Ace of Spades HQ

July 22, 2013

"Die Hard" and "Midnight Run" Turn 25
— Ace

A lot of critics will now praise Die Hard, as the film's critical reputation has grown over time to match what audiences knew from the start.

But don't believe critics on this point -- I remember reading critics knocking Die Hard as merely so-so, and knocking all the things you'd expect them to brainlessly knock (it's loud, it's shooty and splodey, Bruce Willis smirks, etc.)

Here's a specific memory I have -- Die Hard and Midnight Run came out not just in the same year but within days of each other. Die Hard came out July 15, 1988, and Midnight Run came out July 20, 1988, making mid-late July 1988 the greatest five day period in the history of big-budget action-comedy.

Anyway, I remember a reviewer reviewing the both in the same column, praising Midnight Run as a good spin on both the action movie and road trip movie genres, but knocking Die Hard as Just Another Big Explosive Actioner.

Absurd. I couldn't say which if these movies is better if you put a gun to my head, but to knock either one of them is to announce yourself as a tasteless idiot who doesn't judge the movies he sees, but only the genre. Midnight Run was acceptable, by this criterion, as it wasn't wholly an action movie, but was partly of a genre critics were permitted to like (the road movie); Die Hard must be inferior dreck, though, because action movies must be inferior dreck.

Point is, almost every critic is an idiot, and if they're now praising Die Hard, well, they didn't when it counted, when it opened. Yeah, now that they understand that the weight of opinion is decidedly against them they can rewrite their reviews to comport with Other People's Opinions; but aren't they selling their own opinions? If it takes them ten years of reflection to understand that Die Hard was an amazing piece of craft, what the hell are they even in the movie criticism business at all for?

At any rate, PJ media has a write-up noting that Die Hard just turned 25 last week. They've got a bit of trivia (it was based on a novel; did you know that? I've seen the movie 600 times and I don't remember a mention of a novel in the credits).

They don't seem to have remembered, then, that Midnight Run just turned 25 two days ago. Hopefully they'll rectify that.

Some sad news on the Midnight Run front: Former real-life cop turned scene-stealing actor Dennis Farina has died at age 69.

The mustachioed Farina was accustomed to playing characters on either side of the law, such Lt. Mike Torello on TV's Crime Story as well as mobsters like Jimmy Serrano in 1998's Midnight Run and Albert Lombard on Miami Vice. He had a fruitful partnership with that show's creator, Michael Mann, having also starred in his films Thief and Manhunter.

Sidney, get a sandwich, get a creme soda, do some f*ckin' thing or I'll stick this pencil through your heart.

Below, the original trailers and the films' signature themes.

Hives of Scum and Villainy: Both films underline the fact that an action movie is only as good as its villain, and both Die Hard and Midnight Run had great ones.

Die Hard might get the edge as its villain was new-ish -- a lot of people think Hans Gruber was completely original, but he wasn't completely original. We'd seen the sauve, educated European super-criminal before, but always in James Bond movies; we'd never seen this character up against a blue collar guy and outside the fantasy context of the James Bond universe. And Rickman stole the movie, of course.

His first movie!, PJ Media notes. Bit of trivia: Rickman's "Bill Clay" meeting with McClane was added late, during filming. Rickman was cracking the set up with his parody of an American accent, and they decided to write a short scene where he could deploy it.

What was definitely new about Rickman's Gruber was that he was hilarious and likable. All movies made after this point would have funny, likable villains, often to the point, as in Die Hard 3, where you really didn't want the hero to beat the villain; you sort of wanted them to settle their differences amicably, and part as friends.

Farina played a more conventional villain, the mobster, and also with an enormous amount of comedy. Farina managed something extremely difficult: He had people crying with laughter during his various "bury this phone in your head" outbursts, but turned on a dime, when needed, to deliver a chilling threat to the Duke ("And then I'll kill your wife").

I imagine it must be difficult to switch gears that hard and yet still have the audience believe both, from the height of hilarity to the depths of sociopathic evil, but Farina managed.

Oh, I replaced the Midnight Run end theme with a suite of themes from the film, most importantly opening with the caterwauling guitar that opens the film and perfectly introduces down-on-his-luck bounty hunter Jack Walsh (I mean John Wesley Walsh).

Posted by: Ace at 03:29 PM | Comments (283)
Post contains 865 words, total size 6 kb.

1 Midnight Run is Farina's best film, IMO. Snatch is a close second.

"I swear to God, I'll bury this phone in your head, Sidney!" - Jimmy Serrano

"Sit down and shut up, you big, bald fuck!" - Uncle Avi

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 03:32 PM (kFnmp)

2 Also worth noting, 1986's Crime Story on NBC, directed by one Michael Mann.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 03:32 PM (kFnmp)

I can wait for the next sequel.

Posted by: rd at July 22, 2013 03:33 PM (D+lxs)

4 My lieutenant has never seen the original Die Hard. We berate him mercilessly for that.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 03:34 PM (kFnmp)

5 Discovered Crime Story on Hulu over the winter. It's pretty good. RIP Dennis Farina.

Posted by: D. Hopper at July 22, 2013 03:36 PM (UsR5V)

6 Ho ho ho.... Now I have a machine gun.

Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 03:37 PM (doBIb)

7 Great, remind us of Hollywood when it actually made something worth watching. Why don't you poison us when you get the chance?

Posted by: Dr Spank at July 22, 2013 03:37 PM (v1mq9)

8 Train conductor: "His real name is Mosely."

Yaphet Kotto: "I'M MOSELY!!!"

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 03:37 PM (kFnmp)

9 Remove this post , it makes me feel old .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at July 22, 2013 03:38 PM (0iJzo)

10 My wifey recently bought the huge Die Hard package Amazon had on sale with all the movies for like 8 bucks apiece. I have watched the first two while knocking back bourbon and don't remember watching either one.

Love Die Hard - 1 though. Haven't watched the other three yet (and remembered it)

Never did like Midnight Run.

Posted by: Vic at July 22, 2013 03:38 PM (lZvxr)

11 Never did like Midnight Run.

BLASPHEMY!!! Even Grodin was great, and I usually hate him.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 03:38 PM (kFnmp)

12 I remember the Miami Vice episode. Farina played a mobster with a hit out on him. That was the first episode of that show that I saw, and I was hooked after that. Yes, even with the execrable Philip Michael Thomas as part of the cast. The opening drums were the 80s.

Posted by: pep at July 22, 2013 03:39 PM (6TB1Z)

13 Thoughts from a youngin' here: I only saw Die Hard about 3 years ago. I was blown away that an action movie from so long ago could be so fun and engrossing. I usually hate old action movies. Everything just worked. One of my favorite action movies!

Posted by: HoboJerky, Hash Hunter at July 22, 2013 03:39 PM (X4HxX)

14 Is the Die Hard Book any good?

Posted by: Patrick of Ohio at July 22, 2013 03:40 PM (b6koZ)

15 Waaiiit, just watched the trailer for that Midnight Run. That is not the movie I was thinking about. I haven't seen that movie. I'll have to get a copy.

Posted by: Vic at July 22, 2013 03:40 PM (lZvxr)

16 I saw Midnight Run once, can't remember anything about. Die Hard on the other hand, I think I could recite half the dialogue.

Posted by: lowandslow at July 22, 2013 03:40 PM (Fz2C7)

17 Farina obit material linked in my sock.

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at July 22, 2013 03:41 PM (BQ10H)

18 15 Waaiiit, just watched the trailer for that Midnight Run. That is not the movie I was thinking about. I haven't seen that movie. I'll have to get a copy.

Damn skippy!

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 03:41 PM (kFnmp)

19 Schiessen die fenster.

Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 03:42 PM (doBIb)

20 "Is the Die Hard Book any good?"

Good luck finding a copy.

Posted by: lowandslow at July 22, 2013 03:42 PM (Fz2C7)

21 What was the name of the movie about the kid who was locked up for drugs in a Turkish prison? That is the one I was thinking about.

Posted by: Vic at July 22, 2013 03:43 PM (lZvxr)

22 If these two movies are comparable, how come we don't have "Midnight Run 4: Night Run With a Vengeance"?

Posted by: wooga at July 22, 2013 03:43 PM (+V3pY)

23 The Die Hard novel is on Kindle for $5.99.

>>>Schiessen die fenster.

This line always bothers me. He says Schiessen den fenster to a german speaking goon (Klaus, I think), who doesn't understand it, then he translates "Shoot the glass," and then he DOES understand.

Does he not get his first language?

Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 03:44 PM (/IWYB)

24 What was the name of the movie about the kid who was locked up for drugs in a Turkish prison?

Midnight Express

Posted by: pep at July 22, 2013 03:45 PM (6TB1Z)

25 21 What was the name of the movie about the kid who was locked up for drugs in a Turkish prison? That is the one I was thinking about. Posted by: Vic at July 22, 2013 07:43 PM (lZvxr)

Do you like movies about gladiators?

Posted by: wooga at July 22, 2013 03:45 PM (+V3pY)

26 >>>If these two movies are comparable, how come we don't have "Midnight Run 4: Night Run With a Vengeance"?

they actually DID do a Midnight Run sequel on TV, with different actors.

Never saw it. I know it exists. I think Jeff Fahey plays the DeNiro part.

Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 03:45 PM (/IWYB)

When Animal House first appeared on the big screen it was panned by the critics... same w/Caddy Shack.... now considered classics.... Casablance was another one.... so was Lincoln's Gettysburg address.....

"Come out to the coast. We'll get together. Have a few laughs."

Brilliant. Simple. And we ate it up.

God bless the American public. We see the best and the elites see only themselves in the mirror.

Gawd they're ugly.

