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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Indecent Proposal (1993) in Movies

Sep 21, 2020 (Updated Nov 26, 2020)  
Indecent Proposal (1993)
Indecent Proposal (1993)
1993 | Drama
Okay, look - I'm a straight man... but I'd let Robert Redford fuck *me* for a million dollars. First hour >>> second hour, but some seriously luscious looking pulp from one of the resounding kings of shooting gorgeous people looking into picturesque backgrounds. Still to date one of my favorite film premises, so it's a shame that it goes for a more conventional romance and doesn't hold all its weight in the second half like it did in the much more mysterious, sick intrigue of the first. God-level Redford, I'd like to think this is what Alexander Pierce from 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘳 did in his free time. Harrelson overreacting to everything is fucking hilarious, can't believe they played all this deliciously goofy portent straight. Speaking of which, the fact that we're supposed to empathize with either of these assholes is demeaning. Though as a result, rather than viewing this perhaps deservedly maligned piece as outright misogyny - imo I think this works best at showing the lengths either extreme of man will go to treat women like property, a vaguely cartoonish version mind you, but it isn't too far off from the unfortunate reality. Lurid, engaging, occasionally funny (intentional and not so) 90s psychopathic businessman trash.
  
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Dave Navarro recommended Ordinary People (1980) in Movies (curated)

 
Ordinary People (1980)
Ordinary People (1980)
1980 | Drama

"This one’s going to make you — well, I don’t know what you’re going to say to this, but Ordinary People, the Robert Redford film with Timothy Hutton, and Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, [has] got to be one of the most emotional films for me, just seeing the middle upper class being stripped of the veneer and seeing the dysfunction within. That film really captures that more than any other, I think, and certainly of that time, it was such a dangerous statement for Robert Redford to be making in a film like that. Every time I watch that film — and I must have seen it over 100 times — I weep. And Mary Tyler Moore’s performance in that film, I’m telling you, man, growing up in LA, I knew women like her… That was my friends’ mothers, without a doubt. It’s so simple and it’s just beautiful story telling. Judd Hirsch as the therapist and the relationship he creates with Timothy Hutton in that film is pretty special. I feel that if that film doesn’t touch you on some level, that you’re not human. Looking back at it now, it may seem like a very after-school-special choice, but if you really visit that film again, it holds up, man. It’s pretty compelling. You got to see that, man, on a Sunday when it’s a little rainy out there. I don’t know if you have a boyfriend, or a girlfriend, but whoever that is, sit with them, put that on. I’m telling you, dude. It’s like… How do I put it? It’s like The Notebook for our generation, or my generation, you know?"

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The Conspirator (2011)
The Conspirator (2011)
2011 | Drama
Love me a good true historical drama
Director Robert Redford delves into a story everyone knows, but doesn't really know.

After the assassination of our 16th and very popular president, Abraham Lincoln, the conspirators are shot and/or caught to face an outraged and shocked nation right at the end of the Civil War. Among the accused is Mary Surratt who is on trial for her involvement in aiding, lodging and collaborating with those accused. The entire nation wants justice however they can get it, so her circumstance seems dire without a lot of reprieve.

Enter her reluctant defense attorney who doesn't really want the job of defending a woman everyone wants to see brought to justice. Her trial seems one-sided at best with witnesses changing their stories and the judges not allowing much argument against the accused.

Mary herself seems she has given up hope with little regard for her own life.

 Redford manages to build the tension slowly as the evidence becomes increasingly bleak for the defendant and everyone's eyes on the trial's outcome. Stellar performance by the always interesting James McAvoy. He wrestles with his own emotions and the growing prejudice the trial has brought upon him and his family to persevere and provide ample defense for his client.

  
The Sting (1973)
The Sting (1973)
1973 | Classics, Comedy, Drama
On my list of All Time Favorite Films
I'll come right out and say it - the 1973 Academy Award winning film for Best Picture, THE STING, is one of the greatest films of all time. It's well written, well acted, well directed with a memorable musical score and characters, situations, costumes and set design that become richer over time and through repeated viewings.

Set in Chicago in the gangster-ridden, depression era mid-1930's, THE STING tells the tale of two con man who join forces for the ultimate con of a vile N.Y. Gangster who is responsible for killing a friend of theirs.

From everything I have read about it, the script by David S. Ward (who won an Oscar for his work) arrived pretty much finished. He shaped the story of the con men - and the myriad pieces of misdirection - fully before shopping it around to the studios. Universal jumped all over it and tabbed veteran Director George Roy Hill (BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID) to helm the picture. Hill - being no dummy - saw this as a vehicle to re-team Newman and Redford (stars of Butch Cassidy) and the rest...as they say...is history.

