Weekend Round-Up – The Problem With Preordering and The French Connection Review
Monday morning is here and it is time for a weekend round-up…
Well that went quick didn’t it? The weekend I mean. I am sure when I was a boy the days went a lot slower and it would always feel like a mini holiday every weekend. But now as an adult with a wife, 2 kids, 2 cats and a dog the time flies by in an instant. Ah well here we are back at the desk. At least the sun is shining right?
Today Avengers Assemble is released onto Blu-Ray and DVD in the UK. It is a day that us film fans have been looking forward to for a long while (me more than many as i didn’t see it at the cinema!!). We have all had our pre-orders in for months. I saw a cracking little deal to buy all 6 Avenger films for £39.99 on AMAZOn in June and quickly pre-ordered. I didn’t want to let that one pass me buy. But on Friday it still had not dispatched. There is sat in the warehouse all alone, and not winging its way to me in the not so good British Postal service! It seems that I was not alone in my pain though, Jaina was feeling the stress too, along with quite a few other filmies on Twitter
My question is… What is the point of pre-ordering now?
It would have been less stress and more rewarding to nip into town and pick this up at a shop myself than relying on a pre-order. You get no reward for being keen. I will not do it again that is for sure.
It is now Monday and I am awaiting for the postman, if he comes empty-handed I am likely to go all HULK on him! Be warned Postie!
Anyway mini rant over. I did manage to get a film in this weekend, through the housework and Saturday night trashy TV. It is a film I have wanted to see for ages, and for some reason kept slipping through the net…The French Connection.
Before I go on with my review… Who is better in a Porkpie hat. Popeye from The French Connection or Heisenberg from Breaking Bad?
My vote is with Heisenberg (just)… Damn I really want one of these hats!!
Here is my review…
The French Connection is a film that is admired greatly across the world. A Police thriller and action film that is based on fact, not fiction, and presented in such a way that it is incredibly entertaining. It has taken me a long time to get around to seeing it, but The French Connection is now up there in my ultimate list of favourite films, ever. A Must See.
The French Connection tells the tale of an incredible drug deal and one cops attempt to stop it from taking place. We are shown the investigation, the chase, the action in a typical MOVIE style; but what gives this film real punch is its gritty styling and what makes it stand out is the deft character study and presentation of Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, played by Gene Hackman. Popeye is in charge of stopping a drug smuggling operation led by the charming Alain Chanier, played by Fernando Rey. This case soon becomes an obsession for Popeye, and with every chase, failed attempt and miss we witness him fall deeper into a downward spiral with one thing on his mind, catching Charnier. The character is so fully penned that we care for him and his state of mind, we understand his obsession, we want him to succeed before it is too late for him and for those around him.
Popeye Doyle sniffs out a possible drug smuggling ring, but he and his partner Buddy Russo, played by Roy Schneider, have little in the way of clues. Yet, Popeye and his tenacious ways persist until almost out of the blue they find a connection to France. Alain Charnier has hired a broke French TV Star to travel to USA with his car full of Heroin. There is nothing to connect this star to Charnier, but in the end Popeye finds a way. Charnier is super slippery and this infuriates Popeye, who by now cares little for the drugs, he just wants his man!
The French Connection is styled beautifully. It portrays New York as a gritty and uninviting city, harsh but intriguing, the perfect backdrop for a stand off between criminals and police. The pace is unrelenting and never really lets off from the initial exposition chase to the finale. There are some stand out scene – A car versus train chase is thrilling stuff to watch, and an almost farcical tail onto a subway between Popeye and Charnier had me smiling from ear to ear.
William Freidkin does a very admirable job with the direction. The film is perfectly executed at every turn, showing us just enough to keep our interest going until the next reveal. Gene Hackman is extraordinary as Popeye and is supported well by Rey and Schneider.
A milestone cop drama, gritty and realistic with some of the best acting by Gene Hackman I have ever seen, if you, like me have been putting this off… stop… and watch!
