Tuesday 16 June 2015

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2007: John Carroll Lynch in Zodiac

John Carroll Lynch did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Arthur Leigh Allen in Zodiac.

Zodiac is an excellent film about the investigation of the elusive serial killer who calls himself the Zodiac.

One of the best elements of Zodiac is the way it paints the complex portrait of the cluster of information and suspects that comes from a killer such as the Zodiac who purposefully plays with the media and public. This leads the investigators with many shady figures who do not necessarily even have anything to do with the killings. One of these men eventually seems particularly promising since a former acquaintance says that the man essentially spelled out his psychotic plan to him. The man being one Arthur Leigh Allen played by John Carroll Lynch. Lynch only has three scenes, two of them being silent and quiet brief. His first appearance though is an extended interview with the leading investigators. Lynch lumbers into the scene as he walks in and sees the three detectives he seems to give an accusatory glance to his employer who's brought him to the meeting just before he sits down to the detectives. As he's put before the men though Lynch falsifies a cordial enough expression as though Arthur's not at all shaken by this meeting, even though it's whether or not to determine that he's a possible serial killer.

Lynch is brilliant in the way he articulates Arthur's attempt to deal with the cops questions. There's a slight attempt to be like just as scared as anyone else in regards to the case, and disgusted just as much as any normal person would be. All while doing this though Lynch portrays Arthur as being excessively assured in the way he speaks to the police about how he did not have anything to do it. Lynch delivers every line as though it has been rehearsed a thousand times in Arthur's mind as he basically lists every reason why he's innocent without stumbling once. Lynch is outstanding because he shows how this over confidence suggests anything but an innocence as every detail seems to come out as about as eloquent as it can be. It is almost he's listing important information to them as Lynch shows just how natural it is for Arthur to bring up an incriminating fact, that involving bloodied knives, because it's already attached to part of his presentation of innocence, therefore no time should be spent avoiding this. Lynch never loses a step when Arthur is giving his "prepared" remarks and interestingly shows just how damning such certainty can be.

What's so fascinating about Lynch's performance is the way he conveys the apparent layers of the man as the interview goes forward. Through much of it Lynch keeps that kinda modest way about himself as though he's just a gentle man trying to live his life in a normal enough way. When the questions from the detectives become incisive at all though Lynch pulls back monetarily as though he's adjusting a bit and reveals a certain darkness below the surface fitting for the pedophile that he is. Although that does not mean he's a serial killer who takes as much time for detail as the Zodiac. When they bring up his crime as a pedophile though this  seems to take more than a simple rearrangement of feelings. It's one of the most memorable moments in the film even though it only lasts a few seconds as Arthur tells them "I am not the Zodiac. And if I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you.". Although he's stating his innocence the way Lynch looks at them is unnerving as in his eyes and voice suddenly become that of such a killer. Just before he leaves though Arthur comments on how he would like to see cops no longer called pigs, a favored term by the Zodiac, Lynch delivers this with such duplicity. Even though he still stays quiet, as though it is pleasantry, there is such a sinister quality in how false Lynch makes it so sound, as though he's purposefully taunting the police. Lynch's next scene is merely from his back, and only a few seconds long, as Arthur arrives to find the police searching his trailer. After that he only has one more near the end of the film when Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) political cartoonist turned obsessed private investigator goes to look him in the eye, as he's sure Arthur's the one. Again it's only a few seconds long but Lynch is once again brilliant as he begins just with kind smile asking if Robert needs any help, When he recognizes him though Lynch is absolutely chilling as his face slowly changes into the Zodiac once more. This is an oustanding piece of work by John Carroll Lynch as he creates such a complex and disturbing depiction of this man in only a few minutes of screentime.

79 comments:

Michael McCarthy said...

Excellent work from Lynch, I think he'd have been great as the killer in True Detective. Also I'm really glad you liked Ruffalo as much as you did, but I didn't like Gyllenhaal nearly as much as you.

Matt Mustin said...

Great (almost) one-scene wonder. Ratings and thoughts on everyone else?

Calvin Law said...