Newman and Redford are perfectly cast as veteran grifter Henry Gondorff (Newman) and up and coming grifter Johnny Hooker (Redford). They have an ease of playing off of each other - each one complimenting the other one - both giving in their scenes with the other one which makes the scenes more rich and alive. They are joined by a veritable "who's who" of late '60's/early '70's character actors - Harold Gould, Eileen Brennan, Charles Durning, Ray Walston and Dana Elcar - all of them bring their "A" game and they are fun to watch. Special notice should be made to Robert Earl Jones (father of James Earl Jones) as Luther, the character who's fate propels the plot forward.

But...none of this would work if you didn't have a "bad guy" that was interesting to watch - and to root against - and bad guys don't get much better...and badder...than Robert Shaw's Doyle Lonnegan. Shaw plays Lonnegan as a physically tough boss who doesn't suffer failure, but is smart enough to avoid obvious traps. He is a worthy adversary of Gondorff and Hooker's and it is fun to watch Newman, Redford and Shaw play off each other. One other note - it was with this performance that Universal recommended Shaw to young Director Stephen Spielberg for his "shark flick" JAWS.

Edith Head won her 8th (and last) Oscar for the magnificent period costumes in this film and Marvin Hamlisch won for the Music - a surprising hit on the pop charts of re-channeled Scott Joplin tunes. The set design won an Oscar - as did the Director, George Roy Hill. All in all, the film won 7 out of the 11 Oscars it was nominated for (Redford was nominated for Best Actor, but did not win).

THE STING is a well crafted film. One that tells a timeless story and that stands the test of time as a testament of how great of an achievement in film this is. It is one of my All Time favorites.

Letter Grade: the rare A+

5 stars (out of 5) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
  
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Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated All the President's Men (1976) in Movies

Aug 30, 2020 (Updated Aug 30, 2020)  
All the President's Men (1976)
All the President's Men (1976)
1976 | Classics, Drama, History
I'm always interested in historical movies, which is what drew me to this film in the first place. In addition to the fact that it stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman in arguably some of the best performance for either.

All the President's Men has been listed as one of the most historically accurate films ever made. It explains, from the young reporters point of view, the discovery of exactly what took place at the Watergate that caused the downfall of a president.

While the movie was sometimes slow, as it was data filled, I never found myself bored or wishing it would get along. Everything that happened during the slow periods were very relevant and needed in order to tell the story.

A wonderful representation of what historical drama should and can be, I highly recommend anyone with even a slight interest in American history to give this a watch.
  
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Tobin Bell recommended Jeremiah Johnson (1972) in Movies (curated)

 
Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
1972 | Action, Western

"There is a film called Jeremiah Johnson that was directed by Sydney Pollack with Robert Redford. It’s about 1830s mountain men, and I’ve always been fascinated by those guys who, in the 1830s, when the West was still totally wild ? there were no homesteaders, no settlers ? guys who would go out there and live in the mountains amidst the Indians and carve out a living, catching beaver and muskrat and whatever else they were catching, skinning them and bringing the hides back, so they could be turned into hats for fashionable people in London. There’s some really great music in it. I loved the nature and the Rocky Mountains; I think it actually was shot in the early days of the Sundance institute out in the Salt Lake area, although the story has it happening in the Rocky Mountains, probably a little east of there. Montana, Wyoming, that area. So, love that film."

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The Old Man and the Gun (2018)
The Old Man and the Gun (2018)
2018 | Biography, Comedy, Crime
9
7.9 (8 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Shot to the heart
#theoldmanandthegun is not only a #lovely fresh take on the #heist genre its also a #wonderful finale to #robertredford's career in #film too. Set mostly in the early #80s the film does a remarkable job of feeling #vintage/old fashioned from the way its shot, to the use of film grain, its #charming style, the soundtrack & the sets. Everything is so lovingly #crafted & it all flows together so #beautifully that I felt transported back in time right from its opening. Watching this film was also such a pleasant experience, its got such a warmth to it & its so ridiculously #charming/stylish & #heartfelt that I couldnt help #smiling most of its run time. TOMATG is a modern film set in the past that plays out more like an old #wildwest film & its not only clearly inspired by old #western movies but its also its self a great homage to Robert Redfords career & magnificent look back through the history of film & how far we have advanced technologically. Acting is stellar all round with Redford giving such a likeable, charming & #cheeky preformance that you can really tell he had fun with this character. #caseyaffleck is also great playing a cop that has everything but still isnt #happy in life & the scenes Redford & him share together are golden. A film about #passion, #drive, #love, living life to its fullest, never growing up & change thats full of such heart/soul that its not only powerful & moving but tremendous #fun/full of motivating & inspiring themes. See it I guarantee you will leave smiling. #odeonlimitless #odeon #nostalgic #retro #film #classic #mondaymotivation #filmbuff #filmcritic