Grosse Pointe Blank: Classic or Dud?

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I'm increasingly convinced that the last 15 minutes of this film are the greatest 15 minutes in cinema history.

Cusak: I was hired to kill you. But I'm not going to, because I'm in love with your daughter, and I've also found a new respect for life.

(cut to Ackroyd, chasing them)

Ackroyd: That bastard isn't going to kill him. He must be in love with the daughter, or found a new respect for life!

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:10 (twenty-three years ago)

the last moment I loved Cusack

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:13 (twenty-three years ago)

I just love the ending, where he's running around blowing people away like madness, but stopping like every couple of minutes to continue his speech on why Minnie Driver should give him another chance.

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:15 (twenty-three years ago)

Classic.

― luna (luna.c), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:17 (twenty-three years ago)

I was really disappointed when I went thru my psych eval at basic training and they didn't put me in the special hitman program.

― Millar (Millar), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:18 (twenty-three years ago)

One day I really should see this.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:19 (twenty-three years ago)

Ned, have you seen any movies in the past 10 years besides Star Wars and LOTR?

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:21 (twenty-three years ago)

When Ackroyd says "Popcorn!" and gets the tv dropped on his head is one of the funniest things ever.

― bnw (bnw), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:24 (twenty-three years ago)

In the theater, the past ten years? Hmm...

South Park, Adventures of Priscilla, Blair Witch Project, Topsy Turvy, Velvet Goldmine, various Star Trek related things, A Mighty Wind, Ed Wood, MST3K: The Movie, Amelie, Spirited Away, Interview With the Vampire, some of the Disney films during that time, Pulp Fiction...

I think that's it. A number of films I didn't see in the theater but I've got on DVD, so hey.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:25 (twenty-three years ago)

TOTAL CLASSIC. One of my most favorite films ever, for SO MANY reasons. Agreed with Ally on the Cusak/ackroyd exchange, but another fave part for me is when the Ultimart blows up:

Martin Blank: You OK?
Shop clerk: No! I'm hurt, I'm pissed... and I gotta find a new job!

Also the subtle humour of things like, when Martin walks towards the Ultimart in shock that his home's gone, and "Live and Let Die" (GnR version) is playing, but when he walks into the store, it becomes a muzak version! Cracks me up every time.

The soundtrack is great, the dialogue is snappy and cool, and well...John AND Joan Cusack, you can't go wrong. This is one of the first ever films I bought on DVD cause I knew I'd watch it repeatedly (and I have). Love love love it.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:29 (twenty-three years ago)

The soundtrack is good, I didn't realize how many good songs were in the film until the other day (it was on tv for the 8 billionth time).

bnw is OTM about the tv thing.

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:33 (twenty-three years ago)

It has "Go!" by Tones on Tail! I love that song :)

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:35 (twenty-three years ago)

I was sitting there alone on prom night, in a goddamn rented tuxedo, and my whole life flashed before my eyes. And I realized finally, and for the first time, that I wanted to kill somebody. So I figured since I loved you so much, it'd be a good idea if I didn't see you anymore.

― luna (luna.c), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:37 (twenty-three years ago)

plus classic Piven on Cusack action

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:37 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh, another bit I like: when he rings up his secreetary (Joan's character) and she says "I'm taking down the office as we speak!" - she's leaping around the room going "la la de da!" and flinging petrol about and smashing PCs with a sledgehammer. That on it's own is hilarious but when he tells her to look under the desk for something he left her and she finds the huge wodge of cash and yells "ALL RIIIIHGT!" Shes so cute.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:40 (twenty-three years ago)

Piven is great. "Martin, I work in real estate. What do you do?"

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:42 (twenty-three years ago)

that scene's actually heartbreaking in a 'how far have I come?/who is I anymore?' kinda way

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:52 (twenty-three years ago)

Piven's scene in the car where he shouts "ten years... TEN YEARS! TEN ... YEAAARRRS. TEN YEARS" over and over is a hoot :) What else is that guy in? I don't know if I've seen him in anything before that I can place.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:58 (twenty-three years ago)

PCU which is also the best film ever.

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 02:59 (twenty-three years ago)

There can be only one. Now choose.

― jm (jtm), Monday, 19 May 2003 03:58 (twenty-three years ago)

Erm whats PCU?

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 03:59 (twenty-three years ago)

it's a goddamn david spade movie

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 04:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah, but it's the best movie ever. He gets his ass totally kicked? Jeremy Piven is great in it. "DON'T BE THAT GUY!"

Grosse Pointe Blank is a better movie but damn, PCU.

