Magic Moments
Posted by Steve Turner on 31 July 2008 - 4:34pm.
Truly great films usually have a special moment that can turn a film from average to memorable.
Examples that spring to mind:-
Alan Bates 'Jesus' being taken away by the police in Whistle down the wind.
The chief suddenly speaking to Jack Nicholson in One flew over the cuckoos nest and the subtle realisation that he has been playing the system all along.
The gas station moment in No country for old men - most menacing scene I have ever witnessed that doesnt involve actual violence. Scary indeed.
Any other suggestions?
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Bardem Schmardem
My problem with No Country For Old Men (apart from it not being very good really, but best not go there) is that, living in Spain, I've been familiar with Javier Bardem's every move for the last twenty years. Yes, he's great in the film, but scary? Really properly, oh-my-god scary? Nah, it's just Javier Bardem, innit.
Imagine if Goodfellas had been made after My Cousin Vinny, Home Alone 2 and Lethal Weapon 3 rather than before we were over-familiar with Joe Pesci doing Joe Pesci. The "Funny how?" and "Spider, get over here" scenes wouldn't have been half as chilling, would they?
The Front
I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but the scene in The Front when Woody Allen is up before the McCarthy sub committee is one of my favourite scenes, and turns a good film into a great one.
Gary
"Hello, My name is Inigo Montoya...."
Mark Knopfler & synclavier just out of shot...
I kept expecting him to say. . .
"My name is Inigo Montoya... and when joo fuck wid Inigo Montoya, joo fuckin' wid the best!"
He's not really Spanish, you know...
..I'm guessing you'd spotted that?
Love it or loathe it
The kiss and the bit where bowies buried in sand stays with me
The Long Good Friday
The gorgeous Helen Mirren in that lift with Charlie from Casualty. Palpable sexual tension as Jeff (Derek Thompson) and (thankfully to this spotty teenager) the camera eye her head to toe and then says "I want to lick you all over".
There were lots of other memorable moments in the film - expoding rollers and men nailed to warehouse floors - but that scene in the lift is the one that's stuck with me for nearly 30 years.
Maybe this doesn't show me in a good light?