Paul Newman

Theme: Paul Newman

For the inaugural post, I give you some of my favorite movies that star Paul Newman. He was an amazing actor and philanthropist who left behind a wonderful body of work.

Monday

The Sting: (1973)
When a mutual friend is killed by a mob boss, two con men, one experienced and one young try to get even by pulling off the big con on the mob boss. The story unfolds with several twists and last minute alterations.

Paul Newman AND a young Robert Redford in one of the best heist movies I've ever seen. While there aren't a lot of equations that you KNOW will work in Hollywood, where "no one knows anything," but Newman + Redford = AWESOMECAKES. It's all about the eyes in this one. One of my favorite movies of all time.

Tuesday

The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean: (1972)
A no account outlaw establishes his own particular brand of law and order and builds a town on the edges of civilization in this farcical western. With the aid of an old law text and unpredictable notions Roy Bean distinguishes between lawbreakers and lawgivers by way of his pistols.

"If this story ain't true... it shoulda been."  Farcical and telling, this movie is hilarious.  Though I think the bear kind of steals the show out from under everyone.

Wednesday

Cool Hand Luke: (1967)
Luke Jackson is a cool, gutsy prisoner in a Southern chain gang, who, while refusing to buckle under to authority, keeps escaping and being recaptured. The prisoners admire Luke because, as Dragline explains it, "You're an original, that's what you are!" Nevertheless, the camp staff actively works to crush Luke until he finally breaks.

This is...One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest but in prison.  The most famous line is "What we have here is a failure to communicate" for good reason.  It resonates with such power once you've seen the movie.  It won an Oscar for a reason!    

Thursday

The Towering Inferno: (1974)
At the opening party of a colossal, but poorly constructed, office building, a massive fire breaks out that threatens to destroy the tower and everyone in it.

One of the first disaster movies ever made!  It's brilliant, and was one of the highest-grossing box office draws of the mid-1970s.  One in a string of such disaster movies, like Poseidon.  And Steve McQueen is in it, so bonus!

Friday

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: (1969)
Legendary outlaws Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) display perfect comedic timing and charisma as they pull off heist after heist in this Oscar-winning film from director George Roy Hill. To evade a relentless posse, the boys flee to Bolivia, thinking they'll find easier pickings there. But trouble finds the fugitives wherever they go, and soon, the charming desperadoes are on the run again.

I pretty much knew I'd like this because as proven, Paul Newman + Robert Redford = awesomesauce.

Saturday

Cars:  (2006)
A hot-shot race-car named Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family.

Not the best of Pixar's movies, but Newman's last project before he died.  He's great as the wise mentor race car (which is just a hilariously funny thing to type).  Perfect for some light Saturday watching.

Sunday

The Color of Money: (1986)
Fast Eddie Felson teaches a cocky but immensely talented protégé the ropes of pool hustling, which in turn inspires him to make an unlikely comeback.

Directed by Martin Scorsese; Newman won an Oscar for his role as Fast Eddie Falson.  Newman is brilliant, but I think Scorsese really shines as a director here.  He lets the story tell itself instead of beating us over the head like in  The Departed.