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 04:04 (twenty-three years ago)

Hey I like David Spade :) I might have to check it out thanks Ally!

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 04:04 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh... Oh! *lightbulb of recognition goes on after IMDB search* I have seen PCU. And yes, it was hilarious.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 04:18 (twenty-three years ago)

The scene where Piven is tormenting his roommate is particularly uproarious.

― slutsky (slutsky), Monday, 19 May 2003 04:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Regarding Piven & PCU - I'm partial to the inspirational speech before EVERYONE GETS LAID where he bugs out and starts scratching himself all over, screaming "GIVE US BOOZE!" or something to that effect. It took about 15 accidental encounters w/ PCU on Comedy Central to "get" "it" (&, still, that Funkadelic "guest appearance" stuff comes off like some half-ass Scooby Doo episode bullshit w/ the Harlem Globetrotters and someone's disgruntled pool boy dressed up as Swamp Thing w/ elephantitis) (which, of course, is why it works) (if my mixed metaphor didn't confuse the shit out of you).

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 19 May 2003 04:52 (twenty-three years ago)

"i'm a professional killer."
"good for you, i hear it's a growth industry."

― Dave M. (rotten03), Monday, 19 May 2003 05:12 (twenty-three years ago)

I love how he tells almost everyone what he really does and no one believes him. I mean who would, in reality? It was a nice touch :)

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 05:13 (twenty-three years ago)

man if I rented this movie I would get such a case of heartbreaking nostalgia it would kill me dead

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 05:13 (twenty-three years ago)

I want to watch it when I get home now, with a nice slow drawn out cigarette and glass of plonk. GOd dammit.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 06:15 (twenty-three years ago)

Okay, I'll bite. I hate this movie, and I'm trying to figure out why. Reasons:
1) Minnie Driver's face profoundly disturbs me.
2) I can't be sympathetic towards John Cusack's character, even though, yes, it is John Cusack (and everybody likes John Cusack!). Most of it has to do with him killing people. But then, why am I much more sympathetic towards Leon in The Professional? And, I don't think they really pulled off the mixing of zany comedy with extreme violence (even though that's exactly the type of movie I usually enjoy). It seemed a bit smug in its boldness (which sometimes can be excused, if the movie has a point).

All my friends went making-fuck-berzerker over this movie, too, so I'm clearly in the minority.

― Ernest P. (ernestp), Monday, 19 May 2003 11:36 (twenty-three years ago)

Making-fuck-berzerker!

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:27 (twenty-three years ago)

I feel so clueless for never seeing this movie.

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:30 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm really wonder if I'd like it half as much now, post-liking John Cusack

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:31 (twenty-three years ago)

Why don't you like him anymore? Everyone likes him! He's adorable!

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:32 (twenty-three years ago)

See, that's the thing. I think he's kind of a chucklehead now, I should have watched this movie when I still liked his acting.

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:33 (twenty-three years ago)

I love this film SO much it's not true. My personal favourite bit = Cussack and the psychiatrist;

I don't think I can be your psychiatrist anymore.

Why not?

Because I'm emotionally involved with you; I'm scared of you.

You can't ditch me now! We haven't got to the root cause of my anxiety! Plus I know where you live.

That's not funny.

Or something... Cracks me up every time. Great soundtrack, great dialogue, great fun.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:35 (twenty-three years ago)

I watched Amercia's Sweethearts this weekend. On my own. It was shit, but John was grebt. As always.

Only downside with GPB is the sound level - at times, it's difficult to make out dialogue, especially when guns are going off.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:36 (twenty-three years ago)

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:39 (twenty-three years ago)

High Fidelity roxor! Serendipity...well it didn't roxor but he looked pretty hot in it.

I have no excuse for Con Air.

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Con Air was great - Steve Buscemi + Cusack can possibly be bad?!?!?

― Dave M. (rotten03), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:54 (twenty-three years ago)

Con Air is k-great, but Cusack=ed ass in it. He's like the fortieth best actor in that movie.

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:57 (twenty-three years ago)

Five words: Nicholas Cage's long flowing hair.

Another three: IN SLOW MOTION.

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:57 (twenty-three years ago)

three more words: Trisha Yearwood powerballad

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 13:58 (twenty-three years ago)

I fail to see how Nick Cage and Trisha Yearwood are John Cusak's fault, though.

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 14:03 (twenty-three years ago)

"How do I leeeeee-aaave?"

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 14:04 (twenty-three years ago)

Dude, I lose all respect for anyone who doesn't like Better Off Dead and dates Meg Ryan. I mean, come on.