Don't know if anyone watches the NBA here but congratulations to the Golden State Warriors.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I'm so glad that Bardem's still a 5, although your nominee rankings are a bit of a mess.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I'm pretty sure at this point, that Dalton and Foster are getting 5s.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I agree. I think the nominee rankings are always a bit unwieldy, since they're so long.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I almost had a dreaded feeling for Bardem's rating, with him being ranked 75th out of 76 Supporting 5s in the nominees ranking. I would like Louis to move him up a tad, as well as Joe Pesci in Raging Bull and Tom Courtenay in Doctor Zhivago.

Anonymous said...

Louis: ratings on Gyllenhaal, Ruffalo and Downey Jr., now you rewatched the film. Also, your (and everyone's here) top David Fincher's films and David Fincher's films performances.

1. The Social Network
2. Zodiac
3. Se7en
4. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
5. Fight Club
6. Gone Girl
7. The Game
8. Panic Room
9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

1. Rooney Mara - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
2. Kevin Spacey - Se7en
3. John Carroll Lynch - Zodiac
4. Morgan Freeman - Se7en
5. Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network
6. Jake Gyllenhaal - Zodiac
7. Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl
8. Cate Blanchett - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
9. Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
10. Tilda Swinton - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
Films:
1. Zodiac
2. Se7en
3. The Social Network
4. Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)
5. Gone Girl
6. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
7. The Game
8. Fight Club
9. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

Performances:
1. Sigourney Weaver/Alien 3
2. Morgan Freeman/Se7en
3. John Carroll Lynch/Zodiac
4. Kevin Spacey/Se7en
5. Paul McGann/Alien 3
6. Jesse Eisenberg/The Social Network
7. Charles Dance/Alien 3
8. Michael Douglas/The Game
9. Mark Ruffalo/Zodiac
10. Cate Blanchett/The Curse Of Benjamin Button

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'll switch Blanchett with Robert Downey Jr. in Zodiac.

Calvin Law said...

1. Se7en
2. The Social Network
3. Fight Club
4. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
6. Zodiac
7. Alien 3
8. Gone Girl
9. Panic Room

1. Rooney Mara - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
2. Morgan Freeman - Se7en
3. Sigourney Weaver - Alien 3
4. Kevin Spacey - Se7en
5. John Carroll Lynch - Zodiac
6. Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network
7. Cate Blanchett - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
8. Tilda Swinton - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
9. Edward Norton - Fight Club
10. Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Are you planning on doing a pre-'28 Lead Lineup before or during the bonus rounds.

Matt Mustin said...

I haven't seen all of Fincher's movies, but from what I've seen, this is my (tentative) ranking:

1. The Social Network (easily my favourite)
2. Seven
3. Zodiac
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
5. Fight Club (I like this less the more I think about it)

Robert MacFarlane said...

Dammit Matt, not you too.

Psifonian said...

Fincher's Films:
1. Zodiac
2. Se7en
3. Alien 3
4. The Social Network
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
7. Panic Room
8. Gone Girl
9. The Game
10. Fight Club

Performances:
1. Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2. Sigourney Weaver, Alien 3
3. Paul McGann, Alien 3
4. Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
5. Morgan Freeman, Se7en
6. John Carroll Lynch, Zodiac
7. Charles Dance, Alien 3
8. Charles S. Dutton, Alien 3
9. Kevin Spacey, Se7en
10. Leland Orser, Se7en

Luke Higham said...

*10. Cate Blanchett/The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

Luke Higham said...

Psifonian: Henson in 4th, Really!.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'm gonna watch Alien 3 with other expectations now, I really didn't expect you to like it this way. Sigourney Weaver presence I kinda expected, not only because of her performances in the previous two films, but also based on that video Psifonian made with his top #1's in all time - he put this performance as his favourite of that year, rs.

Gone Girl and Fight Club are the only Fincher films that suffered with rewatchings with me - all the other ones got better in the second, third, etc., time.

Anonymous said...

Ow, and worst performance in Fincher films: I think it's hard to take off Pitt as Benjamin Buton of this place, as long as Fincher casting choices are (with this Pitt's exception) always precise.

Matt Mustin said...

