Hooper (1978) (Burt Reynolds) - April 7th, 2015

[Mystic]

Originally Posted by Nocturnaloner

After watching it again last night, there's one thing I can say for sure: Hooper is just flat-out fun. Those of us who grew up when Burt Reynolds was the biggest movie star on the planet won't really be surprised, but it's good to be reminded.

Hooper rides an interesting line between the full-on spoofs like Cannonball Run, and his more serious films. It's 90% for laughs, but just like the stuntmen it portrays, Hooper wants to entertain you any way it can.

Love story? Yep. Portrait of a modern day matador managing his pain with drugs, booze, and bravado? Check. Endless car and motorcycle stunts, explosions, horsemanship, and bar fights? It does deliver. A perpetually bra-less and perky Sally Field? Oh yes.

I can see younger viewers, and in my case I'm talking about people in their 30s or younger, not getting the appeal of Burt Reynolds: "Who is this porn-'stached guy with the goofy laugh who smirks at the camera?" Maybe his approach is dated, it's hard for me to judge, but if you understand his charm, you'll have a good time with this.

The movie is certainly a product of its times, and it reflects those sensibilities. I grew up during the 1970s, and I remember just how popular Burt Reynolds truly was during that time. Looking back at these movies, they reflect a sensibility that no longer exits, and is solely missed. This movie has been a favorite of mine since I saw it during its original theatrical run, and I'm very happy to have this film on blu ray.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Guydowood

Here's hoping the sales on both these Reynolds titles will warrant Warner Bros. to issue Stroker Ace, Cannonball Run II and City Heat w/ Eastwood.....

I hope they come out too but not sure I would buy them all. They're all after Burt's prime and I don't remember them fondly.

[Angel Eyes]

The only other Burt's I want that are not yet released are: The End, Best Friends, Semi Tough and The Best Little *****house in Texas

[Guydowood]

actually his version of The Longest Yard would be nice. Of course that a Paramount title.

Reynolds still holds the record as the only actor to stay five years as the #1 box office draw. No-one other performer has come close.

[Geoff D]

Burt was a bad mother****er. What was the #2 film in the US behind Star Wars in '77? Smokey and the Bandit. Awesome.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Burt was a bad mother****er. What was the #2 film in the US behind Star Wars in '77? Smokey and the Bandit. Awesome.

From 1975/6 to 1982 he was one of the biggest if not the biggest box office draw. The only one that came close to him from 77-81 was John Travolta because of Saturday Night Fever, Grease and Urban Cowboy. Even Eastwood back then paled in comparison at the box office and in popularity.

[VOODOO]

Originally Posted by Angel Eyes

From 1975/6 to 1982 he was one of the biggest if not the biggest box office draw. The only one that came close to him from 77-81 was John Travolta because of Saturday Night Fever, Grease and Urban Cowboy

Agreed! Burt Reynolds was THE MAN from the mid 70's up until the early/mid 80's. It's easy to forget how big a star Reynolds was. He was like a rock star of that era. He had a much bigger impact than guys like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt had in their era's.

Reynolds inability to pick quality scripts (this is the man who turned down Terms of Endearment to do Stroker Ace) eventually caught up with him. Still he was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe in the late 90's for Boogie Nights.

It's funny how Reynolds remains a legendary figure/big star but he hasn't turned out a film up to his standards in a very long time. I wish he could have a late in the game hit like Clint Eastwood did with Gran Torino or several of his other later day films.

[Guydowood]

I believe the turning point of his career is when he got injured while shooting City Heat and broke his Jaw.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by Guydowood

I believe the turning point of his career is when he got injured while shooting City Heat and broke his Jaw.

That and terrible film choices from about 1982 onward. After Best Friends IN 82 he was pretty much done until Booige Nights in 97.

[StingingVelvet]

I believe he has said Stroker Ace is what killed his career. I don't think one flop alone can do that, but maybe that plus a blow to his confidence or inner circle screwed up his follow-up choices.

Most people have an era though. People like Tom Cruise and Eastwood are rare with their long as heck movie star careers.

[WilsonBros]

Originally Posted by Guydowood

Here's hoping the sales on both these Reynolds titles will warrant Warner Bros. to issue Stroker Ace, Cannonball Run II and City Heat w/ Eastwood.....

Cannonball run II is out in Denmark. It has a nice 1.78:1 image, English 5.1 or 2.0, various removable Scandinavian subtitles and the title is in English on the front & spine. A release anywhere else in the world would use the same transfer.

The only drawback to international buyers is that it's Region "B" locked.

[Geoff D]

Gotta get me that at some point, it's available easily enough thru amazon, last time I checked. It'd be nice to replace the old open-matte DVD.

[WilsonBros]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Gotta get me that at some point, it's available easily enough thru amazon, last time I checked. It'd be nice to replace the old open-matte DVD.

Yeah, currently retailing new at a grand total of about £11.30, including postage.

[seagal]

Originally Posted by Guydowood

I believe the turning point of his career is when he got injured while shooting City Heat and broke his Jaw.

I don´t think so because Reynolds had some flops after "Sharky´s Machine".

"The man who loved women" wasn´t a hit. The same with "Best Friends". So prior to "City Heat" Burt was no longer a huge box office draw. He was hot till 1982 but 1983 was not a good year for him.

Reynolds often said that the jaw injury would affect his acting on "City Heat" but I didn´t notice anything.

Everything seems normal to me.

[GetHarryPalmer]

Just got this and Sharky's Machine and they both look amazing. I'm pissed of at Warners for lots of stuff, but I'm very happy they finally released these two in their proper aspect ratios and with these beautiful transfers.

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Burt was a bad mother****er. What was the #2 film in the US behind Star Wars in '77? Smokey and the Bandit. Awesome.

Was?

[Maggot]

Then a messy divorce with Loni Anderson. Then add enough interviews and publicity out there that, quite frankly, show him in full light as the A-Hole he truly is.

[seagal]

Originally Posted by Maggot

Then a messy divorce with Loni Anderson. Then add enough interviews and publicity out there that, quite frankly, show him in full light as the A-Hole he truly is.

Don´t talk baloney, pal. Reynolds isn´t an ******* at all. 98% of all actors and actresses love the man and described him as generous and great to work with.

His divorce was a disaster. He gave to many interviews after that. Especially his interview in that purple suit was awful and embarrassing.

But we´re all humans and we all make mistakes. But that doesn´t mean that he´s an *******.

[grant666uk]

Have this and |Detroit Rock City on its way to Scotland. Kind of wish I had ordered Sharky's Machine too although I have never seen it.

[marmup]

Just finished watching and I thought it looked good considering the age of the movie. This has always been one of my favorite Burt Reynolds movie. He was always able to pull off being the center of attention without coming off as being to cocky. He wasn't afraid to make fun of himself at times. Not as much of that today as too many are trying to be "cool"