tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post6592706360446226004..comments2024-03-28T16:52:10.619-04:00Comments on Radiator Heaven: Midnight RunJ.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11823190634186509982noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-29167760800134985202013-07-20T19:15:48.297-04:002013-07-20T19:15:48.297-04:00Heh. I hear ya. I love watching this film. And if ...Heh. I hear ya. I love watching this film. And if i catch it on TV I end up watching it all the way through to the end. It never gets old.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-6773801986855411532012-07-01T07:54:00.280-04:002012-07-01T07:54:00.280-04:00Thank YOU, i actually dusted off the DVD copy i ow...Thank YOU, i actually dusted off the DVD copy i own and watched it (again)last night. It's still as great as i remember (from a couple of months ago when i last watched it lol)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-60420662982883488402012-06-30T22:48:11.937-04:002012-06-30T22:48:11.937-04:00Tuco Borborygmus:
Hey, don't be ashamed to ha...Tuco Borborygmus:<br /><br />Hey, don't be ashamed to have seen this film in the theater a couple of times. This is a great film and one I still enjoy pulling out and watching every so often. Thanks for stopping by!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-88118731204193711692012-06-30T06:10:13.052-04:002012-06-30T06:10:13.052-04:00One of my favourite ever films. Its a real sad tha...One of my favourite ever films. Its a real sad thang to admit but i actually went to the cinema by myself not once but twice to see this back in 1988. Too many classic lines from all of the cast to mention just one or two..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-5945837181185135932010-08-23T11:23:24.584-04:002010-08-23T11:23:24.584-04:00Stacia:
Yeah, this film also made me really dig G...Stacia:<br /><br />Yeah, this film also made me really dig Grodin as well. He is just so funny in this film. He really nails every scene and I always laugh when he and De Niro go into that bar in the middle of nowhere and impersonate FBI agents.<br /><br />I haven't read Grodin's book but I did hear about how he almost died doing the rapids scene. Also, he has said that he still has the scars on his wrists from how tight the handcuffs were on him! Talk about sacrificing for your art!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-87665518997511792962010-08-22T08:29:44.278-04:002010-08-22T08:29:44.278-04:00Love this movie, absolutely love it. It's the ...Love this movie, absolutely love it. It's the movie that made me really like Charles Grodin, although I think my childhood memories of him romancing Miss Piggy probably helped.<br /><br />In Grodin's book <i>It Would Be So Nice If You Weren't Here</i>, he recounts how he almost died doing a scene in rough rapids in Arizona, which made De Niro decide it was too dangerous, so HIS big river scenes were shot in New Zealand where it was warmer and safer.Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05250238254417726987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-35432578926134641472010-08-20T09:30:06.408-04:002010-08-20T09:30:06.408-04:00John said:
You are correct... there was an authen...John said:<br /><br />You are correct... there was an authenticity of the friendship that formed between the two main characters over the course of the film. I also like how you get a real sense by the end of the film that they (and you) and actually been through something together.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-54352327800322867232010-08-20T05:53:48.270-04:002010-08-20T05:53:48.270-04:00I always thought this film managed to bring two op...I always thought this film managed to bring two opposite characters together who formed a realistic sense of a relationship. Great script and a superb supporting cast. The film was surely underrated when first released.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808503055317962289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-45076135587849414232010-08-18T09:43:23.403-04:002010-08-18T09:43:23.403-04:00The Film Connoisseur:
Yeah, it has been awhile si...The Film Connoisseur:<br /><br />Yeah, it has been awhile since I've seen THE LAST BOY SCOUT myself. But you're right, there is a lot of hatred and selfishness on that film. Good observation!<br /><br /><br />Bev:<br /><br />Thanks! De Niro and comedy... yeah, a lot of people forget that at the time he did MIDNIGHT RUN he was not known for his comedic chops and this was seen as casting against type but man, did he ever do a good job!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-88529813633104917642010-08-17T17:31:37.464-04:002010-08-17T17:31:37.464-04:00This is still one of the funniest movies ever. De ...This is still one of the funniest movies ever. De Niro and comedy, who knew they went together! Good Stuff J.D.Bevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09307023632234305929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-66973711814228186342010-08-16T13:17:58.727-04:002010-08-16T13:17:58.727-04:00Totally agree on the bleakness of The Last Boyscou...Totally agree on the bleakness of The Last Boyscout, it seems like in that movie every character is flawed. There is a lot of hatred and selfishness on that film. I need to give that one a re-watch, havent seen it in ages!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-75085857021216565482010-08-16T11:16:00.465-04:002010-08-16T11:16:00.465-04:00John Kenneth Muir:
Thanks for the kidn words, my ...John Kenneth Muir:<br /><br />Thanks for the kidn words, my friend! That's quite an interesting story abour your college roommate.<br /><br />I know how you feel about it in relation to DIE HARD. While it certainly set the standard for action films to come, MIDNIGHT RUN does that for the buddy action film. As you say, apples and oranges.<br /><br /> <br />Anonymous:<br /><br />Whoops! Thanks for the catching that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-5904758221230603552010-08-16T02:18:52.458-04:002010-08-16T02:18:52.458-04:00Leathal Weapon came out in 1987, before Midnight R...Leathal Weapon came out in 1987, before Midnight Run. Just Saying.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-15148359089624595982010-08-13T15:39:02.262-04:002010-08-13T15:39:02.262-04:00J.D.: This is another one of your great retrospect...J.D.: This is another one of your great retrospectives. And again, it's a film I've long admired. My college roommate was obsessed with Midnight Run, and always saw himself as the Charles Grodin character, as I recall. <br /><br />I remember seeing this around the same time as Die Hard, I think, and debating with other friends about which film was the superior "model" for the future of the action film. It was likely Die Hard, given where the genre went next (Under Siege, Passenger 57, Speed, etc.), but Midnight Run is still pretty damn funny, and the characters are engaging. Apples and oranges, I guess, but it's funny what kind of memories of a time and place a movie can bring up, even years (decades...) after.<br /><br />I really enjoyed reading this, and now I'm going to have to see this one again...<br /><br />Thanks,<br />John K. MuirJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-28723770892298931372010-08-13T15:30:32.765-04:002010-08-13T15:30:32.765-04:00The Film Connoisseur:
Ah, glad to see you're ...The Film Connoisseur:<br /><br />Ah, glad to see you're a fan of THE LAST BOY SCOUT also. I've been meaning to a write-up on that one. It is so unabashed crude, funny and hyper-violent and unapologetically politically incorrect. I can't see a studio green-lighting a film like that today.<br /><br />You write:<br /><br />"Now we get action comedies that feed on old action comedies from the 80s like Kevin Smith's Cop Out, theres something about these latest batch of action comedies that feels stale and uninspired."<br /><br />How true that is! COP OUT is definitely a low point and THE OTHER GUYS, which looks funny as hell, is really just trotting out the usual cliches and conventions and then just making fun of them.<br /><br />You write:<br /><br />"We need a director who takes these movies seriously again, even if they are comedies! Thats they key, a crew that takes making a comedy seriously!"<br /><br />I think that European filmmakers are breathing new or at least more interesting life into the action film... esp. Luc Besson's team of filmmakers with films like DISTRICT B13 and even TAKEN which no frills, no-nonsense action films that dispense with flimsy premises and characterization in favor of fantastically choreographed, kinetic action set pieces. They give me some hope.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-66515212529893683692010-08-13T15:26:05.317-04:002010-08-13T15:26:05.317-04:00As always, thanks for stopping by and leaving some...As always, thanks for stopping by and leaving some awesome comments!<br /><br /><br />Sean Gill:<br /><br />Get thee to a Netflix, pronto! You will dig this one, guaranteed! Esp. with your love of '80s buddy cop films. This one just fires on all cylinders. And Kotto is an absolute gem in this one, so good!<br /><br />I have not seen any of the sequels but I've heard that they are atrocious. Thank god, no one has tried to package 'em all into a boxed set.<br /><br /><br />The Sci-Fi Fanatic:<br /><br />You cite a great example from the film with De Niro on the phone threatening to kill Grodin's character but no really. It is little moments like this, that are sprinkled throughout the film, that make it so good and why it holds up to repeatedly viewings. There is sheer joy in watching all these actors sink their collective teeth into such rich, well-written material. It happens so rarely that they must've been starving for it.<br /><br />The pairing up of Grodin and De Niro was inspired and God bless Brest for sticking to his guns and demanding that Grodin be cast in the film. I'm sure that if he didn't have the clout from his success with BEVERLY HILLS COP he probably would've lost that battle.<br /><br />Thank you for the kind words and your always thoughtful comments, my friend!