tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post7630952374912198873..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: Top 5 Brian De Palma FilmsAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-90929366601722549622013-08-27T16:02:55.978-04:002013-08-27T16:02:55.978-04:00Another Sisters fan! I dig. I like The Untouchable...Another Sisters fan! I dig. I like The Untouchables and Scarface as well. The train station scene from The Untouchables is arguably the best scene of De Palma's career.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-60431792740356580132013-08-27T01:17:49.722-04:002013-08-27T01:17:49.722-04:00Good stuff man. Thrilled to see Sisters on here. T...Good stuff man. Thrilled to see Sisters on here. Too creepy. I agree with Blow Out at #1, but I also dig The Untouchables and Scarface.Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-13488706141383066082013-08-24T20:11:26.244-04:002013-08-24T20:11:26.244-04:00After your comment, I hunted down as much info as ...After your comment, I hunted down as much info as I could. I found an interview with someone who did post work on the film, they described the scene pretty much frame by frame. Yeah, seems like the studio (or whoever) made a good call there. Would've been a tad too drastic.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-86454434117014472852013-08-23T23:28:29.784-04:002013-08-23T23:28:29.784-04:00I read about that alternate ending. Honestly, I th...I read about that alternate ending. Honestly, I think this was one time where studio intrusion was probably for the best, but I'm with you. I'd love to see that footage.W.J.http://inwidescreen.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-79800356195581003872013-08-23T15:24:14.677-04:002013-08-23T15:24:14.677-04:00I'll admit, a lot of his movies have moments o...I'll admit, a lot of his movies have moments of dullness, but I definitely think he's made some solid ones. Blow Out is tops.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-79906188676152958422013-08-23T13:20:59.121-04:002013-08-23T13:20:59.121-04:00I've never been a particularly big fan of De P...I've never been a particularly big fan of De Palma's work. I like some of his films (Blow Out being the best one I've seen from him and was actually the first I watched from start to finish) but most of them just bore me. Maybe gonna have to go back and check some of these out. maskofgojirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18305737005899440472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-59035609189490560462013-08-22T13:59:41.740-04:002013-08-22T13:59:41.740-04:00Hey Richard, thanks for the comment. Basically, I ...Hey Richard, thanks for the comment. Basically, I agree with everything you said here. His post-Snake Eyes work doesn't really speak to the De Palma I know and love. Femme Fatale is either brilliant or garbage, I'm still not very sure. <br /><br />I love The Untouchables as well. Its recreation of the Odessa steps sequence will forever be the best regarded scene of De Palma's career, rightfully so. Love it.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-52046508003277917382013-08-21T22:02:23.015-04:002013-08-21T22:02:23.015-04:00Once upon a time I could watch a DePalma film over...Once upon a time I could watch a DePalma film over and over. I reveled in the imagery and pacing. camerawork was amazing and the stories were often dangerous and erotic. Somewhere after Snake Eyes I fell out of love with new DePalma work. Maybe the studio influence was too much on the big budgets (Mission to Mars or The Black Dahlia) or the political elements seemed over the top (Redacted). I did not even hear of Passion until this article. Maybe there is a chance he will again be the director who's movie I most wanted to see immediately. i watched "Body Double" again just a couple of weeks ago, and sang it's praises to my disbelieving wife and my supportive but doubtful adult daughter. With that in mind:<br /><br />5.Dressed to Kill (Watched again a month ago)<br />4. Carrie (Watched it last Saturday)<br />3. Blow Out (Been too Long, I'll put it on my list for September)<br />2.Dody Double (Like I said, within the last two weeks)<br />1. The Untouchables (The most mainstream DePalma but also the most entertaining. Three or four great set pieces, a score I love, and Costner, Connery, Garcia, Smith, and DeNiro.)<br /><br />Honorable mentions Phantom of the Paradise and Obsession. I just wish I felt I had to see any of the work in the last 20 years as much as I need the older material.Richard Kirkhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16428986542891346618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-48634404911870867322013-08-21T12:53:11.249-04:002013-08-21T12:53:11.249-04:00Thanks! I love the hell out of Carrie, and share i...Thanks! I love the hell out of Carrie, and share in your aversion to the remake. Sisters is classic De Palma. Highly recommend it.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-27035359055397190952013-08-21T12:16:57.496-04:002013-08-21T12:16:57.496-04:00Great list, so great to see Carrie here, it's ...Great list, so great to see Carrie here, it's a true masterpiece. I never saw Sisters but it sounds very intriguing! s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13987831438787776712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-4800750969091793752013-08-21T11:47:09.854-04:002013-08-21T11:47:09.854-04:00I agree with you. A lot of his best films still ha...I agree with you. A lot of his best films still have lull moments. But Blow Out, Carrie... those hold up.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-20943169597169911952013-08-21T04:23:31.288-04:002013-08-21T04:23:31.288-04:00I find some of his best films even to be a bit une...I find some of his best films even to be a bit uneven. They have moments of brilliance but not enough to make me love the films. Blow Out, Carrie and Carlito's Way would probably be my faves.ilovethatfilmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11882133059882238037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-23368394145510974142013-08-20T17:43:15.088-04:002013-08-20T17:43:15.088-04:00Ha, nice. Can't wait to read that. Don't f...Ha, nice. Can't wait to read that. Don't forget <i>Junior</i>.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-85812508246544292692013-08-20T17:33:46.239-04:002013-08-20T17:33:46.239-04:00I've been meaning to do that for a while now. ...I've been meaning to do that for a while now. Thanks for the incentive. FYI, I will spend the end of this week talking all about The Governator, with a top 10 list of his craptacular catalog on Sunday.Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-69888910514965430392013-08-20T16:39:56.919-04:002013-08-20T16:39:56.919-04:00He definitely knows how to craft a nuanced gangste...He definitely knows how to craft a nuanced gangster flick. Hey man, you should do a Top 10 Gangster Flicks for your blog. I'd love to read it!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-61985594133906708732013-08-20T16:38:54.868-04:002013-08-20T16:38:54.868-04:00So you're a BIG fan. That's awesome man. S...So you're a BIG fan. That's awesome man. Seriously.<br /><br />Obviously love seeing Snake Eyes crack your Top 10. I just adore that batshit crazy film. Carlito's Way is a great top pick. I love that film. When Pacino breaks down Miller's door... shit is sexy.<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Really appreciate it.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-88943006449625938452013-08-20T14:55:02.591-04:002013-08-20T14:55:02.591-04:00Tnanks for this. For some reason, I'm way behi...Tnanks for this. For some reason, I'm way behind on my De Palma, having not seen a bunch of them. That said, I'm a sucker for his gangster flicks. Scarface, The Untouchables, and Carlito's Way would be my top 3. Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-29567288141146687942013-08-20T07:46:51.413-04:002013-08-20T07:46:51.413-04:00It's interesting how different people's ch...It's interesting how different people's choices are, but then De Palma is such a polarising director. He sadly doesn't get the respect from critics that his other peers are given. I've seen most of De Palma's work and I'm quite a big fan of his more recent efforts. Here's my top ten list: <br /><br />1) Carlitos Way<br />2) Blow Out<br />3) Femme Fatale<br />4) Dressed to Kill<br />5) Body Double<br />6) Carrie<br />7) Passion<br />8) The Black Dahlia<br />9) Raising Cain<br />10) Snake Eyes<br />Phantom of the Paradise, Obsession, Sisters, Scarface, The Fury, Casualties of War and Mission Impossible, are also all great but just miss out of the top ten. Hell I've even seen Bonfire of the Vanities and Mission to Mars recently, and think both are misunderstood and underrated movies in their own right!Trevor Vnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-14085007080188750802013-08-19T19:49:31.606-04:002013-08-19T19:49:31.606-04:00In the process of working on it, actually. Have to...In the process of working on it, actually. Have to hunt down his first few movies. Very hard to find.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-46323950820720523222013-08-19T19:44:55.292-04:002013-08-19T19:44:55.292-04:00Will you do a directors page on him? Will you do a directors page on him? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-66070014052061940722013-08-19T17:59:57.409-04:002013-08-19T17:59:57.409-04:00Hey Dan, I'll definitely agree that Snake Eyes...Hey Dan, I'll definitely agree that Snake Eyes gets weaker as it goes on, but I still really value it as a De Palma film. Glad you like it at #5.<br /><br />I enjoy a lot of his more popular stuff, like The Untouchables, Scarface, Carlito's Way... all solid. But I've always been drawn to his crazy ass horror flicks a tad more.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-14725442611507677222013-08-19T17:57:33.807-04:002013-08-19T17:57:33.807-04:00Thanks man. Yeah, I didn't pick lesser known o...Thanks man. Yeah, I didn't pick lesser known ones on purpose, but I suppose I've always been drawn to his smaller work. Scarface is great and all, but I just like the other ones a tad more.<br /><br />I really need to see Raising Cain again. That movie was a tad insane in the best possible way. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-5479203703853107652013-08-19T17:15:28.197-04:002013-08-19T17:15:28.197-04:00Alex, I like the first half of Snake Eyes and thin...Alex, I like the first half of Snake Eyes and think the work from DePalma in the boxing match and crazy scenes with the camera flying through the hotel is great. It just doesn't really hold up for me as it goes along. Still, it's a solid pick at #5. <br /><br />I've seen a lot of DePalma films, but I've yet to see Body Double and Sisters. I'm thinking I need to check them out fairly soon. Scarface is not that great, so I wouldn't put it on my list. I would consider putting The Untouchables and Carlito's Way in the mix, and his work on the first Mission Impossible film is pretty good. I've have to think more before doing a real list, though. Dan Heatonhttp://ptsnob.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-59898487258615588182013-08-19T16:55:13.903-04:002013-08-19T16:55:13.903-04:00Nice list. I would've gone for the more well-...Nice list. I would've gone for the more well-known de Palma films but you went with ones that not many people have seen.<br /><br />For me, this how I would rank my 10 favorite films of Brian De Palma:<br /><br />1. <i>Scarface</i><br />2. <i>Carrie</i><br />3. <i>Blow-Out</i><br />4. <i>Carlito's Way</i><br />5. <i>The Untouchables</i><br />6. <i>Body Double</i><br />7. <i>Raising Cain</i><br />8. <i>Femme Fatale</i><br />9. <i>Casualties of War</i><br />10. <i>Mission: Impossible</i><br /><br />I've got a mixed reaction towards <i>Snake Eyes</i> though it's a hell of a lot better than <i>The Black Dahlia</i>, <i>Mission to Mars</i>, and the godawfulness that was <i>The Bonfire of the Vanities</i>.<br /><br /><i>The Fury</i> was just on TV as I'm going to watch it in October as I plan to have October be nothing but horror and suspense (except for new theatrical releases).thevoid99https://www.blogger.com/profile/03055459287396592446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-39941096568317517102013-08-19T16:28:47.767-04:002013-08-19T16:28:47.767-04:00Great comment here. Thanks so much for stopping by...Great comment here. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving it.<br /><br />Seems we are in full agreement about De Palma's filmography. Carlito's Way would definitely make my Top 10. I love the hell out of that movie, and prefer it largely to the other Pacino/De Palma collaboration. <br /><br />Also love seeing the Snake Eyes support. That weather is a tad insane in that movie. The original ending (which they shot) had that hotel being flooded from the storm. I would love to see that on a special edition DVD sometime.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.com