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Smiley Smile Stuff => General On Topic Discussions => Topic started by: scooter on February 23, 2006, 04:34:00 AM



Title: two lane blacktop
Post by: scooter on February 23, 2006, 04:34:00 AM
Tried to make it all the way thru this movie yesterday; just couldn't do it...Am I alone?


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Susan on February 23, 2006, 04:58:30 AM
I've made it through a couple of times - which is a lot, because i don't generally sit and watch movies!  It's a weird, weird film.  But i like it...'cause i'm a weird, weird girl, i guess.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Rocker on February 23, 2006, 06:11:40 AM
Love that movie !  Don't know why, since there's very little dialogue, but the feeling is great. And I think the scene here Kristofferson's "Me & Bobby McGee" is being played is one of the best scenes I've ever seen. Just because the song fits so well at that point


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Glenn Greenberg on February 23, 2006, 11:25:05 AM
Tried to watch it on IFC a few months ago.

Booooorinnnggggg!!!!!!!


I dozed off twice.


Nice to see Dennis looking young and healthy, though.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: donald on February 23, 2006, 11:38:07 AM
The lack of dialogue makes it drag unless your into that kind of feel that the movie has.

Maybe someone could do a voice over narrative for it sort of like My Name is Earl or the Wonder Years.

Who could we hire to do the dennis parts?


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: LaurieBiagini on February 23, 2006, 06:45:27 PM
Somehow I had no problem staying awake during that movie!  ;)


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Reverend Joshua Sloane on February 23, 2006, 06:57:48 PM
Somehow I had no problem staying awake during that movie!  ;)

Rate your Wilson's in terms of "Hotness", please.

1. Murry Wilson - Some say he was a SEX GOD, pleasing the ladies beyond belief with his endless list of tricks that he stored up his sleeve.

2. Brian Wilson - A man with so many Vegetables must surely know how to operate those carrots and zuccini's with ease. Some say he had an unusual attraction to the girls rather than the women and that can only add to sexyness

3. Dennis Wilson - This is a guy who would pick up ladies by telling people he was the drummer to the Beach Boys. Pure pimp through and through. He has his humping on record and his name down with Charlie Manson as a legendary humper of drug-fed-led women.

4. Carl Wilson - Some say the quiet ones really explode in the bedroom. Such is the case for Carl. You see those early performances of him grinning at the screaming girls? He was picking his mate for the night.

 ;D



Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: LaurieBiagini on February 23, 2006, 07:11:12 PM
Awesome post, H&V!  ;D


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: RobtheNobleSurfer on February 23, 2006, 08:00:56 PM
Most. Boring. Film. Ever.

OK, maybe not quite but it sure felt like it.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: I. Spaceman on February 23, 2006, 11:24:25 PM
This thread makes me want to puke.
Guess people don't like anything that does not move like a fodain' commercial.
Monte Hellman is a genius and Blacktop is one of the greatest films of the 70's.
Warren Oates is one of the most incredible actors to walk the earth.
Rudy Wurlitzer wrote a brilliant screenplay.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: jabba2 on February 23, 2006, 11:30:31 PM
I love films in the 70's when sometimes theres little dialogue and you can hear noises in the background. Its very realistic to me. that said i hate the song Bobbie Mcgee yilck!


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: James Kemp on February 24, 2006, 01:38:06 AM
I love this film.  It doesn't pander to its audience, it draws you into a world of its own, many of its images are striking, Warren Oates's performance is one of the most consumate screen portrayals of delusion and fantasy you're ever likely to see.

The single greatest existential road movie ever.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Matinee Idyll on February 24, 2006, 02:01:37 AM
I'd love to see this film... looks great... not sure it was ever released in Australia...

Ian, you like it despite the presence of James Taylor?  Wow!  ;)


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Smilin Ed H on February 24, 2006, 02:17:15 AM
Great, great movie.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: monkee knutz on February 24, 2006, 11:30:20 AM
Warren Oates is one of the most incredible actors to walk the earth.
I think he be dead. However, he certainly was one of the best.
I've never seen Two Lane all the way through only because the opportunity has never presented itself.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: I. Spaceman on February 24, 2006, 11:35:56 AM
Warren Oates is one of the most incredible actors to walk the earth.
I think he be dead. However, he certainly was one of the best.
I've never seen Two Lane all the way through only because the opportunity has never presented itself.

