Scenes that I Love: Kirk Douglas in Paths of Glory


Today’s scene that I love comes from 1957’s Paths of Glory.  In this scene, Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) fights a losing battle to save the lives of three soldiers who have been accused of cowardice after refusing to take part in a suicidal attack during World War I.

Douglas not only starred in this film but his also production company also helped to finance it.  The film was co-written and directed by Stanley Kubrick.

Scenes That I Love: Franco Nero Opens The Coffin in Django


In this scene, from Sergio Corbucci’s Django, the film’s title character (played by my man, Franco Nero) reveals what’s actually in the coffin that he’s been dragging from town to town.

Scene That I Love: Jean-Luc Godard’s Alphaville


Today, in honor of what would have been the birthday of French director Jean-Luc Godard’s birthday, our scene of the day comes from Godard Alphaville, a 1965 film that mixed philosophy with science fiction and film noir.

Let’s talk about love.

Scenes I Love: Udo Kier in Suspiria


RIP to the great actor, Udo Kier.  He died yesterday at the age of 81, in Palm Springs, California.

Today’s scene that I love features Kier in the only version of Suspiria that matters, the original one directed by Dario Argento.  In this scene, Kier discusses witchcraft with Jessica Harper.

Scenes That I Love: Veronica Lake Meets Joel McCrea in Sullivan’s Travels


In 1941’s Sullivan’s Travels, Joel McCrea plays a filmmaker who disguises himself as a transient so that he can experience what’s really going on outside of Hollywood.  Veronica Lake plays “the Girl,” who ends up sharing his journey.

In today’s scene that I love, McCrea and Lake meet for the first time.

Scenes That I Love: Cyrus’s Speech From The Warriors


Cyrus?

He’s the one and only.

From 1979’s The Warriors , here’s a scene that I love.  Playing the role of Cyrus, the man who could bring all of the gangs of New York together, is Roger Hill.  Playing the role of his assassin is the great David Patrick Kelly.

Cyrus knew what he was talking about but the world wasn’t ready for him.

Can you dig it?

Scenes That I Love: Lincoln Hawk Turns His Hat In Over The Top


In the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City and Graham Platner’s possible victory in Maine, I’ve become a lot more interested in watching anti-communist films.  And really, it doesn’t get more anti-communist than a movie about an independent, non-union trucker who has no interest in being an authoritarian and who only want to be left alone so that he can raise his son and make a little money arm-wrestling.

In this scene from 1987’s Over The Top, Lincoln Hawk (played by Sylvester Stallone) explains the importance of turning his hat.  That’s all it takes.

 

Scenes I Love: Al Pacino and Diane Keaton in The Godfather


Today’s scene that I love comes from my favorite film of all time, 1972’s The Godfather

In this scene, Kay Adams (Diane Keaton) has moved on and is working as a teacher.  Suddenly, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) shows up.  He’s been back from Sicily for a year and he’s working with his father.  Michael promises her that the Corleone family is getting out of the rackets.  We, of course, know that is never going to happen.