebrating-sushi/

There’s a look at ten great movies beginning with “J”, and if you missed any of my previous posts, you didn’t see this classic film – that begins with a “B”:

“Body Heat” is a great cult film noir, and you can see 59 other great movies when you click on my “Movies A-F” list here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/04/classic-movies-a-f-sixty-great-movies-with-one-thing-in-common-the-alphabet/

Don’t worry, gangsters haven’t been forgotten, even if Marlon Brando always forgot his lines:

Yep, that’s why Robert Duvall “wore” his lines on set! It’s just one of the great “G” movies, which you can see here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/05/g-is-for-gangsters-gotcha-and-a-b-c-too-my-movie-celebration-continues-with-classic-g-films/

“The Godfather” is a classic, and so is this:

Before Paddy Cheyefsky wrote the brilliant “Network” he tackled medical malpractice with “The Hospital” – just one of ten great films that begin with “H” – see them all here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/08/hard-boiled-movies-with-an-h-my-a-z-classic-movie-list-continues-with-heartbreak-and-helldrivers/

If you missed my list of “I” movies, then you didn’t see this obscure Robert Altman thriller:

See more about “Images” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/12/wild-movies-with-an-i-these-i-films-are-shocking-sexy-oscar-winners/

Let me know what I left off the “J” list!

Meet Steve Soderbergh’s “Logan Lucky” Team!

The Director of “Oceans 11” is back with another great heist movie – and another terrific cast!

Channing Tatum is joined by Riley Keough, Adam Driver, Katherine Waterston, Katie Holmes, Hilary Swank and an “almost unrecognizable” 007!

Yes, Daniel Craig sports a unique look in the film – great to see him having fun again!

They all come together as two brothers attempt to pull off a brazen robbery during a NASCAR event.

Check out the trailer for “Logan Lucky”:

This has the same sense of fun and energy as “Oceans”, and since Tatum and Soderbergh have a great creative partnership, you can see that it’s going to be a great time.

Soderbergh Takes On the Hollywood Studio System!

Soderbergh has taken many daring creative detours in his career, and made headlines a few years ago when he announced his “retirement” from movies. But that just meant he was going into TV, having burnt out from the way Hollywood did business.

Now, he’s got a new film hitting theaters – but with a new business model.

“Logan Lucky” is his attempt to release movies differently – releasing films without using the major studio system as it exists right now – it’s a daring move, and Peter Bart from Deadline.com has a great story about how “Logan Lucky” could usher in a new way of distributing films – check it out here:

http://deadline.com/2017/08/logan-lucky-peter-bart-studios-wont-be-wishing-soderbergh-much-luck-as-he-plans-to-break-rules-on-new-film-1202145745/

Soderbergh has bucked the system before, when he and Tatum self-funded “Magic Mike” after the major studios balked at a movie about male strippers:

Of course, “Magic Mike” was one of the most successful independent films of all time…here is a look at this great movie:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/06/25/magic-mike-reviews-are-in-soderbergh-scores-again/

I loved that “Mike” had the tone and style of a 70’s film, as did his film noir thriller “The Limey”:

Here’s an inside look at this classic revenge thriller:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/11/14/the-limey-night-moves-classic-action-noir/

I have posted about many of Soderbergh’s films – everything from “Erin Brockovich” to “Out Of Sight” and “Side Effects.”

I loved this medical thriller, and you can see the trailer here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/02/12/side-effects-extreme-measures-great-medical-thrillers/

Good luck to Soderbergh and the creative team behind “Logan Lucky” – here’s to breaking new ground in Hollywood! Let me know if you hang out with the Logan gang!

Ten Great “K” Films!

A theater full of laughing patrons sums up the letter “K” – because a couple of the movies beginning with that letter are the funniest of all time!

I’m counting down “Movies A-Z”, and this edition focused on the letter “K”, which has some classic action, comedy AND Quentin Tarantino, of course!

No real order, just ten reasons to love cinema – let’s get going with one of the funniest movies ever released!

10 – “Kentucky Fried Movie!”

The Zucker Brothers are best known for the comedic masterpiece “Airplane!”, but they warmed up with this classic comedy – a series of sketches with a ton of great Guest Actors…here is the trailer:

There are great comedy sketches and a 30-minute scene-for-scene parody of the great Bruce Lee film “Enter The Dragon” – see more about that here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/03/big-jim-slade-fistfuls-of-yen-its-the-kentucky-fried-movie/

The movie also contains a trailer for the movie “Catholic High School Girls In Trouble!”

The movie trailer is hilarious, and the “Actress” in the trailer is none other that legendary sex kitten Uschi Digard!

She has fond memories of her role in the film, and you can read them here – along with a look at her eclectic movie career!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/04/17/sex-kitten-uschi-digard-bares-her-toy-box-legendary-russ-meyer-star-hilariously-naked-kentucky-fried-movie-cameo/

Comedy comes in all forms – including a genius kung fu action comedy from Hong Kong!

9 – “Kung Fu Hustle”

“Kung Fu Hustle” is a 2004 Hong Kong-Chinese martial arts gangster musical comedy that was directed, co-produced and co-written by Stephen Chow, who also stars!

The trailer alone will blow your mind!

Stephen Chow knocked it out of the park with this classic action/comedy – this is a movie worth finding!

Another Hong Kong action film is on the list – but this one’s not funny – just one of the greatest action movies of all time!

8 – “The Killer”

John Woo blew away audiences with this incredible action thriller starring Chow Yun-Fat.

Here is the original Asian language trailer for this 1989 action masterpiece – trust me, you don’t need english for this:

This, along with John Woo’s “Hard Boiled” and his American film “Face/Off” are a triple bill of action that can’t be topped – click here to see more of Woo’s terrific work:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/06/30/killer-assassins-hard-boiled-killers-death-by-hammer-classic-asian-thrillers/

One of America’s great Directors also set out to make an action classic – and went to the far east for inspiration!

7 – “Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2”

Can you believe it’s been 14 years since Quentin Taranto unleashed the double-barrelled whammy of “Kill Bill” on us?

Let’s begin with the trailer for part one:

One year later, Tarantino gave us the second half of the story – here is the trailer for “Kill Bill Volume 2”:

Both are great for different reasons, and Tarantino has yet to give us a “combined, added-scenes-and-directors-cut” version of the movie, which has been long rumored. We shall see…did you know where he got the inspiration for Elle Driver, played by Darryl Hannah?

Well, that would be “Artsploitation” legend Christina Lindberg of course! Click here to see her great sexploitation classic that inspired Quentin!

https://johnrieber.com/2012/05/21/swedish-sex-kitten-christina-lindberg-the-original-queen-of-artsploitation/

“Kill Bill” is full of kung fu and exploitation homages – and who knew these genres better than the iconic “B” movie Director Larry Cohen!

6 – “King Cohen!”