Louis, what's your ratings and thoughts on David Wenham in The Proposition and, if you can remember him, Ralph Fiennes in The Hurt Locker?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I guess you're right on that one, When it comes to Fincher films, I honestly can't think of any other performance, that was worse than Pitt's in TCCOBB.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: thoughts and rating on Ethan Hawke in Dead Poets Society? Just watched it for the first time ever and found it surprisingly good. Williams was fine but Hawke was actually pretty outstanding.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I don't really understand the love Henson got for Benjamin Button. She reinforced old, tired racial stereotypes that should have died 50 years ago.

Calvin Law said...

Robert: Is Fight Club your favourite Fincher film, I think I'm the opposite of most people on here, I used to hatw it but it's grown on me a lot since.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Yes, and one of my favorite films in general. On paper it should be something that would falter with me, but when I revisited it I realized that it was the ultimate 'fuck you' to the macho dudebro culture that I've grown to hate so much as I get older. Yes, a lot of those people are misled fans of it, but it can't be helped that they don't realize they're being mocked.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I should also mention I appreciated how it was adapted from a sort of awful book.

Calvin Law said...

Robert: 'Ultimate fuck you' just about sums the film up, what are your top 10 films? (and everyone else, I think it's fine time we get this started again and compare our tastes)

1. It's a Wonderful Life
2. Brief Encounter
3. The Elephant Man
4. Dog Day Afternoon
5. The Third Man
6. Vertigo
7. To Kill a Mockingbird
8. Yojimbo
9. Lawrence of Arabia
10. Inside Llewyn Davis

Hon. Mentions: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Stalag 17, Angels with Dirty Faces

Calvin Law said...

I agree the book's not great, though it makes for an interesting comparitive subject (I have a friend whose English coursework compared the two)

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: This is extremely tough for me, since their are so many films that I Love. These are very personal choices of mine.
1. Amadeus
2. There Will Be Blood
3. In Bruges
4. Lawrence Of Arabia
5. The Lord Of The Rings
6. A Clockwork Orange
7. The Godfather Parts I And II
8. Apocalypse Now
9. Dr. Strangelove
10. Barry Lyndon

Robert MacFarlane said...

I honestly need to think about what my top 10 would be. I feel like ones that I would have had a year or two ago wouldn't make it now. I'll get back to you on that.

Calvin Law said...

Matt: Kinda. But Brett Easton Ellis is a much better writer than Chuck P.... dunno how to spell his name. Less than Zero is a masterpiece.

Luke: Dr Strangelove would be an honourable mention for me :) I really like all the films on your list (and love Clockwork Orange, Strangelove, In Bruges) except Apocalypse Now and Barry Lyndon. I think Apocalypse Now has moments of greatness but in my opinion it never quite maintains the peak of Duvall's amazing performance. I like Lyndon and actually don't mind O'Neal that much, but I just don't love it.

Calvin Law said...

Robert: No worries. I expect Jesse James will be making an appearance, no? :)

Calvin Law said...

Luke: Oddly Duvall is in my top 10 supporting of all-time.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I do understand your misgivings on Apocalypse Now. I have Barry Lyndon at number 10, simply because I absolutely adore it from a technical aspect and the period itself is probably my favourite. O'Neal's fine, I guess, but as Louis said, Terence Stamp would've been perfect as Redmond Barry Lyndon.

Calvin Law said...

Stamp would've been perfect.

Michael McCarthy said...

I might get back to you later on my top 10 films. I will say In Bruges is my number 1.

Luke Higham said...

Michael: You're An Inanimate Fucking Object. :)

Robert MacFarlane said...

The point of Barry Lyndon was that Redmond Barry was a blank slate. Yes, O'Neal was not a charismatic actor, but Barry was not a charismatic character. The film is deliberately a portrait of a boring man living an interesting life.

Calvin Law said...

Ah so in a sense...Barry Lyndon was meant to be an inanimate fucking object, as Harry would put it :)

Robert MacFarlane said...

In a way, yes. I have a suspicion that Kubrick may have reframed the film that way once he was stuck with O'Neal by studio demand. He made lemonade, to put it simply.

Anonymous said...

