Blow Out (1981) Retrospective

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 119

  • @Warmtablefilms
    @Warmtablefilms ปีที่แล้ว +19

    This is such a insightful and expertly made breakdown that includes some fantastically interesting historical context. Awesome video man!

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hey! I watched your Blow Out review- nice video as well. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!

  • @joejack6305
    @joejack6305 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    “It’s a good scream… it’s a good scream”

  • @l.5679
    @l.5679 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Brilliant video! De Palma is one of my all time favorites, and Blow Out is my favorite of his. What you do with your channel is really unique, I love it.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว

      Very nice to hear! Thank you very much

  • @LuxuryPossum
    @LuxuryPossum 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    For fans of DePalma and Hitchcock, I would recommend Hitchcock's Frenzy from 1972. It's one of the last films Hitch made, but it feels like he was able to do and show things on screen, that he could have never dreamed of doing 30 years prior. There are explicit scenes of violence and sexuality in the movie, but Hitchcock still knows when to pull back, and create suspense through the camera work. Also from 1972, DePalma's Sisters is one of my all time favorites. It is a genuinely unsettling psychological horror, with an equally unsettling score by one of Hitch's former contributors, Bernard Herrmann.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Wholly endorse both Frenzy and Sisters.

  • @rowan631
    @rowan631 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This is without a doubt the best film analysis I've ever seen on TH-cam, really happy to find someone so informed by cinema history and actual academia who also has their own informed interesting opinions.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Wow! That's high praise- thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed it

  • @johnfitzpatrick3094
    @johnfitzpatrick3094 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    In my opinion, De Palma's masterpiece.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I would agree- its the culmination of and best realization of all of his favorite themes and cinematic moves.

    • @johnfitzpatrick3094
      @johnfitzpatrick3094 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@FilmJournal You read my mind. Your comment reminds me of parts of Roger Ebert's review of the film.

    • @mateolachone8841
      @mateolachone8841 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      i just watched it and loved it

    • @nadagabri5783
      @nadagabri5783 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Serious? Better than Scarface ?

    • @johnfitzpatrick3094
      @johnfitzpatrick3094 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@nadagabri5783 Yes, I'm serious!!

  • @Arthurify
    @Arthurify 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Amazing video, thank you for your work, I appreciate the attention to detail and rich research.
    I subscribed asap

  • @dumpsta-divrr365
    @dumpsta-divrr365 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Finally saw this yesterday, its an amazing movie and so is this video essay. Im excited to check out more of de palma's stuff

  • @CameronInEgyptsLand
    @CameronInEgyptsLand ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I saw Blow Out in the theater with my parents and my brother. I was 7 years old and I very much remember it. It was common for kids to accompany parents back then, and we loved it. When the nudity scenes came on, my Mom had us cover our eyes (of course, we peeked). My favorite scenes were Travolta using his sound fx skills to investigate what he witnessed. As you discuss here, De Palma was a fan of Hitchcock, as my family is. Travolta, Allen, Lithgow, Franz were all excellent. Really enjoyed this retrospective, thanks!

  • @Melarancida
    @Melarancida หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great retrospective on Blow Out, I really enjoyed this! I’ve been in love with this movie for such a long time and I always find it odd that is not talked about more. Very interesting parallel you make between the movie and De Palma’s life.
    Also thanks for mentioning “Winter Kills” which I had never heard of before. I went ahead and bought the blu ray immediately. I am a sucker for the genre.

  • @idahomike4254
    @idahomike4254 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Excellent job, Mr Doll! Yeah, the ending of this film absolutely floored me and left me in a haze. Thank you for this. Cheers!

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks Mike, glad you enjoyed it!

  • @deanwhite1972
    @deanwhite1972 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I'm surprised this hasn't more views. I like your honest and truthful analytical style. Your critique is sophisticated and well written. I would say you could slow down a bit... You are good - so speak (i.e. narrate) a little bit more paced, more deliberately. But, on the whole, I enjoyed this. Really well done. Subscribed.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Wow, thank you! I will take your advice to heart bc I think you’re probably right- I have a tendency to talk to fast, but I really appreciate your notes on my writing. Likes, subs, and shares all always appreciated!