Posted by: John at July 22, 2013 03:45 PM (lxHU3)

28 Does he not get his first language? I take it as he was just confused why he told him to shoot the glass instead of, you know, him.

Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 03:46 PM (doBIb)

29 What was the name of the movie about the kid who was locked up for drugs in a Turkish prison? That is the one I was thinking about

Midnight Express

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at July 22, 2013 03:46 PM (8ZskC)

30 Southwest plane went bumpity bump bump at Laguardia.

Posted by: Tami[/i][/b][/u][/s] at July 22, 2013 03:46 PM (X6akg)

31 After a little bit of Bing found it. It was Midnight Express, that is why I was confused.

Posted by: Vic at July 22, 2013 03:46 PM (lZvxr)

32 I didn't know for years that the John McClane character and Joe Leland played by Sinatra in The Detective are the same character.

Posted by: lowandslow at July 22, 2013 03:46 PM (Fz2C7)

33 "Die Hard" is good. Really good.

But my heart belongs to "Midnight Run."

If I'm flipping around cable and stumble over "Die Hard," I might watch, at least for a few minutes. If "Midnight Run" pops up, though, I'm watching it till the end.

First rate film. Just outstanding on all measures. Hell, it even makes me cry at points. De Niro has never been better, and Grodin is outstanding. Think about that. Outstanding. Not insufferable, but outstanding. Charles freaking Grodin.

Every little piece of Midnight Run hums. There are no throwaway characters. Even the lowliest goons have full personalities and moments when they get to shine.

The train conductor. The little buy who assesses the quality of DeNiro's fake ID. DeNiro's wife.

Just an amazing film.

Posted by: Kensington at July 22, 2013 03:46 PM (Yy2ZT)

34 Midnight Express

Great tag team in 80's wrestling, too.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 03:47 PM (kFnmp)

35 14 Is the Die Hard Book any good? Posted by: Patrick of Ohio at July 22, 2013 07:40 PM (b6koZ) I think it's only very loosely based. I remember when Amc had a pop up feature of die hard and it got mentioned. The other thing is that the previous book in the series was also made into a movie. The part of the character that became John mcclane in die hard was played by frank Sinatra.

Posted by: Buzzion at July 22, 2013 03:47 PM (4AIZy)

36 I loved Crime Story with Farina and Ted Levine , gotta find a copy.

Posted by: mbruce at July 22, 2013 03:47 PM (entLs)

37 I have so many favorite parts of Midnight Run, but among them is Grodin's "Great, another crime" and "I don't like anything about you" and also DeNiro telling Jerry "I'll hit him over the head and bury him in a ditch!" and then shaking his head to Grodin, to say "I'm just kidding, I won't do that." It's just so funny how he does that.

Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 03:47 PM (/IWYB)

38 1994 was a good year for action and action/comedies.

Posted by: Dr Spank at July 22, 2013 03:47 PM (v1mq9)

Luv the SRV boogie on the Midnight Run trailer.

We're coming up on the anniversary of his passing on 8-27-90.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit. at July 22, 2013 03:48 PM (0HooB)

40 DeNiro reminded me of my dad in MR, in both looks and sarcasm. My dad was a plain clothes cop in Philly and DeNiro's look, down to the chain smoking, was my dad to a T. I haven't read the Die Hard book. It is out of print. The character of Jon Maclean in the book (different name) was previously played by Sinatra in a movie whose name escapes me.

Posted by: elliot at July 22, 2013 03:48 PM (aG9Vk)

41 OK lots of responses, I should have waited.

As for the comments on the "critics", I usually go with the opposite of the professional critics. If they say good movie I know it will be shitty and vice versa.

Posted by: Vic at July 22, 2013 03:49 PM (lZvxr)

42 We're coming up on the anniversary of his passing on 8-27-90. Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit.
------------------------------

I had the audacity to try to learn "Scuttle Buttin'"

I can't get the timing right.

Posted by: Tobacco Road at July 22, 2013 03:49 PM (4Mv1T)

43 USA Today is on it!

"...mobsters like Jimmy Serrano in 1998's Midnight Run..."

Farina was great as Avi in Snatch.

Posted by: JWF at July 22, 2013 03:50 PM (H0Rff)

44 I looked for SCTV's parody Midnight Express Special combining Midnight Express with the "Midnight Special" music TV show but there was only one crap-quality clip from it.

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at July 22, 2013 03:51 PM (BQ10H)

45 "they actually DID do a Midnight Run sequel on TV, with different actors.

Never saw it. I know it exists. I think Jeff Fahey plays the DeNiro part."
===============

They did THREE! It was part of a series of action movies that were syndicated with the original Hercules TV movies.

Christopher McDonald played Jack. I've never seen them, but I've heard they weren't as bad as you'd think they'd have to be.

Posted by: Kensington at July 22, 2013 03:51 PM (Yy2ZT)

Ever been in a Turkish Prison?.........

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at July 22, 2013 03:52 PM (jucos)

47 Kensington, #33: Can I add, DeNiro's daughter, trying to give him her babysitting money after not seeing him for nine years? Gets me every time. And Die Hard was freakin' awesome. Great post, Ace. By the way, what makes me feel old isn't that these came out 25 years ago - it's how much younger Bruce Willis was in that movie than I am now.

Posted by: JPS at July 22, 2013 03:52 PM (9ziuC)

48 >> He had a fruitful partnership with that show's creator, Michael Mann

This doesn't mean what I think it does...does it??

Posted by: Albie Damned at July 22, 2013 03:52 PM (Yhu4q)

49 I don't care for either movie.You may commence fire.

Posted by: steevy at July 22, 2013 03:52 PM (9XBK2)

50 Great scene between DeNiro and Grodin about leaving tips.

DeNiro: "That's 15%."

Grodin: "That's 13%. These people depend upon tips to make a living."

DeNiro grudgingly leaves a few more dollars.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 03:53 PM (kFnmp)

51 Screw you, steevy. You suck at assessing movies!

Posted by: Kensington at July 22, 2013 03:53 PM (Yy2ZT)

52 Oh dear dog.... Bruce Willis has HAIR. LOL!

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 03:53 PM (7/PU+)

53 Watch these two movies and then something recent like "White House Down" and you understand why Hollywood sucks/is losing so much money.

Loved both of these movies. Rickman was an awesome villian, especially loved how he gives some bleeding heart spiel about releasing his brothers suffering in jail to the negotiator, and then shrugs, "I read about it in Newsweek."

Posted by: Lizzy at July 22, 2013 03:54 PM (2mSdf)

I can't get the timing right.

He did that thing where he plays rhythm at the same time. IINAGP, but there are YourFace vids from folk who have studied his technique.

He was born 10 days before I was. He'd be 59 this year. And still kicking ass.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit. at July 22, 2013 03:54 PM (0HooB)

55 I don't care for either movie.You may commence fire.

You insist upon yourself.

Posted by: pep at July 22, 2013 03:54 PM (6TB1Z)

56 I just hate it when you find out that manly, tough guy actors you've admired, like Charles Nelson Reilly, turn out to be gay

Posted by: Albie Damned at July 22, 2013 03:54 PM (Yhu4q)

57 http://tinyurl.com/lfgaukw

A Southwest Airlines jet arriving from Nashville experienced a rough landing as the nose gear either collapsed upon landing or did not lower properly.

Emergency vehicles surrounded the plane. The emergency chutes deployed, and first responders guided the passengers off and away from the aircraft.

At least three people were hurt, according to early reports.

The airport is closed at this time.

Posted by: caustic at July 22, 2013 03:55 PM (/b8+5)

58 Express Yo self! Nah nah nah nahhhhhhhh...... Hey hey

Posted by: Bruce Willis at July 22, 2013 03:55 PM (jucos)

59 @56
I know, right?

Posted by: Jim Nabors at July 22, 2013 03:55 PM (6TB1Z)

60 He was born 10 days before I was. He'd be 59 this year. And still kicking ass. Posted by: BackwardsBoy,
-----------------------
I think I have all his stuff. A few on vinyl.

Posted by: Tobacco Road at July 22, 2013 03:55 PM (4Mv1T)

61 "Hey, it's Agent Foster Grant!"

Fun fact: The actor who played [Nicholson] Joker's henchman Bob is the guy behind the counter offering DeNiro a pack of matches.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0910145/

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 03:56 PM (kFnmp)

62 It was called the Detective by Roderick Thorp, the ending was darker, Gruber was more left wing politico, then a mere crook. The company involved had a shadowy nature, the Film did a much better job.

Posted by: Lord Marshall at July 22, 2013 03:56 PM (Jsiw/)

63 Point is, almost every critic is an idiot, and if they're now praising Die Hard, well, they didn't when it counted, when it opened. Die Hard didn't need the critics. It pwned at the box office without their "help".

Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 03:56 PM (doBIb)

64 Yippie Kai Yay!

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 22, 2013 03:56 PM (BAS5M)

65 I just hate it when you find out that manly, tough guy actors you've admired, like Charles Nelson Reilly, turn out to be gay

Posted by: Albie Damned at July 22, 2013 07:54 PM (Yhu4q) ------------------------------------------

I agree

Posted by: Jim J. Bullock, for the block at July 22, 2013 03:56 PM (jucos)

66 Was the navigator named LÃ¡k To Big?

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at July 22, 2013 03:57 PM (BQ10H)

67 And 25 years later, Brian Terry is found with a shirt reading NOW WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF MACHINE GUNS HO HO HO

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at July 22, 2013 03:57 PM (++Xuv)

68 Can't watch DeNiro anymore. Never could watch Grodin.

Posted by: somebody else, not me at July 22, 2013 03:57 PM (29vnO)

69
The other thing that was so unique about Die Hard was that Bruce Willis wasn't an action film tough guy icon yet. He was the goofy cowardly hip scam artist detective wearing Armani suits in Moonlighting.

