Rudy Blue

Starring:Tari Signor, Peter Stebbings, Lauren Klein, Kevin Nagle, Brian Patrick Sullivan, George T. Odom
Director: John Werner (III)
Studio: York Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Unintentionally Funny
Still Very Relevant
Dated, but still engaging
Joe's America
OK I guess...

Joe
Starring: Peter Boyle , Dennis Patrick , Audrey Caire , Susan Sarandon , and K Callan
Director: John G. Avildsen
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005V9HL
Release Date: 2002-04-16

Description

Hardhats and hippies clash in 1960s New York City in this gritty drama exploring the rocky edge of that era's generation gap. With Academy AwardÂ(r) winner* Susan Sarandon in her screen debutand starring Peter Boyle in a "stunningly effective" (Variety) performance, Joe is a "powerful" (The Wall Street Journal), "immensely sophisticated piece of film-making" (Los AngelesTimes) about an era in turmoil. Joe Curran (Boyle) is a loudmouthed factory worker with a bigot's mean streak. Bill Compton (Dennis Patrick) is a wealthy executive who, in an uncharacteristic fit of rage, has just murdered the drug-addicted boyfriend of his daughter (Sarandon). When the two men meet in a bar, an unholy alliance is formed. And after Bill's daughter runs away, they search for her in the psychedelic underworld they despise'setting in motion a shocking and humiliating string of events that leads to a brutal and chilling final scene. *1995: Actress, Dead Man Walking

Customer Reviews:

Unintentionally Funny.......2006-04-06

I would like to preface this review by saying I do not think that the issues that the movie deals with that culminated in the Kent State tragedy are what I am finding humorous. Also some of the actors/actresses in the movie have played better roles (e.g. Peter Boyle's "Wizard" character in Taxi Driver, though a minor role is more believable than the "Joe" character). I don't know what side the movie is on, all of the characters are stereotypes, generated by either the left or right wing. I guess the "Joe" character did inspire Archie Bunker but who cares? Joe is just as stereotypical as Archie Bunker but more pathetic and totally unsympathetic. However, on the other side the hippies appear to exist only to get high and get laid. This is exactly what middle America thought of the counterculture. Though some of the scenes are disturbing there are some that are unintentionally hilarious. The scene where the Dennis Patrick character and his wife are having Chinese food with "Joe" and his wife could have some comedic value if it were not so heavy handed. When he and Joe try to track down his daughter, they decide "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" participate in a hippie orgy and can't get into the sex and are unable to get high from the pot. The ending, though serious (I won't reveal it) comes out of nowhere and is totally unbelievable. If the director John Avildson had just played this movie for laughs as an exploitation flick, then it might have worked but I guess with Altamount and Charles Manson and all that on people's minds they weren't ready to mine humor out of the cultural wars yet. For a real and grittier take on the same topic, see Taxi Driver or though not quite as good, Hardcore.

Still Very Relevant.......2005-06-30

Caution-possible spoilers ahead..... Just watched 'Joe' for the second time. The first time was 30+ years ago on an Air Force Base. I was reminded of that by the Air Force overcoat with Tech. Sgt. stripes wore by the boyfriend/dealer; we airmen had quite a laugh the first time that appeared on the screen because that is a 'lifer' rank. Over the years I have carried several other images from the film. Foremost was the absolutely beautiful and vulnerable daughter of the executive. As someone else commented, you could not take you eyes off her. I did not realize until now that this was a 20-year old Susan Sarandon in her first movie. What a loss that she did not do more movies when she looked like that. I also recall the irony of having a counterculture hero like Peter Boyle playing the title role of a right-wing gun nut. Not unlike George C. Scott playing generals in Dr. Strangelove and Patton. And of course the shocking ending made a lasting impression.

30+ years ago it was the most talked about movie that ever played on the base. We thought it was a great film then and I have been reluctant to see it again because I was afraid that it would be as disappointingly dated as Easy Rider. But watching it today I was amazed at how well the film has held up. It is a very strong script with few holes although you have to wonder about the boyfriend immediately getting out of the bathtub when Sarandon gets in with him.

Searching for an explanation of why this film is still so entertaining I have to think it has something to do with the perfect physical casting. Boyle was physically believable as Joe (as others have pointed out his portrayal would inspire the Archie Bunker character a few 'years later). Did Ted Knight model his 'Caddyshack' character-Judge Smails after the Dennis Patrick's advertising executive in 'Joe'? They look alike and sound alike. Patrick was totally believable as the wrapped-too-tight upper middle class executive. And Sarandon's doe-eyed innocent with the Raggety Ann doll still evokes a protective response from all male viewers-perfect casting.

The nude and drug scenes actually hold up (they were very provocative for their day) and are as explicit as anything to be found in 'Thirteen'. About the only thing that dates this film is that the violence is not realistic or graphic. 'Joe' was about the same time as 'The Wild Bunch', and the tone of movie violence had a just begun to change.