  • @kdizzle901
    @kdizzle901 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This is my favorite De Palma film

  • @cinefreak2307
    @cinefreak2307 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I rewatched Blow Out yesterday, and today I got a recommendation of this video. Great review! I couldn't find any review last night that was this good. Subscribed

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว

      Really appreciate that! Thank you for the sub!

    • @michaelb.42112
      @michaelb.42112 20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Blow Out is spectacular. I thought the ending SUCKS, but now that I'm writing this is was perfect, otherwise it would've been a typical Hollywood Disney happy ending.

  • @nitrateglow2087
    @nitrateglow2087 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    This is one of the best commentaries on De Palma's work I've ever had the pleasure to listen to.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Wow thanks so much- huge praise

  • @eugenelopez8482
    @eugenelopez8482 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Great review. You pick a number of seldom remembered movies and persons to analyze and your depth in really insightful. I was wondering what Bow Out was but as I followed your video I remembered seeing it years ago. You also touch on other less known movies like Sisters which I will check out. I love the mystery/horror/thriller franchises, especially those that are done with intelligence that puts viewers in the catbirds seat. Thanks for all you do.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว

      Wow, thank you! So glad you enjoyed the video. My goal is do something with this channel that I don’t see from all the others. Thanks for identifying this and for the lovely comment. Really appreciate it!

  • @petarzivojinovic3976
    @petarzivojinovic3976 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Amazing video! Good job, keep it going!

  • @scientifico
    @scientifico 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I once worked in a building with an editing company in the early 2000's. I remember briefly meeting DePalma as he was walking out and I was walking in. I called his name because... dePalma did Scarface... and Carrie and he was part of Hollywood's 70's pinnacle. What really struck me was the way he looked at me... like he was genuinely pleased . Now this was around lunchtime and the the lobby was crowded with people but it seemed none of them recognized him... except for me.

  • @gozorak
    @gozorak ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This is a film and work of fiction, not a documentary, so I never had difficulty reconciling what some feel to be the tonal incongruity of the political conspiracy thriller and homicidal sex murder story lines. Within the world of the film it is entirely plausible to me that the Lithgow character is not only a seasoned political fixer and dirty trickster but a serial killer of women as well. The incident and need to cover up and clean up whatever evidence exists that might reveal the truth of what happened serves as the perfect storm of opportunity and "official justification" for Burke to indulge in his horrific crimes on behalf of "the greater good".

  • @snoo333
    @snoo333 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wow, bro, the moment i saw the video on my subscription page, i was excited to sit down and watch this on my day of from the family. A day where i get to surf the net on topics i like. i am not sure if your married yet but you will find out not all subjects are shared by our loved ones.
    love your cuts on this video. I grew up in Jersey in the 80's. so i know a brawler when i encounter them. You my friend can take on a couple guys if you had to. can't hide that bro. lol
    You can't hide Alpha vides. looking forward to more content when you can. Good luck on the film.

  • @Warpedsmac
    @Warpedsmac ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Nice to view a video like yours where you, the host, JUST SPEAKS NORMALLY !!! Without the notion of "performance". So many hosts speak unnaturally....I just move on. Thank you George, from sunny Australia.

  • @georgetop7277
    @georgetop7277 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Brilliant video essay
    I Just saw the movie and is really a Masterpiece. I really Love the mood and the message behind the plot. Perfect. Again very Good video essay

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Really appreciate the kind feedback! That’s what keeps me going!

    • @georgetop7277
      @georgetop7277 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@FilmJournal i hope that you Will continue making very intersting video essays!!!!