And that fistfight between Willis and Godunov near the end is one of the most brutal fights in film history. Really jarring to see a TV comedy guy and a world-class ballet dancer get bloody like that.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at July 22, 2013 03:57 PM (TIIx5)

70
As I recall, they originally were thinking Grodin and DeNiro playing the other's part going with type and all. Good call on they way they cast it.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at July 22, 2013 03:57 PM (4+FWp)

71 The latest Die Hard is very meh. The plot was teh suck and the dialogue wasn't witty. There are a few decent action sequences.

Posted by: GnuBreed at July 22, 2013 03:57 PM (cHZB7)

72 Farina was hilarious in Get Shorty

Posted by: Albie Damned at July 22, 2013 03:57 PM (Yhu4q)

I re-watched Die Hard a couple of years ago on Netflix. It was a Friday night after a long week of work, and I thought I would fall asleep to it. I forgot what a really good movie it was and of course I watched it to the end. Great villain (Hans Gruber), great hero (McClane), great side kick (Sgt. Powell), great minor villains (Special Agent Johnsons) and great minor sidekick (Argyle the chauffer).

Posted by: nc at July 22, 2013 03:58 PM (fkBVg)

74 1994 : True Lies, Speed, The Professional, Natural Born Killers, Clear and Present Danger, The Crow, Stargate, The River Wild, Timecop, Blown Away, The Shadow, Drop Zone....

Posted by: Dr Spank at July 22, 2013 03:58 PM (v1mq9)

75 "These sunglasses - they're very nice. Are these government issue, or do you guys all shop at the same store?"

Posted by: JPS at July 22, 2013 03:58 PM (9ziuC)

I think I have all his stuff. A few on vinyl.

I have most of it on CD including the boxed set with the DVD. I've stolen many licks from Tommy Shannon.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit. at July 22, 2013 03:58 PM (0HooB)

77 Fags. They're everywhere nowadays.

Posted by: paul lynde at July 22, 2013 03:58 PM (BQ10H)

78 The thing about the book is it about as closely resembles "Die Hard" as "The Sum of All Fears" resembles the Clancy novel. The movie took extensive liberties with it, in Die Hard's case, for the better. For instance, in the book, instead of stealing the money Hans was going to distribute it to the peasants of Chile.

Posted by: AD at July 22, 2013 03:59 PM (VOsYt)

79 Concerning the rest of those Die Hard movies in that package I am kind of scared to watch them. I am scared that Hollywood will do the same thing to the Die Hard franchise that they did to the Lethal Weapon series.

First movie was great, the second was pretty good, and then it went into a crash dive after that. I thought the Leo Getz character just sucked.

Posted by: Vic at July 22, 2013 03:59 PM (lZvxr)

80 "Diehard" had the media down perfect; also the uptight FBI agents; also the LAPD higher-ups

but mostly the scab-infested, totally scum-lying media...

Posted by: a virtuous ripple at July 22, 2013 04:00 PM (omBWL)

81 74 1994 : True Lies, Speed, The Professional, Natural Born Killers, Clear and Present Danger, The Crow, Stargate, The River Wild, Timecop, Blown Away, The Shadow, Drop Zone....

The Professional. Awesome film, with yet another great performance by Gary Oldman.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 04:00 PM (kFnmp)

82 Wait! spypeach and UWP is tellin' good stories in the other thread and this one gets posted? What is wrong with you?

Posted by: dogfish at July 22, 2013 04:00 PM (nsOJa)

83 77 Fags. They're everywhere nowadays. Posted by: paul lynde at July 22, 2013 07:58 PM (BQ10H) No kidding.

Posted by: Charles Nelson Reilly at July 22, 2013 04:00 PM (mCNwt)

I like Die Hard a lot. But you are absolutely right about Midnight Run. It's an extremely enjoyable and underrated film.

Posted by: NCC at July 22, 2013 04:00 PM (svwAc)

85 You know what else was good? The Cleveland Show parody of Die Hard. Almost a shot for shot recreation of the movie, very well done and actually funny as shit.

Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 04:00 PM (doBIb)

86 nc, #73: The Agents Johnson were a nice addition, weren't they? "This is Special Agent Johnson....No, the other one." "Yeeeeah-ha! It's like fuckin' Saigon! Eh, Slick?" "I was in junior high, dickhead."

Posted by: JPS at July 22, 2013 04:01 PM (9ziuC)

87 Fags. They're everywhere nowadays.

Posted by: paul lynde at July 22, 2013 07:58 PM (BQ10H)

Tell me about it.

Posted by: Zombie Rock Hudson at July 22, 2013 04:01 PM (IDypm)

88 The Professional had a very good cast.

Posted by: Dr Spank at July 22, 2013 04:01 PM (v1mq9)

89 Fun fact:

Miss July 1988 is in Die Hard

Posted by: Jones in CO at July 22, 2013 04:01 PM (8sCoq)

90 The book is Nothing Lasts Forever. It's on Amazon for under $10.

Posted by: JWF at July 22, 2013 04:01 PM (H0Rff)

91 My favorite line in Midnight Run was when Marvin is freeing his prisoner to go after Grodin. Marvin: Hey, scumbag. Carmine: The name's Carmine, fucko.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at July 22, 2013 04:01 PM (++Xuv)

Not very discerning. Midnight Run was much better than Die Hard and I think Die Hard is great... I've thought about it some more and now I think you're right.

Posted by: dirks Strewn at July 22, 2013 04:02 PM (n+DCP)

93 I liked the last Die Hard. Nothing compares all that well to the first one, of course, but it was an awesome father's day flick. It had it's moments, I thought, and the actor playing his son was delicious.

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 04:02 PM (7/PU+)

Rarely 2 weeks go by without Die Hard showing up somewhere on the cable nets...Its sad too because I find it very difficult to NOT watch it...Its a total guilty pleasure movie. Its fun, violent, witty and a little politically incorrect...What's not to like?

Dennis Farina was fun in Get Shorty...almost the same character as he was in Snatch. Also, Crime Story was another great show given the hook too quick.

Posted by: Tony253 at July 22, 2013 04:02 PM (3yMFT)

95 I've stolen many licks from Tommy Shannon. Posted by: BackwardsBoy,
--------------------------------

My boy is a bass player in Boston. Not crazy about what his band plays, but he's good. I could not get him interested in blues rock, even though I got him started on guitar with it. He later chose bass so he could play out. Said guitar players were a dime a dozen. Bass got him into Berklee. That lasted a year.

Posted by: Tobacco Road at July 22, 2013 04:02 PM (4Mv1T)

96 88 The Professional had a very good cast.

Agreed, including Keith Glascoe, a member of the FDNY who landed the role of Oldman's henchman Benny. Glascoe died inside the WTC on 9/11.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 04:02 PM (kFnmp)

97 Community also had a Die Hard parody that was pretty funny with the Abed character turning it into My Dinner With AndrÃ©!

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at July 22, 2013 04:03 PM (BQ10H)

98
nc, #73:

The Agents Johnson were a nice addition, weren't they?

"This is Special Agent Johnson....No, the other one."

"Yeeeeah-ha! It's like fuckin' Saigon! Eh, Slick?"

"I was in junior high, dickhead."

Posted by: JPS at July 22, 2013 08:01 PM (9ziuC)

We're gonna need some more FBI guys, I guess.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at July 22, 2013 04:03 PM (TIIx5)

99 Daily reminder: We are doomed.

Posted by: Yep at July 22, 2013 04:03 PM (6sqK6)

100 I'm trying to remember... wasn't it Die Hard 3 (whatever the title was) that sucked the most?

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 04:03 PM (7/PU+)

101 Looks like McTiernan will enjoy the anniversary playing tennis and drinking Merlot in a Federal Prison.

Posted by: lowandslow at July 22, 2013 04:03 PM (Fz2C7)

102 OT: Obama is giving a speech right now at "Organizing for Action" Action August: http://tinyurl.com/mykujum Some Twitter snark: Meanwhile, at @OFA's #ActionAugust: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXhez2mNmM Sneak peak at @OFA's #ActionAugus upcoming documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C9iUaP51CI

Posted by: The Political Hat at July 22, 2013 04:03 PM (Vk2pI)

103 Midnight Run looks older than Die Hard. There are a few tropes that date Die Hard (the fact that the company/building are Japanese is a very 80s thing) but it's probably the second-best example of Chekhov's guns (after Back to the Future) in a mainstream movie.

Posted by: AmishDude at July 22, 2013 04:03 PM (T0NGe)

104 Wanna breath mint?

Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 04:03 PM (doBIb)

105 Puts panties back on. Guess we're being all serious now. Buzz kill ace

Posted by: Spypeach at July 22, 2013 04:04 PM (0n1+D)

106 Yep I was touting Midnight Run earlier somewhere else on the web when I heard Farina had passed. Such a great movie in so many ways.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at July 22, 2013 04:04 PM (V1ZIU)

107 "almost every critic is an idiot" sorry man had to use your own words against you. CRAP!! should have said present company excepted.

Posted by: t-dubyah-d at July 22, 2013 04:04 PM (u6lBN)

108 100 I'm trying to remember... wasn't it Die Hard 3 (whatever the title was) that sucked the most?

That was the one with Samuel L. Jackson and Jeremy Irons.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 04:04 PM (kFnmp)

109 105 Puts panties back on. Guess we're being all serious now. Buzz kill ace Posted by: Spypeach at July 22, 2013 08:04 PM (0n1+D) You better go home!

Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 04:05 PM (doBIb)

110 90 The book is Nothing Lasts Forever. It's on Amazon for under $10. Posted by: JWF at July 22, 2013 08:01 PM (H0Rff) I saw your tweet earlier about the 'guy' sitting to Krauthammer's right. You owe me a new monitor.

