I finally saw "To Live and Die in L.A." --WOW!!!
#1
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I finally saw "To Live and Die in L.A." --WOW!!!
I'd heard some decent buzz on this one, and as I saw more of Friedkin's back catalogue, I grew more interested. When Circuit City had their 2 for $11 sale a whlie back, I blind bought this on a whim. And maybe it's a factor of low expectations but this one blew me away. It's not perfect, but it might be perfect in its imperfections. Tremendously authentic in feel and great twists in this one, and very much underrated as far as I can see.
Was this a big deal in the 80s? I'm still in awe of this one, wow!
Was this a big deal in the 80s? I'm still in awe of this one, wow!
#4
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Originally posted by Darkfriend
Very good movie indeed
Mind you, I only saw it once (at the movies) and I still remember
Very good movie indeed
Mind you, I only saw it once (at the movies) and I still remember
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
#5
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Excellent, excellent movie. I remember being totally blown when it was released. The performances and the direction were uniformly great.
I also picked it up during the CC sale but haven't gotten around to seeing yet. Looking forward to it, though...
I also picked it up during the CC sale but haven't gotten around to seeing yet. Looking forward to it, though...
#6
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Robby Müller.
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Originally posted by wendersfan
Robby Müller.
Robby Müller.
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Saw this movie for the first time last year, and was also blown away, it's probably somewhere in my top ten favorite movies. The movie had a gritty real feal to it, and at least to me didn't feel as hackneyed as many other similar movies.
#15
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I loved it. The only problem that I had with it was it's hip, stylin connection to the 80's. Like Manhunter, it doesn't ruin the movie, just takes a bit away. Both were just too hip with 80's mainstream pop culture to stand the test of time. Peterson might as well just drove around a Delorean in both.
For example, say, uhhhh, Fast and the Furious was an acclaimed movie. I know, I know, just imagine... In ten years, young people would slap their forehead and say "did they really listen to that? Did they really dress like that? How silly."
The French Connection hasn't aged a bit. Why? Because Hackman and Schneider didn't have fros and listen to ... whatever it was that was hip in the 70's.
For example, say, uhhhh, Fast and the Furious was an acclaimed movie. I know, I know, just imagine... In ten years, young people would slap their forehead and say "did they really listen to that? Did they really dress like that? How silly."
The French Connection hasn't aged a bit. Why? Because Hackman and Schneider didn't have fros and listen to ... whatever it was that was hip in the 70's.
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is this a good blind buy? my store doesn't have it for rental so wondering as it is fairly cheap, but want to know if i will enjoy it if i really liked "The French Connection"?
#22
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Re: I finally saw "To Live and Die in L.A." --WOW!!!
This thread is old and at the time it looked like we may have never seen another good Friedkin film, but he has since made two pretty fantastic films in Bug and Killer Joe...and one that is pretty damned interesting (Rampage).
To Live and Die in LA is superb in that it really captures the city and it's different tones, it's grit and texture, it's wide open spaces and confined places and the urban/suburban sprawl that is LA. Love the ending and especially enjoy the Turturro/Dafoe prison visit sequence. Actually, so many great scenes (including two beautifully staged chase sequences) in this film.
Definitely some of Friedkin's best work.
#23
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Re: I finally saw "To Live and Die in L.A." --WOW!!!
Great film.
I also believe it's one of the first films where an older partner of an agent/cop says that he's "too old for this shit" several years before the Lethal Weapon flicks.
The scene in the church during the stakeout is right down the street from my work.
I also believe it's one of the first films where an older partner of an agent/cop says that he's "too old for this shit" several years before the Lethal Weapon flicks.
The scene in the church during the stakeout is right down the street from my work.
#24
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Re: I finally saw "To Live and Die in L.A." --WOW!!!
Yeah, whenever I see that scene it strikes me as the first film using the "I'm getting too old for this shit" line. Jimmy Hart uttered this line perfectly to Chance. It's probably not the first time it was used, but damn if it's not a shopworn cliche and seemingly uttered in some form in every buddy/cop movie ever since.
#25
Re: I finally saw "To Live and Die in L.A." --WOW!!!
My favorite scene that encapsulate everything great about this movie is the one where Petersen is smashing the briefcase repeatedly as it won't open. All of that scene before the cut is improvised.