  • @MrOctober44
    @MrOctober44 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Fantastic movie. Depalma's second best film. Very cool review. 👍

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

  • @SquabbleBoxHQ
    @SquabbleBoxHQ 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Excellent work, subscribed! You need more views. If you'd ever consider making a guest video for another channel, looks us up.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Would love to! Thanks so much. That would be a great opportunity for me! What are you guys looking for? My next video is going to be on Michael Wadleigh's "Wolfen" with Albert Finney from 1981- thoughts?

    • @SquabbleBoxHQ
      @SquabbleBoxHQ 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@FilmJournal It would be an honour. I've watched a few of your videos and I'm really impressed. I tried to comment with my email address but it isn't posting so find it in our "about" tab if you want to discuss it - Dave.

  • @ExplosiveDisregard
    @ExplosiveDisregard ปีที่แล้ว +1

    have you seen the movie Kimi? it was the 13th favorite film of Patrick willems of 2022 and i watched it 2 days ago. after watching it, I thought it seemed similar to Blowout. I had seen that Blow Out was on Criterion but had never watched it, so i watched them back to back. Kimi was written by the same writer that wrote Mission:impossible which of course was a Brian De Palma film. I have kind of been obsessed with Blowout after watching it. I was trying to figure out if I liked Blow Out better because i watched it second or if there were other reasons. they both have a scene where they realize that someone has erased their recordings and you show the scene in this video, its great, and its two and a half minutes if you include the over head shot of Travolta on the phone. the same scene in Kimi is a 15 second text massage in a slow zoom.

  • @whipivy
    @whipivy หลายเดือนก่อน

    All I know is the real Travis Bickle is still out there babbling about how a candidate will never leave office if elected. I've always liked De Palma and Blowout I've felt was a Giallo if not a bow to it. Couldn't help but notice the style in juxtaposing the killer in line of sight with the victim, particular with his style of split focus really worked to create a sense of impending doom. And the colors in many of the scenes, especially in the killings really reminded me of Mario Bava and his style. I would recommend Blood and Black Lace to those who liked Blowout.

  • @ninfilms
    @ninfilms ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Blow Out is a great film.

  • @tremblingcolors
    @tremblingcolors ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this movie and I love the idea of Lithgow’s assassin character using a fake serial killer angle in order to hide that only one of the prostitutes he kills is an actual target. I believe it’s probably a real tactic used by shady assassin types. Whether creating a fake serial killer narrative or taking advantage of one that’s actually operating as a scapegoat for the killing of a specific target.

  • @muddi900
    @muddi900 12 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Mission Impossible did not have a DePalma stamp?

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  2 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I recently re-watched MI and I would not make the same claim today

  • @tracegage3505
    @tracegage3505 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video. Does anybody know the music used at the beginning over the jfk video??

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว

      All of the music used is just the Pino Dinoggio score- there are full versions of it on TH-cam, just scrub through until you find the track.

  • @demirhanserhan
    @demirhanserhan ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm really surprise that you didn't mention the great "Blow-Up" by Antonioni. Although i know you know the movie since you mentioned in your "The Hot Rock" review.
    Blow Out is one of the favorite movies of most people with similar cinematic tastes as mine but if you saw Antonioni's "Blow-Up" first like me which is probably the 2nd movie on my all time list, you just cannot see the "Blow Out" like other people. Still great film and LOVE De Palma but.. it's not "Blow-Up" for me and this comes from a man who thinks De Palma is better at making a Hitchcock movie then the guy himself.
    The "Rope" analogy and that clip you put on the video were great. I think it fits the situation between them just perfectly.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว

      That is honestly a huge omission on my part- and I thought about it- but I didn’t think it fit the overall thesis-idk maybe it does, but once I saw I was crossing the half hour mark I figured I wouldn’t let it get any longer. Thanks for the comment

    • @Jeckxdeel
      @Jeckxdeel 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      BLOW OUT is way far better than BLOW-UP!
      BLOW-UP is a very slow moving, boring and pretentious art house movie.
      A real boring piece of shit movie!

