Midnight Run

[Captain Groovy]

If you haven't seen this film, see it.

In my opinion, it's the best movie of all time - stars Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. De Niro plays a bounty hunter who's hired to bring in a former mob accountant (Grodin) who has jumped bail while being chased by the mob, the feds, and more.

I have the original DVD release of this film - the one on Image. Can anyone tell me if the new DVD that says "Widescreen" on the front (the Image is disc is widescreen, too, though it didn't say) has better image quality and if the "making of" is worth it?

Thanks,

JEFF!

[Michael]

..I have both, essential!

[Oyama]

Funny, I just watched this movie last weekend in its entirety for the first time and what a great flick...

You can read a review on the new widescreen release here (http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_7/midnightrun_se.html) over at DVDfile.

[Captain Groovy]

Funny, I just watched this movie last weekend in its entirety for the first time and what a great flick...

You can read a review on the new widescreen release here (http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_7/midnightrun_se.html) over at DVDfile.

Great, great flick! Everyone needs to see this!

Thanks for the link, seems the reviewer is a bit disappointed with the "upgraded" DVD...

If ever a film needed a special edition, it's this one! Especially since the trailer apparantly has unused dialogue and Grodin has written about MANY scenes on the cutting floor in his autobiography, "It Would Be So Nice If You Weren't Here."

JEFF!

[Captain Groovy]

Oh, but I'm still buying the "new" one tomorrow...

JEFF!

[teaser5]

Wow. I like that movie a lot. Really, I do.

Still, with respect, the best movie of all time?

I don't even think it's one of DeNiro's best films.

One of his better roles to be sure but Godfather II, Once Upon a Time in America, Deer Hunter, Good Fellas, Heat, Awakenings...?

Then, of course, there's Raging Bull...

I just don't know.
Peace-
Norm

[Mike]

Relax, have a cream soda. :D

[teaser5]

Relax, have a cream soda. :D

Dr Brown!
:righton:

[Captain Groovy]

Relax, have a cream soda. :D

HA!

No, you know - I have a lot of favorites like "Broadway Danny Rose" and "Casino," and of course it's hard to say, "Well it's better than 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' or 'The Godfather'" or whatever -but when I think of what the PERFECT movie is - top of the list is definitely "Midnight Run." It's the one that succeeds on so many levels.

It's hilarious, fast-paced (at over two-hours), has amazing chemistry among the stars, and is wonderfully directed. It's really everything a perfect movie should be... Once in awhile a movie will just jump off the screen in so many subtle ways it makes you believe that really is such a thing as "movie magic."

Oh, and I can watch it once a week and never tire of it. I don't know any other film I can say that about.

They should have a four-disc special edition for this movie. Whenever I work with someone who has worked on the movie, they always have different and crazy stories. One of my friends was lucky enough to be the location scout (and was there through prep). It was originally at Paramount, but it was such a headache that they gave it to Universal. Paramount wanted CHER and a complete rewrite. Then it almost went to Robin Williams but one executive said, "He's box office poison." Not everyone was thrilled when Grodin got the part.

I recommend Grodin's autobiography, "It Would Be So Nice If You Weren't Here." It's a great read - interesting how Grodin became a star, an unstar, then a star again. And he explains why he is so sick of being asked to present some such award to De Niro because they were together in the movie.

JEFF!

"Yeah, well here comes two words for you..."

[Mike Dow]

This is a fantastic movie and one of those rare movies which, IMO, actually gets better with repeated viewings. I manage to watch it once every two or three years and always enjoy it. Suffice to say, if you have a sense of humor, you are going to like Midnight Run.

[charlie W]

I liked it very much when I first saw in the theater. Never bought the DVD. But I am surprised that 1. it didn't get a sequel. 2. it didn't spin off a copycat TV situation comedy and 3. no one had re-united DeNiro and Grodin for another movie.

[Dan C]

Love this movie! Haven't seen it in years so I'll have to get the DVD sometime.

Isn't it a shame that director Martin Brest's career is basically in tatters after his disaster 'Gigli'?

Brest also did great work with 'Beverly Hills Cop' too IMHO. Except for the music, it holds up very well after all these years.

dan c

[pdenny]

I recommend Grodin's autobiography, "It Would Be So Nice If You Weren't Here." It's a great read - interesting how Grodin became a star, an unstar, then a star again.

