“The Warriors” Alt Movie Poster by Rich Kelly!
This alt movie poster for The Warriors by Rich Kelly is clever. We see the calm before the storm that we know is coming. I love it.
You can see more of Rich Kelly’s art here.
Category: Movies
RIP: Bud Smith
Bud Smith died Thursday, June 23, 2024. Mr. Smith died of respiratory failure after a prolonged illness. Mr. Smith was 88.
Mr. Smith was an editor, director and producer. He was nominated for two Academy Awards:
- nominee 1974 Best Film Editing – The Exorcist
- nominee 1984 Best Film Editing – Flashdance
Television projects that feature Bud Smith’s editing include: The Bold Men; The Incredible World of James Bond; Time-Life Specials: The March of Time (3 episodes); National Geographic Specials (2 episodes); The Big Land; Petula; Tribute to Bogart; Sticks and Bones; A Death in Canaan and C.A.T. Squad.
Feature film projects that feature Bud Smith’s editing include: Putney Swope; Sorcerer; The Brinks Job; Cruising; Personal Best; Flashdance; Deal of the Century; The Karate Kid; Poltergeist II: The Other Side; Some Kind of Wonderful; Gross Anatomy; Darkman; The Replacements; Ladder 49 and The Game of Their Lives.
Television projects that feature Bud Smith’s directing include: C.A.T. Squad (2nd unit);
Feature films that feature Bud Smith’s directing include: Johnny Be Good; Sorcerer (2nd unit); Cat People (2nd unit); To Live and Die in LA (2nd unit); Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot! (2nd unit); Virus (2nd unit) and Driftwood (2nd unit).
My favorite film edited by Bud Smith is The Exorcist. If the only films he edited were The Exorcist and Flashdance, his reputation as a great editor would be cemented. It’s a testament to Mr. Smith’s talent that he branched out into directing and producing. Bud Smith was so good that director William Friedkin collaborated with him on six films.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Bud Smith’s family, friends and fans.
RIP: Martin Mull
Martin Mull died Thursday, June 27, 2024. Mr. Mull was 80.
After high school, Martin Mull attended the Rhode Island School of Design. He graduated from there with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and also a Master of Fine Arts in painting degree. Although most know Martin Mull for his comedic acting, he broke into show business as a musical comedian. He wrote “A Girl Named Johnny Cash” which peaked at 61 on the Country Charts in 1970. In 1972, Martin Mull’s first album was released. Between 1972 and 1979, Martin Mull had eight albums released. In 1998, his last album premiered. Martin Mull was cast in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman in 1976. This launched Mr. Mull into a new career as an actor in television and feature film roles.
Television appearances of Martin Mull include: Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (46 episodes); Fernwood Tonight (54 episodes); Wonder Woman; Laugh In (1977 – 78, 3 episodes); America 2-Night (65 episodes); Taxi; The Chevy Chase National Humor Test; Square Pegs; The Jerk, Too; Domestic Life (10 episodes); Lots of Luck; California Girls; The Magical World of Disney; TV 101 (2 episodes); It’s Gary Shandling’s Show (4 episodes); His & Hers (13 episodes); The Golden Girls; Dream On; The Jackie Thomas Show (18 episodes); Family Dog (10 episodes); The Larry Sanders Show (2 episodes); L.A. Law; Burke’s Law; Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman; The Drew Carey Show; Roseanne (46 episodes); The Simpsons; Family Guy; Sabrina the Teenage Witch (73 episodes); The Wild Thornberrys; Twice in a Lifetime; Recess (2 episodes); The Geena Davis Show; Dexter’s Laboratory; Teamo Supremo (10 episodes); The Ellen Show (18 episodes); Reba; Life with Bonnie (3 episodes); The Nick at Night Holiday Special; Reno 911; Danny Phantom (14 episodes); The War at Home (3 episodes); Gary Unmarried (2 episodes); My Boys (2 episodes); ‘Til Death (12 episodes); Mad Love; American Dad! (10 episodes); Two and a Half Men (6 episodes); Psych; Dads (19 episodes); Community (2 episodes); Veep (4 episodes); NICS: Los Angeles; Life in Pieces (4 episodes); I’m Sorry (7 episodes); Arrested Development (6 episodes); The Cool Kids (22 episodes); The Ranch (13 episodes); Brooklyn Nine-Nine; Not Dead Yet (3 episodes) and The Afterparty (2 episodes).