You may not know Director Larry Cohen – but you should! There’s a terrific documentary that tells his amazing story – here is the trailer:

Larry Cohen made such classic exploitation films as “Black Caesar” and “It’s Alive!” Here is a look at all of his great films!

https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/08/king-cohen-exploitation-director-larry-cohen-killer-babies-winged-serpents-exploitation-master-dynamite-new-documentary/

Cohen has a great career to be proud of – and here is another Director who has made some of cinema’s wildest adventures, including this recent one:

5 – “Killer Joe”

William Friedkin directed such classic films as “The French Connection”, “The Exorcist” and “To Live And Die In LA” – but this recent outing was one of his best – check out this all-star cast:

The material is dark dark DARK, but the entire cast digs in and delivered a black comedy that was so wild it was rated NC-17!

Read more about the film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/08/10/the-brilliant-killer-joe-mcconaugheys-hat-trick-plus-friedkins-wang-chung/

Friedkin released his autobiography, and it’s a terrific read as well. Another brilliant Director also has an amazing body of work, including this dark dark DARK comedy with Robert DeNiro:

4 – “The King Of Comedy”

This 1982 film was trashed when released, but is now considered a prescient masterpiece….first, see the trailer:

Robert DeNiro gives a great performance as Rupert Pupkin, a delusional comedian who will do whatever it takes to become famous.

Scorsese’s masterpiece also starred Jerry Lewis as a late night Talk Show Host who meets Pupkin – and everything escalates from there.

In a world of “instant celebrity” – as well as being “Famous for being famous”, this movie, 25 years ago, captured this world before anyone could imagine how real it would become.

There was an anniversary screening lately – and a new blu-ray with tons of great extras – check it out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/25/the-king-of-comedy-goes-blu-amazing-extras-scorsese-grills-pupkin/

Another legendary Director is next up on the list – Sam Peckinpah directed “The Wild Bunch”, “The Getaway” with Steve McQueen, and this 1975 action thriller starring James Caan and Robert Duvall:

3 – “The Killer Elite”

James Caan is great a government Agent who’s betrayed by a co-worker, Robert Duvall. Check out the vintage trailer:

Duvall and Caan are both great, and there are several terrific action sequences as well – Peckinpah was known for his “ballet of violence” – and you can see more about him here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/08/05/the-wild-bunch-billy-the-kid-sam-packinpahs-soup-tossing/

A step away from Hollywood – very far away from Hollywood – like the middle of the Pacific Ocean!

2 – “Kon-Tiki”

Adventurer Thor Heyerdahl decided to see if South American explorers could have travelled more than 4,000 miles from Peru to settle islands in the South Pacific. So he did it! Here is the trailer:

The Kon-Tiki expedition led by Norwegian explorer and writer Thor Heyerdahl happened in 1947, and the documentary was released in the United States in 1951. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

It’s a fascinating trip, with footage shot by the team while on the ocean!

Back on dry land, here is my last film with a “K”, and it’s one of the most under-rated comedies ever – about bowling!

1 – “Kingpin”

After “Dumb and Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary”, the Farrelly Brothers win streak continued with this hilarious 1996 bowling film, starring Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid and Bill Murray.

Here is the trailer:

Harrelson is Roy Munson, who loses his chance at bowling stardom when he loses his hand!

Redemption comes via Randy Quaid, who plays Ishmael – who is Amish and sneaks away from the farm to bowl.

Ultimately, they go up against champion bowler Ernie McCracken, played with a brilliant deadpan and magical comb-over by Bill Murray.

ESPN Announcer: So Roy, where have you been for the last fifteen years?
Roy: Well, I uh, well, ya see, I uh… Drinking. Lot a drinking.
ESPN Announcer: I see. Well, are you still drinking?
Roy: No. I uh… I put… uh… Why, you buying?

There is SO much to love about “Kingpin”: terrific acting, hilarious set pieces, memorable characters, and of course, BOWLING…see more great bowling films here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/04/14/kingpins-slimeballs-the-dude-lets-go-bowling-in-the-movies/

There is a list of ten great movies that begin with “K” – and of course there are many more…also, if you missed my list of “J” movies, you didn’t see my love for this gem:

Yes, “Jackass!” Hilariously funny and profane – just one of the movies beginning with a “J” – and you can see them all here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/14/hey-jackass-movies-with-a-j-have-jaws-for-sushi-john-wick-steve-jobs-show-me-the-j/

I have missed a ton of great movies on my “Movies A-Z” list, like this great film:

That’s right – “Boogie Nights” is one of my all-time favorite movies, but it wasn’t on my “B” list! However, here are the films that DID make my lists of “A-F” movies – check them out here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/04/classic-movies-a-f-sixty-great-movies-with-one-thing-in-common-the-alphabet/

Let me know your favorite film with a “K”!

Welcome To Malibu!

It’s another gorgeous day in Malibu, as the waves crash against the California shoreline – and people are eagerly anticipating the solar eclipse…

The pacific ocean seemed to want to get into the celebration, for we saw some of the biggest waves in Malibu ever – loud and huge….

Because of the upcoming full moon, the waves are larger than usual, and the high tide created some amazing water action at the steps leading to the beach!

Here is a video I took of the waves having a good time as the high tide approached:

The waves have been amazingly strong here, and I could literally watch them for hours…but I decided to get a bit closer for some shots of the waves crashing into the bulkhead…leading to this shot that ended up all over me! Yes, at the end of this video, I found myself right in the path of the spray…

Water In The Movies!

My sister-in-law Lauren told me I needed to showcase great movie moments that took place on the beach, and here are a couple – beginning with this woman, who sees something in the water…

Yes, “Bruce” the shark terrorizes beachgoers in Steven Spielberg’s thriller “Jaws” – talk about a stampede!

Forty-two years later, this shark still shocks movie lovers, but for some reason, Spielberg never seemed that nervous about his villain:

If you want to read more great trivia about this classic film, click here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/06/23/jaws-42-years-ago-cinema-was-changed-forever-time-to-celebrate-bruce-the-great-white/

Sometimes, the only things you need to make a beach moment iconic is to just step out of the water:

Halle Berry did just that in 2002’s “Die Another Day” as NSA operative Jinx. As EW noted:

“In the grand tradition of Bond girls — most notably Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder in 1962’s “Dr. No” — Berry rocked a bikini to make a showstopping entrance on the beach.”

Yes, Andress made quite the entrance in the first 007 movie – did you know her nickname was Ursula “UNDRESS?”

See more about her “casual relationship with clothing” by reading my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/03/28/ursula-andress-or-undress-007s-first-bond-girl-60s-sex-kitten-frolicked-with-nature/

Another iconic movie moment was the first time you got to see Daryl Hannah in her “natural state” in “Splash”:

This movie moment from 1984 helped make “Splash” a big splash at the box office.

But enough of women partially clothed – how about the same with Ralph Macchio?

Yes, “The Karate Kid” has a memorable beachside training scene, where Macchio works on his balance while developing his “crane technique”!

OK, that’s not fair…going back to 007, let’s all remember when Daniel Craig did his “Bond Girl moment” in “Casino Royale”:

My wife Alex told me that was the fair thing to do – I’m sure it had NOTHING to do with how 007 looks in a bathing suit…

Alex also reminded me of the last shot in “The Shawshank Redemption” – when two old friends reunite in Zihuatenajo…as well as scenes in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, when Mila Kunis dares Jason Segal to jump from a cliff into the Pacific Ocean…it doesn’t go well for him…

But forget all that – the greatest movie moment involving water is actually this amazing TV moment!

The Origin Of “Jumping The Shark!”

Yes, the TV series “Happy Days” inadvertently created a new catchphrase in season 5 when Henry Winkler – as “the Fonz” – and wearing a leather jacket – jumps over a shark on water skis!

A new catchphrase was created that signals the moment when a TV show or movie goes in such a ridiculously wrong direction that it “jumps the shark!”

But time to end on a serious note. This is one moment that has to be mentioned, for good reason.

That’s because the single most iconic beach moment in all time in cinema is “From Here To Eternity”!

This illicit moment, in which the adulterous lovers kiss like there’s no tomorrow, was originally written with them standing up; it was reportedly Lancaster’s idea to shoot it lying down, with water washing over them!

While this moment may have conjured up all sorts of thoughts of intimacy and isolation, making a movie is anything but that, as the behind-the-scenes shot of the moment shows:

Talk About Lack Of Privacy!

Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr has no time to themselves for this scene, which is considered the greatest beach scene of all time.

It was nicely parodied in a number of movies, my favorite being “Airplane!” Their romantic time on the beach left them just a bit more “kelp-covered!”

Even animated movies got into the act, as the scene was parodied in “Shrek!”

Let me know what iconic beach scenes I forgot – time to get wet and wild in the cinema!

A List So Large It Could Fill A Theater THIS BIG!

Yes, my “Movie A-Z” countdown has hit another letter packed with classic films. It seems like every time I post I leave something great off due to the limitation I put upon myself originally, which is to focus on ten movies with a variety of genres and popularity – part of the fun in a list like this is to be able to tell you about films you may not have heard of!

There were so many “L” movies I had to leave THESE off among many others: Lenny, Living Out Loud, Little Big Man, Let It Be, Little Miss Sunshine, the entire Lone Wolf and Cub series, AND Lady Snowblood, just to name a few!

Oh my, NO “LADY SNOWBLOOD”!?!?!?! Well, these ten that I have chosen had better be great, right?

Well they are, so let’s talk about ten great films that begin with the letter “L”!

10 – “The Long Good Friday”

Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren star in this terrific 80’s gangster film. A London mobster uses some very unorthodox techniques on his competitors:

However, the times are changing, and Hoskins has to learn to adapt or else. Check out the trailer:

Check out the trailer:

This is Hoskins’ greatest performance – and Helen Mirren is also terrific – here is more about this classic gangster film:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/08/08/bob-hoskins-retires-celebrate-this-great-long-good-friday-star/

Here’s a very obscure psychological horror film from the early 70’s:

9 – “Let’s Scare Jessica To Death”

Jessica had a breakdown. Now she is recovering. but her dreams are back, quickly becoming nightmares. Check out the trailer:

Thanks to Warner Archive, this is now on home video – it’s worth a look – here is more on the cast, along with some fun trivia about the movie:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/10/19/shocktober-day-19-scares-jessica-to-death-eerie-psychological-horror/

The “L” list includes many films that are on my top fifty of all time, including this “L.A> Noir” from the late 70’s – starring Art Carney!

8 – “The Late Show”

Carney may be best known for his comedic work on “The Jackie Gleason Show”, but he excels in this part – a workout private Detective hired by Lily Tomlin to find her cat – here is the trailer:

Lily Tomlin is also terrific in the movie, which was written and directed by Robert Benton – whose next film would be the Oscar-winning “Kramer Vs. Kramer”.

I cannot recommend this more highly – and it’s on DVD as well – see more trivia here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/06/01/klute-the-late-show-electra-glide-in-blue-three-obscure-film-noir-70s-classics/

Albert Brooks is one of America’s most under-appreciated Directors, and here’s one reason why:

7 – “Lost In America”

Brooks wrote, directed and stars in this comedy about 80’s America – here is the trailer:

From Julie Hagerty’s obsession with the number “22” at the craps table, to Brooks’ desire to get “lost in America” and “touch Indians”, this is a perfect look at life in 1980’s America.

Criterion just released a great Blu-Ray release – see details here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/26/albert-brooks-lost-in-america-criterion-collection-three-more-great-reasons-to-love-him-taxi-driver-for-one/

Some of our legendary Hollywood Actors were known for certain things – Walter Matthau as a comedy legend, for example – but did you know he also starred in a string of gritty 1970’s police thrillers?

6 – “The Laughing Policeman”

Yes, Matthau starred as a Detective trying to find out who shot up a San Francisco city bus late at night. Here is the trailer:

Bruce Dern excels as his partner – who is just as happy beating suspects up as helping crime victims out – you can read more about Walter Matthau, Action Hero, here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/02/07/bank-robbers-and-bus-massacres-charley-varrick-the-laughing-policeman-walter-matthau-action-star/

Speaking of cops and crime, time to head to “L.A” for one of the best film noir about the city ever made:

5 – “L.A. Confidential”

Director Curtis Hansen tells the story of a corrupt L.A. police department – and the young Detective out to solve a vicious murder – in the 90’s classic “L.A. Confidential”:

Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe and Oscar-winning Best Supporting Actress Kim Basinger are great in this crime thriller. Every time I watch this film I grow to love it more.

Another “L.A. Noir” was directed in 1973 by the legendary Robert Altman:

4 – “The Long Goodbye”

Elliott Gould stars as Private Detective Philip Marlowe – here is the trailer:

Altman shot part of the film from L.A.’s legendary “Hollywood Hightower” – see more inside trivia about this legendary movie location – and classic cult film by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/09/14/hollywoods-hightower-movie-past-vintage-los-angeles-climbs-these-legendary-stairs/

Robert Altman was a great Director, but far from the more prolific. In fact, that honor may belong to the Director of this classic “L” film:

3 – “Lorna The Exorcist”

Yes, Director Jess Franco made more than a hundred movies! Many starred his lifelong partner Lina Romay, who is spellbinding as the young woman who may be possessed:

Jess Franco loved to make movies, Lina Romay loves to get naked, so they were a “Euro-sleaze” match made in cinematic heaven! Read more about his moody, erotic gem here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/02/17/countess-perverse-lorna-the-exorcist-jess-francos-naked-masterpieces/

I love all of these films on this list for one reason or another – but this next film is on my “top ten of all time” list:

2 – “The Last Of Sheila”

Legendary Broadway Showman Stephen Sondheim and “Psycho” Actor Tony Perkins loved games, so they created a murder mystery that was played by the biggest names in Hollywood….here is the trailer:

What an all-star cast: James Coburn, Raquel Welch, Richard Benjamin, Ryan Cannon and more star in this twisty, devilish fun mystery with a side helping of Hollywood shade!

Read more about this incredible movie here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/06/29/psycho-and-sondheim-the-last-of-sheila-classic-hollywood-murder-mystery-richard-benjamin-rules/

Finally, I am a huge fan of Director Steven Soderbergh, and this film is one of the best, another “L.A. Story”:

1 – “The Limey”

Terence Stamp stars as a British mobster who comes to L.A. to find his missing daughter – here is the trailer:

Stamp is mesmerizing in the role, and Peter Fonda stars as the last man to see the daughter alive – this is classic film noir, and another of my favorite films…read more about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/11/14/the-limey-night-moves-classic-action-noir/

There you go, ten GREAT GREAT GREAT films that begin with the letter “L”…it’s been fun looking at every letter of the alphabet through a cinema filter, like my look at the letter “K”:

Sadly, Jerry Lewis just passed away – his performance in “The King Of Comedy” is so great – you can see that film and all of my “killer K” choices here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/19/killer-movies-with-a-k-my-movies-a-z-has-kung-fu-killers-and-catholic-high-school-girls-in-trouble/

You can always click on “movies” in my list of categories on the main page to see all of my lists, but here is a link to “Movies A-F”, a compilation of those first posts:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/04/classic-movies-a-f-sixty-great-movies-with-one-thing-in-common-the-alphabet/

Let me know your favorite “L” film!

As you can see, James Caan didn’t mind being shot up in “The Godfather”, one of the greatest films of all time – and one of ten great movies that began with “G”!

I’ve been counting down the greatest movies from “A-Z”, sharing ten movies from each letter of the alphabet – here is a recap and links to each letter if you want to catch up.

“The Godfather” is of course on the “G” list, and you can click here to see the other nine:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/05/g-is-for-gangsters-gotcha-and-a-b-c-too-my-movie-celebration-continues-with-classic-g-films/

The letter “H” gave me a chance to celebrate one of the greatest action films of all time – but a classic 70’s film with a wickedly sharp script by Paddy Chafesky!

Director John Woo made two the greatest action films of all time: “The Killer” and “Hard-Boiled”, both with Chow Yun-Fat – this image of the Actor holding one of his co-stars from “Hard-Boiled” kicks off ten great movies with an “H” – see the others here, including Paddy Chayefsky’s “The Hospital!”

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/08/hard-boiled-movies-with-an-h-my-a-z-classic-movie-list-continues-with-heartbreak-and-helldrivers/

The letter “I” was full of intrigue – and a very obscure Robert Altman film from the 70’s:

Susannah York starred in Director Robert Altman’s moody thriller “Images” – one of ten great films with an “I” – here are the rest:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/12/wild-movies-with-an-i-these-i-films-are-shocking-sexy-oscar-winners/

“J” is an easy letter for one reason alone – the greatest thriller starring a shark!

Steven Spielberg was having some fun with Bruce the shark on the set of “Jaws”, but the shoot was anything but easy – see more great trivia from “Jaws” and nine other films with a “J” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/14/hey-jackass-movies-with-a-j-have-jaws-for-sushi-john-wick-steve-jobs-show-me-the-j/

I love ribald comedy, and there is a film that begins with the letter “K” that is one of my favorites:

Yes, “Big Jim Slade!”

If you know who this is, then you know one of the funniest films ever made: “Kentucky Fried Movie” is hilarious – and one of ten great “K” movies – click here to see why!

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/19/killer-movies-with-a-k-my-movies-a-z-has-kung-fu-killers-and-catholic-high-school-girls-in-trouble/

Finally, the letter “L” is chock full of classic films, including one of my favorite whodunnits of all time!

An all-star cast delivers a wickedly funny murder mystery thriller from the minds of Composer Stephen Sondheim and Actor Tony Perkins!

“The Last of Shiela” heads up an amazing list of films beginning with “L” – see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/22/a-massive-list-of-l-movies-my-movies-a-z-hits-the-cinema-motherlode/

If you want to go back further, I also have a “catchup” list of movies from “A-F” as well:

Yes, Frances McDormand wants you to “halt right there” and look at my list of great movies from “A-F” by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/04/classic-movies-a-f-sixty-great-movies-with-one-thing-in-common-the-alphabet/

Now that you are caught up, more great letters of the alphabet coming soon – next up, the letter “M” – here’s a sneak peek – stop pointing that knife!

RIP Tobe Hooper…

Another great Horror Film Director has passed away.

Tobe Hooper has died at the age of 74 – this film Director made two of the most popular films in the horror genre…

“They’re Here…”

Hooper directed the horror classic “Poltergeist”, the 1982 ghost story produced by Steven Spielberg. An unfortunate rumor has hung over this movie, suggesting Spielberg stepped in to direct some of it, a charge that has always been denied.

Hooper also directed one of the greatest horror films of all time – one that helped usher in a new wave of realism into the genre:

Hooper wrote “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” with Kim Henkel, based loosely on the horrific crimes of Ed Gein – it’s widely considered one of the greatest horror films of all time.

Check out the iconic trailer:

What A Classic Shocker!

Director Hooper offered up a new vision of horror in 1974, when his film was so raw that many people thought it was real!

The plot is simple: five teenagers in a car have a couple of strange encounters before ending up at an old family home…where the horror begins!

Say Hello To “Leatherface!”

Gunnar Hansen played “Leatherface”, one of the most shocking characters in movie history – the “raw” feel of the movie made it almost impossible to watch – especially when they are invited to the family “dinner”…

According to the great IMDB website, Director Tobe Hooper claims to have gotten the idea for the film while standing in the hardware section of a crowded store. While thinking of a way to get out through the crowd, he spotted the chainsaws!

Gunnar “Leatherface” Hansen hit his head on doorways and other objects several times during the shoot because the Leatherface mask severely limited his peripheral vision and the three-inch heels he wore made his 6’4″ frame too high to clear all obstacles!

Horrific – But No Blood!

The most shocking thing about “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is that it isn’t very bloody! As IMDB reports:

“This is because Tobe Hooper intended to make the movie for a “PG” rating, by keeping violence moderate, language mild, and having most of the horror implied offscreen rather than shown in great detail onscreen. However, this plan had actually backfired, and made the film even more horrifying. Because despite cutting and repeated submissions, the Ratings Board insisted on an “X” rating!”

In 1979, Hooper directed the TV adaptation of Stephen King’s classic vampire novel “Salem’s Lot” – and it’s terrific as well…

This sad news comes after we lost another great Horror Director recently, George Romero…here is a look at his career:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/16/rip-george-romero-the-revelatory-horror-of-night-of-the-living-dead/

It’s a shock to lose two great pioneers in the genre so soon…

RIP Tobe Hooper…

Let’s Go To The Movies!

My second home is a movie palace: a place to escape, to explore, to dream, and to get a raised heartbeat due to stuff like this:

Yes, “killer go go dancers” are always an important part of any movie – and in this edition of “Movies A-Z”, I have those naughty go-go dance killers for you, plus many more “M” movies to share – so let’s get going with a classic slice of blaxploitation!

10 – “The Mack”

The “blaxploitation” genre includes many great films like “Super Fly” and “Foxy Brown” – and one of the founders of the genre was Max Julien, who made a great film about “The Mack” – check out the trailer:

This was the first time I’d seen Richard Pryor in a movie, and he is great – you can see how he commands the screen, even in a supporting role.

If you are unfamiliar with the “blaxploitation” genre, here is a great place to start your film education:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/04/25/the-mack-sweet-sweetback-blacula-blaxploitation-lives/

If you know the question “why are you so unpopular with the Chicago police department?”, then you know one of the great comedy action films:

9 – “Midnight Run”

Robert DeNiro showed his comedic chops as a Bounty Hunter who has a VERY difficult client – here is the trailer:

While not a huge hit when released in 1988, “Midnight Run” has gotten a reputation as one of the funniest action films ever – and now there is a new remastered special edition on blu-ray – read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/28/fistophobia-the-brilliant-but-neglected-buddy-action-comedy-midnight-run/

Next up is the first film rated “V” for violence!

