KRIS KRISTOFFERSON NEEDS TO SELL A BUNCH OF DOPE OR HIS PAROLE OFFICER GENE HACKMAN WILL PUT HIM BACK IN KRIS' FIRST FILM "CISCO PIKE" (1972)

 

I once came so close to meeting Kris Kristofferson that I was literally in the man's driveway. It was the late 70's and a buddy of mine at Hollywood High School, he played sax and I still know him. He and his family knew both Kris and Charlie Bronson and my friend and I were out in Malibu on a Friday night. My friend turned to me and said, "look, I'm not going to promise anything, but we're real close to Kris' house and let's stop by and maybe I can get you in. I had a lot of celebrity actor's kids as friends so I'd been thru this scenario before, no sweat. 

Unfortunately, after sitting in the car for an hour, my friend reemerged and said there was too much going on in the house and it wasn't a good time ;-(. Lol, luck of the draw but I always remember that moment, sitting in that driveway, when I see him onscreen. 

Now, this same saxophone playing buddy of mine once said to me that Kris was a great guy but "couldn't act his way out of a paper bag." I remember saying he deserved more credit than that though I agreed Kristofferson wasn't likely to be winning a Best Actor nomination real soon. (Funny enough, he did garner a Golden Globe for A Star Is Born, a movie listed on a lot of "worst film ever made" lists.)

I say all this because I was shocked and surprised seeing his first outing here in Cisco Pike. He's quite good, looks like he's had the chops from the beginning. He plays a songwriter here, he's bribed by his probation officer (an early Gene Hackman) to sell a bunch of dope from the evidence room and make a certain amount by Monday morning. That's basically the plot in a nutshell, there are some cool support performances, in particular, a stunningly gorgeous Karen Black and good ole Harry Dean Stanton. If you watch closely you'll see a couple of cool shots of Kris and Harry actually onstage together during a montage. 

And best of all, one of those "real" 70's movies we talked about recently. This would make a great double feature with Daryl Duke's Payday. 

Cisko Pike currently streams on Tubi, Roku & your Amazon Prime subscription. Thumbs way up.

 3.75 stars/5

TURNS OUT WE'VE BEEN WATCHING THE WRONG VERSION OF "BLAIR WITCH PROJECT" (1999) FOR 25 YEARS - SAY WHAT?

 

Producer Mike Monello (wasn't he the one that chucks their map in the river that pisses off Heather?) has come forward with a pretty bold statement. When the original 35mm to video transfer took place the negative that was used wasn't the camera negative, therefore the colors, motion, and more weren't rhe same, weren't what the three filmmakers envisioned. 

For the first time, a completely restored version will be released via BluRay in November. There's hope but no official word on an eventual streaming release. Monello and the rest are very happy the public will finally get to see the version they really intended. 

Got my attention!

HERE'S A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER >

Hoping to review both Daddio and Coup De Chance!

The next couple of movie posts are doosies, on deck is>

 a very overlooked Mark L Lester classic 

-plus-

 one of Kris Kristofferson's first films.

SEPTEMBER'S B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - 3 HINTS

1. It's by a revered Canadian director who died young. 

2. It has a huge star-studded cast but tons of corny dialog.

3. You could say it has to do with alchemy.

😜

CLINT EASTWOOD FEST HONORABLE MENTIONS - "SULLY" (2016,) "BREEZY" (1973) & "15:17 TO PARIS" (2018) w/ trailers, ratings, where to stream

 

While still a great plane movie for the genre, it would have been much better without the artistic editing, should have gone for a more linear approach. Hanks & Ekhart work good together. 3.0 stars/5  Streams VOD only. 

Clint's only third time behind the camera (and just behind the camera on this one) produced what is probably his most endearing, poignant, and touching film - a love story about an older man (William Holden) who falls for a hippie 18-year old (Kay Lenz.) A must-see.  4.0 stars/5  Streams only on Apple or Amazon VOD.

While all three of the real heroes of this true story do a more than admirable job as the three leads, point blank, it would have been a much better film had Clint cast real actors. Thumbs still up though.  2.75 stars/5  Streams on Apple or Amazon VOD. 