Another reason this film holds up is that events in the past couple of years have brought back the relevancy of the theme and context of this film. In the film both types of 'conservatives' are portrayed as full of fear and hate toward the unconventional ways of the counterculture; and filled with envy at their free and hedonistic lifestyle. The counterculture is portrayed as mocking the straight culture; and although paranoid toward conservatives (legitimately so given that this was just a couple months after Kent State) they cannot resist flaunting their lifestyle in an attempt to antagonize. The political landscape is not all that different 30+ years later. I'm not sure conservatives envy young people and liberals as much as 1970, but they fear and hate them more.

An excellent film that surprisingly is as relevant now as it was in the early 1970's.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Dated, but still engaging.......2003-03-27

This movie introduced the world to two new stars. One, Peter Boyle, became a star instantly, and still remains one today. We also get the debut of Susan Sarandon, who star really wouldn't shine until, well, how about "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"? She certainly shone for me there! However, she was a small if important figure in this movie, and it's Boyle who carries it.

What's strange about the film is that the "star" and title character does not get introduced until over thirty minutes into the film, before he virtually takes it over. We are first introduced to Sarandon and her hippy-dippy drug dealing boy friend. They are leading relatively aimless lives, and the boyfriend is as scummy as a drug dealer gets, in that he rips off his customers. When Sarandon overdoses, we are introduced to her parents, we see the first of two foil situations in this movie.

There are two tugs-of-war going on in this movie. There is the generation gap here, as the hippy kids can't figure out why the parents would want to work the way they do to get the life they lead. Yes, the parents are stereotypes of people who's joy in life consists of their evening cocktail, but the alternative presented by the kids here is not that appealing either.

Then there is the tug-of-war between white collar and blue collar. Sarandon's parents are relatively wealthy, and after the father has his "conflict" with the boyfriend, he drowns his sorrows in a bar. Enter Boyle, who has been raving about everything wrong with current society in a manner that must have inspired Archie Bunker. When white-collar tells Joe the blue-collar that he wailed on a hippie, he becomes Joe's hero.

A little too much though, as Joe starts involving himself in a life he can only imagine. We see scenes between the two, and then with their wives involved, that show much uncomfortable ness as they realize (well, all but Joe seem to realize) that they live in different worlds. But they also find that their bond (hating hippies) is strong enough that they even begin to admire each other.

The film takes no real sides in all four areas. All have their points, and all have their faults. The youth understandably don't want to turn into their parents, but don't seem to offer a decent alternative. The older people are too set in their ways, but they earned their livelihoods, and this is how they choose their later years. The white-collars are a bit spoiled, but they seem to have education on their side. The blue-collars have a lot of prejudices based on ignorance, but in a way are the salt of the earth. The strength of this picture is that this is all presented while telling an unusual male-bonding story.

Joe's America.......2002-06-04

Peter Boyle's performance and the theme song, "Hey Joe" are almost worth another star on their own. The film 'Joe' is the ultimate late 60's early 70's time capsule. Dennis Patrick is a white collar executive whose daughter is hooked on junk. When he confronts her dealer live-in lover a violent clash ensues leaving the pusher dead. The nervous father retreats to a neighborhood tavern where he inadvertantly confesses to Joe, a lunch-pail toting opinionated bigot sitting on the next barstool and who probably voted for George Wallace in the last election. Joe begins something of a blackmail relationship with Partick - but for friendship rather than money. Their uneasy realtionship develops into an alliance of one generation vs. another as they go in search of Patrick's daughter, and here is where the movie slips a star. The film gets bogged down a bit and looses its way somewhat as the older duo thread their way through the hippie underground. The concluding scene goes from powerful to rather ham-handed in its final frame. Still well worth seeing.

OK I guess..........2002-05-02

The main point of interest of this movie for me, is that it is the oldest movie I have seen that freely uses the word F##K. I guess that before 1970 nobody used to swear. Oh, and I really hated the ending. Glad to see Susan Sarandon kicked on though, although we had to wait 20 more years until we got to see "Thelma and Louise". I'd say to prospective "Joe" watchers, see it, but don't knock yourself out.

Average customer rating:

Unintentionally Funny
Still Very Relevant
Dated, but still engaging
Joe's America
OK I guess...

Joe
Starring: Peter Boyle , Dennis Patrick , Audrey Caire , Susan Sarandon , and K Callan
Director: John G. Avildsen
Manufacturer: Westlake
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

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Atlantic City
Carnal Knowledge
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Prime Cut

ASIN: B000066TGR
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Customer Reviews:

Unintentionally Funny.......2006-04-06

Still Very Relevant.......2005-06-30

Dated, but still engaging.......2003-03-27

Joe's America.......2002-06-04

OK I guess..........2002-05-02

Average customer rating:

Joe
Starring: Audrey Caire , K Callan , Mary Case , Rudy Chumey , and Reid Cruickshanks
Manufacturer: Legacy Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00077BOH4
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Average customer rating:

Hail hail the gang' s still here.
Bogart takes down a Japanese plot in WW II
UNDERRATED GEM
Rube Goldberg movie
Bogie Rocks!