8 – “Mark Of The Devil”

There is a category of film in the 70’s known as “Euro-sleaze”, exploitation films from central and eastern Europe that pushed the envelope for sex and violence….and “Mark Of The Devil” may be one of the most shocking – check out the trailer:

This film was released widely in the US in 1970, and the “gimmick” was a free “vomit bag” for everyone who attended!

See more about this wacky movie stunt here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/04/classic-movie-gimmicks-mark-of-the-devil-vomit-bags-censored-movie-madness/

Another gritty exploitation classic was released in 1981 – the shocking revenge thriller from Director Abel Ferrera!

7 – “Ms. 45”

Zoe Lund starred as a young mute woman who is assaulted in New York – and she decides to fight back!

Here is the trailer:

Zoe Lund made her movie debut in this controversial thriller – a sort of female version of “Death Wish” – she is mesmerizing to watch in the film – which is raw and gritty – and her real life story was tragic…you can read more about her here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/04/17/ms-45-a-stunning-movie-debut-for-zoe-lund-the-shocking-true-hollywood-heroin-death-of-a-great-young-actress/

Next up on the “M” list is one of the most imaginative, exhilarating movie musicals of all time – thanks to visionary Director Baz Luhrmann!

6 – “Moulin Rouge”

Nicole Kidman and Ewan MacGregor star as ill-fated lovers who meet at the legendary Moulin Rouge theater in Paris – here is the trailer:

“Moulin Rouge” is, without a doubt, one of the most creative films ever released.

The dance numbers are amazing – the camera never stops, and the cast has so much energy – also, Luhrmann used a unique blend of modern and classic music for the soundtrack, and the dance numbers – so get ready for a mashup of “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” and “Smells Like Teen Spirit!”

I just re-watched this recently with my wife and it holds up as fresh as when we first saw it.

Next up is a surreal dark comedy from England – starring legendary Actor Peter Sellers – and a real life Beatle!

5 – “The Magic Christian”

This is one of the darkest of black comedies from England in 1969 – with Sellers a wealthy eccentric who likes to use money to play with people…and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr as a homeless man who he adopts! First, check out the trailer:

This is a very dark comedy with many surreal touches, and Sellers and Ringo are great together.

The movie is star-studded, with John Cleese, Yul Brynner and Raquel Welch among the stars making cameo appearances, and Paul McCartney wrote the title track “Come And Get It!”

See that video – and more, by clicking on the story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/05/02/ringo-starr-the-fab-fours-magic-christian-madness-raquel-welch-dominatrix-great-solo-music/

How about this next film – endorsed by The President and Vice President Of The United States!

4 – “Mantis In Lace”

I LOVE that President Obama and Vice President Biden were photographed at a burger bar with the “Mantis In Lace” poster in plain sight! Talk about free advertising!

This is one wacky exploitation flick – which was originally known as “LILA”, and here is the original trailer for it:

This is one of those early exploitation films that promises a LOT more then it shows – but has energy and creativity that makes it a really fun “time capture” – one of many of that era – you can see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/06/06/psycho-go-go-dancers-delinquent-schoolgirls-and-candy-snatchers-more-70s-grindhouse/

From “grindhouse” to “the Oscars”, this list of “M” movies has them all!

3 – “Midnight Cowboy”

The Best Picture of 1969, “Midnight Cowboy” is the gritty drama about an unlikely friendship between wannabe male hustler Joe Buck, and streetwise hustler Ratso Rizzo…here is the trailer:

This is a brilliant, challenging film – with Dustin Hoffman’s classic line:

“I’m Walking’ Here!”

By the way, that iconic line was ad-libbed! It’s also the only X-rated film to win Best Picture – see more great trivia about his film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/05/07/x-rated-butter-cowboys-droogs-oscars-x-flirtation/

Time to head overseas for one of the wildest new genres in film – “J-sploitation!”

2 – “The Machine Girl”

“J-sploitation” is another genre of film that is worth exploring.

Japanese exploitation films usually involve a young woman who is abused, who then gets the ultimate revenge against her attackers in very bloody ways….check out the trailer:

These films are mostly over-the-top action spectacle with lots of blood, but in a cartoonish way – really wild films – see them all here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/14/mutant-girls-toilet-zombies-japans-wild-female-ninjas-bloody-j-sploitation-fun/

I will wrap up my “M” list with one of my favorite movies of all time, with an incredible performance by the legendary Peter O’ Toole:

1 – “My Favorite Year”

Richard Benjamin directed this affectionate tribute to the early days of live television – here is the trailer:

This hilarious look at life behind-the-scenes of a live weekly TV show is great fun – and also warm and surprisingly emotional as well – and Peter O’ Toole chews up the scenery as the over-the-hill action star who agrees to do the show to get the IRS off his back!

See more about this legendary “hell raiser” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/07/10/peter-otoole-retires-a-look-at-this-hellraiser/

There you go, ten great films with the letter “M” – now, if you’ve missed any of my previous letters, you can catch up:

Alan Alda’s just hanging around wait for you to check out my list of movies from “A-F” – which you can see here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/04/classic-movies-a-f-sixty-great-movies-with-one-thing-in-common-the-alphabet/

Now, if you want to see what I shared for the letter G-L, you can go here, and remember: the horse’s head was real!

Yes, that trivia is just one of the reasons to check out my “G-L” list of sixty great movies here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/25/from-godfathers-to-stephen-sondheim-my-list-of-movies-g-l-are-sixty-cinema-classics/

Let me know who you love from “M” – like Jimmy Serano!

Time To Celebrate Iconic Movie Images!

If you love movies, you also love iconic movie moments – like this shot of Cary Grant being chased by a small airplane…or this shot of an Anchorman who’s “mad as hell and not going to take it anymore!”

Both of these images can be found in this edition of “Movies A – Z” as I share ten great movies starting with the letter “N” – let’s go!

10 – “No Country For Old Men”

In 2007, the Coen Brothers took him multiple Academy Awards for their dusty thriller that takes place along the Rio Grande river…when a hunter accidentally stumbles upon money left from a drug deal gone wrong…here is the trailer:

Javier Bardem won Best Supporting Actor, Joel and Ethan Coen won Best Adapted Screenplay and shared the Best Director Oscar – and the film took home the Academy Award as Best Picture Of The Year.

It’s a gritty, compelling look at evil, and Tommy Lee Jones is also terrific as the policeman who is old enough to have seen it all – and tired of what he’s seen. One of their many masterpieces.

You want to lighten the mood up a bit? Well, I’ve got the guy who can do just that:

9 – “Napoleon Dynamite”

Jon Heder created an iconic movie character the moment he struck this pose:

Napoleon Dynamite lives with his grandma and his 32-year-old brother in Idaho – the film documents his quirky life – and his attempt to help his friend Pedro win the Class President crown at school. Here is the trailer:

The movie is funny, offbeat and full of memorable lines like this:

Kid on Bus: What are you gonna do today, Napoleon?
Napoleon Dynamite: Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!