Posted by: Tami[/i][/b][/u][/s] at July 22, 2013 04:05 PM (X6akg)

111 #102 Isn't Organizing for Action an IRS approved non-profit? Suppose they had to submit details and transcripts of every contact with elected officials to get that designation?

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 04:05 PM (7/PU+)

112 108 100 I'm trying to remember... wasn't it Die Hard 3 (whatever the title was) that sucked the most? That was the one with Samuel L. Jackson and Jeremy Irons. Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 08:04 PM (kFnmp) Actually, I liked that one.

Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 04:05 PM (doBIb)

113 OT - saw Man of Steel yesterday. Awesome. That is all.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at July 22, 2013 04:06 PM (++Xuv)

114 Watched the original Ocean's Eleven. What a flick. Rat Pack, drinks and ciggys in nearly every shot, mid-century clothes and furniture and Vegas, Cesar Romero without Joker makeup, what's not to like?

Posted by: George Orwell crosseyed and painless at July 22, 2013 04:06 PM (mCNwt)

115 Puts panties back on. Guess we're being all serious now.
Posted by: Spypeach
------------------------------

I was going to say your post deserves its own thread. But now I'm thinking you deserve your own blog.

Posted by: Tobacco Road at July 22, 2013 04:06 PM (4Mv1T)

116 Great piece of Die Hard trivia i think i heard from Steve Sabol (the NFL films guy), of all people: "Die Hard in a _______" became a shorthand way to sell action movie scripts/ideas to execs. So, Under Siege is "Die Hard on a boat," Air Force One is "Die Hard on a plane," etc. Well, apparently one guy was trying to pitch an action movie to some bigwigs, and he knew the "Die Hard in a ______" sell, but i guess he'd never seen it. He said the moving he was pitching was "Die Hard in a building!"

Posted by: Occam's Safety Razor at July 22, 2013 04:06 PM (lpR33)

117 Midnight Run has no instantly recognized quote. That is the sole measurement of every movie ever made.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at July 22, 2013 04:06 PM (9ek7+)

118 The Blue Queen! How U.S TV bosses persuaded stars of the BBC's historical drama to strip off and have more sex - but only for American audiences http://goo.gl/SFcrnq And here I am always bitching and moaning about UK shows being edited for US television and losing important plot points.

Posted by: Barry O'Bama at July 22, 2013 04:07 PM (cjFRv)

119

86 --JPS

Yes -- they were awesome. I have since become a Robert Davi fan (he played the white Johnson). He is definitely not the traditional good looking Hollywood type, but he definitely can hold the screen.

I also forgot how much I like/hated the local TV guy.

That movie had it all. In somewhat of a non-sequiter, I remember after watching that movie how much I would have liked to go to L.A. to live. No offense to those who live there, but having been there a few times since, I have lost that desire.

Posted by: nc at July 22, 2013 04:07 PM (fkBVg)

120 117 Midnight Run has no instantly recognized quote. That is the sole measurement of every movie ever made. You're gonna need a bigger quote.

Posted by: Sheriff Brody at July 22, 2013 04:07 PM (mCNwt)

121 115 Puts panties back on. Guess we're being all serious now. Posted by: Spypeach ------------------------------ I was going to say your post deserves its own thread. But now I'm thinking you deserve your own blog. Posted by: Tobacco Road at July 22, 2013 08:06 PM (4Mv1T) Makes me wonder if spypeach was ever rebellious at other times too. Hmmm...

Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 04:08 PM (doBIb)

122 "That was the one with Samuel L. Jackson and Jeremy Irons."

I thought that was better then the Dennis Franz one and the Olyphant one.

Posted by: lowandslow at July 22, 2013 04:08 PM (Fz2C7)

123 Die Hard 3 had McClane teamed up with Samuel L Jackson. It's littered with race-related comments and insults - ugh! Also, Jeremy Irons plays Hans 2.0 - Hans' angry brother, which was meh.

Posted by: Lizzy at July 22, 2013 04:09 PM (2mSdf)

124 You better go home! Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 08:05 PM (doBIb) I'm home, safe and sound, husband is wondering why I'm giggling.

Posted by: Spypeach at July 22, 2013 04:09 PM (0n1+D)

125 Both movies are great but "Die Hard" is one of my all-time favorites. It may be 25 years old but it still looks good today. It had a huge impact on me when I saw it in the theater. There are only a few other action-oriented movies that I would put in its class, such as "Aliens" and "Terminator 2". "Die Hard" was also the beginning of Bruce Willis becoming an A-list actor, as before that, he was primarily a TV actor with a couple of lousy movies on his resume. Now, he's been part of some of the better movies of the past 20-30 years (e.g., "Die Hard," "Pulp Fiction," "The Sixth Sense," etc.), as well as several more "Die Hard" sequels, most of which are pretty good.

Posted by: Slappy at July 22, 2013 04:09 PM (LTbLf)

126 Actually I did kind of like Die Hard but the sequels soured me on it,that and a lot of things in it have since become so cliche.I liked Lethal Weapon but I can't watch it now mostly because of Danny Glover but also the whole Vietnam vet psycho killer thing annoys me.

Posted by: steevy at July 22, 2013 04:09 PM (9XBK2)

127 I thought that was better then the Dennis Franz one and the Olyphant one.

The Olyphant one gets points for the hotness that is Maggie Q.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 04:09 PM (kFnmp)

128 I'll put my panties back on too. FIDDLESTICKS!

Posted by: Jim J. Bullock, for the block at July 22, 2013 04:10 PM (jucos)

129 The terrible Die Hard was the one set in the airport.

Posted by: Dr Spank at July 22, 2013 04:10 PM (v1mq9)

130 I thought that was better then the Dennis Franz one and the Olyphant one. The Olyphant one was the PG-13 one that toned down the violence for plain action and CGI. Also, Kevin Smith and that obnoxious Mac kid.

Posted by: EC at July 22, 2013 04:10 PM (doBIb)

131 O'Reilly took on the race industry tonight. Good for him.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at July 22, 2013 04:11 PM (ZPrif)

132 You're always on your mark if you wear a sweater with a big pretzel on it. He was great in that film.

Posted by: Corona at July 22, 2013 04:11 PM (fh2Y7)

133 I don't think I've ever watched Midnight Run in it's entirety.Just doesn't catch my interest.

Posted by: steevy at July 22, 2013 04:11 PM (9XBK2)

134 Sorry about false alarm. The Mummy's movie on AMC is some 90's knock off, not the 1932 version Vic and I went to the opening.

Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo intellectual at July 22, 2013 04:12 PM (wR+pz)

135 Does Dennis Franz show his ass in that one? (So I can avoid it.)

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at July 22, 2013 04:12 PM (BQ10H)

136

Ace,

One of the greatest posts in quit some time. 2 wonderful movies with perfect villians. Farina was a master in any role he took. RIP.

Posted by: Hurricane at July 22, 2013 04:12 PM (2LKaa)

137 "Midnight Run" was such a good film because George Gallo wrote one damn fucking good screenplay. At any rate, RIP to Dennis Farina. I had the very good fortune to have him read one of the roles in a staged reading of my first produced screenplay. He was a good actor, a funny and warm person and a mensch. RIP Dennis.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 22, 2013 04:13 PM (+98Gb)

138 100 I'm trying to remember... wasn't it Die Hard 3 (whatever the title was) that sucked the most?

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 08:03 PM (7/PU+)

I don't think so. The ones after "Die Hard 3" were weak but "Die Hard 3" was entertaining largely because of the chemistry between Willis and Jackson. Yes, there were racial comments sprinkled throughout the movie by both of them but not in a way that was biased toward one race or the other.

Posted by: Slappy at July 22, 2013 04:13 PM (LTbLf)

139 I don't think I've ever watched Midnight Run in it's entirety.Just doesn't catch my interest. Posted by: steevy>>

Get off my lawn!!

Posted by: McGregor at July 22, 2013 04:13 PM (qo244)

140 122 "That was the one with Samuel L. Jackson and Jeremy Irons."

I thought that was better then the Dennis Franz one and the Olyphant one.

Posted by: lowandslow at July 22, 2013 08:08 PM (Fz2C7

Agree. It was clearly better than Die Hard 2.

Posted by: AD at July 22, 2013 04:13 PM (YCDYX)

141 B-O'R was en fuego in his Talking Points tonight.

Posted by: johnd01 at July 22, 2013 04:13 PM (r0+v0)

142 Howdy 'rons. I just fried up a batch of razor clams, what I dug up out of a beach on Cook Inlet, Alaska this AM. I think they may be the best thing I ever tasted. Care for some?

Posted by: Muad'dib at July 22, 2013 04:13 PM (GY+E6)

143 Sidney, get a sandwich, get a creme soda, do some f*ckin' thing or I'll stick this pencil through your heart.

My absolute favorite line in the movie. My ex-wife used to crack up every time she heard it. It ws the very first thing I thought of when I heard Dennis Farina had died.

Posted by: Zombie John Gotti at July 22, 2013 04:14 PM (1hekh)

144 Something else: Die Hard was a Christmas movie released in the summer.

Posted by: AmishDude at July 22, 2013 04:15 PM (T0NGe)

145 I don't think I've ever watched Midnight Run in it's entirety.Just doesn't catch my interest. Posted by: steevy>> Get off my lawn!! Posted by: McGregor at July 22, 2013 08:13 PM (qo244) Steevy is fine. I haven't seen any of the Die Hard movies and never heard of Midnight Run until tonight (yes, I was alive when they were released).

