Very fine actor Robert Duvall has passed. I greatly appreciated his work in the first two Godfather movies. Duvall had many other memorable roles. Check out “Network” (1976) and “Lawman” ( 1971), for instance. But there were many other interesting roles.
The early George Lucas dystopian science fiction film “THX 1138” (1971) featured Duvall as a drug-controlled inhabitant of an ordered, sterile future world. Duvall rebels against the strict environment and escapes to an outside world that is not harshly monitored and climate controlled and where all needs are provided. Is he equipped to survive in “The Wild”?
“The Killer Elite” (1975) finds Duvall as the scheming Hansen, a covert agent operating for the CIA who double crosses his partner James Caan in this engaging Sam Peckinpah directed Action/Martial Arts picture.
Rober Duvall contributed his considerable acting talent to quite a few moving pictures throughout his life and will be missed.
James Caan was an energetic actor who had a great run of movie appearances from the 1970’s to the early 1980’s. Caan started showing up in Westerns like “El Dorado” and oddball psychological pics like “Lady in a Cage” and “Games” in the 1960’s. His acting fortunes took a turn for the epic when he was cast in “The Godfather” (1971). Playing loose cannon Sonny Corleone, son of Mafia Don, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) showcased Caan’s ability to go from a (relatively) tranquil state to kinetic maniac in the wink of an eye. Such explosive acting pyrotechnics would continue to be exhibited in “Rollerball”, “The Gambler” and “Thief”.
Caan was an iconic 1970’s screen presence. His contributions to the Silver Screen will be remembered and respected.
Nice, likable fable about a race to land the first person on the Moon. The Russians and the Americans are locked in battle again to be the first nation to get a person on the Moon. The Americans opt for a barely space worthy civilian to represent the US in an effort to match a similarly progandistic move dreamed up by the Russians. A last second flurry of preparation sends James Caan rocketing to the Moon with Robert Duval acting as his more experienced coach. The whole thing is drenched in melodrama but don’t let that deter you. You will likely become engrossed. This is an early effort from eventually important director Robert Altman. He apparently acted as a director for hire during this production and had to follow studio orders which did not sit well with him. A few years later, he would take an overall more controlling grip in the creation of his films. “Countdown” moves along briskly well and there are a few suspenseful moments on the trip. The 1960’s era technology on display is eye opening and somewhat dated at the same time. Watch this film at least once.
Sickening 1960’s precursor to the “Saws” and “Hostels” of today’s sadomasochistic cinema. An invalid gets trapped in her elevator after an electrical mishap shuts off the power in her house. It’s not long after this that a collection of cruds break in to her place and indulge in unpleasant behavior. A wino, a floozy, and a trio of psychotic hipsters make the place their own and spread the mayhem. James Caan in an early, evil role. Shot in very bland, claustrophobic black and white. You’ll feel damaged by the time this thing is done.
A varied collection of unusual movie and music video clips.