Grodin became a star again? I never should have cancelled ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY! :D

But serially, MIDNIGHT RUN is a GREAAAAAT comedy...a real gem. Witty, perfect casting, so many scenes that come to mind when I think of it. Thanks for heads up on the new edition...

[Beatlesfan03]

I liked it very much when I first saw in the theater. Never bought the DVD. But I am surprised that 1. it didn't get a sequel. 2. it didn't spin off a copycat TV situation comedy and 3. no one had re-united DeNiro and Grodin for another movie.

It actually spawned two made-for-tv sequels listed here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110510/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109138/

Can't say I've seen either one of them, but since they were made for TV, can't imagine them being all that great.

I will agree that I too am surprised that no one has reunited DeNiro and Grodin again.

[Beatlesfan03]

Brest also did great work with 'Beverly Hills Cop' too IMHO. Except for the music, it holds up very well after all these years.

I think it holds just as fine with the music. An element of the time it was made so to speak.

[Captain Groovy]

I've been listening to the long oop soundtrack and I don't know if I love that last song or hate it. The vocal version of the theme, "Try To Believe" by Danny Elfman. To my ears, it sounds like the EXACT same cue that rolls over the end credits, but with lyrics.

In the end, I think I would have much preferred the original track-only version on the CD as it appears in the film, kicking in just as Walsh says, "Looks like I'm walkin'..." It's the most kick-*** cue in the film.

Oh, yeah, and they could have at least remastered the new DVD in 5.1...

JEFF!

[Captain Groovy]

All right, now seeing the trailer and the "making of" has REALLY made my mouth water for a special edition with deleted scenes and alternate takes.

It was awesome to see the two alternate takes (De Niro pulls a gun on Grodin on the way to JFK) and being chased by chopper ("Of course he's gaining on us! He's in a helicopter!")

JEFF!

[jojopuppyfish]

I think Danny Elfman's music for Midnight Run is his best score.

[Claus]

great movie... love it!!!

[vinyl anachronist]

Love this movie! Haven't seen it in years so I'll have to get the DVD sometime.

Isn't it a shame that director Martin Brest's career is basically in tatters after his disaster 'Gigli'?

Brest also did great work with 'Beverly Hills Cop' too IMHO. Except for the music, it holds up very well after all these years.

dan c

I think Brest pretty much peaked with this and "Scent of a Woman." After that, he did "Meet Joe Black," which, while not horrible, certainly indicated that Brest had a problem with telling a story in a reasonable amount of time. Then came "Gigli," which, as bad as it is, still clocks in at over two hours long.

There was a time when he was considered an important director. Not now.

[Captain Groovy]

There was a time when he was considered an important director. Not now.

Actaully, I think it's very well known that Brest fought with the studio the whole time and what you saw on screen (or what those 15 people who saw it saw on screen) was not what Brest signed on for or approved.

See how good Brest actually is when he's left to his own devices - like, of course, "Midnight Run." Unfortunately, a movie like that couldn't really be made today. It would be too expensive and would not be greenlit without a Jim Carrey in the Grodin role. There are car chases, airports, airplanes, it's shot ALL over the U.S. including NY, LA, Vegas, Utah - even New Zealand!

I think Brest will do something great again soon, though. He'll be back. And if anyone hasn't seen his first movie (I think he was 29) called "Going In Style" - check it out!

JEFF!

[JohnG]

Very under-rated comedy. I believe it was the first time DeNiro did broad comedy plus Grodin was never better.

[Captain Groovy]

Very under-rated comedy. I believe it was the first time DeNiro did broad comedy plus Grodin was never better.

Broad? Definitely first time. He did play the funny/sad/scary Rupert Pupkin in "King of Comedy" but that was hardly a straight-out comedic role for him. But there's always that small part he had in "Brazil..." But no, he never did comedy like this before, and he was never this hysterical again.

JEFF!

[John Moschella]

Those were some pretty good lookin' chickens back there ..

I think what makes this movie work is the supporting characters. There is Dennis Farina and his henchmen, moron #1 and moron #2, the Joe Pantoliano character, Yaphet Kotto (Alonzo Mosley FBI) and his inane assistant, and who could ever forget Marvin Dorfler (is he good or what!). Its one of those examples where everything comes together. The original Get Shorty is similar in that way.