To me, nothing will EVER top the magic of Smokey and the Bandit.
Literally one of Hal Needham’s and Burt Reynolds’s greatest works to date. The plot is very simple: The Bandit accepts a challenge set by Big and Little Enos, which is to travel down to Texarkana, TX to illegally bootleg 400 cases of Coors, and deliver them back to Atlanta, GA, all within a 28 hour time limit. This film’s plot actually makes a lot of sense when you think about US laws of the time. Bootlegging laws were much more stricter back then, especially in Texas. Taking beer east of Texas was considered as bootlegging, and it would have severe consequences for anyone who was caught doing it. So, this film’s plot is actually based off of the real US laws of the late 70s. It only adds to the authenticity. Laws since then have gotten much more leniant, but they are still made to keep people in check from time to time. It’s almost interesting to see the changes from the late 70s to now. It was like a completely different world entirely, and that authenticity only made the film more special, since we got to see the relics of a by-gone era of the United States. I mean, just look at the set comparisons on YouTube. It’s like it became a whole different world overnight.
Then, you also have the AMAZING and WONDERFUL country soundtrack composed by the one and only Jerry Reed. He actually stated himself that the film, originally, did not have a music score when he was pulled in as the composer, and the film was nearly ready to be released. So, within a short time span, Jerry Reed composed an entire film soundtrack in such a short timespan, and gave us one of the most legendary pieces of country music in the form of “Eastbound and Down”. But that’s not it. Jerry would also make “Westbound and Down” as well, which would prove to be quintessential to the film’s plot. You see, in the film, when they are heading down to Texas to get the beer, they are going westbound, and you hear “Westbound and Down” playing as a result. This is during the very beginning of the journey. And when they are on the freeway passing by a truck convoy, they are heading back to Georgia, which means they’re going eastbound, and that’s why you hear “Eastbound and Down”, which plays MUCH later into the journey. It shows which direction they are traveling across the US at that time; “Eastbound and Down” playing signals they are nearing the end of their journey, and “Westbound and Down” means the journey has just begun. All in all, that is some truly EXCELLENT soundtrack continuity. It really goes to show how much of a blast they were having making this. He did a wonderful job composing the soundtrack.
But, of course, the star of the movie, is of COURSE Jackie Gleason, who plays as Sheriff Buford T. Justice. Oh man, he was SO FUNNY in this film. In fact, most of his dialogue was completely improvised and wasn’t even actually in the script. The things he said during the movie? That was all him doing that on the fly, off the top of his head. His improv in this film was truly off the charts. He made that movie very special. In fact, you know that entire scene where Buford T. Justice and The Bandit run into a restaurant and have a nice, friendly chat, all the while Buford doesn’t even realize he’s talking to the very person he is after? Guess what? That was Jackie’s idea. That entire scene wasn’t even supposed to be in the movie. He came up with the idea himself, and as such, it was added to the film on Jackie’s request and he made that scene entirely his own. Well, lemme tell ya, that scene became one of the most important scenes of the film, and quite frankly, one of the funniest as well. If it weren’t for Jackie Gleason with his incredible improv, this film would have just been a mediocre ‘modern-day Western’. But, Jackie’s funny dialogue made the movie, he quite literally stole the show. His incredible talent in this film will never be matched. Ever. His improv was literally incredible. God, I miss him and his energy…
This is an absolute must-watch for any car/truck lover. You will absolutely love this film and have a good laugh!
I’m upvoting you on pure enthusiasm.
Agree 100%
When i was a kid, we did not have a tv, for many years. But my uncle did. And he had 2 movies on vhs? Smokey and the bandit. And the sting.
If there was bad weather we siblings and cousins often went there to watch one of those 2. Have probably seen the sting 20-30 times. But i would not be suprised if we saw the bandit a hundred times ;D
Back to the future part 1
Monty Python and the Holy Grail, followed by Life of Brian.
5th element
Awww, yeah. I saw this in the theater on acid. Was amazing.
Blues Brothers. It’s damn near perfect.
And I still hate Illinois Nazis.
My dad had The Blues Brothers on VHS. I used to watch it ALL the time. I’ve seen it upwards of 100 times. It is still one of my favorite movies of all time. When I was a kid 95% of it went over my head, but as an adult, it’s just so good.
It’s still Office Space.
I’ve been wanting to rewatch. Nice.
Airplane!
It would be boring if I said The Empire Strikes Back so I’m going to say The Thing instead
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Velocipastor.
It is a goddamn masterpiece and the perfect movie for all occasions.
Shawshank Redemption
Interstellar. I so sincerely regret not seeing it on the big screen.
I can’t shake off the Nolan when I see Nolan films. I see the same tired tropes of affluent people grandstanding each other against the stakes of the world, to the absolute non-consent of anyone in it. Ample nepotism in the sense that the “greatness” is inherited, and then tacking on over-the-top artistic prose with the intent of swaying the audience into believing that these are respectable people. All his characters scream of narcissism.
And as always: Eat a dick, Murphy. You’re an adult now, you know exactly why your dad had to leave, and you still choose to hate him? Jesus, kid.
Same here, didn’t see it on the big screen because I kept hearing negative things about the film but man… it’s the best sci-fi movie I’ve ever seen!
I’m not sure if you live in the US, but they’re releasing it for theaters on December 6th. I missed out on it the first time too, so I’m making sure I’m there.
Sneakers
I’m not sure I can call it my favorite, but damn this movie is great.
Well that changes weekly, but if I had to pick just one to be stranded on a desert island with it would be the original Robocop(1987) - just so much nostalgia personally but a really great satire ahead of it’s time.
Although next week, I might could say the hilarious meta mindfuck Adaptation. Peak Nic Cage, Spike Jonez and Charlie Kaufman - a really fun and wild ride and I love how self indulgent it is.
so one thing I never got when. I was watching robocop was the danger of having mega corporations owning public services. I never gave it a second thought, and liked robocop cause hey robot cop action 😃
now we are living in a reality where billionaires and mega corporations own public services. it’s scary
Robo Cop, Total Recall and Starship Troopers are sometimes seen as an unofficial trilogy of bad capitalism. They have the same director and some overlapping themes.
The Spanish Prisoner. I won’t spoil anything, but Steve Martin’s performance is remarkable!
Primer is another movie I’ve returned to over and over.
Also, Ever After for comfort.
Oh damn I haven’t watched Spanish Prisoner since college. It was one of my “you’ve never heard of this but it’s awesome” recommendations for ages!
Edit: added the actual movie I’m talking about
Which of the three are you referring to!?
Oops. Spanish Prisoner. My brain just stopped or I read that.