TOMMY'S TOP FIVE FAVORITE CLINT EASTWOOD FLICKS - #1 - CLINT IS AN ART PROFESSOR, MOUNTAIN CLIMBER AND HITMAN, HE HAS AN ASSIGNMENT CALLED "THE EIGER SANCTION" (1975)

 

Clint handles the clapper on the North Face. 

Every movie lover has a film(s) that they never get tired of watching. You could put the thing on a goddamn endless loop and never tire of it. It's likely to be the selection you would take to a deserted island. Eiger Sanction is one such film for me. 

Original reviews were mixed? The action sequences were praised but the plot deemed too shallow. Don't get that one - it's a simple but very effective plot. Clint performs these sanctions for the mob and is summonsed by Dragon (David Thayer, great as usual) to perform a new sanction. Dragon then stabs him in the back and blackmails Hemlock (Eastwood) to perform a second sanction on the Eiger. 

Who will backstab him this time, because the choices increase beyond the climbers now. He's got a foxy Indian chick as a running coach, an ex-friend and assassin (Jack Cassidy, holy sh*t) on his tail, a loudmouthed climbing coach (George Kennedy, really good in this) and an attractive stewardess as a new lover (Vonetta McGee, who was cast at literally the last minute and thank God for that, she's perfect.)

There are so many great things about this film but to me one of the absolute stunners is Jack Cassidy, who was teen idol David Cassidy's father. He conquered Broadway in the 50's and '60's, did a slew (and I mean slew!) of television guest spots in the '70's but very few features. Of those, this role here in Eiger Sanction is his meatiest and one that he should be remembered for. The whole sequence where Clint's decided he's had enough of him and drives him out to the desert is classic. 

Referred to by locals as the "murder wall," Eiger was not an easy shoot. Special cameras and sound equipment had to be designed. Clint was insistent on doing all his own stunts, no double. One day they were wrapping (the scene with the falling rocks) and the AD decided he wanted to get one shot from a certain angle on the rocks and a crew member was hit and killed and the AD badly injured. The most dangerous scene to film for Clint was the last scene where he's hanging from a rope at 4200 feet. The only scene that mostly used stunt doubles was where Clint and George Kennedy climb the Totem Pole rock, George and Clint were then helicoptered to the top for the famous sunset scene, the happiest moment of filming Clint said.

As of this post, Eiger Sanction is VOD only.  4 stars/5

"Johnathon! You're not going to ______?"

TOMMY'S TOP FIVE FAVORITE CLINT EASTWOOD FLICKS - #2 - CLINT IS A JOHN HUSTON TYPE MOVIE DIRECTOR 100% OBSESSED WITH KILLING AN ELEPHANT IN "WHITE HUNTER, BLACK HEART" (1990)

 

Clint plays Wilson, an overbearing John Huston type director. He's about to start shooting a new picture in Africa. Jeff Fahey plays his screenwriter and good friend. Wilson is obsessed with killing an elephant. Before his writing partner, producer or any of the other crew can bat an eye, Wilson has declared the hunt on and everyone else can just stand around all day until he gets his elephant. 

This is easily one of the most (sorry for the cliche words) overlooked, underappreciated but usually not underrated film in Clint's catalog. There is an outstanding piece written by Jonathon Rosenbaum on this movie HERE. 

Shot on location, some great support here. Fahey is outstanding. Timothy Spall has a small support role that's also great. As usual though, it's all about Clint, he is mesmerizing in this role, you won't be able to take your eyes off him. White Hunter, Black Heart is available on VOD.   4.75 stars/5

Jeff Fahey & Timothy Spall, a couple of legends.

TOMMY'S TOP FIVE FAVORITE CLINT EASTWOOD FLICKS - #3 - CLINT IS GUNNY HIGHWAY THE ULTIMATE DRILL SERGEANT IN "HEARTBREAK RIDGE" (1986)

 
Lol. Watch that earring there. I've adored this movie since it originally came out and was very big on cable TV in the years following its release. It's a war movie that goes down smooth like a chocolate milkshake. It has a wide range of character, comedy, emotion yet still has an actual combat scenario in the third act. 

Mario Van Pebbles has surprisingly been a source of contention with me and a few folks thru the years. For whatever reason they don't like how prominent he is in the film and that he steals the spotlight sort to speak. I feel the opposite, I think he totally makes the picture and comedically he's the heartbeat behind this film. 

