Great list, Jim. Prime Cut and Night Moves are two of my personal favorites. Even a lot of the 1970s movies that aren't considered classics are very worth it.
Thanks for reading! "Prime Cut" and "Night Moves" are two of my favorite Gene Hackman movies too. I think Hackman was one of those rare actors who could make any movie better just by being in it.
Oh and Bill Norton, who directed and wrote “Cisco Pike”, later wrote Sam Peckinpah’s “Convoy” (1978). The recently late scriptwriter Robert Towne also worked on “Cisco Pike”.
The strangest thing about “Eureka” is that it was actually a Nicolas Roeg film. Hackman makes it at the top of my New Hollywood list, with Nicholson. Always felt that these films in this era were often flawed, themselves, but they offered great characters to play for these contemporary actors of the time. Really like him in “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967). Good article, Jim.
That's a great idea! The new Criterion 4k/blu-ray of "Night Moves" comes out soon; and of course you can't go wrong with "The Conversation" or "The French Connection." I hope he enjoys them!
Thanks for reading! I hope you do check out some of the Hackman films I highlighted that you haven't seen - I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Also, I've heard of "Heist" but haven't seen it. I'll make an effort to find it on blu-ray or streaming and watch it soon. Wasn't it directed by David Mamet? I generally like his films. Thank you for the suggestion!
This made me imagine an agent giving these descriptions as Gene decided which role to take. It's like "get this, two hitchhikers try to start a car wash, or he's an evil human trafficker, but the town loves him". "Yeah, that sounds good"
That's awesome! And, you know, they call Hollywood in the 70's a decade under the influence (which is also the title of a great documentary about that period) for a reason. I doubt we'll ever see another decade like it again. Thanks for reading!
Great list, Jim. Prime Cut and Night Moves are two of my personal favorites. Even a lot of the 1970s movies that aren't considered classics are very worth it.
Hi Darren,
Thanks for reading! "Prime Cut" and "Night Moves" are two of my favorite Gene Hackman movies too. I think Hackman was one of those rare actors who could make any movie better just by being in it.
Oh and Bill Norton, who directed and wrote “Cisco Pike”, later wrote Sam Peckinpah’s “Convoy” (1978). The recently late scriptwriter Robert Towne also worked on “Cisco Pike”.
The strangest thing about “Eureka” is that it was actually a Nicolas Roeg film. Hackman makes it at the top of my New Hollywood list, with Nicholson. Always felt that these films in this era were often flawed, themselves, but they offered great characters to play for these contemporary actors of the time. Really like him in “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967). Good article, Jim.
Nice piece, Jim.
Got to watch those films again.
Hi David,
Thanks! It's amazing how many great films Hackman made during his career.
I am getting my 17 year old son to watch them with me.
So he can see for himself what us “old guys” are on about.
I’ll keep an eye out.
That's a great idea! The new Criterion 4k/blu-ray of "Night Moves" comes out soon; and of course you can't go wrong with "The Conversation" or "The French Connection." I hope he enjoys them!
Thank you for this! I've seen CISCO PIKE but not the others. I will check them out.
Great! "Night Moves" is coming out soon as a Criterion 4k/blu-ray, so that might be a good place to start :) Thanks for reading my post!
Thanks. When I first started out as an entertainment reporter, I was lucky enough to get an interview with Hackman when HEIST came out.
Night Moves is coming out in 4K on Criterion in a couple of weeks
Hi Jonathan,
Yes! I'm pretty excited to see it again in a remastered 4k blu-ray, along with all the extras. Thanks for reading my post!
I loved it! Thanks for your articles.
Terrific list! You’ve given me some new titles. What about Heist—have you seen that one?
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for reading! I hope you do check out some of the Hackman films I highlighted that you haven't seen - I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Also, I've heard of "Heist" but haven't seen it. I'll make an effort to find it on blu-ray or streaming and watch it soon. Wasn't it directed by David Mamet? I generally like his films. Thank you for the suggestion!
Yes—it’s all Mamet. 👍
This made me imagine an agent giving these descriptions as Gene decided which role to take. It's like "get this, two hitchhikers try to start a car wash, or he's an evil human trafficker, but the town loves him". "Yeah, that sounds good"
That's awesome! And, you know, they call Hollywood in the 70's a decade under the influence (which is also the title of a great documentary about that period) for a reason. I doubt we'll ever see another decade like it again. Thanks for reading!
ALL NIGHT LONG
I almost included that one too, but thought that might make my post too long!