Yes, indeed dead.
Anyone who has not seen Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia, see it. Possibly the most incredible lead performance I have seen in any film.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: carlydenise2 on February 24, 2006, 11:58:41 AM
 :-* :-* :-*  I give this movie 3 kisses and 3 snaps and 1 wave.........

Dennis and James were HOT in this movie! True, not much for dialogue, but with the 2 main stars, words need not be spoken.  The GTO driver had his share of humor, the chick?  I definitely would have been a better actress for the part of the hitchiker, I lived in NM during this time and would have loved the chance to be in the movie.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: I. Spaceman on February 24, 2006, 12:02:48 PM
Laurie Bird is a perfect choice for the role. The part was actually based on her.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Uncomfortable Seat on February 24, 2006, 12:58:28 PM
saw this movie in a theater two years ago and dug it very much


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: James Kemp on February 24, 2006, 03:28:31 PM
Just to back up Ian's recommendation of "Bring Me The Head...".  Warren Oates is simply extraordinary is this movie.  He was gifted with one of the most expressive faces in pictures, and he is allowed to have a large canvas in this film to show his range.

When it played at the National Film Theatre in London last year I insisted that my acting students should see it, and we just about half filled the cinema all by ourselves.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: I. Spaceman on February 24, 2006, 05:44:45 PM
Just to back up Ian's recommendation of "Bring Me The Head...".  Warren Oates is simply extraordinary is this movie.  He was gifted with one of the most expressive faces in pictures, and he is allowed to have a large canvas in this film to show his range.

When it played at the National Film Theatre in London last year I insisted that my acting students should see it, and we just about half filled the cinema all by ourselves.


Wonderful. I knew you'd be hip to that film and performance. Astonishing.
The mirror scene is shudder-inducing.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Daniel S. on February 24, 2006, 08:05:39 PM
Laurie Bird is a perfect choice for the role. The part was actually based on her.

Didn't she commit suicide in Art Garfunkel's apartment?


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: James Kemp on February 25, 2006, 05:44:36 AM
Laurie Bird certainly committed suicide, but I hadn't heard the Garfunkel connection.  She's also in Monte Hellman's Cockfighter with Warren Oates - The DVD of which is worth searching out for the documentry on Warren that is included as an extra.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Sheriff John Stone on February 25, 2006, 08:28:42 AM

Didn't she commit suicide in Art Garfunkel's apartment?

Yes, Laurie Bird was Art Garfunkel's girlfriend. In 1979, she OD'd on sleeping pills in their apartment. She was suffering from depression.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: I. Spaceman on February 25, 2006, 02:45:49 PM
Laurie committed suicide while Art was in England filming Nicolas Roeg's brilliant Bad Timing. Included in the Criterion DVD booklet for that film is a heartrending interview with Art following the events.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: JohnMill on February 25, 2006, 03:01:46 PM
Actually "Two Lane Blacktop" is right up there in my top ten favorite films of all time just below the Katt/Dey flick "First Love" - Both are two highly underrated films from the 70s.

Actually Bruce Springsteen wrote a song that is somewhat based on "Two Lane Blacktop" although he claims that he didn't watch the film until after he wrote the song.  If you have the "Darkness" album handy, put on "Racing In The Street" there are several parallels which become evident when you compare the two.

Later.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: I. Spaceman on February 25, 2006, 03:17:40 PM
Actually "Two Lane Blacktop" is right up there in my top ten favorite films of all time just below the Katt/Dey flick "First Love" - Both are two highly underrated films from the 70s.

Actually Bruce Springsteen wrote a song that is somewhat based on "Two Lane Blacktop" although he claims that he didn't watch the film until after he wrote the song.  If you have the "Darkness" album handy, put on "Racing In The Street" there are several parallels which become evident when you compare the two.

Later.

