Cincinnati Babyhead

Speaks his mind on music & movies!

CB Takes a Mission

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Apocalypse Now closes the drive in for the summer.  Just watched it the other night and it still stands up for CB.  It’s a big chunk of film.  It bombards the senses with images.  It totally takes you up the river on Willard’s mission to eliminate Kurtz. You are on that boat in that time and place.  The story builds and builds while it takes you on a eerie surreal trip.  It’s like a wacked out amusement ride at a crazy fair.  The performances are memorable with Sheen carrying the bulk.  His stoic contained underplayed truthful take is perfect.  You are in his character’s mind.  Real cool film.  Oh yeah and remember “Never get off the goddamn boat”

So pile in the car with a load of refreshments  for the last drive in for the season.  See you next summer.

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43 comments on “CB Takes a Mission”

  1. hotfox63
    August 20, 2017

    We penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness – Joseph Conrad

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      August 20, 2017

      Great book. I like Conrad’s work. A reread in the future. Brando was a little different from the Kurtz in the book. His portrayal worked for the film.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      • hotfox63
        August 21, 2017

        Conrad is good when he writes about the sea but less when he writes about women.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 21, 2017

        I’ll note that when I re read him. Watched the film version of ‘Lord Jim’ a while ago. Enjoyed it. The last book I read of his was ‘Nostromo’ and that was while ago.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Jim S.
        August 21, 2017

        Lord Jim? Nostromo? Whoa, whoa, slow down there with the culture CB. Some of us poor bloggers are still trying to work their way through Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Love Story and their collection of Archie comics.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 21, 2017

        Doc you’re a beauty. I am actually chuckling out loud. I crawl out of the mud once in a while. I’m like that Bruce song ‘Part Man Part Monkey”. I’m more at home with Fred, Barney, Bugs, Elmer, Jethro and the rest.

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      • hotfox63
        August 21, 2017

        “Heart of Darkness”, “Lord Jim” and “The Shadowline” are great classic books. I also liked “Typhoon”. A story about a sea journey who ends in a typhoon …

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 21, 2017

        I’m making my way through those. CB loves a good adventure story. Greenpete58 is a sea faring man. I’m sure he could weigh in on those tales.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Jim S.
        August 21, 2017

        I’m reading Master and Commander. There are twenty in the series. I like it but I’ll be lucky to get through two. As to Fred and Barney, etc. we are on the same page. Now I feel better.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 21, 2017

        Now you have me intrigued . I seen the Peter Weir movie. Probably loosely based. ‘Lord Jim’ is in that old “don’t make them like that anymore’ you mentioned. You might like it. Not an epic like ‘Apocalypse’ and Lawrence” but worth a watch.

        Now that we have both pretended to be smart guys, lets get to the real stuff. Lining up on the hottest day of the summer to catch the original ‘Batman’ movie back in the 60’s. Doing the same thing with ‘A Man Called Flintstone’. Top that for culture Doc!

        Like

      • Jim S.
        August 21, 2017

        Yeah, it’s based on ‘Master and Commander’ and mostly, ‘The Far Side of the World,’ hence the title. There are some people who are fanatical about the series. I like the book but I’m having a hard time visualizing stuff. The closest I come to seafaring was a half-hour pleasure cruise around Boston harbor. I don’t know a mizzenmast from a cockatoo.

        Culture-wise I’m catching up on Dukes of Hazzard and old episodes of Honey BooBoo.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Jim S.
    August 20, 2017

    CB, we’ve talked before about how they don’t make them like they used to. This is Exhibit A. Saw this on the big screen when it came out. This, like, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ or ‘Gandhi’ has an epic feel. They spend a lot of money on movies these days but mostly superhero. (Recent exception, ‘Dunkirk’ which I found to be good but not great.) The making of this movie was so eventful in and of itself that Coppola’s wife co-directed a documentary about it called ‘Hearts of Darkness.’ Available at all the usual rental places and well worth seeing if you dig this picture.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      August 20, 2017

      You are a knowledgeable guy on this film stuff Doc. Can’t comment on the new big action flicks. I’m sure there are some good ones but a few I’ve seen were forgettable. ‘Apocalypse’ (and the others you mentioned) is not forgettable. “Exhibit A” is a good quote. Strap in a go for a cinematic treat. helps to have a good story.
      Seen his wife’s doc and your right it was worth watching. Amazing it got made. I’ll be watching this one again soon.

      Like

      Reply
      • Jim S.
        August 20, 2017

        I had thought about maybe adding movies in to my site but then that would eat up any remaining spare time. I’ll stay focused on music. CB’s doing a fine job of picking all the right movies so I’ll just keep lazily coming over here and commenting.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 20, 2017

        i’m getting more than enough of a music fix from the few people like yourself. I haven’t found the same thing with the film. (I haven’t looked to hard) A few of you music folk have given me some leads and reminders (Glen Gary etc).

        Like

  3. Yeah, Another Blogger
    August 20, 2017

    I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never seen it. One of these days I will.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      August 20, 2017

      Sometimes hype scares me away from films, music etc. All I can say Neil is the film is a good piece of work. Lots to enjoy on a lot of levels. I get the feel you are a movie person. I think you’d enjoy it. It would be like a time capsule if you watched it today. Might be a treat. The documentary ‘Heart of Darkness A Filmmakers Apocalypse’ that Music Enthusiast mentioned is a good companion piece.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. 1537
    August 20, 2017

    It blew my mind when I saw it for the first time aged 15 and it still does now – the Hearts of Darkness documentary is just an astonishing thing in its own right too.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      August 20, 2017

      The scene in ‘Hearts’ where Coppola is discussing the script with Brando and Sheen is sitting there listening to the conversation tells a story.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Jim S.
        August 20, 2017

        Now I have to watch both of them again. You’re a bad influence on me CB.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 20, 2017

        Yes you have to. Brando eating the bug is another classic. Turn the clock back, jump in a big old gas guzzling Buick with no muffler, slap on the 8 track and the Doc and I will raise a little hell.

        Like

      • Jim S.
        August 20, 2017

        I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Smells like … victory.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 20, 2017

        I just watched it, now you got me wanting to see it again. Duvall is a beauty.

        Like

      • 1537
        August 20, 2017

        All the stuff that was cut from the finished film too – it could have been even better.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 20, 2017

        It is a real great look at how crazy making a film can be. ‘Burden of Dreams’ the doc on Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo is pretty nuts also.

        Liked by 1 person

      • 1537
        August 20, 2017

        I don’t know that one at all.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 20, 2017

        1537 knowing you, it is a must. It is Nut bar city. You will never be the same.

        Liked by 1 person

      • 1537
        August 20, 2017

        It’s now on the list CB.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 20, 2017

        I would almost pay for a 1537 take on that baby.

        Liked by 1 person

      • 1537
        August 20, 2017

        A movie review?!! Maybe I could do a guest post on your fine blog?

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 20, 2017

        You’re hired! I would absolutely dig that. Just let me know when. The hard part for you will be choosing a film. You will have so many going through your mind. Lets do it!

        Liked by 1 person

      • Jim S.
        August 20, 2017

        I’ve heard of Fitzcarraldo but never seen it. I used to hear about all these from Siskel and Ebert. Big void without someone playing that role.

        Liked by 1 person

      • cincinnatibabyhead
        August 20, 2017

        Yeah, they were good. They didn’t just do the mainstream films especially when they were on PBS. Like we’ve discussed you have to dig for the hidden stuff. The machine bombards the airwaves pushing their latest flavor while there all sorts of hidden gems going unseen. That’s my mission Doc, “Find the good stuff”, I’ll even take the “different stuff”. I think you’d dig that Herzog doc. A true obsessive at work.

        Like

  5. Jim S.
    August 20, 2017

    Hmmm. Both ‘Fitzcarraldo’ and ‘Burden of Dreams’ are available to rent. I’ve been wanting to see the movie for a while. I’ll work these in somewhere in the next week or two. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • cincinnatibabyhead
      August 20, 2017

      I have never seen ‘Fitz’. Missed it back in the day. Have it high on the list. You’ll probably beat me to it. Curious on your take for both films.

      Like

      Reply
      • Jim S.
        August 20, 2017

        Yeah, I’ve heard so much about it but pretty much forgot about it. Will report back.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. catchgroove
    August 20, 2017

    One of my top 10 movies

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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This entry was posted on August 20, 2017 by in 1979 Film, Academy Award Winner, Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola, Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall and tagged , , , .

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