Our next film to be reviewed is the 1971 classic, The Last Picture Show. I watched this movie as a part of the AFI Top 100; it was the number 95 on this list, but in my opinion, should have been much much higher.
Plot: 8/10
The plot was one of simple nature. One of the first “teenage life” films that have been followed afterwards by the likes of Porky’s, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, American Graffiti, The Breakfast Club, American Pie, and many many more. This is one of the rare movies that combine love, learning, loss, and life in one amazingly well put together package and presents the audience with a true classic to get wrapped up in. Though you enjoy the plot throughout, it does slightly lack a true defined “direction” and you at times find yourself asking “what does this have to do with the movie” Fillers at times happen in cinema, so it’s understandable that at times it’s just something you have to deal with, could this story have been told in a lot less time, yes, but the creators do a good job at getting you right back on track when they do lose their way at times.
Acting: 10/10
The last picture show is jammed packed with a superstar cast that really is unparalleled in these types of movies. Such seasoned veteran stars have called this movie one of their if not their very first, acting performances. Cybill Shepherd (Taxi Driver, Moonlighting), Randy Quaid (Brokeback Mountain, Midnight Express), and Sam Bottoms (Apocalypse Now, The Outlaw Josey Wales) all made their films debuts. Not to mention never to be forgotten performances by Jeff Bridges (True Grit, The Big Lebowski), Cloris Leachman (Young Frankenstein, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), and Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for a dream, The Exorcist). This film holds the record for the most Academy Award nomination for supporting acting roles with 4, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Jeff Bridges, and Ellen Burstyn all received nods, with Johnson and Leachman taking home the golden statue. Needless to say, the film more than deserves a perfect 10 rating on its overall acting performances.
Visuals: 6/10
Some people nowadays quickly turn away when they find out a movie is in black and white, I must admit, starting off I was the same way. For years and years I refused to watch such classics as It’s a Wonderful Life, Grapes of Wrath, and Sullivan’s Travels simply because I thought I would be “bored” with a movie that was in black and white. Knowing better now, I feel sorry for the people who are missing out with this same theory. That being said, this film does a sufficient job visuals at what the film needs to get by. This story/film doesn’t call for all the bells and whistles, the special effects, or breathtaking views. The story is set in a bleak, at times hopeless town, and the atmosphere that the visuals display, fit this perfectly. If you are looking for a film to turn the sound off and just “look” at the pretty screen, move on and find something else, if you are looking for a great story told by great acting, this is the film for you.
Sound: 7/10
This film has virtually no soundtrack, you are not going to find original music or surround sound worthy noise that blasts through your speakers, again, if that is what you are looking for, look elsewhere. There is, however, a very creative and unique strategy being used here for the sound of this film. All music, except for the closing credits, is played in the backgrounds of the scenes from radio, jukeboxes, or record players. I can’t think of another movie that uses this creative way to kind of bring a soundtrack to a film.
Overall Entertainment: 10/10
This film was nominated for best picture of the year by the Academy and it is easy to see why. This is one of the few films where I found myself thinking afterwards “they should have made a TV series out of this so it could continue” I could watch this movie over and over again and never get bored by it. I highly recommend seeing this film whenever you have a free moment.
Chux Flix Final Rating: 82/100
Favorite trivia from this film: Peter Bogdanovich had originally offered the role of "Sam the Lion" to James Stewart, who liked the part but had already committed to a TV series and couldn't get out of it. The role was then offered to Ben Johnson, who took it eventually won an Academy Award for it.
The plot was one of simple nature. One of the first “teenage life” films that have been followed afterwards by the likes of Porky’s, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, American Graffiti, The Breakfast Club, American Pie, and many many more. This is one of the rare movies that combine love, learning, loss, and life in one amazingly well put together package and presents the audience with a true classic to get wrapped up in. Though you enjoy the plot throughout, it does slightly lack a true defined “direction” and you at times find yourself asking “what does this have to do with the movie” Fillers at times happen in cinema, so it’s understandable that at times it’s just something you have to deal with, could this story have been told in a lot less time, yes, but the creators do a good job at getting you right back on track when they do lose their way at times.
Acting: 10/10
The last picture show is jammed packed with a superstar cast that really is unparalleled in these types of movies. Such seasoned veteran stars have called this movie one of their if not their very first, acting performances. Cybill Shepherd (Taxi Driver, Moonlighting), Randy Quaid (Brokeback Mountain, Midnight Express), and Sam Bottoms (Apocalypse Now, The Outlaw Josey Wales) all made their films debuts. Not to mention never to be forgotten performances by Jeff Bridges (True Grit, The Big Lebowski), Cloris Leachman (Young Frankenstein, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), and Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for a dream, The Exorcist). This film holds the record for the most Academy Award nomination for supporting acting roles with 4, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Jeff Bridges, and Ellen Burstyn all received nods, with Johnson and Leachman taking home the golden statue. Needless to say, the film more than deserves a perfect 10 rating on its overall acting performances.
Visuals: 6/10
Some people nowadays quickly turn away when they find out a movie is in black and white, I must admit, starting off I was the same way. For years and years I refused to watch such classics as It’s a Wonderful Life, Grapes of Wrath, and Sullivan’s Travels simply because I thought I would be “bored” with a movie that was in black and white. Knowing better now, I feel sorry for the people who are missing out with this same theory. That being said, this film does a sufficient job visuals at what the film needs to get by. This story/film doesn’t call for all the bells and whistles, the special effects, or breathtaking views. The story is set in a bleak, at times hopeless town, and the atmosphere that the visuals display, fit this perfectly. If you are looking for a film to turn the sound off and just “look” at the pretty screen, move on and find something else, if you are looking for a great story told by great acting, this is the film for you.
Sound: 7/10
This film has virtually no soundtrack, you are not going to find original music or surround sound worthy noise that blasts through your speakers, again, if that is what you are looking for, look elsewhere. There is, however, a very creative and unique strategy being used here for the sound of this film. All music, except for the closing credits, is played in the backgrounds of the scenes from radio, jukeboxes, or record players. I can’t think of another movie that uses this creative way to kind of bring a soundtrack to a film.
Overall Entertainment: 10/10
This film was nominated for best picture of the year by the Academy and it is easy to see why. This is one of the few films where I found myself thinking afterwards “they should have made a TV series out of this so it could continue” I could watch this movie over and over again and never get bored by it. I highly recommend seeing this film whenever you have a free moment.
Chux Flix Final Rating: 82/100
Favorite trivia from this film: Peter Bogdanovich had originally offered the role of "Sam the Lion" to James Stewart, who liked the part but had already committed to a TV series and couldn't get out of it. The role was then offered to Ben Johnson, who took it eventually won an Academy Award for it.
Jeff Bridges. So hot in this movie. Black-and-white hottie alert!
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