If your taste is for something more “EPIC” in tone, then you need to watch this Robert Altman masterpiece right now:

8 – “Nashville”

Here is the plot summary from IMDB:

“This movie tells the intersecting stories of various people connected to the music business in Nashville. Barbara Jean is the reigning queen of Nashville but is near collapse. Linnea and Delbert Reese have a shaky marriage and 2 deaf children. Opal is a British journalist touring the area. These and other stories come together in a dramatic climax.”

Check out the trailer:

“Nashville” was nominated for Best Picture and Director in 1975, as well as for Supporting Actresses Ronee Blakley and Lily Tomlin.

Actor Keith Carradine won the Oscar for Best Original Song for “I’m Easy” – here he is performing it in the film:

The Criterion Collection just released a special edition of this great film, so check it out!

Here’s another Best Picture nominee, this one from 1976:

7 – “Network”

One of the best and most incisive looks at the power of media – with one of the cinema’s most iconic lines:

“I’m Mad As Hell, And I’m Not Going To Take It Anymore!”

Peter Finch posthumously won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of a network news Anchorman who has a breakdown live on TV – check out the trailer:

William Holden and Faye Dunaway were both nominated as well, and Dunaway won for her portrayal as a “tough as nails” Network Executive who has no boundaries when creating hits…here is the iconic photo of her the following morning at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel:

A brilliant film that is so prescient – because TV News is now wildly out of control – take a look:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/05/31/political-chaos-2016-network-and-broadcast-news-nailed-it-this-town-confirms-the-shenanigans/

Another classic movie on the “N” list is from Director Alfred Hitchcock:

6 – “North By Northwest”

Cary Grant stars as a New York advertising executive who is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies – here is the trailer:

This film is filled with iconic images – Hitchcok was, of course, a master of suspense until he very end – here is a film he made in 1971:

You can read more about this modern, vicious thriller here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/09/frenzy-drowning-alfred-hitchcock-classic-movie-shocks/

OK, time to relax and have a laugh – and who better than Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts?

Original Cinema Quad Poster – Movie Film Posters

5 – “Notting Hill”

This is a charming romantic comedy set in London’s Notting Hill neighborhood, where a local bookstore owner happens to meet – and fall in love with – the most famous Actress in the world…here is the trailer:

Two of the world’s biggest stars in 1999 working together in a charming, funny and romantic movie – and for those who have seen it, my review came straight from the pages of “Horse & Hound!”

Here’s another warm romantic comedy – NOT!

4 – “Night Has A Thousand Desires”

Director Jess Franco directed his wife, Actress Lina Romay, in this 1984 surreal thriller about a woman who may or may not be killing people!

As always, Romay is mesmerizing onscreen – and as always, amazingly naked for much of the film – these two made dozens of movies together, and a new blu-ray release is filled with tons of extras – see them here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/06/night-has-a-thousand-desires-lina-romays-cult-classic-jess-francos-sex-shocker/

Here’s another movie shocker, from a great Director who sadly just passed away:

3 – “Night Of The Living Dead”

This ultra-low budget film changed horror movies forever – here is the original trailer:

Director George Romero risked everything when he made “Night Of The Living Dead”, and the list of filmmakers who have referenced its influence is large…sadly, Romero just passed away – here is a homage to his life:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/07/16/rip-george-romero-the-revelatory-horror-of-night-of-the-living-dead/

Ron Howard went from acting to Directing such great films as “Apollo 13” and “A Beautiful Mind”, but this was his first major studio effort:

2 – “Night Shift”

Howard’s “Happy Days” co-star Henry Winkler plays a timid Morgue Supervisor whose life is turned upside down when a new co-worker arrives….here is the trailer to this 1982 comedy:

Of course, Keaton decides to turn the morgue into a brothel!

Chuck Lumley: As we sit here and idly chat, there are woman, female human beings, rolling around in strange beds with strange men, and we are making money from that.
Bill Blazejowski: Is this a great country, or what?

“Night Shift” is a funny movie that made Michael Keaton a star…always fun to watch.

Finally, I love “film noir”, and I love Gene Hackman, so naturally this 1975 film would end up on my list:

1 – “Night Moves”

Gene Hackman stars as a Private Investigator sent to find an aging movie star’s granddaughter. Here is the trailer:

Melanie Griffith had her first major film role, and “Night Moves” was directed by Arthur Penn, who also made “Bonnie & Clyde” among many other great films…I love Gene Hackman as an Actor, and you can read about his ten greatest roles here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/01/30/happy-birthday-gene-hackman-ten-roles-that-defined-a-hollywood-legend/

There you go, a list of ten great films with the letter “N”!

If you want to see what showed up on earlier lists, there’s this classic poster from the letter “A”:

that’s just one of the films I covered in the alphabet – here’s a look at all of the movies from “A-F”:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/04/classic-movies-a-f-sixty-great-movies-with-one-thing-in-common-the-alphabet/

As the alphabet progressed, I tried to include some offbeat films as well as foreign films like this one:

John Woo’s action classic showed up on the “H” list, and here are all of the films from “G” to “L”:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/25/from-godfathers-to-stephen-sondheim-my-list-of-movies-g-l-are-sixty-cinema-classics/

Finally, the great character Actor Dennis Farina was in my list of “M” films, for his great comedic turn as Mobster Jimmy Serrano in “Midnight Run”:

You can see all of my movies that begin with an “M” here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/29/classic-movies-with-an-m-the-mack-machine-girls-midnight-run-a-beatle-too/

Let me know your favorite from the letter “N”!

Watch Out For These “O” Movies!

This iconic image is from one of the most imaginative, and darkest movies ever – and of course, it begins with an “O”!

My “Movies A-Z” hits hard right off the top, but don’t worry, there’s plenty of room for 007, Charlton Heston, Jennifer Aniston and “my boy Blue!”

Remember, these aren’t in any order, just a list of my most enjoyable “O” movies.

One of the most intense revenge thrillers of all time gets us started:

10 – “Old Boy”

This 2003 South Korean thriller was directed by Park Chan-wook. It’s the twisted story of a drunken Businessman who wakes up in a locked hotel room – where he is kept for 15 years before being suddenly released! Why? Well, check out the trailer:

The signature sequence in the film is a four minute hallway fight scene – our protagonist armed only with a hammer – and the camera tracks the entire fight without a single edit!

The late film critic Roger Ebert said that “Oldboy” was:

“a powerful film not because of what it depicts, but because of the depths of the human heart which it strips bare”.

Read more about this brilliant film, and other Asian classics, by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/06/30/killer-assassins-hard-boiled-killers-death-by-hammer-classic-asian-thrillers/

Next up, one of three sci-fi films starring the legendary Charlton Heston!

9 – “The Omega Man”

Charlton Heston is “the last man alive” in this classic sci-fi film based on the novel “I Am Legend” by Richard Matheson. Here is the trailer:

Heston chose an african-american love interest in the 1971 film, quite daring for the time. It’s one of three great sci-fi-fi films he made in succession – see the other two here!

https://johnrieber.com/2016/09/23/cult-sci-fis-godfather-charlton-heston-omega-man-planet-of-the-apes-soylent-green-is-people/

Legendary Director Sergio Leone made many great films, but one was taken away of him, butchered by the studio, and of course it bombed upon release!