Feature film appearances of Martin Mull include: FM; Serial; My Bodyguard; Take This Job and Shove It; Mr. Mom; Clue; The Player; Mrs. Doubtfire and Jingle All the Way.
I first saw Martin Mull in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Mr. Mull was either a natural born comedian or he learned to make his comedy seem so natural. What an amazing career he had making every project he was in better.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Martin Mull’s family, friends and fans.
“Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” (2024) directed & starring Kevin Costner / Z-View
Director: Kevin Costner
Screenplay: Jon Baird, Kevin Costner, story by Jon Baird, Kevin Costner, Mark Kasdan
Stars: Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Tim Guinee, Giovanni Ribisi, Danny Huston, Colin Cunningham, Scott Haze, Tom Payne, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Will Patton, Jim Lau, Georgia MacPhail, Hayes Costner, Luke Wilson, James Russo, Jon Beavers, Dale Dickey, Charles Halford, Jamie Campbell Bower, Austin R. Grant, Ariel Llinas, David O’Hara and Jeff Fahey
Tagline: The story of a nation unsettled.
The Plot…
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 looks at the lives of those attempting to move west and settle on land already held by native Americans.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is, as the title indicates, part one of a four part story. The movie doesn’t have traditional pacing or character arcs. If you know this going in, you shouldn’t be disappointed when the film ends, since the story will continue. However, if you go in expecting a complete story, you’ll be let down.
My expectation was we would get a big story with Kevin Costner playing the main character who interacts with a large cast. This isn’t the case. Costner doesn’t even make an appearance until 66 minutes into the movie. There are multiple storylines in Horizon, Chapter 1 and Costner’s is just one.
The writing, acting and direction are all superb. Many familiar faces appear throughout the film. Jamie Campbell Bower and Jon Beavers are standouts in the roles as the antagonists of Kevin Costner’s character.
Kevin Costner took a risk by investing his own money to make the film(s). Costner also had faith that audiences would accept a four part story where each chapter doesn’t follow traditional Hollywood pacing or structure. I’m willing to go along for the ride. Chapter One left me looking forward to the rest of the tale. My rating for Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is based on what we’ve seen so far. I imagine once the full tale is told and we can view/rate the entire story, Horizon (the complete saga) will receive a higher rating.
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Flight Risk” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Flight Risk looks like a fun ride. in theaters October 18th. Deal me in.
In this high-stakes suspense thriller, Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg (Best Supporting Actor, The Departed, 2006) plays a pilot transporting an Air Marshal (Michelle Dockery) accompanying a fugitive (Topher Grace) to trial. As they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is tested, as not everyone on board is who they seem.
“Oppenheimer” (2023) written and directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Cilian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey, Jr. and Florence Pugh / Z-View
Oppenheimer (2023)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Screenplay: Christopher Nolan based on AMERICAN PROMETHEUS by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherman
Stars: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, Scott Grimes, Jason Clarke, Kurt Koehler, Tony Goldwyn, John Gowans, James D’Arcy, Kenneth Branagh, Harry Groener, Gregory Jbara, Ted King, Steven Houska, Matthew Modine, Casey Affleck, James Remar, Gary Oldman and Josh Hartnett
Tagline: The World Forever Changes
The Plot…
As World War II rages, the United States and Germany are racing to create an atomic bomb. J. Robert Oppenheimer is recruited by the US army to co-ordinate scientists chosen for the project. After Germany surrenders, Oppenheimer and others question the use of the bomb on Japan. After the war, Oppenheimer’s loyalty to the US is questioned and his reputation put at risk.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Oppenheimer was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won seven…
- nominee Best Sound – Willie D. Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo, Kevin O’Connell
- nominee Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling – Luisa Abel
- nominee Best Achievement in Production Design – Ruth De Jong (production designer), Claire Kaufman (set decorator)
- nominee Best Achievement in Costume Design – Ellen Mirojnick
- nominee Best Adapted Screenplay – Christopher Nolan
- nominee Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Emily Blunt
- winner Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) – Ludwig Göransson
- winner Best Achievement in Film Editing – Jennifer Lame
- winner Best Achievement in Cinematography – Hoyte Van Hoytema
- winner Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr.
