Comments on: Tony Scott’s ‘The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3′ Opens Everywhere Friday

By: El_Gordo

El_Gordo — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:42:47 +0000

Travolta? I don´t think so. I like Denzel Washington, but is he credible as this sort of regular guy? I am bored by the trademark frantic visuals and the trailer replaces drama and tension with noise (whoosh! Boom!).

By: Mark_S

Mark_S — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:02:45 +0000

Kevin Bacon said it best (IMO)… he stated something along the lines of "Hey, it's a job.. it's an acting job, and I like acting". He was asked about all the roles in b-type movies that he took. I'm thinking it s the same with Denzel.. he likes acting, and it really doesn't matter what role (to him).

By: Ken in Irvine

Ken in Irvine — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:01:56 +0000

If you haven't seen the original, as I have not, then a Hollywood remake can act as an introduction of the story to a new generation.

I have only seen Tony Scott's "Man on Fire" and I thought it was one of the best films I have seen. That doesn't diminish the original in any way. But, just because it was a remake does not necessarily mean it lacks value.

By: Dogness

Dogness — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:59:23 +0000

Sorry dcase, I totally disagree with you.

I love Tony Scott and I really love when Tony Scott teams up with Denzel Washington.

I could list films of his that were really good, but I will save you the time of having to criticize them all.

By: Jersey Dave

Jersey Dave — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:49:34 +0000

The original was great. It wil be interesting to see if they can really update it. "Money Train" was sort of a take on it some years back.

The original was such a great snapshot of 1970s NY, so how it will be updated really interests me. Walter Matthau was awesome and Robert Shaw was great too.

By: dcase

dcase — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:21:06 +0000

our particular monkey trick is a good storage and recall system- except for where the car keys are- and thanks for the gracious compliment; we'll try not to let you all down…

By: Primer

Primer — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:10:02 +0000

Your better than imdb. How the hell do you remember all this stuff. And please keep it up!

Anyway, I can't believe I forgot Sir Richard……..What a crew…

By: dcase

dcase — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:02:14 +0000

add the other Welshman to the mix- Oliver Reed- who drank John Bonham to death, and you have (Burton, too) the quart of vodka a day crowd… impressive by anyone's standards!

By: Primer

Primer — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:18:17 +0000

I remember those stories of Mr. Shaw.
They are even more humorous today when you look at what Dreyfuss has turned into. I believe Robert ,where he alive today, would take Dreyfuss right back up that mast and chain him in the crow's nest this time.
Some of the truly great actors had been notorious drunks, Richard Harris, Peter O'Toole to name a few. What suprises me the most, is that when you read about these men's (Shaw included) youthful exploits they make today's "Hollywood Badboy's" look like "Catholic Schoolgirls".
Truly amazing actors. And I bet it would have been a hell of a lot of fun to go drinkin' with them!

By: dcase

dcase — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:42:55 +0000

once again the Bond thing… Shaw's early work was amongst his best. Gone to seed by the time 'Jaws' rolled around, as a typical Welshman he was a fan of the spirits and just his sheer talent got him through his roles. His turn as Red Grant in 'From Russia With Love' is one of our favorite films and bad guy performances. Even the forgettable 'Battle of the Bulge' came alive with his fictional take on Joachim Pieper the SS tank commander. John Milius (again!) wrote his famous soliloquy in 'Jaws' about the USS Indianapolis- Carl Gottlieb sought him out and only Milius could come up with that. Shaw did it, drunk as a skunk, in one take…

His bullying of Richard Dreyfuss is the stuff of legends- scared of heights (and just about everything) Dreyfuss was picked on mercilessly. At one point a drunken Shaw threw him over his shoulder and carried him up the mast to the crow's nest and left him there, terrified…