8 – “Once Upon A Time In America”

This 1984 masterpiece was taken away from the Director and drastically re-edited – here is the trailer:

An amazing blu-ray was finally released with the Director’s original cut of the film, which is much more hypnotic – for example, the longer cut begins with a scene in an opium den, as Leone was looking to create something much more hypnotic than just a gangster film…

Look for the blu-ray edition to see the complete Directors Cut!

Speaking of different cuts, try the “unrated” version of this hilarious comedy:

7 – “Old School”

One of the funniest comedies ever, thanks in part to “my boy Blue!”

There is so much to love about “Old School” , like the scene where Will Farrell shoots himself in the neck with a dart gun – check out the trailer:

This is one of the best films about college life – click here to see another one – that makes this a hilarious double bill:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/04/15/sex-togas-bluto-blue-schools-out-for-animal-house-and-old-school/

Director Steven Soderbergh is on a number of my alphabetical lists, for good reason – he has made so many great films – and huge smash hits as well:

6 – “Ocean’s 11”

Soderbergh lined up an amazing cast as he remade one of Frank Sinatra’s biggest hits – but gave hit his own “too cool for school” vibe – check out the trailer:

What a great new “Rat Pack!”

This movie showcased the best of Soderbergh’s filmmaking – an intricate plot and playful characters given a chance to have fun – for example, notice how Brad Pitt eats in so many of his scenes!

Time now to go “O” as in “007”!

5 – “Octopussy”

Roger Moore was on a roll at this time as James Bond 007 – and this is one of the more unique titles in the series – here is the trailer:

Most would consider this a “second tier” 007 film – enjoyable but not quite as good as Moore’s great “The Spy Who Loved Me”.

Roger Moore starred in some of the biggest hits in the 007 series – and he was a class act as well – see more about him here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/23/rip-roger-moore-007s-most-charming-james-bond-was-a-true-class-act/

Next up is a terrific , ultra low budget musical that shocked the movie world when it won an Oscar….

4 – “Once”

In 2006, this modest film told the story of a street singer who meets a woman who can play piano, and they make great music tougher – here is the trailer:

The film’s song “Falling Slowly” stunned the Academy Award audience by winning best original song – see more about this terrific film here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/19/best-modern-musicals-once-the-commitments-glen-hansards-musical-oscar/

From the sublime to the ridiculous!

3 – “Office Space”

In 1999, Jennifer Aniston was part of a great ensemble – not “Friends” but disgruntled office workers.

Here is the trailer:

Gary Cole was pitch perfect as the “boss from hell” – and Mike Judge’s satire became a cult sensation…

Another cult horror film from the 70’s is coming back again – but nothing will top the original:

2 – “The Omen”

In 1976, this movie shocked audiences as it told the story of a small boy who may be the spawn of Satan!

Here is the trailer:

Legendary Actor Gregory Peck gives gravitas to the horror story, and this movie is beautifully directed by Richard Donner for maximum scares – a real treat.

I end the “O” movies with my second favorite film of all time – a much-neglected masterpiece:

1 – “O Lucky Man!”

Actor Malcolm McDowell exploded onto the film scene with this performances in “If…” and Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange”:

He followed those up in 1973 with a story he conceived – the “Candide” tale of a young coffee salesman – check out the trailer:

This movie is brilliant for so many reasons: an incredible cast, amazingly inventive direction by Lindsay Anderson – who filmed most of the movie’s soundtrack live and shows it in the movie!

Click on my story to read so much more about this movie – and how it inspired a classic “Seinfeld” episode!

https://johnrieber.com/2013/03/22/o-lucky-man-malcolm-mcdowells-seinfeld-connection/

There you have it – ten great movies with an “O” – and you can click on my blog home page and see the previous films that have been highlighted from “A – N” as well!

Welcome To Times Square!

Yes, it’s America’s most brightly lit playground of fun for the entire family! Times Square is well lit, filled with upbeat tourist attractions and offers all of the big chain restaurants you expect when on vacation – it’s a street filled with fun!

Well, it is NOW – but New York’s Times Square wasn’t always so wholesome…here’s what it looked like just a few decades ago…

Now, thanks to HBO, James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal take you back to the gritty sidewalks of New York’s Times Square in the early 70’s in the new TV series, “The Deuce!”

This new series is getting a ton of great press.

Here is the trailer for “The Deuce!”

Maggie Gyllenhaal is getting a lot of attention for provocative photos from the set being released – apparently she leaves nothing to the imagination – but then again, this was a wild and crazy place – New York in the 70’s was as hot and dirty as hell!

This Wasn’t Your Mother’s Times Square!

Folks, these pictures are from Times Square in the 70’s and early 80’s – a seedy strip filled with movie houses that showed exploitation films 24 hours a day – that’s how the term “grindhouse” came to be: theaters that were grinding out cheap “dirty movies” all day and night…

I have posted many stories about this era in the history of Times Square…it’s fascinating because these movie theaters were as dangerous inside as the action onscreen!

They also showed films that weren’t being seen in your neighborhood theater – a never-ending assortment of sex, violence and nudity – what do I mean? Well, let’s look at five great examples of “grindhouse” cinema of the 70’s!

5 – “A Smell Of Honey A Swallow Of Brine”

One of the most exploitive posters you can imagine, this image showcases exactly what these films promised: dirty girls doing naughty things…

It didn’t matter that early films like this showed very little nudity – it was all part of the “come on” to lure young men into the theaters – these early films made wild claims in the posters that were never in the film itself:

“Violence! Liquor! Sex”

How funny is that? Here are more examples of this era of film at the end of the 60’s:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/08/06/sexy-honey-dirty-brine-grindhouse-classics-prurient-style/

By the early 70’s, the “nudie cuties” had devolved into “roughies”, films with dark dark content – crimes against women, roaming bands of hoodlums, you get the idea – and here is one of the grittiest:

4- “The Candy Snatchers”

By 1973, the films were getting increasingly provocative, as evidenced by this poster – one of several “roughies” of the time – these films helped provoke violence inside the theaters as well – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/06/06/psycho-go-go-dancers-delinquent-schoolgirls-and-candy-snatchers-more-70s-grindhouse/

The late 60’s and early 70’s was an era when lines of good taste were crossed, “mondo” films promised to take you to places where there were “no rules” – including parts of the US – these films were shocking, but presented with an “educational” objective:

3- “Hillbilly Brides!” In Flaming Hillbilly Color!

Yes, in order to show shocking material like this, the movies were presented as documentaries designed to expose you to the shocking world around you – this “hickploitation” was a great example, and here are more:

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/12/gator-bait-country-lovin-hillbilly-brides-sex-action-missing-teeth-hicksploitation-lives/

There was another category of film shown in Times Square: “Artsploitation” – these were European films films loaded with sex and nudity, but they were also artistic dramas, usually starring one legendary Actress:

2 – The “Queen Of Artsploitation” – Christina Lindberg!

She was known as the “Queen Of Arsploitation” – the iconic Christina Lindberg – click here to read all about her amazing career – and her influence on Quentin Tarantino:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/05/21/swedish-sex-kitten-christina-lindberg-the-original-queen-of-artsploitation/

By 1973, the films in New York’s Times Square were either exploitation, sexploitation, or all out hardcore sex films, all because of one movie that broke through all of the barriers:

1- “Deep Throat!”

