Jump to content

The Original "Longest Yard"

Dan Gould
 Share

Recommended Posts

Dan Gould Veteran

Dan Gould

Posted
Posted (edited)

Now, I have no intention or interest in seeing the remake but reading reviews in the NYT (very negative) and ESPN's Sports Guy (Ballistic because they've desecrated a "classic") I'm curious how everyone here views the original film (and since Eddie Albert just died, it seems a propos to consider a film in which he was cast very much against "type").

Personally, I always enjoyed the film, particularly Albert's performance, the fact that Burt, as an FSU alum and former tailback actually looks the part, and I also like the humorous scenes with the ragtag group of cons (particularly the guy who went on to play "Jaws" in the Bond films opposite Moore).

Only drawbacks, to me, are the over-use of that seventies staple, the split/triple/quadruple screen. A little of that goes a long way and its used way too much during the final reel.

So, what do you think of the original? what do you think of a remake being made, and with Adam Sandler? Any interest in seeing it?

Edited by Dan Gould
jazzbo Grand Master

jazzbo

Posted
Posted

Okay, if there are two very American things I really don't have time for. . .it's football and Adam Sandler!

That's just me, the first part largely due to my spending my adolescence in Africa.

Not feeling the slightest inclination to see THIS one.

Free For All Newbie

Free For All

Posted
Posted (edited)

I remember the original very well. It came out while I was working as a projectionist in a movie theatre in high school so I probably saw it like 60 times. I have a buddy who knows it very well and we like to quote lines from it.

It was a good movie, typical Burt Reynolds-type macho guy flick. There were some real football guys in it, like Ray Nitchke. Also in it was Richard Kiel ("Jaws" from the Bond flicks).

I see no reason that it should have been remade- I guess they're just plain running out of ideas in Hollywood. Like that's news. :rolleyes:

Edited by Free For All
Guest Chaney

Guest Chaney

Posted
Posted

IMO, the original is -- for what it is -- a classic: just plain old dumb fun, solidly made, gritty in that 70s way and certainly not deserving of a makeover starring the likes of Adam Sandler. (A star on the wane, I hope.)

As Hollywood is running out of ideas (HOLY CRAP! They're now remaking movies from Hollywood's second Golden Era, the 70s!), what we really need is a thread with predictions on what'll be remade next and what improbable no-talent piece of crap will star... and earn millions of dollars doing so.

Anything to keep the kids entertained, I guess.

JSngry Grand Master

JSngry

Posted
Posted

The original was/is fine by me, and unlike many here, I think that Sandler's turning into an interesting character actor now that he seems to have learned to play it straight. Couple him with Chris Rock, who I already like, and you got a movie I'd consider seeing if I went to the movies anymore, which I hardly ever do. But I'll be there for the DVD, fersure. It seems like a good pairing of actors and story. The trailers/previews I've seen do nothing to dissuade me of this notion.

As for the ESPN cat being upset about "desecrating a vlassic", all I can say is :rolleyes: , :blink: , and :crazy: . The original was all about disrespecting the status quo, so why change now? Besides, does anybody on ESPN have any room to talk about things not being what they used to be? I think not...

Guest Chaney

Guest Chaney

Posted
Posted

The original was/is fine by me, and unlike many here, I think that Sandler's turning into an interesting character actor now that he seems to have learned to play it straight. Couple him with Chris Rock, who I already like, and you got a movie I'd consider seeing if I went to the movies anymore, which I hardly ever do. But I'll be there for the DVD, fersure. It seems like a good pairing of actors and story. The trailers/previews I've seen do nothing to dissuade me of this notion.

As for the ESPN cat being upset about "desecrating a vlassic", all I can say is  :rolleyes: ,  :blink: , and  :crazy: . The original was all about disrespecting the status quo, so why change now? Besides, does anybody on ESPN have any room to talk about things not being what they used to be? I think not...

How exactly do pickles figure into this?

:w

JSngry Grand Master

JSngry

Posted
Posted

The original was/is fine by me, and unlike many here, I think that Sandler's turning into an interesting character actor now that he seems to have learned to play it straight. Couple him with Chris Rock, who I already like, and you got a movie I'd consider seeing if I went to the movies anymore, which I hardly ever do. But I'll be there for the DVD, fersure. It seems like a good pairing of actors and story. The trailers/previews I've seen do nothing to dissuade me of this notion.

As for the ESPN cat being upset about "desecrating a vlassic", all I can say is  :rolleyes: ,  :blink: , and  :crazy: . The original was all about disrespecting the status quo, so why change now? Besides, does anybody on ESPN have any room to talk about things not being what they used to be? I think not...

How exactly do pickles figure into this?

:w

It's a prison thing. You don't wanna know...

Jazzmoose Newbie

Jazzmoose

Posted
Posted

Okay, to tie this into another thread, no way would the original make my list of the best 100 films, but it was fun, and for what it was, well made. Remaking it strikes me as just another of an undending string of proofs that Hollywood has run out of ideas, as Free For All points out. This is what passes as "a great idea" in the land of magic these days, and I'm used to it now. I can't seem to get irate about it. I mean, when they started making movies of television shows that were pure shit the first time around, we all knew that remakes were gonna dominate for quite a while.

The Adam Sandler bit is another thing altogether. Even if I had any interest in seeing the film otherwise, the fact that he's in it makes it...uh...one vlassic I'll have to miss! :g

JSngry Grand Master

JSngry

Posted
Posted

Hollywood's run out of ideas? Well, duh.

Let's be truthful - the 20th century is over and nobody's really ready to embrace what they've seen of the 21st. That's more to the point.

Pretty much all popular entertainment and popular art has run out of ideas and is recycling the past. Jazz, as usual, has been leading the way for over 20 years now, so now that Hollywood's catching up, why are we surprised? "Neo" this & "Post" that are just self-congratulatory euphemisms for "we saw the future, and we blinked".

The world is in a cultural holding pattern. Shit's gonna stay that way as long as people in the "main demographic" bitch about the world passing them by. Money plays to money, doncha' know.

catesta Newbie

catesta

Posted
Posted

The original was/is fine by me, and unlike many here, I think that Sandler's turning into an interesting character actor now that he seems to have learned to play it straight. Couple him with Chris Rock, who I already like, and you got a movie I'd consider seeing if I went to the movies anymore, which I hardly ever do. But I'll be there for the DVD, fersure. It seems like a good pairing of actors and story. The trailers/previews I've seen do nothing to dissuade me of this notion.

I can't get beyond Sandler's stupid ass baby/mumble tallk.

wolff Newbie

wolff

Posted
Posted (edited)

I'll be watching this, too. I'm a sucker for his movies. Nothing great, but they entertain me more than most. I also like how something 'sports' is in most of his movies. Even if it's only him and McEnroe getting drunk.

Edited by wolff
Dave James Newbie

Dave James

Posted
Posted (edited)

I thought the original was serviceable, but when you watch it now, it really wreaks of the '70's, a decade that has little to recommend itself. I watched some of it again the other night, and it does have its little moments. I always get a kick out of the Bernadette Peters character. And Eddie Arnold is suitably over the top.

With regard to the remake, put me in the no fly zone when it comes to Adam Sandler. I have no intention of seeing this. It's not going to be better than the original, that's a gimme, so what would be the point? If there is a point, it's that the core Sandler audience has little if any clue that there was even an original to compare this to. In spite of how hard Hollywood is trying to market this guy as the total package, he's any empty suit.

Up over and out.

Edited by Dave James
jazzbo Grand Master

jazzbo

Posted
Posted

You should love the original film. Kinda like a Dukes of Hazzard feature.

Why would I like a Duke of Hazards feature?

You're right Jim, prison would be on the list.

Hey, I like Opera Man and several other Sandler shticks. .. but I've cringed at his movie work and admit I haven't given him a chance to show me that he's improved or changed because I just can't bear to put money on one of his films.

Randy Twizzle Newbie

Randy Twizzle

Posted
Posted

I thought the original was serviceable, but when you watch it now, it really wreaks of the '70's, a decade that has little to recommend itself.  I watched some of it again the other night, and it does have its little moments.  I always get a kick out of the Bernadette Peters character.  And Eddie Arnold is suitably over the top. 

eddy_arnold.JPG

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...