<br /><br /><br />Will:<br /><br />I was never a fan of the BAD BOYS films but I know they do have their fans. I think it's 'cos Martin Lawrence gets on my nerves. But you're right, the first film certainly revitalized the genre... didn't it pave the way for the awful RUSH HOUR films? I forget...<br /><br />Anyways, I hope you check out MIDNIGHT RUN. I'd be curious to know what you think of it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-61471670388387871572010-08-13T15:18:49.292-04:002010-08-13T15:18:49.292-04:00Havent seen this one in a while! I do remember it ...Havent seen this one in a while! I do remember it being one of the better action comedies out there! <br /><br />Good call on mentioning The Last Boy Scout by the way, I think that one is a bit underrated, though I agree with you, it was one of the last good ones. <br /><br />Now we get action comedies that feed on old action comedies from the 80s like Kevin Smith's Cop Out, theres something about these latest batch of action comedies that feels stale and uninspired. They are simply doing everything all over again, but without the passion or desire to make something different or noteworthy. <br /><br />We need a director who takes these movies seriously again, even if they are comedies! Thats they key, a crew that takes making a comedy seriously!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-56135783458792061572010-08-13T14:58:25.824-04:002010-08-13T14:58:25.824-04:00I know I'm going to get murdered for this but ...I know I'm going to get murdered for this but I thought Bad Boys was a decent buddy action/cop flick that, very briefly, made the genre acceptable again (granted it was the 90s and there was 165 BAD buddy cop films before that). . .but, yes, for the most part Midnight Run is the LAST of the great buddy action films.<br /><br />I've only seen portions of Midnight Run but thanks to you, J.D., I'm going to hit up the video store tonight and rent. You'll make me a eclectic, unbiased movie viewer eventually!Willhttp://secureimmaturity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-53377577293378870732010-08-13T14:02:32.014-04:002010-08-13T14:02:32.014-04:00JD.
An absolute favorite from that year. Midnigh...JD.<br /><br />An absolute favorite from that year. Midnight Run has the right mix of drama, action and comedy with a terrific cast. It has plenty of "edge" as you said.<br /><br />I'll never forget DeNiro threatening on the phone how he's going to kill Grodin and Grodin looks at him. He turns to Grodin while on the phone shaking his head to him that he's not going to kill him. DeNiro wasn't that kind of guy and Grodin was starting to get under his skin [in a good way]. Great film. Made me just roll with laughter. <br /><br />Was the casting of Grodin and DeNiro not perfection? I don't know much about Grodin, but he was classic in this film. Their improvisational relationship is the highlight of the film. It's so refreshing to watch over and over. Thank you for all of the wonderful insght into the greenlighting of the film as it exists. Fascinating.<br /><br />Also, your point about the director allowing for character development is a good one. Grodin and DeNiro are so charismatic and enjoyable to watch when the camera just sits on them. The film could fail with lesser talent.<br /><br />And your right, all of the secondary characters have a chance to shine and be multi-dimensional even for their brief time in the spotlight.<br /><br />Roger Ebert had it essentially right. The snappy dialogue and energy in this film is a rare treat. You don't see films like this often. It's not canned. This is original stuff for a genre pic. Quite frankly, it's a minor classic. I love it. I'm pleased you looked at this one.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-48979324036674734342010-08-13T12:00:45.655-04:002010-08-13T12:00:45.655-04:00I've long been meaning to check this one out, ...I've long been meaning to check this one out, and given my predilection for 80's buddy cop movies, I'm not sure how it slipped through the cracks for so long. Plus, I'm a sucker for anything with Yaphet Kotto.<br /><br />I see they made three TV movie sequels: ANOTHER MIDNIGHT RUN, MIDNIGHT RUNAROUND, and MIDNIGHT RUN FOR YOUR LIFE where Christopher McDonald steps into De Niro's shoes, and I'm willing to bet that they're pretty mediocre.Sean Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00537515557596273876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-30851865946007897752010-08-12T10:05:16.658-04:002010-08-12T10:05:16.658-04:00Oh, what a fantastic choice to review (and celebra...Oh, what a fantastic choice to review (and celebrate) the buddy-action films of the 80's, J.D.! I absolutely LOVE this picture, and for the reasons you cover in this fine post, my friend. Every so often, they show this at revival theatres here in L.A. If I can, I try and make every one of them to see it as I did when it first came out. The story, cast, and direction of the movie are great from beginning to end. I really appreciate you spotlighting Dennis Farina, especially in that threatening scene that grabs the audience. I think it's time for another showing of this one (and introduce it to my teen son). Thanks very much for this, J.D.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.com