- winner Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Cillian Murphy
- winner Best Achievement in Directing – Christopher Nolan
- winner Best Motion Picture of the Year – Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan
Oppenheimer is a dramatization of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life from 1926 to 1959.
Robert Downey, Jr. considers Oppenheimer to be his best film.
Many of the famous actors/actresses appearing in Oppenheimer took small roles and pay cuts to work with Sir Christopher Nolan.
Oppenheimer is an exceptional film from top to bottom. The film and everyone who was nominated/won an award for it is deserving. Because it’s not a movie that I will not often revisit, I’m giving it 4 of 5 stars. Don’t let that fool you though, it is an excellent movie.
Oppenheimer (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.
RIP: Bill Cobbs
Bill Cobbs died Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Mr. Cobbs was 90.
After high school, Bill Cobbs served eight years in the Air Force. Upon his discharge, he returned to his hometown of Cleveland. There Mr. Cobbs took jobs as a salesman. He also began acting at the African American Performing Arts Center and Karamu House Theatre in Cleveland. He had found his calling.
At the age of 36, Bill Cobbs moved to New York to pursue a career in acting. Mr. Cobbs first acting roles were in street theater, small theater productions and ultimately the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on Broadway. Bill Cobbs first feature film appearance was in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. For the remainder of his career, Mr. Cobbs took roles on television and feature films.
Television appearances of Bill Cobbs include: First Ladies Diary: Rachel Jackson; Good Times; Baby, I’m Back; The Member of the Wedding; Rage of Angels; The Equalizer; One Life to Live; Sesame Street (2 episodes); Kate & Allie (2 episodes); Spenser for Hire; L.A. Law; The Slap Maxwell Story (20 episodes); Homeroom (13 episodes); Designing Women; Married People; Decoration Day; True Colors; Carolina Skeletons; I’ll Fly Away (13 episodes); Coach; I’ll Fly Away: Then and Now; Empty Nest; Northern Exposure; Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long; The Watcher; Divas; ER; Walker, Texas Ranger; The Wayans Bros; Always Outnumbered; The Wild Thornberrys; For Your Love (2 episodes); The Gregory Hines Show (21 episodes); The Outer Limits (2 episodes); The Sopranos; The Practice; The Others (13 episodes); For All Time; The Michael Richards Show (9 episodes); The Fighting Fitzgeralds; Touched By An Angel; Rugrats; Six Feet Under; Philly; The West Wing; My Wife and Kids (2 episodes); N.Y.P.D. Blue (2 episodes); 10-8: Officers On Duty; JAG (4 episodes); Soul Food; The Drew Carey Show (9 episodes); Star Trek: Enterprise; Yes, Dear (2 episodes); October Road; Army Wives; One Tree Hill; C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation; The Glades; Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior; Harry’s Law; Go On (10 episodes); Back in the Game; Rake (4 episodes); Hand of God (2 episodes); Greenleaf (4 episodes); Dino Dana (6 episodes); Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Incandescent Love.
Feature film appearances of Bill Cobbs include: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three; Greased Lightning; A Hero Ain’t Nothin’ But a Sandwich; The Hitter; Trading Places; Silkwood; The Brother From Another Planet; The Cotton Club; The Color of Money; Streets of Gold; Suspect; Dominic & Eugene; Bird; The January Man; New Jack City; The Hard Way; The People Under the Stairs; The Bodyguard; Demolition Man; Fatal Instinct; The Hudsucker Proxy; Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead; Fluke; That Thing That You Do; Ghosts of Mississippi; Air Bud; Hope Floats; I Still Know What You Did Last Summer; Random Hearts; Sunshine State; Enough; A Mighty Wind; Special Ed; Night at the Museum; The Muppets; Oz the Great and Powerful; Of Mind and Music and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.
Bill Cobbs had a career where many folks might not have known his name, but knew when he appeared onscreen, the show just got better. I don’t remember when I first saw Mr. Cobbs act. It may have been in that episode of Good Times. I do know that when I think of Bill Cobbs, the first thing that comes to mind is his performance in Demolition Man. Looking at Bill Cobbs’ partial resume above, it becomes clear how talented he was. If there was a Hall of Fame for character actors, Bill Cobb would be a shoe-in.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Bill Cobb’s family, friends and fans.