Posted by: Vendette at July 22, 2013 04:15 PM (K+I6z)

146 Die Hard 2 was the one in the airport.Had the special forces guys who turned criminal.That turns me right off.

Posted by: steevy at July 22, 2013 04:15 PM (9XBK2)

147 Hey,I turned 41 last month and have been yelling at kids to get off my lawn for years!

Posted by: steevy at July 22, 2013 04:16 PM (9XBK2)

148 Midnight Run is Farina's best film, IMO. Snatch is a close second.

"I swear to God, I'll bury this phone in your head, Sidney!" - Jimmy Serrano

"Sit down and shut up, you big, bald fuck!" - Uncle Avi

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 07:32 PM (kFnmp)

"Moron number one put moron number two on the phone."

Posted by: Zombie John Gotti at July 22, 2013 04:16 PM (1hekh)

149 And Dennis was fantastic in "Snatch."

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 22, 2013 04:16 PM (+98Gb)

150 "110 90 The book is Nothing Lasts Forever. It's on Amazon for under $10.

Posted by: JWF at July 22, 2013 08:01 PM (H0Rff)

I saw your tweet earlier about the 'guy' sitting to Krauthammer's right.

You owe me a new monitor."

Toughest looking Sally since Jerome.

Posted by: JWF at July 22, 2013 04:16 PM (H0Rff)

151 129 The terrible Die Hard was the one set in the airport.

Posted by: Dr Spank at July 22, 2013 08:10 PM (v1mq9)

All of the sequels paled in comparison to the original, but "Die Hard 2," which was the one set in the airport, was much better than the last two "Die Hard" flicks.

Posted by: Slappy at July 22, 2013 04:16 PM (LTbLf)

152
I couldn't say which if these movies is better if you put a gun to my head

Easy. Die Hard. When was the last time you heard someone utter a quote from Midnight Run, or even recall unprompted that the movie existed?

Also, Charles Grodin is a negative talent that is death to everything he touches.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at July 22, 2013 04:16 PM (kdS6q)

153 I used to dig and eat razor clams at the Cape. Butter and breading, sometimes just lemon. Everyone thought we were nuts, but they are delicious.

Posted by: Lincolntf at July 22, 2013 04:16 PM (ZshNr)

154 MKH is on O'Reilly right now.

Can't imagine her sticking tampons in her ears....ever

Posted by: Albie Damned at July 22, 2013 04:17 PM (Yhu4q)

155 I haven't read it yet so no idea if it's really as good as people say (it gets good reviews) but the book that was the inspiration for Die Hard is called "Nothing Lasts Forever" by Roderick Thorp. Apparently it's a sequel to a book called "The Detective."

Posted by: Book at July 22, 2013 04:17 PM (N0Xad)

156 Oh Fiddlesticks. I had to Bing JJBullock.. I got it from my granny in 1965.

Posted by: t-dubyah-d at July 22, 2013 04:17 PM (u6lBN)

157 Also, Sammy Davis Jr. in the original EO 11. That guy was one helluva singer.

Posted by: George Orwell at the craps table at July 22, 2013 04:17 PM (mCNwt)

158

Heh. I just checked the main page and my quote from a couple of threads ago about AQ being alive and Detroit is dead is on the sidebar.

You're welcome, ArthurK.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit. at July 22, 2013 04:17 PM (0HooB)

159 Linc, I may have just had a food O.

Posted by: Muad'dib at July 22, 2013 04:18 PM (GY+E6)

160 So many good parts in Midnight Run. The counterfeit money schtick they pull to get money to get out of town. Trying to steal the car. The part where Marvin says, "I'm always thinking: when he the Duke hold up the newspaper for the photo...but fails to notice the name of the motel is in the background.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at July 22, 2013 04:18 PM (V1ZIU)

161 134 I watched the Hammer version of The Mummy the other day.Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee (playing the mummy.)

Posted by: steevy at July 22, 2013 04:18 PM (9XBK2)

162 "Moron number one put moron number two on the phone."

While Moron #2 is fake punching Moron #1 while he's on the phone. LOL.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 04:19 PM (kFnmp)

163 Dennis Farina was a good villain in 'Get Shorty'

Posted by: Lord Marshall at July 22, 2013 04:19 PM (Jsiw/)

164 O'Reilly gonna take some heat for tonight's Talking Points. Went after Jesse Jackston, Sharpton, Congressional Black Caucus, Obama, and pretty much 95% of popular black culture.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at July 22, 2013 04:19 PM (ZPrif)

165 In Die Hard 3, is there more than one way to solve the water problem? [scene at tht park with the bomb rigged to go unless they figure it out]

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 22, 2013 04:19 PM (BAS5M)

166 142 Howdy 'rons. I just fried up a batch of razor clams, what I dug up out of a beach on Cook Inlet, Alaska this AM. I think they may be the best thing I ever tasted. Care for some?

Shit yeah, got any King's to grill too?

Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo intellectual at July 22, 2013 04:20 PM (wR+pz)

167 164 O'Reilly gonna take some heat for tonight's Talking Points. Went after Jesse Jackston, Sharpton, Congressional Black Caucus, Obama, and pretty much 95% of popular black culture.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at July 22, 2013 08:19 PM (ZPrif)

Say what, sucka?!?!?

Posted by: John Shaft at July 22, 2013 04:20 PM (LTbLf)

168 "MARVIN, LOOK OUT!!!"

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 04:21 PM (kFnmp)

169 Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at July 22, 2013 08:16 PM (kdS6q I did enjoy The In Laws. Serpentine , serpentine !

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at July 22, 2013 04:21 PM (Vdd8W)

170 131 O'Reilly took on the race industry tonight. Good for him.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at July 22, 2013 08:11 PM (ZPrif)

Is that the same O'Reilly who says the GOP must pander to Hispanics by capitulating on amnesty? Yeah he's a real warrior against the race industry.

Posted by: Jon (not the troll) at July 22, 2013 04:21 PM (CaOVA)

171 **hands over a plate of razor clams to Billy Bob** BB, we catch Kings tomorrow. Already have Halibut in the fridge.

Posted by: Muad'dib at July 22, 2013 04:21 PM (GY+E6)

172 #129 Yes... I was thinking of the Airport. But what number was it? (Apparently I need to go watch them all.)

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 04:21 PM (7/PU+)

173 I actually liked the second to last Die Hard (the one with his daughter and the "fire sale" silliness.

Posted by: Book at July 22, 2013 04:21 PM (N0Xad)

174 If you watch Die Hard backwards, itÂ’s about a bunch of terrorists helping to repair a sky scraper just in time for a Christmas party. Other than that meme I can't say as I've seen it.

Posted by: UWP at July 22, 2013 04:21 PM (r98SZ)

175 Oh yeah Alonso always taking the cigarettes was a good running joke as well. Also the mole in the bail bondsman's office who always runs out for doughnuts when he gets information to tell the Feds. So many running gags stuffed into the movie it's just amazing.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at July 22, 2013 04:22 PM (V1ZIU)

176 172 #129 Yes... I was thinking of the Airport. But what number was it? (Apparently I need to go watch them all.)

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 08:21 PM (7/PU+)

Die Hard 2.

Posted by: John Shaft at July 22, 2013 04:22 PM (LTbLf)

177 "Manhunter" was actually very good, except for the ending. Kept pretty close to the book, not like the newer one. Nobody back then had yet heard of Hannibal Lecter, which is one of my favorite books

Posted by: Ma Bell at July 22, 2013 04:22 PM (RLdcX)

178 I'm a dumbass. In laws was Alan Arkin. In my defense both have that slow delivery and dry wit. Arkin is much better though.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at July 22, 2013 04:22 PM (Vdd8W)

179 "Whaddya say I go get some dounts?"

Don't forget Joey Pants as the bail bondsman.

Posted by: Wyatt Earp at July 22, 2013 04:23 PM (kFnmp)

180
Dennis Farina was a good villain in 'Get Shorty'
Posted by: Lord Marshall

Crime Story. He was so good good in that.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at July 22, 2013 04:23 PM (kdS6q)

181 Posted by: Count de Monet at July 22, 2013 08:19 PM (BAS5M) I think so; every time i see that scene on tv, i think i solve it in a different way than they do, although of course you're coming in on their solution halfway through. Also, you've got the possibility that the scene is just poorly written and they're starting from an impossible/ridiculous point to get their solution.

Posted by: Occam's Safety Razor at July 22, 2013 04:23 PM (lpR33)

182 If you get guys get a chance, watch The Detective. Decent crime story. It's pretty dark but the 1968 Lee Remick and Jacqueline Bisset are smok'n.

Posted by: lowandslow at July 22, 2013 04:23 PM (Fz2C7)

183 You didn't want Jeremy Irons to die? Who the fuck are you? I've just lost all faith in mankind. Irons was a total prick and a backstabbing, murdering, thief... How could you relate to him in any way?

Posted by: Kaptain Amerika at July 22, 2013 04:24 PM (a0o+l)

184 Meant to say the newer movie, called Red Dragon

Posted by: Ma Bell at July 22, 2013 04:24 PM (RLdcX)

185 Oops... saw that two people already said it was #2. Hard to keep up with the comments, sorry.

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 04:24 PM (7/PU+)

186 Charles Grodin?

Never heard of him

Posted by: Charles Gibson at July 22, 2013 04:24 PM (XQzGn)

187 You want something good, BUT hard work?

Coquina clam chowder. The little fucker are great, but getting the little fuckers out is work,

http://tinyurl.com/n4a2ap6

Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo intellectual at July 22, 2013 04:24 PM (wR+pz)

188 Hispanics social problems are dwarfed by black social problem. It's Detroit, not El Paso, that has descended into a lawless hellhole of daily murders and rapes. Amnesty for illegal hispanics is a separate issue of the moral rot of black popular culture, the rampant violence committed by lawless blacks and the almost complete destruction of stable black families.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at July 22, 2013 04:24 PM (ZPrif)

189 >>Posted by: UWP at July 22, 2013 08:21 PM (r98SZ)

*clap* *clap* *clap*.........*clap*

Posted by: Albie Damned at July 22, 2013 04:25 PM (Yhu4q)

190 182 If you get guys get a chance, watch The Detective. Decent crime story. It's pretty dark but the 1968 Lee Remick and Jacqueline Bisset are smok'n.

Posted by: lowandslow at July 22, 2013 08:23 PM (Fz2C7)

Other than a few rare situations (e.g., Raquel Welch), I can't get excited for women in movies that came out before I was born. I can't explain why but it just feels kinda creepy.

Posted by: Slappy at July 22, 2013 04:26 PM (LTbLf)

191 Snape was also the villain in Quigley Down Under. (Granted, that was a chick-flick disguised as a Western)

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 04:26 PM (7/PU+)

192 How many more years until I can yell 'Git off my lawn!' 25 year anniversary. Damn.

Posted by: RWC at July 22, 2013 04:26 PM (8FeS+)

193 Yippee ki-yeah mother fuckers, one of my fav lines. Remember Farina from Crime Story excellent actor he will be missed

Posted by: Misanthropic humanitarian, now with 50% more sensitivity at July 22, 2013 04:27 PM (HVff2)

194 I think so; every time i see that scene on tv, i think i solve it in a different way than they do, although of course you're coming in on their solution halfway through. Also, you've got the possibility that the scene is just poorly written and they're starting from an impossible/ridiculous point to get their solution.

Posted by: Occam's Safety Razor at July 22, 2013 08:23 PM (lpR33)

Thanks. That scene always loses me and in doing so jars me out of "the moment."

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 22, 2013 04:27 PM (BAS5M)

195 The real thing about Die Hard is that it's mainly a one-man show. Just Bruce Willis acting into a walkie-talkie, or just seeing and reacting. So much of it is him alone in frame, no other actors but voice.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole at July 22, 2013 04:27 PM (w0M1S)

196 Rickman's was a better villain, then Irons, but yeah they all should gone to their just deserts. in the DVD, McClane's tracks to somewhere in Europe and kills him.

Posted by: Lord Marshall at July 22, 2013 04:27 PM (Jsiw/)

197 What kills me about the Die Hard flicks is that we went from "yippekayay motherfucker!" to "yippekayay mother father!" Political correctness sux

Posted by: Wiserbud at July 22, 2013 04:27 PM (WCe8r)

198 Lethal Weapon is 26 years old. Hard to believe it was that long ago.

Posted by: Titanium at July 22, 2013 04:27 PM (mSmJM)

199 The amazing thing about Farina is he wasn't a trained actor; the guy was a retired Chicago police officer when Michael Mann first cast him in "Thief". No drama classes or LA actors workshops for him, but he could play the world weary cop or the sociopath gangster with the best of them.

Posted by: UGAdawg at July 22, 2013 04:28 PM (WYOrt)

200 Rickman's was a better villain, then Irons, but yeah they all should gone to their just deserts. in the DVD, McClane's tracks to somewhere in Europe and kills him. Posted by: Lord Marshall at July 22, 2013 08:27 PM (Jsiw/) He was the best thing about Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. "And call off Christmas!"

Posted by: Vendette at July 22, 2013 04:29 PM (K+I6z)

201 Sorry to see Dennis Farina go. I hope that when he gets to the pearly gates, the first thing he says is, "Fuck you, fuckball."

Posted by: Phinn at July 22, 2013 04:30 PM (oFH2D)

202 That's what I'd do, if I were Dennis Farina.

Posted by: Phinn at July 22, 2013 04:30 PM (oFH2D)

203 "Lethal Weapon is 26 years old. Hard to believe it was that long ago."

That was the movie that re-wrote action flicks. Nobody ever seen anything like it before.

Posted by: lowandslow at July 22, 2013 04:30 PM (Fz2C7)

204 The only good thing in the movie "Big Trouble" was Dennis Farina.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246464/

Posted by: McGregor at July 22, 2013 04:30 PM (qo244)

205 Now I'm going to have to see Midnight Run. Stayed away because Charles Grodin always annoyed me with his preening Lefty nonsense.

Posted by: Wonkish Rogue at July 22, 2013 04:30 PM (dvRYt)

206 "Die Hard": Still one of my favorite Christmas movies. What is more in the spirit of Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men than, "Now I have a machine gun. Ho Ho Ho!"

Posted by: Brown Line at July 22, 2013 04:31 PM (a5bF3)

207 'White House Down' - 'Die Hard in the White House'

Posted by: RWC at July 22, 2013 04:31 PM (8FeS+)

208 198 Lethal Weapon is 26 years old. Hard to believe it was that long ago.

Posted by: Titanium at July 22, 2013 08:27 PM (mSmJM)

One of the great action movies, but who really cares about that? After all, "Mannequin Two: On the Move" is 22 years old. It's one prime example of a sequel being made for a movie that was a giant piece of crap. I can't tell people enough how I despise actor Andrew McCarthy. Douche with a capital "D".

Posted by: Slappy at July 22, 2013 04:32 PM (LTbLf)

209
Rickman's was a better villain, then Irons
Posted by: Lord Marshall

Rickman is a closer. He's saved many a film, or at least his parts of it. Heck, he even pulled Robin Hood out of the ditch.

Irons is just kinda a neutral fey presence. You could switch him out with any member of the RSC and not notice the difference.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at July 22, 2013 04:32 PM (kdS6q)

210 Night all, sweet dreams

Posted by: Spypeach at July 22, 2013 04:32 PM (0n1+D)

211 Does it bother anyone that we have the same movie heros today we had 25 years ago?

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at July 22, 2013 04:33 PM (XIxXP)

212 211 Does it bother anyone that we have the same movie heros today we had 25 years ago? Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at July 22, 2013 08:33 PM (XIxXP) John Wayne for an example was a movie hero for over 25 years, just saying OSP

Posted by: Misanthropic humanitarian, now with 50% more sensitivity at July 22, 2013 04:35 PM (HVff2)

213 'White House Down' - 'Die Hard in the White House'>>

Any memorable sarcastic quotes in it or did they replace them with CGI?

Posted by: McGregor at July 22, 2013 04:35 PM (qo244)

214 >>211 Does it bother anyone that we have the same movie heros today we had 25 years ago? Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at July 22, 2013 08:33 PM (XIxXP)<< Nah. I'm totes cool with it.

Posted by: Andrew McCarthy at July 22, 2013 04:35 PM (GY+E6)

215 As for Farina he was always great. He was hilarious in the never mentioned Dead in the Water with Brian Brown (also great with his wry wit) and Lambert from Alien.

Posted by: Wonkish Rogue at July 22, 2013 04:36 PM (dvRYt)

216 Yeah I didn't read the comments and this is mostly OT (still entertainment) but is anyone watching American Ninja Warrior? Cambodian immigrant on that show just made me proud and a little teary. Gave me another good chance to discuss evils of communism with the brats.

Posted by: Jenny Hates All The Things at July 22, 2013 04:36 PM (u41CN)

217 196 Rickman's was a better villain, then Irons ...

Posted by: Lord Marshall at July 22, 2013 08:27 PM (Jsiw/)

Yeah, but was Rickman's best role in "Die Hard" when he played Hans Gruber or Bill Clay?

Posted by: Slappy at July 22, 2013 04:36 PM (LTbLf)

218 213 'White House Down' - 'Die Hard in the White House'>> Any memorable sarcastic quotes in it or did they replace them with CGI? Posted by: McGregor at July 22, 2013 08:35 PM (qo244) Nothing memorable at all.

Posted by: RWC at July 22, 2013 04:36 PM (8FeS+)

219

179 hey wyatt, I bought one of those rings for the wife after I saw it on your blog

.....you know, maybe you could show a certain poster here coughAllenGcough how to make a blog

Posted by: navycopjoe at July 22, 2013 04:37 PM (Q46NQ)

220 AirForce One was DieHard on a plane with the President himself in the John McClane role.

Posted by: steevy at July 22, 2013 04:37 PM (9XBK2)

221 206 btw, is your nic after the "L'' line in Chicago?

Posted by: navycopjoe at July 22, 2013 04:38 PM (Q46NQ)

222 "Does it bother anyone that we have the same movie heros today we had 25 years ago?" Because we haven't come up with any new American actors like the ones we had 25 years ago. Instead we get Brits and Aussies. The only American action guy I can think of that doesn't come across as a total pussy is Jeremy Renner, and he is: 1) in his early 40s, and 2) about 3 apples tall.

Posted by: UGAdawg at July 22, 2013 04:38 PM (WYOrt)

223 Yeah, but was Rickman's best role in "Die Hard" when he played Hans Gruber or Bill Clay? Wait ,..... what ?

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at July 22, 2013 04:40 PM (0iJzo)

224 Gruber had a plan. A very cunning plan. Just he never factored in a cop loose on the inside. And the wheels came off his cart. And we enjoyed it all.

"Welcome to the party pal."

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at July 22, 2013 04:41 PM (gwNM1)

225 >>>but to knock either one of them is to announce yourself as a tasteless idiot who doesn't judge the movies he sees, but only the genre. Not to be a dick, but isn't this ace's attitude on superhero films? I hear a certain someone likes to chime in on dead threads, maybe he will comment here.

Posted by: Eton Cox at July 22, 2013 04:41 PM (QCc6B)

226

"Does it bother anyone that we have the same movie heros today we had 25 years ago?"

Because we haven't come up with any new American actors like the ones we had 25 years ago. Instead we get Brits and Aussies. The only American action guy I can think of that doesn't come across as a total pussy is Jeremy Renner, and he is: 1) in his early 40s, and 2) about 3 apples tall.

