The Driver (1978)

4.5 / 5
Tagline: He'll get you away faster than anyone else on wheels.
Directed by: Walter Hill
Written by: Walter Hill
Actors include: Ryan O'Neal, Bruce Dern, Isabelle Adjani
Genre: Thriller, Action, Crime
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Finally, a movie that is really exciting, full of cool '70s imagery, and not to mention some of the finest chase scenes and car maneuvers that I've ever seen. Hunky Ryan O'Neal plays "The Driver", a fellow who is the best getaway driver ever. He works for groups of bank robbers and the like for pay, he doesn't have friends and he lives in low places quietly so as to not get caught. He also comes off as being one of the coolest characters in film as he barely bats an eye at danger. Our opposition is the Police led by crusty detective Bruce Dern (who looks like a constipated Will Ferrell in this) who is hellbent on catching The Driver no matter what. Also for the fellas, Isabelle Adjani is in this, she assists The Driver on their scheme and of course is very elegant and lovely. When the Police confront a group of local robbers to hire The Driver for a job in order to trap him things really get heated. There is a little bit of chat in between many exciting chase scenes but it never drags. Sure it's not quite as awesome as The French Connection, but it's darned close! Oh and I should mention that I believe it's this film that influenced the video game Driver.

Availability:  On DVD

Southern Comfort (1981)

3 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: It's the land of hospitality... unless you don't belong there.
Directed by: Walter Hill
Written by: Walter Hill, Michael Kane
Actors include: Keith Carradine, Powers Boothe, Fred Ward
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Length: 106 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I really expected more from this considering it has a rather good reputation, but as is it was acceptable. Definitely we have sentiments of Deliverance, the plot is about a group of army fellas sent on a mission, but they steal canoes from some Cajuns and shoot blanks on them....it's all down hill from there. The natives start picking them off and setting up eerie traps and stuff. The thing is, it seems like it's made-for-tv and more safe than necessary, also the acting isn't the greatest (though it is mainly tv actors which makes some sense). It drags for long periods of time and although I suppose it was supposed to be "tension" building, it just sort of stayed at a meh sort of pacing. Sure it has a few violent moments and the concept although derivative isn't all that bad, it's just that it wasn't very rewarding.

Availability:  On DVD