    • @Borella309
      @Borella309 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I agree! Having already seen "Blow-Up", "Blow Out" though I enjoyed it, really did seem like a knock off of "Blow-Up" in so many ways - especially the synching the sound to the animated still images part, really felt just like a different take on the photo enlargement sequence in "Blow-Up", so it did to a degree spoil focusing on the movie while constantly being reminded about the earlier movie.

    • @Jeckxdeel
      @Jeckxdeel 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Borella309
      Ok.
      But BLOW OUT is wonderful.
      And on the other side, BLOW-UP is really a very slow moving, boring and soporific piece of shit!

    • @Borella309
      @Borella309 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Well in its favour as well, we do get a glimpse of Swinging London in the 1960s PLUS The Yardbirds performing (the great Jeff Beck getting into a bit of guitar-destruction to boot)!!!@@Jeckxdeel

  • @Frednelore
    @Frednelore ปีที่แล้ว

    Blow out, 1981. Blow Up. 1966. Look it up.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah, I was going to include a small portion on Blow Up, but decided against it. Mindset was really the only character idea ported over from Blow Up- bc the conspiracy is not real in the end.

  • @bucksdiaryfan
    @bucksdiaryfan 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I just could not accept Nancy Allen's whiny, baby voice acting. Did she have to be so dumb for the work? Also, Dennis Franz was WAY over the top. I hated him until NYPD Blue when I loved him (he introduced subtlety into his acting) Travolta was magnificent

  • @Justdisco2
    @Justdisco2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    blow out is so similar to the Ted Kennedy scandal

  • @nadagabri5783
    @nadagabri5783 ปีที่แล้ว

    I DON’T GET IT. Many comments saying this is BD’s MASTER PIECE, or their FAVORITE BD FILM, WTF? I suspect some say this because they have been influenced by QTs views on this film THIS IS NOT A MASTERPIECE. The lead FEMALE is horrid (in this film) I like her in others yet in this she is shite, almost unbearable. She only got the part as she was married to the director. It looks like a cheap TV production. When she hits Dennis over the head with a bottle, no liquor in the bottle clearly a break away cheap prop. I’m watching it now for the first time. 80% of the sounds in the film is like nails screeching on a black board. So not a masterpiece. There is one thing OT is right about JT’s acting is superb. He carry’s this entire film. He elevates it single handedly. All the other performances are 1980 TV series level, at best. Even John Lithgow DOING THE SAME OLD SMAE OLD. How in the world anyone can think this is BD’s master piece is beyond comprehension!!!

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I’m sorry you’re going through this right now. I take it you didn’t like my video lol

    • @nadagabri5783
      @nadagabri5783 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@FilmJournal my view of this film doesn’t relate to your vid other than it finally motivated me to watch it - I did not complete your vid so do not know if u are one of the ones that say this is BD’s master piece - you are sorry I’m going through …. what ? Not having group think ? Not sure what u mean … doesn’t matter. I know QT talks about JT performance in this film and for that he is spot on yet not sure he gives the film itself respect. Maybe yes maybe no … Scarface is a far better than this film. if not for JT this film would be complete garbage

  • @Coldfire242
    @Coldfire242 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I’m glad I watched this movie yesterday so I could search for a retrospective and discover your channel.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      So great to hear! Hope you find more stuff to enjoy!

  • @xasdew9327
    @xasdew9327 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    It's great to see original film criticism on TH-cam that doesn't just skim through the plot and read the IMDB trivia!
    Fantastically edited and researched, I assumed from the editing quality and insight in the writing that you'd have way more subscribers. You've got at least one more now!

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment. I'm growing everyday- albeit slowly- but it's all because of people like you who appreciate, and engage with films on a more than superficial level. Thank you for the subscription!

  • @dexxfilm
    @dexxfilm 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Blow Out, Body Double, Dressed To Kill, Obsession... its hard to pick a favorite of De Palma's catalog but Blow Out takes the cake for me.

  • @p_nk7279
    @p_nk7279 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    God I love this movie

  • @billbrock85
    @billbrock85 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Excellent Job, George! This was a stellar retrospective of one of my all-time favorites! Saw the film in the theater back in ‘81 and The Criterion Blu-Ray arrived in my mailbox a few days ago. : )
    Keep up the Good Work!

