Every year, I throw in to the DVD player some annual movie favorites--films that I view no matter what happens. Besides those for the recent holidays, I will always take in L.A. Confidential, Michael Mann's Heat and Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (usually in the Spring). Come summer, it's Chinatown and Robert Towne's (under-rated) Tequila Sunrise time.There are others that I won't mention here, but yesterday I began this year's run with one that includes a favorite actor of mine: Liam Neeson. The choice was influenced by the Friday movie that I took in, the newly released Taken. It's a decent actioner, but Liam still shines. So, I had to start it with 1995's Rob Roy.
This one, released the same year as Braveheart, has a number of great things going for it. Apart from Liam (who was my pick for Best Actor for Schindler's List), it has a great story (though not very factual), cast, one of the great film villains ever, and what is arguably the best sword-fight ever lensed. And for that, I will forever see actor Tim Roth as Archie Cunningham. With regard to that sword-fight, journalist and blogger Steven Hart described it best. I can't say it any better than he, but I did have to add a comment ;-). I should note, hopefully, the studios will re-release a new, re-mastered DVD for this great work (like they did last fall for Braveheart). The current disc is long-in-the-tooth and the picture suffers some on new flat panel sets. Plus, this movie and its fans yearn for the extras that the current barebones edition so sorely lacks.
Now, what's next in the stack?
Oooh, Tequila Sunrise. I love it. You're right, that's an underrated movie. You have a great set of movies there. I'll have to put Taken on my list to see.
ReplyDeleteHey! I LOVE Tequila Sunrise, too! I never tire of rewatching that one. A couple of others that I enjoy rewatching regularly: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Heartbreak Ridge. I'm also a fan of A Beautiful Mind. I truly have never seen schizophrenia done so well. And of course, Ed Harris really can do no wrong in my eyes! LOL
ReplyDeleteYes, all great minds recognize the joy of Tequila Sunrise ;-).
ReplyDeleteButch Cassidy... just happens to be on my watch anytime Westerns list. Ah...heck, I'll watch any of the Newman/Redford/GRH collaborations! And, HR and ABM can show up on my set anytime.
I saw 'Taken' a couple of days ago and you nailed it. It's a standard action picture that is lifted above average only because Liam Neeson is such a good actor. I loved the way the audience gasped when he shot the Frenchman's wife.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen 'Butch Cassidy' in a while but I recorded it last night, so I'll get to enjoy it soon. Seems a shame that Newman and Redford only did two movies together. But what movies.