The person I'm not crazy about in this is Marsha Mason. Not that I've really liked her in anything else either but her character and role in this distracts a little too much from the comedic comradery set so well from the start of the film. A fan edit with her scenes cut could be an interesting version. 

As of this post only streams VOD but it pops in and out of Tubi on a regular basis.   3.75 stars/5

FOR ANOTHER GREAT WAR MOVIE CLINT DID (NOT ONE OF MY HONORABLE MENTIONS) THEN CERTAINLY CHECK OUT "WHERE EAGLES DARE" (1968) EPIC >

TOMMY'S TOP FIVE FAVORITE CLINT EASTWOOD FLICKS - #4 - THE FULL EMBODIMENT OF CLINT'S GNARLY SIDE IS UP FRONT AND CENTER IN THE ICONIC "GRAN TORINO" (2008)

 

You're never too old to learn a thing or two about yourself and maybe even actually change. This is the underlying message of Gran Torino expressed in a prejudicially toned story set in a rough Detroit suburb. It's the first film to feature a Hmong-American cast and kind of a family affair for Clint as his son Scott has a bit part and his son Kyle co-authored the music score. 

A huge box office hit and deservedly so. It's perfectly directed and performed by Clint. An incredible talent, who, when you look at his whole catalog of work, likely has made the biggest overall contribution to cinema that one person could make.

Casting in this one is spot-on, each character a hand-in-glove fit with the actor chosen. But, again, the reason this one makes the list is the filmmaker we're celebrating, he just rocks this film. A true quintessential Clint Eastwood film if there ever was one. 

As of this post, Torino comes with your Max subscription, otherwise it's VOD.  4 stars/5

This one's pretty high up on most people's list so it may not have come as a surprise. I guarantee you the next three choices will trip some people out, this is where the weeping and gnashing of teeth will start, lol. 

TOMMY'S TOP FIVE FAVORITE CLINT EASTWOOD FLICKS - #5 - CLINT IS A 90-YEAR OLD MOVING DRUGS BACK AND FORTH IN "THE MULE" (2018)

 

Welcome to my top five favorite Clint flicks (with 3 honorable mentions) and here's a couple of ground rules, One, I think we can all agree that Unforgiven is one of the greatest westerns ever made so it is not on this list because it's too obvious a choice. Two, these are my top five "favorite," I'm not saying they are the best or worst in quality, just my personal favorites. As usual, the main dig is that maybe you'll see one that sparks your interest or that you want to pull off the shelf. Finally, my picks will represent both sides of the camera that Clint works on, enjoy! 

Yes, that's right, my pick for #5 is one of his more recent and probably last best or decent film that will exist in his catalog. (By the way, I happen to really like Cry Macho but it's not going to make this or any other list, let's be real, I look at that film as a beautifully and perfectly suited coda to his overall work.) While The Mule is a more than serviceable action thriller, I think what makes it a favorite is his irresponsible old man character reminds me a lot of myself and it's very comedic to me especially his scenes driving and singing to himself in the car, joyfully aloof at his newfound occupation. 

Besides ole Clint, I can't think of anybody or any department that particularly stands out, it's just a good fun Clint movie. Andy Garcia has certainly been better as well as Bradley Cooper but again, it's just a good overall flick, check 'er out if you haven't, it's currently available on Amazon or Apple, VOD. 

3.5 stars/5

Andy! Love those hunting glasses. 

"PARIS, TEXAS" TURNS 40 - WIM WENDERS INDIE MASTERPIECE ABOUT A MAN TRYING TO FIND HIS WAY BACK TO HIS MARRAIGE

 

    

The first time Harry Dean Stanton carried a whole picture, he knocked it out of the park with this spot-on portrait of a lost man, both mentally and geographically. His brother (Dean Stockwell, superb) picks him up wondering around in the desert and brings him back home to help him on his feet again. Nobody knows where he's been for four years. This puts him square in the path of his brother's wife (Aurora Clement, an amazing French actress) who has been taking care of Stanton's boy he abandoned for the last four years. 

I'll leave it there but that's just the start of an incredible journey which ultimately lands him finding his wife who now works at a strip club. The legendary German actress and dancer Nastassja Kinski is so incredible in this role and the location that they chose for the strip club should belong on some list of top ten best locations ever in a movie. 