“War Game” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
I want to see this.
In Theaters Starting 8/2 – A Submarine Deluxe Release.
A real-life political thriller set on January 6, 2025, War Game imagines a nation-wide insurrection in which members of the US military defect to support the losing Presidential candidate, while the winning candidate and his advisors—played by an all-star roster of senior officials from the last five administrations—war games the crisis in the White House situation room. They have 6 hours to save democracy as the country teeters on the brink of civil war.
Visit https://www.WarGameFilm.com for more info.
QT8: The First Eight (2019) / Z-View
QT8: The First Eight (2019)
Director: Tara Wood
Screenplay: Tara Wood
Stars: Quentin Tarantino, Zoë Bell, Louis Black, Bruce Dern, Robert Forster, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Diane Kruger, Lucy Liu, Michael Madsen, Eli Roth, Tim Roth, Kurt Russell, Stacey Sher, Scott Spiegel, Christoph Waltz and Steve Buscemi
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
QT8: The First 8 features behind-the-scenes stories from those that were there about the making of Quentin Tarantino’s first eight films.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If you’re a Tarantino or movie fan, you should enjoy this. I did.
QT8: The First Eight (2019) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Sly Stallone as Rocky by Allan Farrow!
I am a huge fan of Allan Farrow’s art. Farrow did the piece above as Sly Stallone as Rocky. You can see more of Farrow’s art here.
“Demolition Man” (1993) starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes / Z-View
Demolition Man (1993)
Director: Marco Brambilla
Screenplay: Daniel Waters, Robert Reneau, Peter M. Lenkov, story by Peter M. Lenkov, Robert Reneau
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, Benjamin Bratt, Bob Gunton, Glenn Shadix, Grand L. Bush, Pat Skipper, Steve Kahan, Mark Colson, Andre Gregory, Troy Evans, Don Charles McGovern, Bill Cobbs, Dan Cortese, Jack Black, Adrienne Barbeau (voice), Rob Schneider, Jesse Ventura and Denis Leary
Tagline: The world’s most dangerous cop. The world’s most ruthless criminal. The 21st Century isn’t big enough for both of them.
The Plot…
In the near future, a maniac named Simon Phoenix (Snipes) kidnaps a busload of people. Phoenix then fortifies himself in an abandoned warehouse protected by his gang. A thermal reading shows no signs of the hostages. The clock is ticking to keep the captives alive. As the police prepare an assault, LAPD Detective John Spartan (Stallone) goes in alone. Spartan works his way to Phoenix and they battle. When Spartan gains the upper hand, Phoenix ignites an accelerate to blow up the building.
Spartan makes it out with Phoenix under arrest. He then learns that the hostages were in the building. All killed by the blast. Because Spartan didn’t wait for authorization to go in, he is made a scapegoat. Both Phoenix and Spartan are sentenced to the California Cryo-Penitentiary. They will be placed in suspended animation for the length of their sentences.
Thirty-six years pass.
Simon Phoenix is revived from cryofreeze for his parole hearing. Phoenix escapes his cuffs. He kills the warden and guards. Phoenix makes his escape into a world where violence is a thing of the past. Phoenix is easily tracked. Officers are sent to arrest him. Phoenix kills them all. It is then decided, they will revive John Spartan. Spartan arrested Phoenix before. He can do it again… they hope.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
In the original script the entire movie takes place in the future. Fred Dekker, who did uncredited rewrites, suggested the movie open in the past to show Spartan and Phoenix’s clash. Dekker’s rationale, “If you don’t show Kansas, Oz isn’t all that special.”
When Demolition Man was released overseas, references to Taco Bell (dubbing and digitally) where changed to Pizza Hut. Taco Bell wasn’t known in many overseas countries.
Lori Petty was originally cast as Lenina Huxley. After a few days of filming, Petty left and Sandra Bullock got the role. Creative differences and/or lack of chemistry with Sly Stallone have been given as reasons for the change.
Jack Black appears as one of the Wasteland Scraps. Adrienne Barbeau is heard (uncredited) as the mainframe computer’s voice. Rob Schneider appears uncredited.
A scene where Sly Stallone fights Jesse Ventura was cut before the film’s release.
