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JEFF BRIDGES VIDEOGRAPHY
Jeff Bridges for my money is one of the few actors of
this generation who could have cut it during the glory days of Hollywood. He's one of the
few actors with the brooding intensity of a Robert Mitchum, and the screen chewing force
of a Kirk Douglas, but with an added dimension of vulnerability. However, Jeff Bridges
choices in movies ,with few exceptions, has not been the best.
Jeff Bridges has been making movies (discounting his
childhood work) for over two and a half decades, and out of that period only about half a
dozen really stand out. And the ones I like tend to be the ones he didn't get recognized
for, but movies I felt he did his best work in. Movies in which the material was worthy of
the man. Movies like the following (in reverse chronological order rated on a four star
scale):
Big Lebowski, The (1998) .... The Dude... You either love this movie or
hate it, I fall into the former camp. I found it laugh out loud funny, and one I can watch
endlessly. One of the Cohen's best and from the people who brought you RAISING ARIZONA,
BLOOD SIMPLE, and FARGO that's saying a lot. ***1/2
Wild Bill (1995) .... James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok. This
movie is one of those great movies no one saw, one of those straight to video flicks, it's
a gem well worth searching out. I love western's , I consider John Ford's SEARCHERS, and
Howard Hawks' RED RIVER, not just great westerns, but great films, essential peices of
Americana and filmmaking. This low budget movie isn't in the class of those two giants
(few movies are), but it follows admirably in those mythic footsteps. WILD BILL stands as
one of the last good examples, of an increasingly rare genre.***1/2.(that bar scene get's
it the extra half point, is just riveted in my mind.Incredible.)
Fearless (1993) .... Max Klein -This is one of the great movies of our
time. And there is inherently nothing great about this story, it's a simple, small little
story about a man picked by fickle fate to survive. It's the kind of movie I would
consider a girl flick, except for two things. The superb ensemble acting of all involved,
and the directing of Peter Weir. This was my first introduction to the work of Peter Weir,
and from the first frame I knew I was in the hands of a master craftsman, a consumate
profeessional, a director's director. ****
Fisher King, The (1991) .... Jack Lucas -Simply a beautiful film,
notable for Robin Williams first strong dramatic performance.***
Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988) .... Preston Tucker. Francis Ford
Coppola has made some of the most lavish and well known movies of our time. This, his
least known movie, was virtually ignored at the box office, but really is one of his
finest works. A great movie, beautifully directed, definitely worth another look. And this
might just tie with Fearless for Jeff Bridges best work. ****
8 Million Ways to Die (1986) .... Plays Lawrence Block's P.I. Matthew
Scudder.
- Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) .... Lightfoot-A great Clint Eastwood movie, Michael
Cimino's best film, Jeff Bridges steals the show.***
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