Indies this great only come down the pike once every five or ten years. On many, many top ten indie films of all time lists. I encourage you to revisit it or if you haven't seen it, that's right, don't pass go and don't collect $200.   5 stars/5

"THE GAMBLER" (1974) TURNS 50 - JAMES CAAN' SHINING MOMENT BRILLIANTLY DIRECTED BY KAREL REISZ AND A SICKNESS LAID OUT BARE

 

There has never been nor will there ever be a character study movie that nails the frightening, sad and destructive effects of gambling addiction like this one. 

James Caan plays Axel Freed and he's in deep. To the tune of 44 grand (and this was 1974.) He makes about every bad choice one can make when sick - gets in with loan sharks, burns his parents, abuses his girlfriend (Lauren Hutton, awesome here.) And of course, borrows from one to burn another and so on it goes. 

Such a great movie and cast, the real surprise performance that steals the show is the recently departed Burt Young as a collector for the mob. 

 

About halfway thru the flick, Axel takes his girl to Las Vegas and cleans up. The iconic Ceasar's Palace ceiling is gorgeously framed and this whole sequence rocks including a quick five-liner by good ole M Emmet Walsh. 

One of the greatest films of the early '70's and like a lot of movies from that time period, about as real and truthful as it gets. 

Currently, The Gambler streams only on Apple TV or VOD but it's worth every penny.   4.5 stars/5

If you or anyone you know suffers from gambling addiction, there's a 24/7 hotline you can call 800-662-HELP. 

MAGNOLIA (1999) TURNS 25 - PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON'S MAGNUS OPUS IS STILL AS DEEP AS THE OCEAN

 

There's an old philosophy or dogma regarding art - they say the true sign of a masterpiece is if every time you experience that piece of art you notice something you didn't catch in previous exposure. Magnolia is one such piece of art. As I pulled it off the shelf or in this case brought it up on my HD streamer last night, I marveled once again at meanings and messages springing from its well of salvation and redemption.

These are no ordinary disparate characters. The ten main characters that make up this film are literally a kaleidoscope of life itself and all the emotions associated as we all try and figure out this journey. 

And the performances, too many to list, they all kick ass here. I keep telling people Tom Cruise is always his best at badass roles, this one's a classic example and he deserved every accolade he got for this performance. Julianne Moore, omg. An actress I already adore in a hilariously over-the-top but spot on at the same time performance. There's one here that particularly stood out to me last night and that was Melora Walters, just spellbinding as the cokehead and has John C Reilly ever been better? His turn as the conscientious but slightly aloof LAPD cop here is awesome. 

Can you believe people were walking out of movie theaters when this came out? I guess it takes a certain palate and mood to approach, as Frank Zappa once said, it's 'statistical density."  I'm more than happy to keep pulling this one off the shelf, oh excuse me, stream it, for many more times to come.

For the next 26 days, Magnolia streams free on Pluto.  5 stars/5 

SCOTT JACOBY IS A TROUBLED TEEN LIVING INSIDE THE WALLS OF ANOTHER FAMILY'S HOUSE IN "BAD RONALD" (TV 1974) - (ALSO TURNS 50 THIS YEAR)

 

Scott Jacoby, one of five siblings, all actors, more than made his mark in TV and movies during his more active years, 1970-1991. On only his second appearance in a TV movie he won an Emmy for 1972's "A Certain Summer." He was stellar in The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane and seems to make that special difference with every project. 

Bad Ronald is easily the best if not strangest horror movie of early '70's television with the possible exception of Karen Black's "Trilogy of Horror." Jacoby plays a troubled teen who accidently kills a girl and his mom (Kim Hunter, yayy!) covers it up by putting him in a wall behind the kitchen pantry. She eventually dies and another family buys the house and guess who lands up staying? He expands his territory behind the walls complete with peep holes and things really start to get strange. He paints these tripped-out things on the walls. 

If this sounds like your cup of tea, then it's very easily found on DVD or Blu-ray but didn't enter the streaming world until recently, only on Amazon, 1.99 to rent. It's expertly directed based on a novel, shot at good ole Burbank Studios. Great to see Kim Hunter without Planet Of The Apes makeup on, she was a very underrated actress. 

This one's a don't pass go and don't collect $200, you're going to want to see this! 2.75+stars/2.75