Overall top films is always hard, but le'ts go:

1. Il Gattopardo, Luchino Visconti
2. L'Année Dernière à Marienbad, Alain Resnais
3. Vertigo, Alfred Hitchcock
4. The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola
5. Stalker, Andrei Tarkovsky
6. One, Two, Three, Billy Wilder
7. Koroshi no Rakuin (Branded to Kill), Seijun Suzuki
8. La Ronde, Max Ophüls
9. Viskningar och rop (Cries and Whispers), Ingmar Bergman (if I had to choose one cinematography as the best I've ever seen, it's this one)
10. Jôi-uchi: Hairyô tsuma shimatsu (Samurai Rebelion), Masaki Kobayashi

Honorable Mentions:
11. Suna No Onna (Woman in The Dunes), Hiroshi Teshigahara
12. Mistérios de Lisboa (Mysterios of Lysbon), Raoul Ruiz
13. The Haunting, Robert Wise
14. Vargtimmen (I don't know the title there in USA), Ingmar Bergman
15. Notorious, Alfred Hitchcock

Michael McCarthy said...

Luke: I'm sorry I called you an inanimate object...I was upset.

1. In Bruges
2. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
3. The Lion King
4. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
5. Rashomon
6. The Dark Knight
7. The Godfather
8. The Godfather Part II
9. It Happened One Night
10. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

My 11 and 12 would probably be Raging Bull and Annie Hall, even though I know a lot of people on this blog think those are both overrated films. Other honorable mentions are The Silence of the Lambs, All About Eve, Psycho, Seven Psychopaths, about two thirds of Akira Kurosawa's filmography, and my semi-guilty pleasure, The Breakfast Club.

Louis Morgan said...

On a side note did anyone else see the official Emmy Ballot? They pretty much covered all bases for the ladies, but for the men no Allen, no Pryce and worst of all no Dillane.

Matt:

Gyllenhaal - 4(I've noticed this performance is often looked at with disdain, I don't know what else Gyllenhaal had to really do though. He's good in his early scenes in just presenting basically an average guy representing the public's fear. Then I rather liked how he brought a boy scout like enthusiasm to the case, but slowly degraded that into an unhealthy obsession)

Ruffalo - 4.5(I have to say Ruffalo seems to be best whenever he gives a mannered performance. Like Foxcatcher, he gives a kinda unique sort of mannered performance in his creation of Toschi's unique mannerisms and manner of speaking. Ruffalo makes it feel effortless but it adds a lot to his work. It also never distracts from Ruffalo's depiction of Toschi's personal difficulty in dealing with the unsolvable case. Ruffalo is interesting in the way he presents the way Toschi seems to become haunted by his inability to crack the case)

Downey Jr. - 4.5(This technically is in his wheelhouse since he's playing a sardonic fast talking reporter. It works really well for the part but Downey does not at all coast with his work. Within his callousness Downey brings a certain desperation as he effectively conveys Avery's personal demons that makes as though he slowly seems to be decaying)

Edwards - 4(Really like his performance actually even though he's given less time than Ruffalo he also portrays well his character's investigative methods, but also the way he also seems to slowly become a of victim of a different sort by the Zodiac)

Cox - 3.5(Cox is quite enjoyable as he brings just the right flamboyant touch to a larger than life lawyer, who oddly seems to relish in the idea of representing a killer. At the same time though Cox does still bring a certain depth in the moments where the horror of the "Zodiac" presents itself in their conversation)

Koteas - 3.5(His role is mostly just reaction shots and some exposition but he adds quite a lot with just a little. I particularly like him in his scene with Lynch)

Hall & Logue - 3(Like Koteas but given even less. Both are good though)

Simpson - 4(A terrific very short one scene wonder. Simpson though is marvelous in the moment where he identifies the killer and he silently reflects the way the memories of that horrible event seem to flow back into him. It's beautifully rendered moment thanks to Simpson.)

Fleischer - 4.5(Fleischer is brilliant as he goes from being just somewhat kindly and unassuming to being absolutely creepy man without really changing much of anything. He help to ensure that the basement scene be as terrifying as it is. Who knew Roger Rabbit could be so scary?)