The Demolition Man song was written by Sting for Grace Jones and appeared on her album Nightclubbing, released in 1981. It was re-recorded by Sting for use in Demolition Man‘s end credits. Sting then released Demolition Man featuring the song and other live tracks.
The opening sequence of Demolition Man (with the helicopter under attack, bungee jump to the roof, gunfights with gang and fight with Simon Phoenix) is one of Sly’s best. It has a John Woo feel to it.
When I first saw Demolition Man I thought it had too much comedy/satire. The film has grown on me over the years.
Demolition Man (1993) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“A Quiet Place: Day One” – The Final Trailer is Here!
The A Quiet Place: Day One final trailer will leave you speechless!
“King Kong” by Sanjulián
I love the old-time feel of this King Kong painting by Sanjulián. You can see a Kong-sized version at The Bristol Board.
Burt Reynolds’ Best Movies!
Recently I posted my choices for John Wayne’s Ten Westerns. Next I turned my sights to Burt Reynolds’ Test Best Movies…
01. Sharky’s Machine (1981): Burt Reynolds plays Tom Sharky, an Atlanta Narcotics Sargeant. Burt Reynolds directs. Co-starring Rachael Ward, Vittorio Gassman, Brian Keith, Charles Durning, Earl Holliman, Bernie Casey, Richard Libertini and Henry Silva.
When an undercover narcotics sting led by Sharky goes sideways, civilians on a crowded bus are wounded and a drug dealer killed. Sharky is demoted to the vice squad. There Sharky discovers a prostitution ring that involves a powerful politician and a crime cartel. What Sharky doesn’t realize is that they are on to him and he’s marked for death.
Sharky’s Machine is a great showcase for Reynolds’ acting and directing. This movie deserved a sequel. Sadly, it never happened. Great cast, great soundtrack and it’s the film that launched Rachael Ward to stardom.
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02. Smokey and the Bandit (1977): Burt Reynolds plays Bo “Bandit” Darville. Hal Needham directs. Co-starring Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Mike Henry, Paul Williams, Pat McCormick and Jackie Gleason.
The Bandit is hired to drive a truckload of bootleg beer from Texarkana to Atlanta in just 28 hours. Along the way the Bandit picks up a runaway bride and the ire of Sheriff Bufford T. Justice. Sheriff Justice is determined to catch and arrest the Bandit even if he has to chase him all the way to Atlanta!
Smokey and the Bandit was nominated for one Academy Award…
- nominee Best Film Editing – Walter Hannemann, Angelo Ross
Smokey and the Bandit is a fun movie. The actors have as much fun as the audience. Bufford T. Justice as played by Jackie Gleason is an icon. Burt Reynolds and Sally Field met and fell in love making this movie. Had Reynolds not enjoyed the role and working with his co-stars/director so much and had the movie not been so successful, Reynolds’ choices for films that followed may have been very different.
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03. The Longest Yard (1974): Burt Reynolds plays Paul Crewe. Robert Aldrich directs. Co-starring Eddie Albert, Ed Lauter, Michael Conrad, James Hampton, Mike Henry, Richard Kiel and Bernadette Peters.
Former pro football star, Paul Crewe, led police on a high speed chase in a former girlfriend’s car and then resisted arrest. Now Crewe has an 18 month sentence at Citrus State Prison. It’s going to be tough going for the former NFL star since the warden wants Crewe to put together a team of convicts to play his semi-pro team made up of prison guards. The thing is… the warden is demanding that if it comes to it, Crewe must throw the game.
The Longest Yard was nominated for one Academy Award...
- Best Film Editing – Michael Luciano
The Longest Yard came out when I was in tenth grade playing JV football. Our coach made arrangements for us to see the film as a team. We even called ourselves the Mean Machine after seeing The Longest Yard. (We became county champs that year. Ah, great memories.)
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04. The Last Movie Star (2017). Burt Reynolds plays Vic Edwards. Adam Rifkin directs. Co-starring Ariel Winter, Clark Duke and Chevy Chase.
Vic Edwards is an aging movie star. His glory days are well behind him. When Edwards gets notification that he is the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from a film festival in Nashville, he reluctantly decides to go. Once there Edwards realizes that the festival is just a local film fan get-together. What he doesn’t know is how positively impactful this weekend will become.
Every Burt Reynolds fan should see this film.
