tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post4967064586559757529..comments2024-03-03T10:32:45.969-08:00Comments on Mr. Peel's Sardine Liqueur: A Lot Of WaterMr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-72390497783029730712009-07-22T20:18:41.598-07:002009-07-22T20:18:41.598-07:00Good review of this film. Played it last month on ...Good review of this film. Played it last month on Blu-ray (which was really a nostalgic moment since the last time I saw the film was when it played as the 2nd feature on a double bill I projected in '76). I generally agree with most that you've written here. The last two action sequences (in the shipyard and that extraordinary chase/ending) are its strengths--the length being its weakness. Thank you.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-13393874125342885802009-03-17T08:11:00.000-07:002009-03-17T08:11:00.000-07:00Yes, it has its flaws, but there's a reason why I ...<I>Yes, it has its flaws, but there's a reason why I once had the poster for it on my wall.</I><BR/><BR/>Because it brought you more pussy than a pact with the Devil?Arbogasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12670776992289080245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-17998753171822925862009-03-14T19:04:00.000-07:002009-03-14T19:04:00.000-07:00The more I think about what I wrote on this film, ...The more I think about what I wrote on this film, the more I focus on the things I like about it. Yes, it has its flaws, but there's a reason why I once had the poster for it on my wall. It's great to know that there are other people out there who are fans. <BR/><BR/>J.D.--<BR/><BR/>Thanks very much and I'm glad to hear you like it as well. <BR/><BR/>Ned--<BR/><BR/>We agree on each of those points--he really is "the ubiquitous Ed Lauter--and I'm glad you mentioned the various writers involved with the film. Is this the first Hollywood sequel to simply be NAME OF FILM II? Even GODFATHER had a PART placed in there. <BR/><BR/>Arbogast--<BR/><BR/>Yankee Go Home!<BR/><BR/>ZAR--<BR/><BR/>Many thanks for that, glad you liked it. I can't deny a few of the issues that I have, but there's so much about it that really does work and stays with me. <BR/><BR/>Bob--<BR/><BR/>That definitely is a good line, one that totally fits Popeye Doyle. Hopefully things like that new Blu Ray release out there will get more people to see it. It's not the original, but it deserves to be better known than it is.Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-62398882408703679792009-03-14T10:11:00.000-07:002009-03-14T10:11:00.000-07:00I'm a big fan of "French Connection II", a truly u...I'm a big fan of "French Connection II", a truly underrated and as you mentioned forgotten (or never known) film. My favorite line from Popeye, "I'd rather be a lamp post in New York City than the President of France." <BR/><BR/>- BobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-74999905042972134382009-03-14T08:10:00.000-07:002009-03-14T08:10:00.000-07:00What a fine review!After the reading a (way too cr...What a fine review!<BR/><BR/>After the reading a (way too critical) review on dvdtalk, this feels much more appropriate!<BR/><BR/>Especially, if you compare it to movies of our time, were almost 90% are tripe or even worse.<BR/><BR/>ZAR.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-36720504325863185552009-03-13T10:12:00.000-07:002009-03-13T10:12:00.000-07:00Say hey, Will-ay!Say hey, Will-ay!Arbogasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12670776992289080245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-56257016344250481292009-03-13T09:26:00.000-07:002009-03-13T09:26:00.000-07:00I'm a fan of this film as well, unnecessary, y...I'm a fan of this film as well, unnecessary, yes, but with some deeply satisfying elements:<BR/>1) as you say, the ENDING is brilliant<BR/>2) the fish out of water bits and authentic local color are well-executed and represented<BR/>3) Hackman owns the role and while the cold turkey stuff does go on for awhile, the Oscar bait monologue is so well-executed by the masterful Hackman that its contrivances are forgiven<BR/>4) the return of actor Rey and composer Ellis, and the introductions of Fresson, Philippe Leotard, and the ubiquitous Ed Lauter are welcome<BR/>5) one must also mention the presence of Alexander Jacobs as one of the screenwriters. The writer of POINT BLANK, HELL IN THE PACIFIC, and THE SEVEN-UPS is Walter Hill's self-acknowledged screenwriting role-model. Co-screenwriter Robert Dillon wrote PRIME CUT. Robert & Laurie Dillon are credited with story as well so I assume Jacobs came in for a later re-write. IMDb tells us that longtime NY scribe Pete Hamill contributed uncredited bits to the screenplay--I assume his stuff is related to Popeye's character.<BR/><BR/>I always loved the French sequences in THE FRENCH CONNECTION so to have the whole film over there is a treat. <BR/><BR/>In the very trivial department, I'm delighted that they went with FRENCH CONNECTION II rather than THE FRENCH CONNECTION II. <BR/><BR/>Love the poster copy and key art.Ned Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15436251586131278302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-40088213344028697372009-03-13T06:26:00.000-07:002009-03-13T06:26:00.000-07:00Well said! I certainly agree with your sentiments ...Well said! I certainly agree with your sentiments about this film. While it certainly is no where near as good as the first film, it does have its moments as you so nicely pointed out.<BR/><BR/>"Doyle’s forced addiction and subsequent withdrawal is harrowing in all the right ways"<BR/><BR/>For me, this is the best part of the film... esp. the withdrawal scene which makes me wonder if Darren Aronofsky was thinking of it when he shot REQUIEM FOR A DREAM.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.com