This XXX-rated movie was banned, confiscated, or otherwise shut down across the country – until a court case involving New York opened the floodgates to XXX-rated movies!

Lina Lovelace became a star because of this movie, but her story was a sad one – captured in the movie starring Amanda Seyfried:

See the trailer to this bio-pic here:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/03/16/linda-lovelace-amanda-seyfried-and-the-deep-throat-phenomenon/

Let me know if you plan to take a trip down, down, down to “the deuce!”

Welcome To My Movie Countdown!

Kris Kristofferson opens his arms to all of you, fellow movie lovers, especially those who like classic cult movies!

Kris has ten great films to share, as I continue by “Movies A-Z” list of classic cult cinema!

Uh oh! Gene Hackman is so choked up about this list that I feel the need to explain: in doing my list of “Movies A-Z” – I found myself in a quandary with the letter “P” – I found ten classic cult from from a very specific period in Hollywood!

Cult “P” Movies From 1968-1975!

As you can see from this picture, Steve McQueen can’t wait to bust out and see my list as well – because he made this list…but sadly, I had to leave out more recent great films that begin with “P” – but there are ten great reasons why – these seven years (1968- 1975) gave us amazing movies!

So, in chronological order, here are ten great films that begin with the letter “P” – beginning in 1968 with a science fiction masterpiece!

10 – “Planet Of The Apes” – 1968

Charlton Heston and his fellow Astronauts crash land on another planet – a “planet of the apes!”

Here is the trailer:

This is one of the greatest science fiction films of all time – and of course, the single greatest “twist” ending of all time – written by “Twilight Zone’s” Rod Serling!

Charlton Heston had a “perfect storm” of sci-fi movies, including the movie that inspired Green Day to name their band! See that story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/09/23/cult-sci-fis-godfather-charlton-heston-omega-man-planet-of-the-apes-soylent-green-is-people/

That same year, Rock Superstar Mick Jagger shed his Rolling Stone image to star in a movie where he sat in a bathtub naked!

9 – “Performance” – 1968

This is a wild movie – check out the trailer:

“Performance” is notorious for including scenes of Jagger bathing with Keith Richards’ girlfriend – sparking a bitter feud – read that story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2016/07/26/mick-jaggers-naked-performance-keith-richards-girlfriend-feud-a-cult-classic-on-blu-ray-2/

We jump forward to 1971 now, the year that Clint Eastwood had three classic films, including his directorial debut:

8 – “Play Misty For Me” – 1971

Clint stars as a successful DJ who attracts a fan who becomes a crazed stalker – here is the trailer:

Jessica Walter is great as the deranged fan, and the bartender is played by legendary Director Don Siegel – who directed Clint TWICE that year – in “Dirty Harry” and “Play Misty For Me!”

See more about this trifecta of great cinema here:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/01/12/clint-eastwoods-1971-triple-play-of-classic-films-dirty-harry-play-misty-for-me-the-beguiled/

Also in 1971, Al Pacino burst on the scene as a junkie hanging out in New York’s infamous “needle park”:

7 – “The Panic In Needle Park” – 1971

This raw movie about young drug addicts was filmed on location – here is the trailer:

Pacino would go on to star in “The Godfather” a year later – here is more trivia about his great cult movie:

https://johnrieber.com/2013/06/19/al-pacinos-a-junkie-a-scarecrow-classic-early-al-pacino-performances/

In 1972, “disaster” films were the rage, and none better that this great film with the classic tagline:

“HELL UPSIDE DOWN!”

6 – “The Poseidon Adventure” – 1972

What a great film – an ocean liner capsized on New Year’s eve, and the only way out is to climb UP to the bottom of the ship! Here is the trailer:

“The Poseidon Adventure” had an all-star cast – and won an Oscar for best song! See that video here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/06/18/celebrity-smackdowns-hell-upside-down-the-disastrous-duo-of-poseidon-adventure-and-towering-inferno/

That same year, Hackman starred in a gritty crime drama alongside Lee Marvin – a real slice of greenhouse cinema!

5 – “Prime Cut” – 1972

Hackman played a Kansas City Mobster who decides NOT to pay his Chicago mob bosses – who send Lee Marvin to collect what’s due!

Here is the trailer:

“Prime Cut” was Sissy Spacek’s movie debut, and she and Marvin get chased by a wheat harvester – this is a great action movie – see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/03/23/prime-cut-grindhouse-classic-gene-hackman-vs-lee-marvin/

Another 70’s action hero had a smash hit in 1973 with the true story of one of the world’s greatest prison escapes!

4 – “Papillon” – 1973

Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman star in the film, based on the best-selling autobiography by the French convict Henri Charrière.

The film’s title is French for “Butterfly,” referring to Charrière’s tattoo and nickname. Here is the trailer:

This film is amazing, as it documents what these prisoners endured as they tried to escape…a great film and McQueen has never been better. He was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars at the time – click here to see more of his great movies!

https://johnrieber.com/2015/12/02/hollywoods-coolest-star-steve-mcqueen-chicagos-most-amazing-stunt/

Director Sam Peckinpah released one of his greatest movies in 1973 – with two big Hollywood stars as well:

3 – “Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid” – 1973

Kris Kristofferson and James Coburn starred in this great film about the last days of the wild west – check out the trailer:

At the time, Peckinpah had a reputation as a wild man, so the cast took a picture with him in a hospital bed – and sent it to the movie studio!

Here are more wild stories about this legendary Director:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/02/21/the-wild-bunch-billy-the-kid-sam-peckinpahs-soup-tossing/

Now, one of my five favorite films of all time – courtesy of Director Brian DePalma and Singer/Songwriter Paul Williams!

2- “Phantom Of The Paradise” – 1974

DePalma’s updated “Phantom Of The Opera” wasn’t a hit at the time, but is now considered a masterpiece – check out the trailer:

A new blu-ray has a ton of great extras, including an in-depth conversation between Paul Williams, who starred in the film and wrote all the music, and Director Gillermo del Toro…you can see more here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/02/27/cult-classic-phantom-of-the-paradise-guillermo-del-toro-talks-up-paul-williams-great-new-special-edition/

Finally, Jack Nicholson starred in a great European film directed Michelangelo Antonioni.

1 – “The Passenger” – 1975

This hypnotic road movie gave us a chance to see a different side of Jack Nicholson – here is the trailer:

While it was never announced officially, rumors have been flying for a few years now that Jack retired from film – if that’s the case, now is the time to go back and see great films like this – here is a list of some of his best – oh, and my “Jack” moment at the Cannes Film Festival!

https://johnrieber.com/2017/04/22/happy-80th-birthday-jack-nicholson-his-greatest-roles-my-jack-moment/

There you go – ten great films, all released between 1968 and 1975 – there are so many great films beginning with “P”, but these are classics from a specific era in film.

I you missed by previous lists, here are my “Movies A-F”:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/08/04/classic-movies-a-f-sixty-great-movies-with-one-thing-in-common-the-alphabet/

For all the rest, go to my home page and click “movies” and you will find every letter so far! Let me know if your favorite “P” film is actually “Hell, Upside Down!”