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 14:05 (twenty-three years ago)

The passions now run high.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 19 May 2003 14:05 (twenty-three years ago)

Dude, I lose all respect for anyone who doesn't like Better Off Dead and dates Meg Ryan.

TS:

http://librarymedia.org/assets/DVDclasImages/say_anything.jpg

vs.

http://img.yupimsn.com/dm/articles/img/Russell_Crowe_Mes_333.jpg

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 14:12 (twenty-three years ago)

Skipping 38 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

I was just getting the ball rolling, love!

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Monday, 19 May 2003 16:57 (twenty-three years ago)

By talking about Patrick Dempsey?!

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 16:58 (twenty-three years ago)

I fucking love Patrick Dempsey. The greatest of the 80s teen actors, mainly for Can't Buy Me Love and Loverboy. These are amazing movies!

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Monday, 19 May 2003 17:07 (twenty-three years ago)

Jon Cryer=?

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 17:10 (twenty-three years ago)

Eww

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 17:10 (twenty-three years ago)

Correct answer, Nicole! Jon Cryer is, in fact, eww.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 19 May 2003 17:15 (twenty-three years ago)

He is probably the second most punchable actor to have ever graced the silver screen.

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 17:31 (twenty-three years ago)

oh come on - there's at least two Afflecks in our world so he's no higher than third at most

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 17:32 (twenty-three years ago)

No, O'Bannion and his little buttmonkey brother are pathetic assclowns but in a way that is almost kind of pitiful. Jon Cryer is just irritating.

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 17:34 (twenty-three years ago)

you forget Greg Kinnear also

― James Blount (James Blount), Monday, 19 May 2003 17:35 (twenty-three years ago)

And Renee Zellwegger.

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 17:44 (twenty-three years ago)

And Steve Guttenberg

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Monday, 19 May 2003 17:49 (twenty-three years ago)

No, Cryer is much, much worse. I think I remember a few years back he was in some failed sitcom where he played a music critic for a newspaper, which makes perfect sense to me because he is like the epitome of every horrible ilm poster who complains about people liking Celine dion. The quintessential corny indie motherfucker!

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 18:02 (twenty-three years ago)

But The Amazing Teddy Z! Or whatever the fuck that was.

Didn't he play Lex Luthor's nephew in the fourth Superman movie? Oh dear.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 19 May 2003 18:22 (twenty-three years ago)

You can't possibly find him more annoying than, say, Seth Green or Matthew Lillard, though.

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 18:49 (twenty-three years ago)

Seriously? He's worse than either of them. And I really hate Matthew Lillard, so that's saying something.

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 18:51 (twenty-three years ago)

C'mon...Leonardo DiCaprio?

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 18:52 (twenty-three years ago)

Like I said, he reminds of the worst kind of ilm poster. He borders on G0nd0la B0b-dom, he's so creepy and annoying.

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 18:54 (twenty-three years ago)

But he's been rendered completely irrelevant and obsolete, it's like harboring hatred for Pong!

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 18:55 (twenty-three years ago)

saw bits of grosse point blank on tv the other day,i've seen it loads but its always enjoyable
romy and michelles high school reunion,on the other hand,is the worst thing in the history of the world

― robin (robin), Monday, 19 May 2003 18:55 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah, it's completely irrevelvant, but he still reminds me of every creepy indie rawk dude that lives with his moms. And that is the worst.

― Nicole (Nicole), Monday, 19 May 2003 18:56 (twenty-three years ago)

the first half of romy and michelle is great. it goes into a third-act nosedive, though.

matthew lillard = punk rock

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Monday, 19 May 2003 18:57 (twenty-three years ago)

the pinnacle of matthew lillard's achievements = "ZOINKS!"

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 19 May 2003 19:07 (twenty-three years ago)

Yo yo yo, yo, JUDGE REINHOLD, yo.

― Millar (Millar), Monday, 19 May 2003 19:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Bingo.

― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 19 May 2003 19:28 (twenty-three years ago)

God I hate opposing timezones, all the good convos happen while I'm asslep mumble mutter...

Upthread someone mentioned liking "Say Anything" - DUD FILM! I rented it on the flimsy "its Cusack, it must be good!" pretense but after about 45 minutes I gave up waiting for something to actually happen and turned it off (and I never do this even with crappy movies).

I forgot one more urgent and key reason GPB is classic - this line:

where are all the good mean dead - in the heart, or in the head?

BTW why is everyone such a Jon Cryer hatah? Ducky was rox0r! (he did play Ducky didnt he?).