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05. Hooper (1948). Burt Reynolds plays Sonny Hooper. Hal Needham directs. Co-starring Jan-Michael Vincent, Sally Field, Brian Keith, John Marley, Robert Klein, James Best, Adam West and Robert Tessier.
Sonny Hooper is an aging stunt man. Years of hard falls, too much booze and pain killers have taken a toll. When a hot shot young stuntman shows up, Hooper feels he still has something to prove.
Hooper was nominated for one Academy Award...
- nominee for Best Sound – Robert Knudson, Robert Glass, Don MacDougall, Jack Solomon
I loved Hooper when it first came out. Great idea for a Burt Reynolds movie. Wonderful supporting cast. I saw it more than once at a theater. It’s funny to think my buddy and I both bought jackets because they looked like one worn by Reynolds in Hooper.
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06. Driven (2001). Burt Reynolds plays Carl Henry. Renny Harlin directs. Co-starring Sylvester Stallone, Kip Pardue and Til Schweiger.
Carl Henry is the owner of a Formula One racing team. His star driver, Jimmy Bly, has won five races. Lately Bly’s driving has suffered. Henry convinces his former driver and Formula One champion, Joe Tanto to come out of retirement, join the team and mentor Bly.
This is the first film on the list to not star Burt Reynolds. Being a fan of both Burt and Sly Stallone, I had always hoped that they’d work together. Driven made that happen.
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07. The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (1973). Burt Reynolds plays Jay Grobart. Directed by Richard C. Sarafian. Co-starring Sarah Miles, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden and George Hamilton.
Jay Grobart and his outlaw partners are on the run. They robbed a train and a posse is after them. Grobart allows Catherine, a woman who is fleeing her rich, abusive husband to join them. What Grobart doesn’t know is that Catherine’s husband has hired a posse of his own. Now he has two posses that would like to see him dead.
This is Reynold’s best western. I wish he had made more.
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08. Deliverance (1972). Burt Reynolds Lewis. Directed by John Boorman. Co-starring Jon Voight, Ronny Cox, Ned Beatty and Bill McKinney.
Four friends, Lewis Medlock, Ed Gentry, Bobby Trippe, and Drew Ballinger, decide to take a canoe trip down a dangerous, remote river. The trip is Lewis’ idea. Lewis sees himself as an outdoorsman and survivalist. His friends a middle-aged business men. None of them, including Lewis are prepared for the misadventure that follows.
Deliverance was nominated for three Academy Awards…
- nominee Best Picture – John Boorman
- nominee Best Director – John Boorman
- nominee Best Film Editing – Tom Priestley
Burt Reynolds was getting great buzz for his acting in Deliverance. Then the issue of Cosmopolitan came out that featured Reynolds in a semi-nude centerfold. Suddenly he was no longer seen as a serious actor.
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09. Heat (1986). Burt Reynolds plays Nick Escalante. Directed by Dick Richards, Jerry Jameson. Co-starring Karen Young, Peter MacNicol, Howard Hesseman and Diana Scarwid.
Nick Escalante is a Vegas bodyguard. When a female escort is brutalized by a mobster’s son named Danny DeMarco, Escalante agrees to help her get revenge. Things go sideways when the DeMarco calls in hitters to take out Escalante.
Heat was a troubled production. Burt Reynolds and director, Dick Richards didn’t get along. At one point Reynolds punched Richards, who then left the production. Jerry Jamison was brought in to direct until Richards eventually returned. Richards sued and won $500,000 from Reynold for the assault.
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10. Malone (1987). Burt Reynolds plays Richard Malone. Directed by Harley Cokeliss. Co-starring Cliff Robertson, Kenneth McMillan, Cynthia Gibb, Scott Wilson and Lauren Hutton.
Malone, a retired C.I.A. assassin, while driving across country, becomes stranded in a small town. Paul Barlow, the owner of the only gas station for miles allows Malone to stay at his house while they wait for the car part to arrive. Malone learns that a rich man named Delaney is buying up all the property in the area and is putting a squeeze on Barlow. When thugs are sent to convince Barlow to sell, Malone steps in. Soon Malone finds himself going against Delaney and his former allies at the C.I.A..
Does it get any more mid-80s than Burt Reynolds, Cliff Robertson, Kenneth McMillan, Cynthia Gibb, Scott Wilson and Lauren Hutton?