Wenham - 3(Relatively simple but I thought he certainly served the purpose of being cruelly pompous. Then I rather liked his reaction when seeing the inside of the jail)

Fiennes - (I remember he was fine, kinda distracting though)

Luke:

Well I must admit I hesitated to even include the rankings the last official Oscar reviews, and I only really did them as a force of habit. I probably should just discontinue the list since I'm never quite satisfied by it.

Bonus rounds.

Anonymous:

1. Zodiac
2. Seven
3. The Social Network
4. Alien 3
5. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
6. Gone Girl
7. The Game
8. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
9. Fight Club

Performances:

1. Sigourney Weaver - Alien 3
2. John Carroll Lynch - Zodiac
3. Paul McGann - Alien 3
4. Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network
5. Charles Dance - Alien 3
6. Michael Douglas - The Game
7. Charles Fleischer - Zodiac
8. Charles S. Dutton - Alien 3
9. Mark Ruffalo - Zodiac
10. Robert Downey Jr. - Zodiac

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Well that's very good news, I'm just sick of the sight of those inconsistencies within the rankings.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Would you consider starting the Bonus Rounds off with the Pre-28 Lineup.

Louis Morgan said...

I could although it would mean Mads Mikkelsen will have to wait longer.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Was Mark Rylance on the ballot for Wolf Hall. If not, then fuck 'em.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Okay then, start with 2012 first, then pre-'28, which is fine by me, since I'm so looking forward to your reviews of his performances in The Hunt and A Royal Affair.

Calvin Law said...

Glad to see you noticed how good Simpson and Fleischer were in their brief scenes.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Yeah, I'm glad you liked Fleischer too. The film had quite a few wonderful cameos.

Calvin Law said...

Louis or Luke or Robert: Who are likely candidates for 2012 alternate, Mads aside?

Calvin Law said...

If you're not feeling very adventurous Tom Courtenay and Terrence Stamp are great in Quartet and Song for Marion respectively.

Sacha Baron Cohen for The Dictator if you're feeling up for something very...unique. It didn't work for me but it might for you.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I'm going to put Clarke Peters on the table again for Red Hook Summer, though I must warn you the film itself is kind of awful outside of him.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Apart From Mikkelsen's Double Bill
Toby Jones in Berberian Sound Studio (He deserves a review)
Tom Courtnenay in Quartet
Charlie Creed-Miles in Wild Bill
Or
Terence Stamp in A Song For Marion

Luke Higham said...

*Song For Marion

Louis Morgan said...

Luke: He was, as was Pryce for that show, although that does not explain his absence for Thrones.

Matt Mustin said...

I'd like to see Toby Jones reviewed for *something* at some point.

Calvin Law said...

Oh yeah, Wild Bill, now that's a great performance that's been unfortunately forgotten.

Yeah review Jones Louis, looks very very interesting.

Robert: Looked Clarke Peters up I remember him now, he was that fucking terrifying pimp in Mona Lisa haha.

Calvin Law said...

If you're going to have to choose between Courtenay, Stamp and Creed-Miles, Louis, I'll just give you the lowdown: Stamp's is by far the most understated and emotional, Courtenay's is the most heartfelt and amusing, Creed-Miles is just a badass haha

Luke Higham said...

Louis & Calvin: For the last two slots, I'd go with Courtenay & Stamp.

Rylance better win the Emmy, SAG, Bafta and the Golden Globe, His performance is just extraordinary and he fucking deserves it.

Calvin Law said...

It would be great as well if Rylance gives an Oscar nomination worthy performance in Bridge of Spies too, talk about a landmark year.

Matt Mustin said...

From my understanding Mark Rylance is essentially the Daniel Day-Lewis of theater. Good to see he's doing more on-camera stuff now.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: It's pretty likely that he's gonna steal the movie from Hanks and Magnussen (Who's currently higher on most Nominee predictions at the moment).

Michael McCarthy said...

I have an acquaintance who saw him on stage in Richard III, and said it was the single greatest performance he'd ever seen.

Calvin Law said...

I saw him onstage in Jerusalem; oh did those feet in ancient time...he was magnificent.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Whenever you get to 2012 again, don't forget to watch Marion Cotillard's performance in Rust And Bone.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: Would you consider Schoenaerts to be worthy of a review, I thought he was amazing, not better than Cotillard but complimenting her perfectly with their distinctive styles.

'Rust and Bone': The only film I can stand Katy Perry in :)

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Maybe, although it depends on his placement. Would you consider him Lead Or Supporting.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I haven't seen the film in two years so my memory's a bit muddled.

Michael McCarthy said...

Schoenarts is lead in Rust and Bone.

Calvin Law said...

I would consider him lead, and Cotillard you could make a (weak) argument for supporting.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin:
Okay Then
Mikkelsen/The Hunt & A Royal Affair (He could review both performances at once and save an extra slot for someone else)
Jones/Berberian Sound Studio
Courtenay/Quartet
Stamp/Song For Marion
Schoenaerts/Rust And Bone

For Supporting.
The only performance that I can think of at the moment is Mikkel Folsgaard in A Royal Affair.

Luke Higham said...

Other Female Performances for 2012 include Alicia Vikander in A Royal Affair and Anna Karenina, same with Keira Knightly and Ann Dowd & Dreama Walker in Compliance. I would also include Rachel Weisz in The Deep Blue Sea, but she is 2011 by Louis's rules.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Sicario Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR0SDT2GeFg

Calvin Law said...

Luke: Hm. Not really much I can take away from it. Blunt looks very promising as do Del Toro and Brolin, but I wasn't overawed, so to speak.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Same. Out of the three, I'm looking forward to Del Toro's performance the most, which got the most positive feedback from Cannes.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: What are your top ten scenes/moments from Game Of Thrones so far and I would wholeheartedly recommend you watching Wolf Hall at some point, It's a show that would interest you a great deal.

Anonymous said...

Louis what are your thoughts on these films?

Mississippi Burning
Black Sunday
The Wages of Fear
Sons and Lovers
The Time Machine
America America
The In-Laws

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

1. The Hound's trial
2. The Mountain vs. The Viper
3. Hardhome
4. Jaime's Confession
5. Tyrion's Trial
6. Baelor's Ending
7. The Hound's Final Scene
8. The Battle For Castle Black
9. The Red Wedding
10. Battle of Blackwater

Anonymous:

Mississippi Burning - (It works best as more simply as a procedural about the two very different FBI agents working together to solve the case. Although it's scenes of depicting the violence are quite viscerally effective I don't feel as it weaves an exact message as well as the way the film seems to by Willem Dafoe's final speech which feels a bit unneeded in the scheme of the film. It's kinda Edward Zwick film not made by Edward Zwick as it kinda slams two different styles together. Still it's a good film although boy is that one bombastic score)

Black Sunday - (Kinda of a weird thriller with the very devoted and dramatic leading performances of Robert Shaw and Bruce Dern suggesting a different kinda movie entirely. When you break it right down though it is an action thriller and certainly handles those elements quite well. The final sequence in particular builds the tension incredibly well.)

The Wages of Fear - (Perhaps takes a bit to get going in terms of setting up the situation, although I think it does this better than its remake. Once the action begins though its one of the most taut thrillers ever made with just about every sequence being a nail biter, while still holding on to its charter quite well as it creates the only type of men who would probably go on such a deadly mission)

Sons and Lovers - (I thought the whole thing was just fine enough, but only fine enough. I never felt it made the emotional conflict and connections palatable enough to be truly remarkable film of its sort. It's not bad, but it does feel like it could have been more)

The Time Machine - (I'll assume the original. It's really just a fun movie. There is not anything too notable about, but it's quite enjoyable)

America America - (Hindered by a fairly uninteresting lead performance, and as these sort of immigrant stories go I did not feel this one was especially effective in creating the dream or the desperation involved with this sort of story)

The In-laws - (In terms of the plot I don't think it is anything remarkable, especially when its big payoff involving a crazed dictator is hindered by a performance that just isn't that funny. Why I like the film though is simply because of the interactions between Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. The two make for a great comedic pair, and it's fun just watching them do really anything)