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว

      Really glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time out to leave a comment! I really appreciate it

  • @jezzalexander
    @jezzalexander 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Watched it some years back - rewatched just tonight. Solid movie, beautiful and engaging, and a third act that doesn't make any sense whatsoever. The film isn't a political conspiracy doo-dah, it's a serial killer thriller with the conspiracy thing acting as an amuse bouche. This film is bollox. Entertaining and elegant, but utter bollox.

  • @iangalley3464
    @iangalley3464 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Nice video. I have nothing to add, except for this weird observation. In Blow Out, Nancy Allen's character mentions how she would like to be a make-up artist in the movies, in Romero's Dawn of the Dead, the make-up artist is.... Nancy Allen. This could all be a mis-remembering on my part, or a coincidence, but I'd like to think it's neither? One thing I always got from DePalma, was a cruel, sadistic, weird humour and I can just imagine him chortling as he wrote that line.

  • @anrun
    @anrun 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I really enjoyed the video and your analysis, thanks. However, with so many other DePalma films mentioned, I'm surprised Carlito's Way didn't come up all (unless I missed it). I think it is his best and I believe he thought so as well as he once said of it, "I can't make a better film than that." Do you have any thoughts on it?

  • @digitalcoffin666
    @digitalcoffin666 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    best essay of this movie i've seen

  • @gidgetgartner1533
    @gidgetgartner1533 13 วันที่ผ่านมา

    5:13 uhhhh... ya, taken from the original movie "Blow Up". This isn't some master script. This movie is a joke.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  13 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I think it takes an idea from Blow Up ( a film which I find to be overrated) and expands upon it in a unique and creative way.

  • @jeffreybussmann3313
    @jeffreybussmann3313 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The car goes into Wissahickon Creek.

  • @nadagabri5783
    @nadagabri5783 ปีที่แล้ว

    I only know about this film from QT talking about that JT performance is exceptional in it . AND I still have never watched it - wonder if its really that good. Just watched JT performance excellent most everything else about this film SUCKS

    • @Jeckxdeel
      @Jeckxdeel 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Just go to bed!

  • @afonsolucas2219
    @afonsolucas2219 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Just found this channel. Wanted some interesting discussions on Blow-Out cause I’d just rewatched it. Just subscribed. Top notch stuff man!

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Wow dude! Huge praise. Thanks so much! Really appreciate the kind words!

    • @afonsolucas2219
      @afonsolucas2219 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@FilmJournal You deserve them! It's tough to find film channels that give me an insight I didn't have before. Also love the retro vibe of your opening. Believe me, I learned more here than in a regular day in my film school. Keep up the great work, I'll be browsing through your catalogue now :)

  • @samrotolo2006
    @samrotolo2006 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    How did they do the 360 degree firework shot? Was that a green screen?

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      From the matte lines that are visible around Travolta I would say it's a blue screen (same thing, but they didn't use chroma key green back then) still, pretty impressive! Thanks for watching!

  • @rydellbrundage6954
    @rydellbrundage6954 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I watched this movie for the first time last week because it was one of Tarantinos top 10 movies. I have to say i thought the movie was horrible. The pacing, along with the acting was bad. I dont understand why so many people think its a masterpiece. Damn. It was just bad.

    • @FilmJournal
      @FilmJournal  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Sorry to hear that. Do you disagree with the things I praise about the movie then? I’m just curious as to what rang hollow to you and why?

    • @rydellbrundage6954
      @rydellbrundage6954 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @FilmJournal no. You made valid points, I just didn't see and/or appreciate it the way you did.

  • @airyanawaejah2323
    @airyanawaejah2323 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video

  • @rodolfoleyva5157
    @rodolfoleyva5157 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    One of the best, and most under-rated films of all time

  • @talhashahbazali1433
    @talhashahbazali1433 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video