This thread makes me want to ask: are there any modern day classic teen films in the John Hughes etc etc vein? The last one I can think of that I loved was Punmp Up the Volume. Maybe I'm old but it really feels like they don't make 'em like that anymore.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 21:26 (twenty-three years ago)

are there any modern day classic teen films in the John Hughes etc etc vein?

I don't know if it's totally in that vein, but Bring It On, surely.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 19 May 2003 21:30 (twenty-three years ago)

The psychiatrist from this: real life Michel Foucault?!

― Cozen (Cozen), Monday, 19 May 2003 21:30 (twenty-three years ago)

Also: 10 Things I Hate About You, She's All That, American Pie and Can't Hardly Wait (if the Jenna Elfman scene were cut)

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Monday, 19 May 2003 21:31 (twenty-three years ago)

Mmmrmmm I dunno about American Pie. That smacked way more of Porkys than Pretty in Pink. YMMV etc etc.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 19 May 2003 21:32 (twenty-three years ago)

It's Porkys AND Pretty In Pink!

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Monday, 19 May 2003 21:33 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't know if it's totally in that vein, but Bring It On, surely.

For a smart teen flick? I guess so. But then you could also count O too, if you are solely using that criteria.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Monday, 19 May 2003 21:58 (twenty-three years ago)

Yo yo yo, yo, JUDGE REINHOLD, yo.

When Steve Guttenberg has so extensive a filmography?

― j.lu (j.lu), Tuesday, 20 May 2003 01:41 (twenty-three years ago)

The psychiatrist from this: real life Michel Foucault?!

Expand on this, surely?

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 20 May 2003 01:43 (twenty-three years ago)

it's Alan Arkin in the movie... do you mean he's supposed to represent Michel Foucault's real life run in with the mob?

― Dave M. (rotten03), Tuesday, 20 May 2003 02:16 (twenty-three years ago)

two years pass...

I just watched this for the first time, only eight years late to the party... really good. I watched Holiday (Hepburn-Grant) last night and was enjoying the snappy-dialogue similarity between the two movies.

― pixel farmer (Rock Hardy), Thursday, 23 February 2006 04:27 (twenty years ago)

I still often find myself saying "This is me breathing."

― Abbadavid Berman (Hurting), Thursday, 23 February 2006 04:37 (twenty years ago)

And aside from the comedy, I really did like the recuring "self-actualization" motif in the film. It's been a while since I've seen it, but I think there's a scene where he offs someone right after telling them "It's not me," and there's a great double meaning in it.

― Abbadavid Berman (Hurting), Thursday, 23 February 2006 04:44 (twenty years ago)

Yeah he says "its not me" a few times, and I did like that touch.

― Trayce (trayce), Thursday, 23 February 2006 05:29 (twenty years ago)

two years pass...

native american art, ballroom dancing, pornography

― the sun just sent me a text (gbx), Saturday, 20 December 2008 05:35 (seventeen years ago)

I love this film. And, for the fifth year running, my brother will jokingly give it me for Xmas.

― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Saturday, 20 December 2008 09:30 (seventeen years ago)

great great movie

― Manchego Bay (G00blar), Saturday, 20 December 2008 10:40 (seventeen years ago)

Hilarious how this movie treats throwing a dead body into the school boiler room's furnace like it's some shocking thing. At my school, we called that Tuesday!

― You go, Squirrel TM (latebloomer), Saturday, 20 December 2008 11:04 (seventeen years ago)

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/funny-pictures-cat-in-couch-bad-joke.jpg

― You go, Squirrel TM (latebloomer), Saturday, 20 December 2008 11:06 (seventeen years ago)

four years pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2uCXOKxfjU

― the little prince of inane false binary hype (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 14 January 2013 01:42 (thirteen years ago)

"and now I'm left with the aftermath of that"

genius

― saltwater incursion (Dr Morbius), Monday, 14 January 2013 03:04 (thirteen years ago)

always loved how he's staring right into the camera at the start of that scene.

― piscesx, Monday, 14 January 2013 03:07 (thirteen years ago)

"I killed the president of Paraguay with a fork. How have you been?".

― Una Stubbs' Tears (Trayce), Monday, 14 January 2013 07:53 (thirteen years ago)

Alan Arkin is awesome in this. I still love this film to pieces.

I am really embarrassed upthread that I said I liked David Spade though, WTF.

― Una Stubbs' Tears (Trayce), Monday, 14 January 2013 07:53 (thirteen years ago)

"Go see some old friends."
"I'll give it a shot."
"No, don't give it a shot! Don't shoot anything...for a couple of days. See how that feels."

― Una Stubbs' Tears (Trayce), Monday, 14 January 2013 07:55 (thirteen years ago)

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