Category Archives: Scenes I Love

Scenes That I Love: The Nightmare From The Conversation

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today, we wish a happy 95th birthday to the great actor-turned-writer Gene Hackman!

Today’s scene that I love comes from one of Hackman’s best films, 1974’s The Conversation.  In this scene, Hackman’s surveillance expert has a nightmare inspired by his fear that his latest job may cause two people to be murdered.  Hackman won two Oscars over the course of his career and was nominated several times.  The fact that he was not nominated for The Conversation was a huge oversight on the part of the Academy.

Happy 80th Birthday to Tom Selleck – Celebrate with this clip from QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER (1990)!

Posted on by Bradley Crain

Tom Selleck has been a part of my life almost as far back as I can remember. I was seven years old when MAGNUM P.I. premiered on T.V., so I literally grew up on the adventures of Hawaii’s best private eye! Selleck is such a likable and charismatic screen presence.

My wife and I are celebrating his birthday by watching my very favorite Tom Selleck movie, QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER (1990). I love this scene where Wyoming cowboy Matthew Quigley first arrives at the Australian ranch of Elliott Marston (Alan Rickman), and then proceeds to prove his prowess with a long distance rifle to a bunch of smirkers. 

Enjoy, my friends, and Happy Birthday, Mr. Selleck! 

Scenes That I Love: Meet Rick Deckard in Blade Runner

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Continuing our theme of dystopian noir, today’s scene of the day comes from 1982’s Blade Runner.  In this scene, we not only meet Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) but we also get a look at the future of Los Angeles, from both the sky and the ground.

(Of course, the film takes place in 2019 so its future is our past!)

This is one of the best world-building scenes that I’ve ever seen, one that works because it takes place in a world we can recognize but which has obviously developed and changed over the years.  Plus, I just like Harrison Ford wearing a trench coat and looking grumpy.  He should have done more noirs.

Alexandre Dumbass and THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION – a scene that I love!

Posted on by Bradley Crain

In honor of Director Frank Darabont’s 66th birthday, I’m sharing a scene from his masterpiece, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. One of the best things about this movie is how much humor is found behind those prison walls, often coming from seemingly unexpected places. In this scene, the humor is found when the characters take on the mundane task of cataloging the prison library. Enjoy!

I recently reviewed THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION on my son’s birthday. 

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) – In honor of our son’s birthday, I review his favorite movie!

Scenes That I Love: Mozart Meets The Emperor in Amadeus

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today is Mozart’s birthday so, of course, today’s scene from the day comes from 1984’s Amadeus.  In this scene, the Emperor (Jeffrey Jones) delivers his critique to Mozart (Tom Hulce) and anyone who has ever had to deal with an idiotic critic will be able to relate.

“There’s too many notes!”

What really makes this scene work, along with Hulce’s reaction, is Jones’s blandly cheerful manner.  The Emperor really thinks he’s being helpful!

Scene That I Love: The “Knife Fight” from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today would have been Paul Newman’s 100th birthday!

For today’s scene that I love, we have Paul Newman winning a fight in 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

“There aren’t any rules for a knife fight.”

Scenes that Bradley loves – triggering human time bombs in TELEFON!

Posted on by Bradley Crain

Well before THE NAKED GUN was triggering Reggie Jackson, director Don Siegel and Charles Bronson were triggering human time bombs in TELEFON (1977). Quentin Tarantino even borrowed from this film when he chose the Robert Frost poem for Stuntman Mike’s (Kurt Russell) lap dance from Arlene (Vanessa Furlito). It’s not as sexy, but it’s still a good time as Bronson tries to prevent World War III. Enjoy!

Scenes That I Love: The Opening Of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Since today is Tobe Hooper’s birthday, it seems fitting that today’s scene of the day should come from his best-known film.  The opening of 1974’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is genuinely unsettling, from the opening narration to the scene of the body being dug up to the news reports of grave robbery.  Even the opening credits feel ominous!

The narration was, of course, provided by a young John Larroquette, who has since said that he was “paid in marijuana” for what would become his first feature film credit.

 

Scenes That I Love: John Belushi’s Motivational Speech From Animal House

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today would have been the 76th birthday of actor John Belushi.

Today’s scene that I love comes from Belushi’s first film, 1978’s Animal House.  In the scene, Belushi (playing Bluto) gives the greatest motivational speech of all time.  My father was quite a fan of Mr. Belushi’s.  I’d like to think that this speech was the reason why.

 

Scenes That I Love: “That’s Bird Seed!” from The Oscar

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Have you ever wondered what it takes to win an Oscar?  The 1966 film, The Oscar, revealed to audiences just how sleazy a world Hollywood can be.  Frankie Fane (Stephen Boyd) does everything he can to win an Oscar and he doesn’t care who he hurts!  But fear not — Hollywood may not be perfect but it has no room for someone like Frankie Fane!  At the end of the movie, a man named Frank does win the Oscar but his last name is Sinatra and Frankie Fane is left humiliated.  That’ll teach him to try to pull one over on the Academy!

The Oscar is an incredibly silly film but it’s also a lot of fun.  In this scene that I love, Frankie’s best friend — played by Tony Bennett, in both his first and final film — confronts Frankie about the type of star that he’s become.

“That’s birdseed!”