#93. The French Connection

Year: 1971

Director: William Friedkin

Academy Awards:

• Best Actor in a Leading Role
• Best Director
• Best Film Editing
• Best Picture
• Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium

In The French Connection, Gene Hackman plays a rough, tough, don't-take-crap-from-no-one detective named Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle. When Popeye and his partner, Det. Buddy Russo, stumble upon a French drug smuggling circuit, the streets of New York are transformed into a crime scene.

Most well known for its revolutionary train vs. car chase scene, The French Connection brings a surplus of action to the table. When Hackman's character isn't drinking or picking up girls (who he may or may not meet on a bicycle), he's driving around the streets of NYC busting crime. Overall, Popeye Doyle is a very likable character. You can't help but cling to him right off the bat when he beats down a drug dealer while wearing a Salvation Army santa suit. His stalwart stature and raw determination make him an ideal hero for the narcotic streets of New York. Popeye's just the kind of cop who always gets his man. Well, almost always.

Anyway, speaking of the train vs. car chase scene that "stands the test of time", I can only imagine how many minds it blew in 1971. With it's lightning fast cuts (note the Academy Award for editing) and sky high tension, I would be willing to wager this scene turned more heads than any chase sequence since Ben-Hur's Chariot race back in 1959. At first glance, this scene reminded me of both Batman Begins and The Dark Night, along with any other film with notable car chase scenes (Bourne Identity, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Fast and the Furious, etc) Yes, it's influential.

All and all, I really enjoyed this film. Gene Hackman was great, the action was entertaining, and the writing was worthy of its Academy Awards. However, I did feel a bit short changed with the ending. The abrupt closing of the film just kind of gave me and my friends a "blah" feeling. I won't spoil the final few minutes of the movie, but after 100 minutes of great film, the last four leave you asking, "Seriously?"

#94. Pulp Fiction

Year: 1994

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Academy Awards: Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen


In this twisting tale, Pulp Fiction follows the lives of a boxer, two hit men, small time outlaws, along with a mob boss and his wife in a witty adventure packed with crime, retribution, and a touch of grace.

First, Quentin Tarantino can write a screenplay. Can't argue with that. In this story, he pursues at least five protagonists as they're pitted against their environment, their lifestyles, and eventually one another. The tale is also told out of sequence, so on our first time through we get to play the guessing game of when and where the action takes place. Not only does the intricately winding, protagonist-packed story stay interesting for the whole two and half hours, but the dialogue is just indisputably witty and original.

If I had to choose a favorite set of dialogue, which is truthfully very hard to do, I would have to go with the first interaction between mob men Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson). With Kool and the Gang's "Jungle Boogie"setting the ambiance, the two cruise up to retrieve a mysterious briefcase from a group of amateur thieves. In a span of ten minutes or so, Jules and Vince cover everything from how to order fast food in France to Netherlandish hash to the sexual implications of a foot massage. In a perfectly balanced line between comedy and drama, the two reveal many character traits, give the audience some crucial backstory to the their mob boss (Ving Rhames), and even find time to formulate a game plan to retrieve the target. This lovely dialogue transitions into to the next scene where we have the pleasure of enjoying what is surely one of Samuel L. Jackson's greatest acting performances. From there, Pulp Fiction hits the high gear and never take's it's clever foot off of the pedal.

By the time we've met Mia Wallace, Butch Coolidge, as well as Pumpkin & Honey Bunny, the story comes full circle. At this point, there's nothing left to do but get out of your seat, change your pants, and wonder what exactly was in the briefcase... I could pretty much go on for days about the screenwriting, but I need to knock a few more items off of my to-do list before dinner.

Please, allow me to close on this note. For anyone looking for clever screenwriting and an intriguingly elaborate story, I highly recommend Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction.