When you talk about movies that feature great landscapes, you have to include Interstellar and the scene where Matthew McConaughey and his kids chase a drone through a cornfield. The cornfield was real, Nolan actually planted corn to create it. The cinematography, in this scene and throughout the entire film, is amazing. When I saw this scene in the theater, it took my breath away.
Andy Griffith would have been 99 years old today. This man has brought so much joy into my life over the years, and that joy has primarily come from his performance as Sheriff Andy Taylor on THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW (1960-1968). There are 249 episodes of the classic TV series, and I have watched every single one of them many times. I love Andy’s relationship with his deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts), and their adventures lead to so many laughs, but the shows that touch me the most emotionally involve his relationship with his son, Opie (Ron Howard). There are several episodes throughout the series where Andy will put his trust in Opie even when he’s unsure if it’s the right thing to do. One of those episodes is the first episode of season 3, entitled “Mr. McBeevee.” It’s one of my favorite episodes of the entire series, and it illustrates the special relationship between a dad and his son.
Enjoy, my friends.
Some of the best scenes in Eastwood’s 1993 film IN THE LINE OF FIRE include John Malkovich’s assassin and Clint Eastwood’s secret service agent engaging in intense conversations over the phone. I love the movie and these scenes.
Check this one out, and take note, it’s definitely NSFW!
Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy 95th birthday to an American icon …. CLINT EASTWOOD!
We’ve got a lot of reviews scheduled for today but I’d like to start things up with a music video …. oh, wait, we already did one. Okay, then I’d like to start things off with today’s scene that I love.
Everyone had to start somewhere for Clint Eastwood, that somewhere was 1955’s Revenge of the Creature. Here he is, making his uncredited film debut as a lab technician who has discovered something odd. Even in his very first role, Eastwood’s physicality made him stand out. And check out that gorgeous hair!
As for the film itself, I look forward to reviewing during our annual horrorthon in October. For now, enjoy Clint Eastwood making his film debut!
The late director Franklin J. Schaffner was born 105 years ago today.
Though Schaffner won an Oscar for directing Patton, my favorite Schaffner film will always be Planet of the Apes. In this scene, Charlton Heston discovers where he’s actually been for the entire movie.
Today’s scene that I love comes from 1971’s Dirty Harry, in which Clint Eastwood, as “Dirty Harry” Callahan finally confronts the the Scorpio Killer (Andy Robinson) and asks him if he feels lucky. Eastwood himself later said that Callahan’s badge must have been attached to a rubber band because he was somehow able to get it back in time for Magnum Force.
My favorite movie weapon is the shotgun. There’s something I’ve always loved about watching my movie heroes shotgun blast their way to justice and glory. I award extra points for sawed off shotguns! Eastwood doesn’t get awarded the extra points for this scene in BLOOD WORK, but for 72 years old, the man still looked like a badass!
Enjoy my friends.
117 years ago today, Ian Fleming was born in Mayfair, London. A member of British Intelligence during World War II, Fleming is today best-remembered as the creator of James Bond.
Today’s scene that I love comes from 1962’s Dr. No. Here is Sean Connery, in his first appearance as Fleming’s iconic secret agent. Eunice Gray was cast as Sylvia Trench, who was originally envisioned as being Bond’s permanent “London” girlfriend. She also appeared in From Russia With Love before the idea was abandoned. We all know that Bond’s true love was Tracy di Vincenzo.
I enjoyed Clint Eastwood’s 1975 film, THE EIGER SANCTION. The movie features many visually stunning shots. The one I’m sharing today is the scene where Clint Eastwood and George Kennedy climb the famous “Totem Pole” in Arizona’s Monument Valley. The scene is breathtaking, but watching it made me weak in the knees. It finishes with a little beer humor that I enjoyed.
Interestingly, this production was the last time anyone has been legally allowed to climb the “Totem Pole.” Why anyone would want to is beyond me. SCARY!! In exchange for permission to film there, climbers with the production had to remove all of the metal spikes, or pitons, which had accumulated from years of climbing. Legend has it that some adventurous folks have climbed it since then, but they were being unlawful with each step, tug and pull!
Enjoy, my friends!
The Fly (1958, D: Kurt Neumann)
One of the great things about the original, 1958 version of The Fly is that, even though it starred Vincent Price, Price didn’t play the Fly. Instead, for once, Price was allowed to be the voice of reason, the guy who said, “Maybe don’t mess around with the laws of time and space.”
Today’s scene that I love is from the ending of the original Fly. Supposedly, Price had a hard time filming this scene because whenever he heard the recording of David Hedison crying out, “Help me!,” he would start laughing. Still, if you know what spiders actually do to the flies that they capture, you can’t help but sympathize with our misdirected scientist in the web. Destroying him with a rock was probably the most merciful thing that anyone could do.
In honor of Vincent Price, on what would have been his birthday, here is a scene that I love.
Through the Shattered Lens 