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Gene Hackman has died

nytimes.com

71–80 of 171 posts

Re: Gene Hackman has died

#71

Drop your favourite Hackman movies! Heres mine: --= The Conversation (1979) =-- "Schizo surveillance guy gets a contract that starts to derail things" is the basic premise, but there is more going on - "it has layers". Francis Ford Coppola filmed this in between Godfather I & II. I believe it is less famous only because the target audience is smaller, not due to its quality. The editing is perfect, the pacing just ri…

I really love Guy Ritchie's tip of the hat in The Gentlemen from Hugh Grant's character where when talking about watching a conversation through a telephoto lens he says, "But I filmed it, had it lip-read, translated, and transcribed. Rather like the classic 1974 film The Conversation starring Gene Hackman and John Cazale. You know, Coppola slipped that one out between the Godfathers. It wasn't really for me. It's a bit boring to be honest...."

I don't know why but that makes me laugh every time. (And I agree w/ The Conversation being underrated)

Re: Gene Hackman has died

#72

Drop your favourite Hackman movies! Heres mine: --= The Conversation (1979) =-- "Schizo surveillance guy gets a contract that starts to derail things" is the basic premise, but there is more going on - "it has layers". Francis Ford Coppola filmed this in between Godfather I & II. I believe it is less famous only because the target audience is smaller, not due to its quality. The editing is perfect, the pacing just ri…

"The Conversation" is a masterpiece of the golden age of 70s film. "The French Connection" would be on my list too, for similar reasons. Popeye Doyle is a classic 70s protagonist.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned "The Birdcage" yet. Fantastic ensemble cast, and Hackman plays his part to perfection.

"Heist" and "Royal Tenenbaums" would finish out my list.

Re: Gene Hackman has died

#73

Drop your favourite Hackman movies! Heres mine: --= The Conversation (1979) =-- "Schizo surveillance guy gets a contract that starts to derail things" is the basic premise, but there is more going on - "it has layers". Francis Ford Coppola filmed this in between Godfather I & II. I believe it is less famous only because the target audience is smaller, not due to its quality. The editing is perfect, the pacing just ri…

My favorite of his as well. Also in my top 10 movies of all time. Just a unique script, great cinematography, and a fantastic performance by Hackman. Love the sound editing. Special guests: Robert Duvall and Harrison Ford.

Re: Gene Hackman has died

#74
post #6

Drop your favourite Hackman movies! Heres mine: --= The Conversation (1979) =-- "Schizo surveillance guy gets a contract that starts to derail things" is the basic premise, but there is more going on - "it has layers". Francis Ford Coppola filmed this in between Godfather I & II. I believe it is less famous only because the target audience is smaller, not due to its quality. The editing is perfect, the pacing just ri…

Heist (2001) - Directed by David Mamet It's not very well known or particularly well reviewed. It just clicked with me, I've watched it probably a dozen times. It's about a jewel heist and the drama surrounding it

I love Heist. One quote that is etched into my brain, from Danny DeVito:

"Everybody needs money. That's why they call it MONEY!"

Re: Gene Hackman has died

#75
Sometimes I randomly think of a famous person and ask myself "Are they still alive?". I remember doing it for Burt Bacharach and Dick Van Dyke (who's still alive!). This happened last month with Gene Hackman. I had just rewatched "The Conversation" and "The Firm" (so maybe not so random). So I googled him, and apparently he'd basically quit acting 20 years ago.

It was weird to see recent pictures of him. I guess our memory of a retired actor is often skewed since we constantly see them at a younger age in their movies, but rarely (or never) in a recent context. And considering his impact in cinema history, it didn't feel like he'd left the industry at all.

I hope he went away without pain. R.I.P.

Re: Gene Hackman has died

#76
post #4

Him, his wife and his dog found dead in the house ? Carbon Monoxide, possibly? Shame. I had no idea the guy was that old.

[flagged]

Mine too, but the dog was found dead in its kennel. I'm no detective but most decent dog owners wouldn't do that if it was a planned thing.

Re: Gene Hackman has died

#77
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Ok, at 95 that would maybe be understandable, but his wife was considerably younger (63). And what about the dog?

And they were found in different rooms. Hackman apparently in a mudroom, and the wife in the bathroom.

Re: Gene Hackman has died

#78
post #4

Him, his wife and his dog found dead in the house ? Carbon Monoxide, possibly? Shame. I had no idea the guy was that old.

Friendly reminder that “most CO detectors use a sensor with a defined, limited lifespan, and will not work indefinitely.” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_detector

TIL

Time to visit the hardware store

Re: Gene Hackman has died

#80

He was a great actor and seemed like such a great human as well. Never realized until today, reading his bio that he is a former marine. Semper Fi. Rest in peace Marine!

That background may have informed Hackman's portrayal of a military character in ''Bat*21'', a suspenseful film set during the Vietnam War based on the real escape of USAF Lt. Col. Iceal "Ham" Hambleton after being shot down.
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