Across the Pacific
Starring: Humphrey Bogart , Mary Astor , Sydney Greenstreet , Charles Halton , and Victor Sen Yung
Director: Vincent Sherman , and John Huston
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JODY

Customer Reviews:

Hail hail the gang' s still here........2006-08-10

Fresh from the triumph of The Maltese Falcon, most of the principals plunged right into Across the Pacific. You have Sidney Greenstreet, still at the top of his game playing the same type of sinister character, shades of difference. Mary Astor looks great as a bad girl/good girl. Then there's Bogie of course & director John Houston who got drafted & didn't quite finish "Pacific". The cheesy sets, one woman character & script writing as you go, indicates this was a rush job done on the cheap. It tried capitalize on Pearl Harbor hysteria & goose The Maltese Falcon audience. But I found "Pacific" to be a better movie. Maybe better isn't the right word. I liked it a lot more. Maybe it was the subject matter. War & rumors of war vs murder & a stupid bird statue. Fine movies both. These were warm-ups to Bogart's classic, Casablanca.
The Movie: It is November 1941. Bogart is Rick (no not that one) & he's been cashiered out of the U.S. army in disgrace, for being a thief. He goes to Canada to enlist. They've heard of him & don't want him either. From there he boards a Japanese cruise ship bound for New York & then Asia through the Panama Canal. Maybe China isn't so picky. Or maybe he can sell himself to Japan if the $$$ is right. The ship gets to New York where we find he is actually an spy for The USA. He is on the trail of Dr. Lorenz, (Greenstreet) an agent with strong Japanese loyalties & lots of money to disperse to traitors, like Rick, for example. Rick has extensive knowledge of the Panama Canal fortifications, from his years of service there. Lots of romantic activity for Rick on this long ocean voyage in the person of Alberta (Astor). They fall in love. Their easy, smart, somtimes sexy banter show that these two people know each other & have an immediate chemistry. They get to Panama & the intrigue continues & the action part of the movie kicks in. Rick gets captured, beat up, escapes & shoots down an escaping Japanese plane carrying a bomb. Dr Lorenz is arrested & Bogie & Mary are reunited in one of those patented Warner Brothers quick endings. This is good stuff, almost *****. I'm sure this has been mentioned but what's with the title? Nobody ever gets to the Pacific in this one.

Bogart takes down a Japanese plot in WW II.......2006-03-16

The movie opens with Humphrey Bogart being discharged from the army for stealing money; he goes to Halifax to join the Canadian army, but they've heard of him and don't want him either. So he hops a freighter for the Orient via the Panama Canal when he sees pretty Mary Astor go aboard (there's the romantic angle for the picture). The scene is set for another outing where Bogart plays the "I-look-out-for-only-me" guy who is forced to change his mind for the good of his country, except that 30 minutes into the picture we see that he is actually working undercover for the US Government already, trailing Japanese spys who want to blow up the canal. It's a nice, but totally unexpected, twist.

Sidney Greenstreet plays the head Japanese bad guy, and he is excellent - his is the best performance in the movie. The dialogue and much of the love-play between Bogey and Astor are top-notch, too. John Huston directed, but left the production (gleefully) right at the point where Bogart is being held captive and the Japanese are about to take off in a plane to bomb the canal. Huston left to join the army, thinking he left Bogart in an impossible situation (a good joke), but he forgot this was Hollywood where anything is possible: Bogey gets free, stops the Japs, arrests Greenstreet, and wins Astor! Hooray for Hollywood! Not a great, great movie by any means, but it's very well done and highly entertaining.

UNDERRATED GEM.......2004-11-17

The story is corny, the acting is good and the sets are right out of the sound stages at Warners. What makes this movie special is the interaction between Bogart and Mary Astor. The dialogue between the two is crisp and realistic. Astor gives a much better performance than in The Maltese Falcon. Both Bogart and Astor are relaxed and comfortable with their characters. This movie fan finds himself watching this one more than Falcon.

Rube Goldberg movie.......2004-06-10

For only his second feature director John Huston nearly got sandbagged by this Warner quickie. The script is literally all over the map and was plainly rushed into production after Pearl Harbor. To his credit, Huston manages to make somthing watchable out of a screwball plot about an American artillery officer, Humphrey Bogart, who is mustered out of the service on a phony rap so he can spy on the Nips, and have a romantic ocean voyage with Mary Astor, and thwart Japanese sympathizer Sydney Greenstreet's plan to blow up the Panama Canal. Whew. This was a pretty poor reward for having made "The Maltese Falcon" but that was the way of the studio system, and Huston manages to cross the finish line before the contraption collapses, no mean feat.

Bogie Rocks!.......2004-02-10

If you're in any way a Bogie fan or liked the Maltese Falcon then this film is a must see. Well directed by John Huston (Maltese Falcon, Treasue of Sierra Madre). Sydney Greenstreet steals the film in one of his usually intriguing character roles. Mary Astor also shines in the role of the heroine. Nice action, music and cinematography. Humphrey Bogart is one of the best actors to have ever graced the screen and this is easily one of his best films.

Average customer rating:

Rudy Blue
Starring: Tari Signor , Kevin Nagle , Lauren Klein , Brian Patrick Sullivan , and George T. Odom
Director: John Werner (III)
Manufacturer: York Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005LC63
Release Date: 2001-07-31

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