"Running Scared" might be one of the most underrated movies from the 80's in my opinion. The film balances Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines's humor and likability with the right amount of action to keep everything exciting and interesting.
The joy of "Running Scared" is not necessarily its plot, but its characters and dialogue. Hines and Crystal are perfectly partnered. Both have impeccable comic timing and just enough gruff to seem somewhat dangerous. It is the moments where they try to one-up each other that are the most real and funny. I have watched this film numerous times and each viewing just cracks me up.
Plus.. I will be finding the location of the final confrontation on my Chicago escapades!
Posts: 7845 | From: Smiling and glancing in awe in the back of a limo | Registered: Mar 2003 | Site Updates: 22
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Definitely underrated, with, as mentioned a good mix of action and humor (the car chase on the elevated train tracks is very effective). And of course, Sweet Freedom, perhaps one of the most unheralded title tracks of the decade, Michael McDonald's very best to date, and the perfect fit for the tropical part of the picture.
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Kowalski mentioned it, so I just had to revive this thread. Another great movie mostly filmed in Chicago, though I enjoy the Key West scenes as well.
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quote:Originally posted by Chris the CandyFanMan: And of course, Sweet Freedom, perhaps one of the most unheralded title tracks of the decade, Michael McDonald's very best to date, and the perfect fit for the tropical part of the picture.
I agree...I rarely hear anyone mention this track, and it's one of my favorite soundtrack songs from the 1980's.
I also agree with Valley - an underrated film, with solid performances from Hines and Crystal. So much of Crystal's work from the 80's gets attention, and this one desrves its fair share. I also want to mention that I enjoyed Jimmy Smits playing the bad guy in this one!
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One of my all time favourites and has to be up there with Stake Out.
Who needs Lethal Weapon.
MM
P.S As I understand it a sequel was in the pipe line once upon a time.
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This one has some great moments in it. Love the Florida scenes where they're roller skating all over the place - classic 80s montage there. I didn't like Smits as the bad guy - it didn't work for me. Other than that, good film overall.
Posts: 929 | From: Deb to Tone | Registered: Dec 2004 | Site Updates: 37
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Valley Dated Julie From 'Valley Girl' (allegedly!)
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As I was watching "Bad Boys" last night.. it kept reminding me of movies such as "48 Hours", "Beverly Hills Cop", and most importantly "Running Scared". It really felt like "Bad Boys" swiped the idea of sparring detective duos that in the end truly had each others backs that worked so well in "Running Scared".
Still not quite sure where I'm coming from on this.. compare detectives Anthony Montoya (Jon Gries) and Frank Sigliano (Steven Bauer) from "Running Scared" to detectives Sanchez (Nestor Serrano) and Ruiz (Julio Oscar Mechoso) in "Bad Boys".
If you've never seen "Running Scared" and enjoy some of the other flicks mentioned above .. I highly recommended it.
[ 31. January 2011, 10:54: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posts: 7845 | From: Smiling and glancing in awe in the back of a limo | Registered: Mar 2003 | Site Updates: 22
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Every time I read the title of this thread I hear the dialogue and it repeats over and over in my brain!
Posts: 3383 | From: England | Registered: May 2003 | Site Updates: 21
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Good movie! Saint, i have always liked that Klymaxx tune. Pretty similiar video compared to Alex Brown - (Come On) Shout song from the Girls Just Want to Have Fun movie.
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Loved this movie. I always liked Gregory Hines, and the Hines/Crystal duo was great. It is sad that he passed away at such a young age. The last thing I remember seeing him in was Will and Grace. And every time I hear Shine Sweet Freedom, it is in my head for a week. It's there right now!
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posted
I've always had a soft spot for "Running Scared" too even though it's no world-beater. The plot is generic and merely functional, but the chemistry between Hines and Crystal is great. And Peter Hyams did a nice, colorful job directing the movie. As folks have mentioned, it has a fairly classic soundtrack too. Hyams did some wonderful stuff in the 70's and 80's. Sadly, for the last couple of decades he been mostly spinning his wheels doing hackwork. (If you've seen "Sound of Thunder" or "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt," you won't believe that it's the same director.)
Posts: 2008 | From: Dixieland | Registered: Oct 2008 | Site Updates: 0
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I have never seen Alex Brown - (Come On) Shout song or Girls Just Want to Have Fun so I will check this out pretty soon.
I have the original VHS and cover for this and one thing that always puzzled me on the cover was a 'tag line' saying; "Every crook in town wants to take one last shot at them!!" When thats not really what the movies about at all?
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