B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - THE DEATH OF RITCHIE (TV 1977)

Looks like a lot of fun to me, I don't know. Seriously and for those that don't know, The Death Of Ritchie is one of the most iconic TV movies of the entire '70's decade. I was roughly 15 when it aired and i can tell you that both Robby Benson and teens taking drugs were very hot topics at the time. The film is based on a true story where a father who couldn't control his teen's behavior from drug abuse was forced to take the law into his own hands. The father here is good ole Ben Gazzara and he is at his Gazzara best with a ferocious intensity, his scenes with Benson as father and son a perfect chemistry. At the time more emphasis was on Benson as a model but his performance here is really amazing. Streams free on Tubi, Freevee, Roku and Plex, if this was being rated on the standard scale I would give it five stars, 'nuff said. 2.75 stars/2.75

Sunday, July 28, 2024

SIDEWAYS (2004) TURNS 20 - ALEXANDER PAYNE'S MASTERPIECE & RECIPENT OF COUNTLESS ACOLADES

 

Thomas Haden Church's association with Alexander Payne goes back to Election and even after Sideways he was almost cast in what became Dermot Mulroney's part in About Schmidt. I start my post here because I think a lot of people agree this was an all-time classic Oscar snub at Paul Giamatti. 

I did some research on this and discovered that every single major awards show (from about 25 that I looked at) including the Golden Globes nominated both lead actors with the exception of London and New York who nominated Giamatti but not Haden Church. Hmm!

Nonetheless, the overall achievement here is what counts most and the Golden Globes got it right awarding best picture. It was up against some pretty heavy competition including Million Dollar Baby, The Aviator and Ray. but Sideways is the better movie. 

On countless top ten lists for that year, on quite a few best movies of all times lists and widely considered to be one of the best movies of the 2000's.

I fully agree. When I'm asked what I consider to be the best pictures of all time I usually bring up Apocalypse Now, Midnight Cowboy, American Beauty and Sideways, 'nuff said. 

As far as streaming, Sideways right now is on Hulu if you have that subscription, otherwise it's VOD but I would note it's on sale on Amazon for only 4.99 and that's a steal.  5 stars/5



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