Posted by: UGAdawg at July 22, 2013 08:38 PM (WYOrt)

Matt Damon!!

Posted by: Matt Damon at July 22, 2013 04:41 PM (BAS5M)

227 >>>"Does it bother anyone that we have the same movie heros today we had 25 years ago?" Iron man, Batman, Hulk, Thor, Spider-man, none of them existed on the big screen 25 years ago

Posted by: Eton Cox at July 22, 2013 04:42 PM (QCc6B)

228 New thread up.

Posted by: Vendette at July 22, 2013 04:43 PM (K+I6z)

229 Just a quick

The Wisconsin Education Association Council, the stateÂ’s largest teachers union, lost about half of its 98,000 members since Act 10 became law in 2011

Posted by: RWC at July 22, 2013 04:43 PM (8FeS+)

230 My favorite cop movie from over 25 years ago is Running Scared with Billy Crystal.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at July 22, 2013 04:43 PM (2o9a+)

231 Well Irons was a good villain as Klaus von Bulow, and he relied on that impression as Scar, in the Lion King, but it's an interesting question, those few minutes when he played the American, Bill Clay, was some interesting moments, because he had to stretch.

Posted by: Lord Marshall at July 22, 2013 04:43 PM (Jsiw/)

232

AirForce One was DieHard on a plane with the President himself in the John McClane role.

Playing me. Only I totally would have scored with the black communications chick!!

Posted by: Billy Jeff at July 22, 2013 04:45 PM (BAS5M)

233 227 >>>"Does it bother anyone that we have the same movie heros today we had 25 years ago?" Iron man, Batman, Hulk, Thor, Spider-man, none of them existed on the big screen 25 years ago It should bother everyone more that heroes should not necessarily be portrayed as bulked up homosexuals in tights nowadays .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at July 22, 2013 04:45 PM (0iJzo)

234 Portnoy will get my last .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at July 22, 2013 04:46 PM (0iJzo)

235

Farina was good in Get Shorty and as J lo's dad in Out of Sight as well.... he had some great scenes in a few films...

RIP

Posted by: Some Guy in Wisconsin at July 22, 2013 04:46 PM (eEF5x)

236 "Does it bother anyone that we have the same movie heros today we had 25 years ago?">>

Have they wrote a part (not counting sequels) for a real hero in the past 25 years

Posted by: McGregor at July 22, 2013 04:47 PM (qo244)

237 223 Yeah, but was Rickman's best role in "Die Hard" when he played Hans Gruber or Bill Clay?

Wait ,..... what ?

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at July 22, 2013 08:40 PM (0iJzo)

The scene where Hans Gruber is on one of the other floors of the building looking for the detonators that John McClane stole and McClane bumps into him. Gruber then pretends he's a worker in the building and gives his name as "Bill Clay," which according to the directory on the wall is an actual employee in the building. McClane seems to buy his story and gives Gruber/Clay a gun but Gruber/Clay points the gun at McClane and calls his cronies on the walkie-talkie. Gruber/Clay then pulls the trigger but the gun isn't loaded. McClane obviously had been suspicious of Bill Clay and had emptied the gun of all its ammo. The scene immediately leads into the shootout scene where McClane fights it out with Gruber and his fellow terrorists, which results in the bare-footed McClane bleeding badly from both of his feet due to all the broken glass he steps on.

Posted by: Slappy at July 22, 2013 04:47 PM (LTbLf)

238 Loved Farina in "Get Shorty" (his best, bar none, but I love everything about "Get Shorty") and "Law and Order".

Posted by: jclittlep at July 22, 2013 04:49 PM (UNSFr)

239 >>> In Die Hard 3, is there more than one way to solve the water problem? [scene at tht park with the bomb rigged to go unless they figure it out]

I don't think so.

What is it, they need exactly 4 gallons, right? 5 gallon jug and 3 gallon jug?

Here's the solution. They edited the crap out of it because they didn't want to spend five minutes solving a logic puzzle in an action movie:

1. Fill the 5 gallon jug all the way up.

2. Pour the 5 gallons into the 3 gallon jug until the latter is full.

3. Now pour out all the 3 gallon jug. You should have 2 gallons remaining in the 5 gallon jug.

4. Now, pour the 2 gallons from the 5 gallon jug into the three gallon jug.

5. Still with me? Okay, now there is exactly one gallon of space in the 3 gallon jug. Now fill up the 5 gallon jug all the way...

6. And pour into the three gallon jug, which contains 2 gallons, until it is full. You have therefore subtracted 1 gallon from a full 5 gallon jug, leaving 4 gallons.

7. Put it on the scale.

Now, this solution works, and it's the one in the movie (edited up), but it's bullshit, because obviously with all the pouring you'll lose a ton of water and it won't be "precise, more or less" as Irons specifies. You'd do better, I think, just eyeballing four gallons in the 5 gallon jug.

Especially because Willis and Jackson are VERY sloppy with their pouring, trying to be all action-y and dramatic, but it really undermines the "you must be precise" rule of this game.

But that's the solution. I've seen the film enough times to have pieced that together from the edited snippets still in the film.

Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 04:49 PM (/IWYB)

240 ace is the place with the helpful hardware man

Posted by: concrete girl at July 22, 2013 04:56 PM (CR30o)

241 Vin Diesel? I suppose he's been making movies for almost 20 years. Jason Statham isn't American. Um... Channing Tatum? Oh wait... how about the guy who played Thor? Everyone else I can think of is British or Australian... You know... I mentioned McClain's son in the last Die Hard... supper sexy and I think he did just fine and is a fine actor but mostly pretty... the new, young guys are really bulked up. I just realized that the biggest thing about Bruce Willis in Die Hard was that he wasn't Arnold... he had a normal build and wasn't super pretty, even then.

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 04:58 PM (7/PU+)

242 Loved Die Hard and Die Hard 2 (even with the plot holes), they lost me after that. Midnight Run was an okay movie but not nearly as memorable in the long run as DH IMHO

Posted by: Mark Leuck at July 22, 2013 04:58 PM (QbBjJ)

243 Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 08:49 PM (/IWYB) Alternate solution: 1. Fill the 3 gallon jug. 2. Pour it into the 5 gallon jug. 3. Fill the 3 gallon jug. 4. Pour it into the 5 gallon jug. Since the 5 gallon jug already has 3 gallons in it, you end up with 1 gallon in the 3 gallon jug. 5. Empty the 5 gallon jug. 6. Pour the 3 gallon jug's contents (1 gallon) into the 5 gallon jug. 7. Fill the 3 gallon jug. 8. Pour into the 5 gallon jug. It now has 4 gallons. So, more than one solution.

Posted by: Occam's Safety Razor at July 22, 2013 04:59 PM (lpR33)

244 Ace... if you're allowed a Sharpie marker you could fill the five gallon jug, pour three gallons into the three gallon jug, mark the level on the five gallon jug for two gallons. Empty the three gallon jug, pour the two gallons into it, fill the five gallon jug up to the line you drew and then pour the two gallons in the three gallon jug in (or just pour two gallons from each into whatever.)

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 05:01 PM (7/PU+)

245 Occam,

ah yes that works too. Well, they share the same principle. I can't swear I remember which one of the solutions was used.

Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 05:02 PM (/IWYB)

246 And if you're not allowed a Sharpie marker... wait... are the sides of these containers opaque?

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 05:03 PM (7/PU+)

247 Ace mentioned a few months back fight sequences that imitate realism in such as fashion that they really draw the viewer in to the brutality/ugliness/simplicity of hand to hand combat. I think Van Damme in an elevator was was one if them. The same holds true in Die Hard esp the fights between McClane and Karl/Karl's bruder. Another thing I love about the film.

Posted by: Wonkish Rogue at July 22, 2013 05:05 PM (dvRYt)

248 they were opaque but they only had like five minutes, and running to a stationary store for a sharpie (from Beekman Park) would have taken 20 minutes.

Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 05:05 PM (/IWYB)

249 ah yes that works too. Well, they share the same principle. I can't swear I remember which one of the solutions was used. Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 09:02 PM (/IWYB) Count de Monet was asking if there's more than one way to solve it. You said no, and i was just pointing out that there is in fact more than one solution. Yours is the actual movie solution, however.

Posted by: Occam's Safety Razor at July 22, 2013 05:05 PM (lpR33)

250 If you've got a scale.... 1. Fill 5 gallon jug. 2. Pour 3 gallons into 3 gallon jug. 3. Weigh 5 gallon jug with 2 gallons in it. 4. Empty 3 gallon jug and fill with the two gallons. 5. Fill 5 gallon jug so it weighs the same as 2 gallons. 6. You've now got two jugs with two gallons each... combine them or not. So... only 6 steps. With either weighing or marking 2 gallons with a sharpie.

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 05:06 PM (7/PU+)

251 Assuming you get to use the scale during the process.

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 05:07 PM (7/PU+)

252 Synova, In the movie, if you put the wrong weight on the scale, the whole thing would go boom.

Posted by: Occam's Safety Razor at July 22, 2013 05:08 PM (lpR33)

253 synova,

well they could specifically only use the scale once.

But a more general point: In a logic-puzzle game, you're supposed to solve the puzzle using only the objects specified in the puzzle. Postulating additional equipment is against the rules, because, ultimately, you could just say "Go buy a four gallon jug already filled with exactly four gallons and put it on the scale." Once you begin introducing extraneous equipment, there is no "rule" as far as what helpful things you can bring in, but many bits of outside equipment would just make the puzzle trival.

Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 05:08 PM (/IWYB)

254

go see Red2

you will not be disappointed

fun movie

Posted by: thunderb at July 22, 2013 05:08 PM (zOTsN)

255 Ah... *that* movie. (I did watch them, just not recently.)

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 05:09 PM (7/PU+)

256 Ace, I suppose so... but if lives are on the line I think that cheating is not just permitted, but required. :-)

Posted by: Synova at July 22, 2013 05:10 PM (7/PU+)

257

Ace has the movie version solution. IMDB had this to say about the scene [Goofs]:

"When McLean and Zeus solve the water riddle they realise that they need to pour water out of the full 5-gallon bottle into the 3-gallon bottle which currently contains 2 gallons, leaving 4 gallons behind. However the 5-gallon bottle needs to be full first, and it clearly isn't."

It seems that particular movie has a full host of goofs.

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 22, 2013 05:10 PM (BAS5M)

258 count,

well, like I said, at some point they must have realized it made no sense to spend five minutes figuring out a detailed math-based logic puzzle and so they just edited it into tiny bits. And, who knows, after six tedious takes of acting, maybe they just forgot what the solution was supposed to be.

Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 05:13 PM (/IWYB)

259

Posted by: Occam's Safety Razor at July 22, 2013 08:59 PM (lpR33)

Yes, that works too. Probably what I was thinking watching the scene though it is a longer solution.

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 22, 2013 05:16 PM (BAS5M)

260 Another film knocked by critics when it opened, not a box office success, and now an enduring, influential classic.

Blade Runner.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at July 22, 2013 05:17 PM (xjpRj)

261 Blade Runner.' Shhhhh, ace doesn't like Bladerunner .

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at July 22, 2013 05:40 PM (0iJzo)

262 Blade Runner. Influenced a heck of a lotta movies that came after it!

Posted by: Adriane ... at July 22, 2013 05:40 PM (Wk9TK)

263

"Asian Dawn?"

Gruber: "I read about them in Time Magazine." That accent was hysterical.

More classic Gruber lines:

"Gentlemen, I give you the F...B...I..."

"And Alexander wept for he had no more worlds to conquer. Benefits of a classical education."

I could do this all night long.

Posted by: Hillary 2016! at July 22, 2013 05:45 PM (O0v9Z)

264 Oh. I would have solved the problem differently:
*Fill the 3 gallon jug and pour it into the 5 gallon jug.
* Repeat. After the 2nd time there will be 1 gallon left over in the 3 gallon jug.
*Empty the 5 gallon jug and pour the 1 gallon from the 3 gallon jug into the empty 5 gallon jug.
*Fill the 3 gallon jug and pour into the 5 gallon jug again. There will be 4 gallons of water in the 5 gallon jug.

Your method is a bit tidier I think.

Posted by: Oil Field Trash at July 22, 2013 05:46 PM (oZ6Js)

265 Google Crime Story and check out the numbers they got in 86-87, something like 20 mil. And NBC canceled it! WTF?

Posted by: Hillary 2016! at July 22, 2013 05:47 PM (O0v9Z)

266 Dennis Farina was great. RIP, buddy.

"You know, London! Fish, chips, cup o'tea; bad food, worse weather, Mary fuckin' Poppins London!"-from Snatch

Posted by: Prothonotary Warbler (@ProthonotaryW) at July 22, 2013 05:48 PM (LScnt)

267 263
"Asian Dawn?"
Gruber: "I read about them in Time Magazine." That accent was hysterical.
More classic Gruber lines:
"Gentlemen, I give you the F...B...I..."
"And Alexander wept for he had no more worlds to conquer. Benefits of a classical education."
I could do this all night long.

Posted by: Hillary 2016! at July 22, 2013 09:45 PM (O0v9Z)

I am an exceptional thief, Mrs. McClane. And since I'm moving up to kidnapping, you should be more polite.

Posted by: AD at July 22, 2013 05:53 PM (YCDYX)

268 I've read "Nothing Lasts Forever". Got the paperback (titled Die Hard) in '88. Pretty good.

Spoilers:

It was his daughter, not his wife.

They were terrorists, not thieves.

The Indonesian project WAS exploiting the area, that's why the terrorists wanted in the safe.

The credit for the book is when you first see Nakitomi Tower up close.

DH 2 was based on a book, too. "59 Minutes" by Walter Wager.

ALSO about a guy who's daughter is in trouble.

Posted by: Captain Comic at July 22, 2013 06:05 PM (0jTU6)

269 243 Posted by: ace at July 22, 2013 08:49 PM (/IWYB) Alternate solution: 1. Fill the 3 gallon jug. 2. Pour it into the 5 gallon jug. 3. Fill the 3 gallon jug. 4. Pour it into the 5 gallon jug. Since the 5 gallon jug already has 3 gallons in it, you end up with 1 gallon in the 3 gallon jug. 5. Empty the 5 gallon jug. 6. Pour the 3 gallon jug's contents (1 gallon) into the 5 gallon jug. 7. Fill the 3 gallon jug. 8. Pour into the 5 gallon jug. It now has 4 gallons. So, more than one solution. .....better solution!

Posted by: fu52 at July 22, 2013 06:08 PM (NYXC6)

270

I caught Midnight Run for the first time when I was a teenager spending the week at my grandparents. I was watching TV, flipped to HBO, and came in around the scene where the rooftop guys are shooting at DeNiro and Grodin. Was instantly hooked. I was laughing so loud and for so long that my grandparents came to check on me a few times. Farina, of course, brought the house down so many times I lost count.

"Is this moron number one? Put moron number two on."

Recently showed it to my wife who'd never seen it and she flat-out loved it. She fell in love with Jack and the Duke and we both had forgotten how poor the portrayal of Amarillo is (for the record, absolutely none of that is in west Texas). I'd for some reason forgotten my favorite line in the whole movie:

"You guys are the worst bounty hunters I've ever seen!"

/gunfire

"You couldn't deliver a bottle of milk!"

My love for Die Hard is infinite. Ladies, here's how to tell if a guy you're interested in might be gay - if either Die Hard or the original Predator is on TV and he wants to watch ANYTHING ELSE, then he might be gay. Just an FYI.

Posted by: sans_sheriff at July 22, 2013 06:24 PM (yQlfW)

271 247 Ace mentioned a few months back fight sequences that imitate realism in such as fashion that they really draw the viewer in to the brutality/ugliness/simplicity of hand to hand combat.

Ok, to this point- GO WATCH THE MAN FROM NOWHERE. IMDB it. You will freak at the knife fight in the ending- by far the best sequence I've ever seen. This is a KOREAN flick that will completely surprise you. I watched this for the first time last night- and could not quit it. The little girl in the flick (don't they all have one?) will make you bawl your eyes out.

No shit guys- this one was a complete surprise....

Posted by: Mr Wolf at July 22, 2013 06:42 PM (6N1Il)

272 Sad to hear Farina died. RIP

Posted by: LurkingPoet at July 22, 2013 06:44 PM (Q1vhc)

273 I loved Midnight Run. I hadn't realized that it came out the same time as Die Hard though. I can watch both movies on a loop. Hollywood used to make good movies.

Posted by: puddleglum at July 22, 2013 06:44 PM (EuscL)

274 Detroit does not need walls surrounding it. It needs vampire castles within it.

Posted by: Cowboy at July 22, 2013 06:50 PM (m5TOl)

275 That must be like the ONLY thing Danny Elfman's done that doesn't sound exactly like every other one of his scores.

Posted by: Blackford Oakes at July 22, 2013 08:16 PM (nO18H)

276 >>>GO WATCH THE MAN FROM NOWHERE. will do Mr. Wolf

Posted by: Eton Cox at July 22, 2013 08:25 PM (QCc6B)

277

Easy solution:

Buy or steal 10 1.75 liter bottles of vodka.

Drink half of one bottle.

Pour all the rest into the 5 gallon jug.

It's going to be close enough, but if not you won't care. You have just downed half of a 1.75 liter bottle of vodka in a matter of minutes.

Posted by: Allen at July 22, 2013 08:30 PM (YVLSa)

278 "Loved Die Hard and Die Hard 2 (even with the plot holes), they lost me after that. Midnight Run was an okay movie but not nearly as memorable in the long run as DH IMHO Posted by: Mark Leuck at July 22, 2013 08:58 PM (QbBjJ)" Die Hard with a Vengeance (the third one) is the best of the series. The first one is excellent as well. The second one was OK, the fourth was borderline OK, the fifth one was comically awful.

Posted by: bigggggles at July 22, 2013 09:45 PM (0a/7L)

279 Die Hard and Die Harder are both in the "Christmas Movie List" that we pick from every year during the holidays. Get the family together in our matching snowman sweaters, pour some hot chocoloate (Irish, of course), and watch the McClane's holiday antics.

Posted by: Reverend Darkness at July 23, 2013 05:10 AM (fkaxc)

280 YOU LIED TO ME FIRST!

Posted by: Jason M at July 23, 2013 08:52 AM (Be0fb)

281 Oh, and I second "The Man From Nowhere." Most excellent violence doubleplusgood.

Posted by: Jason M at July 23, 2013 08:54 AM (Be0fb)

282

When was the last time you heard someone utter a quote from Midnight Run?

I got two words for you: Shut thefuck up.

Posted by: Jack Walsh at July 23, 2013 09:43 AM (VeDGy)

283 I don't know why but I am reminded of a great Ahnuld line:

"Shorty" has helped kidnap Ahnuld's daughter, but Ahnuld has caught up with him in the company of sweet chick.

As sweet chick waits in car, Ahnuld holds Shorty over 1000 foot drop-off from viewpoint. Shorty sez "You said yo would kill me last!" Ahnuld says "I lyyde." and drops him.

Returning to the car w/o Shorty, Ahnuld is axed by sweet chick "What happened to Shorty?"

Ahnuld then utters his greatest line evar: "I had to let heem goh."

Posted by: Ray Van Dune at July 23, 2013 06:55 PM (qIFL7)

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