Two Lane Blacktop

While in my NYE-induced winter funk this weekend, I was able to watch "Two Lane Blacktop." For those who don't know, it's James Taylor and Dennis Wilson being used as props to support some automotive actors.

That is to say, the Cars were the focal point (actors) and the people were just there to kind of keep things moving.

I'd vote it a strong contender for the best worst car movie.

What I REALLY liked about the movie were the noises. Unlike some other "car movies" I've seen...they managed to get actual sound from the cars doing what they were doing in some of the scenes.

It might not have been hifi sound...but it sure beats overdubbed shifting and tire squealing like in so many other movies.

I just thought some here might appreciate it...

Clem

Movie Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKcIGPQST9s&feature=related

This link should send you to the entire movie on Youtube in 10 minute segments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZez1NS7Ptk&feature=fvw

Very much a good/bad movie.

A friend of mine recommended this movie to me a few years ago and I just didn't understand what he saw or loved about the movie.

More bad than good moments and it didn't seem like the story really had an idea of where it was going.

I think you'd have to be smoking to enjoy this movie.

In reply to ChesterRumble:

While I pretty much agree...I went into it with low expectations (probably from reading about it in a thread here) so I was just thrilled to see and hear the car action. The rest was just fill.

Definitely not a movie for anyone but the most intense car guy...which I am.

Clem

I got a kick out of hearing the now-mild James Taylor saying:

James Taylor said: Make it three yards, motherberkeleyer, and we'll have us an automobile race.

I also liked that they used a real deal car for the movie, not some show-car with added sound effects.

Bryce

In reply to Nashco:

Definitely a memorable line!

I just got it a few days ago from the library because it has a cool car on it. I don't have any high expectations, will probably watch it tomorrow night.

mtn wrote: I don't have any high expectations...

The best way to watch any movie.

I bought it on DVD.. I'm a sucker for any movie with some serious car action. I also bought the original gone in 60 seconds, which is just one long car chase. Screw the plot, what a chase! Also, anyone for Dirty Marry Crazy Larry? Got that one on DVD too.

Clem,

I'm surprised that it took you this long to see it.

*well known trivia, the '55 Chevy is the same one that was used in "American Graffiti".

The first time I saw it I was 10 or so, my brother and I watched it to the end....and at the end where the film "burns"...we looked at each other and said "what the hell???....what happened???"

My vote for worst car movie ever is the Vanishing Point remake. Much as I like Viggo Mortenson, he and the movie were embarrassingly bad.

I haven't seen 2 lane or Graffiti, yes, I'm behind where i should be in movie watching. As for bad car movies, watch, (or avoid,) "eat my dust" with Ron Howard. He steals a first gen race Camaro and goes for a joy ride. Not good..

Two Lane Blacktop is definitely a low budget, period piece. People either like it or hate it; I think it helps if you were around back in those days. In the drag race scenes at the beginning of the movie, watch for Big Willie Robinson and the Brotherhood of Street Racers.

Gearheadotaku wrote: I haven't seen 2 lane or Graffiti, yes, I'm behind where i should be in movie watching. As for bad car movies, watch, (or avoid,) "eat my dust" with Ron Howard. He steals a first gen race Camaro and goes for a joy ride. Not good..

God golly, I had blissfully forgotten about that disaster. His second car movie, Grand Theft Auto, was actually...not horrible. There is something satisfying about, well, the ending. I don't want to spoil it if you've never seen it. Not many movies where you'll see them do a jump with this:

Yeah, I saw previews for grand theft, but was too ill from previous film to give it any further thought.

ok, thanks to youtube, I've now seen 2 lane.

Don't forget Warren Oates as GTO.

2-lane blacktop is one of my all-time favourites.

Not many movies where you actually hear what a Muncie Rockcrusher sounds like.

That is probably one of the baddest '55 chevys ever built.

Shawn

mark hammel in "corvette fever." worst car movie ever

artyboy619 wrote: mark hammel in "corvette fever." worst car movie ever

The name of the movie was "Corvette Summer". The Corvette was disgusting and however the bad guys black Trans Am was very nicely done.

The '55 in two lane is so rad.

rebelgtp wrote: The name of the movie was "Corvette Summer". The Corvette was disgusting and however the bad guys black Trans Am was very nicely done.

No it wasn't

They hacked up a Formula and added a T/A shaker scoop to the Ram-Air hood.

It looked weak on streetfreaks in the 70's and it still looks ugly.

Not as awful as that 'vette though.

Shawn

stuart in mn wrote: Two Lane Blacktop is definitely a low budget, period piece. People either like it or hate it; I think it helps if you were around back in those days.

Yeah, it was definitely one of those 1970s "stream of conciousness" movies. At the time, I thought it was one of those rich (Warren's GTO) vs. poor (James in the 55 Chebby) morality tales.

And Lesley's right. It helps if you smoke through a lot of the movies made during that era..

As for "Corvette Summer", I'd rather have the Datsun from the hotel.

I got a Netflix subscription for Christmas, so with that and the cold weather, I've watched "Vantage Point", "Grand Prix" and "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry". "Two-Lane Blacktop" will be arriving on Friday; then, "Easy Rider" is next in line.

Nothing like a cheesy car movie.

I guess I fall into the I like it catagory ... I know I love this movie and it's not just about the cars ....

This is a high art film that happens to also be a kick ass car flick. The film imho is about the bleak life of the people who have lost them selves in the bleakness of the 70's (post veitnam, post hippy, lost generation kinda deal). The Driver and Mechanic are as empy as their stripped out Chevy, and they don't care to be connected to each other or any other human for that matter. The girl is looking to be part of the past love generation and trying to find someone who will let her stay there, the GTO is trying to find a life by pretending to be a 'car guy', but the wold knows he's a poser.

See .. but I'm weird, I laugh at early John Waters, complain about how directors are still stealing camera angles from Leni Refinstal, love the progression of the 'clear vinyl' society that Terry Gilliam has gone through in his films, will watch any documentry anywhere about anything ... I watch weird E36 M3 and wish I went to fim school insted of Raido/TV.