5 STARS
I can’t stop thinking about the ending….
Scott Lawlor
In the past, with pre-orders, they usually ensured that I’d get whatever I pre-ordered on day of release. Amazon’s also got the pre-order price guarantee, that if the price goes lower, you’ll get the new lower price. Not sure what happens if the price goes up though. Also, buying online is still cheaper. For me anyway. Blu-rays are still expensive in regular shops. When’s that going to change, huh?
I’m still hoping that I have a lovely package waiting for me when I get home tonight. If not, I’ll just have to console myself with more Buffy watching.
As for the hat. Heisenberg definitely wears it better. Though, he’s got the shades going too. It’s that whole package look!
Completely agree with you on The French Connection. Only saw it for the first time this year and it blew me away. Like you said, it’s totally unrelenting. I don’t think I’ve seen Gene Hackman in a better role.
You are obviously right Jaina, it is easier, cheaper and less stressful buying online, but I have been so stressed out about not having this here I have lost all love for buying online now…
Another vote for Heisenberg!! Cool
Time to watch French Connection 2 Scott
Hi, Scott and company:
No one wears a Pork pie Hat like Gene Hackman!
Though one must always remember that Mr. Hackman deliberately bought his hat one size too small when he cast as Detective ‘Popeye’ Doyle.
Ed O’Neil (‘Married with Children’) did a fair job when reprising the role of Doyle for a TV movie/pilot in 1986.
As does Heisenberg, in a Gansta/Geek/Hipster sort of way, but Hackman walks away with it!
When I saw the title of the post, I knew I’d find a comment from JD in here.
I’ve always been a huge Gene Hackman fan, and this is one of his best. Have to pick up a copy of this Blu.
Bonjour, Tristesse:
Thanks so much!
Mr. Hackman is certainly unique and ‘The French Connection’ is one of his best films.
Drop by Ruth’s FC if you have a few minutes to spare. I have a post on ‘The Women of Howard Hawks’ you might find entertaining.
Yup, you nailed The French Connection. Just saw it a couple months ago myself, on the big screen no less, and it blew me away. Fantastic film that holds up quite well today.
And it’s gotta be Heisenberg. What a badass.
I didn’t think of this before, but I very rarely pre-order my BluRays. The only time I use Amazon (or any provider) is to purcahse stuff that’s already available. If a movie I want is due to come out that day (like Avengers or Battleship or Dark Knight Rises etc), and I want it badly enough, I’ll drop past the shop on the way home from work and grab it. I can understand the allure of pre-ordering, but when it goes wrong it can cause frustration for all.
Haven’t watched Breaking Bad yet, but I still rekon Hackman sells his hat better.
I hardly pre-order BDs these days, I used to when the format was first introduced, now I can just go pick up the discs on the release date at local electronic stores.
Glad you enjoyed The French Connection, it’s first of its kind when it comes to that gritty/documentary style of action film. I know most people only credited Paul Greengrass for coming up with that style, clearly they’ve never seen this film. Too bad Friedkin lost his mojo, he hasn’t done anything close to this film in a long long time.
I hardly ever pre-order anything, unless it’s something I absolutely can’t wait to see or it’s on sale.
I never pre-order stuff too. But I did bought things from internet once, and time just felt slower while waiting for it. I never watch French Connection, but people seem to love it. Thanks for sharing! Wouldn’t mind to watch it too
I watched The French Connection last week too Scott! Think it is the third time I’ve watched it now. Great film. I think it gets better and better!
Hope you have received it by now (your probably did as I didn’t see your face showing up on the news for hurting a postman
). As for who looks better it’s got to be Heisenberg.
French connection is an amazing movie, really like the gritty feel of it.
Nothing like preorder drama. My experience this week is related to the Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection being delayed until November – a whole month off. Oh well.
Every time I find myself driving under the elevated trains, I think of The French Connection. A true classic.