Scenes That I Love: Amy Adams In Arrival


Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to my fellow redhead, Amy Adams!

Amy gave one of the best performances to not be nominated for an Oscar in 2016’s Arrival.  Today, my scene that I love is the poignant and thought-provoking ending of that film.

Scenes I Love: L.Q. Jones In Casino


Today would have been the birthday of the great character actor L.Q. Jones.

Though he was probably best known for the films that he did with Sam Peckinpah and for directing the darkly humorous sci-fi film, A Boy And His Dog, Jones also appeared in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film, Casino.  Playing the role of county commissioner Pat Webb, Jones went toe-to-toe with Robert De Niro and more than held his own.  Reportedly, Scorsese asked Jones to rewrite much of his dialogue, in order to give it a western authenticity,

From Casino, here is a scene that I love:

Scenes That I Love: Steve Carell in Foxcatcher


Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to actor Steve Carell.  This scene that I love is from Foxcatcher and it features Carell cast against type, as the sociopathic John du Pont.  (Carell received his first and — to date — last Oscar nomination for his performance as Du Pont.)  In this scene, Du Pont corrupts a young wrestler played by Channing Tatum.

Scene That I Love: Jennifer Lawrence in Winter’s Bone


Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to one of the best actresses of her generation, Jennifer Lawrence.  This scene that I love comes from 2009’s Winter’s Bone.  I still think this is Lawrence’s best performance.

Scenes That I Love: “What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate” from Cool Hand Luke


Today would have been director Stuart Rosenberg’s 98th birthday.  Our scene of the day come from one of Rosenberg’s best-known and best-remembered films, 1967’s Cool Hand Luke.

This is a scene that featured the line that’s been kept alive by cops, drill sergeants, and angry teachers to this day.

Scenes I Love: Billy Jack Defends Children And Other Living Things


Today would have been the 94th birthday of Tom Laughlin, the independent film pioneer who gave the world Billy Jack.

In honor of the day of his birth, here’s a scene that I love from Billy Jack.  The townspeople think that they can get away with humiliating the students from the Freedom School.  Well, Billy Jack’s got something to say about that and, as always, it starts with him taking off his shoes.

Scenes That I Love: Sam Elliott and Patrick Swayze in Road House


Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to Sam Elliott.  In this scene from the classic film Road House, Sam Elliott and Patrick Swayze have a heart-t0-heart.  Swayze’s Dalton has a past that can only be understood by Sam Elliott’s Wade Garrett.

Take it away, mijo.

Scenes That I Love: Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate


Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to the legendary Dustin Hoffman.  This scene that I love comes from 1967’s The Graduate and it features Hoffman delivering one of the greatest lines of all time.

Scenes I Love: A Visit to the Planetarium from Rebel Without A Cause


Since today is Nicholas Ray’s birthday, it seems appropriate to share a scene from Ray’s best-known film, 1955’s Rebel Without A Cause.  In this scene, a group of teens who can barely find happiness or peace on their own planet are asked to consider the wonders of the universe.