First Love is great. Good call.
Springsteen has written several songs inspired by films, such as Thunder Road and Badlands, as well as Blacktop.
In a recent radio interview, he compared the onstage performing experience to the "vanishing point" found by Barry Sullivan in the classic road film of the same name from 1971.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Daniel S. on February 26, 2006, 12:54:12 AM
Its not on dvd yet. That sucks 'cause I've never seen it.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: I. Spaceman on February 26, 2006, 12:21:21 PM
Its not on dvd yet. That sucks 'cause I've never seen it.

Yes it is. Anchor Bay released it 5 years ago.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Third Coast on February 26, 2006, 07:15:03 PM
It was released on DVD but apparently went out of print quickly and already commands big bucks.  Last time I looked on Amazon it was going for at least $75.   I've been wracking my brain trying to remember the store where I saw it in the last couple of years.

Anyway, it's an exceptional movie.  Warren Oates and Laurie Bird have the best performances.  Oates steals the show.  I wish he was still around.



Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Sheriff John Stone on February 26, 2006, 07:31:43 PM
Oates steals the show.  I wish he was still around.



And Dennis Wilson. And Laurie Bird. Look at that cast. It's kind of eerie:

Warren Oates  -   dead at age 54
Dennis Wilson  -   dead at age 39
Laurie Bird       -   dead at age 35
James Taylor   -    ALMOST left us
 


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Daniel S. on February 26, 2006, 07:51:46 PM
Laurie Bird died at age 25

http://imdb.com/name/nm0083401/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnx0dD0xfGZiPXV8cG49MHxrdz0xfHE9bGF1cmllIGJpcmR8ZnQ9MXxteD0yMHxsbT01MDB8Y289MXxodG1sPTF8bm09MQ__;fc=1;ft=21


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Sheriff John Stone on February 26, 2006, 07:55:26 PM
Laurie Bird died at age 25


You are correct!


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Third Coast on February 26, 2006, 08:11:15 PM
Oates steals the show.  I wish he was still around.



And Dennis Wilson. And Laurie Bird. Look at that cast. It's kind of eerie:

Warren Oates  -   dead at age 54
Dennis Wilson  -   dead at age 39
Laurie Bird       -   dead at age 35
James Taylor   -    ALMOST left us
 

I know, I started to mention that.  And of course, I wish the others were still around.  I saw where Laurie was in "Annie Hall," but don't remember her in it. Was she in the scene of the party in LA?  I think she was a photographer, too.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Beckner on February 26, 2006, 08:40:27 PM
It's funny, I bought "Two Lane Blacktop" right after reading one of the DW bios about 4 years ago (maybe a bit more) and when I got it from Suncoast (in sotck) I was offered the choice of DVD or VHS. I opted for the VHS because I didn't have a DVD player. Damn, I kick myself-- I don't even think the movie is that good.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Susan on February 26, 2006, 09:18:13 PM
Same kind of thing here - i bought the VHS because i was cheap.  Now i'm scrounging around to find a DVD copy that isn't ridiculously expensive!!!


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Cabana Boy on February 27, 2006, 02:48:35 AM
It rules and that. The ending rules. The screen melts and blisters and that. Happening people and places. I was THERE and that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great film. I lurrrrrrrve eet.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Rocker on February 27, 2006, 04:36:14 AM
Same kind of thing here - i bought the VHS because i was cheap.  Now i'm scrounging around to find a DVD copy that isn't ridiculously expensive!!!

I bought the Special Edition DVD even before I ever saw that movie (and I don't regret it !!) on amazon and it wasn't that expensive.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: carlydenise2 on March 15, 2006, 05:37:17 AM
I was on Ebay and there are several copies of the DVD for auction right now from australia, us 9.00+


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: Bubba Ho-Tep on March 15, 2006, 06:02:53 AM
I got mine used at FYE for $7.99. I only watched half of it.


Title: Re: two lane blacktop
Post by: voxnut on March 15, 2006, 11:19:04 AM
It's been awhile since I've seen it and I like it. I think it works on one of those days when you're sick in bed, or it's a cold rainy day and you're tired or reading and just sort of want to melt into something for awhile. Not sure if it's a good invite friends over, pop a bunch of popcorn and screen it with high expectations type movie. It kinda has to sneak up on you I think.

Dean