“Gone in 60 Seconds” (1974)

Eleanor, a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1, battles it out in “Gone in 60 Seconds” (Halicki Films, 1974)

This week’s entry is a classic car movie from the 1970s, “Gone in 60 Seconds” (Halicki Films, 1974). Not to be confused with the crappy studio remake in 2000, this film is independent film making at its most, well, crashing-est. The film was written, directed and produced by a California businessman named H. B. Halicki. He cast his own friends and associates in the film and the acting is plain terrible, which I guess adds to its charm. Halicki is also the star of the film, playing Maindrian Pace (I’m not making this up), an insurance salesman by day and a car thief by, well, night and day. Pace gets involved with some shady folks who pay him to steal 48 cars. The last car left to steal is actually the true star of the movie, a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 named “Eleanor.” When the deal goes bad and Pace is ratted out, a fantastic 40-minute car chase happens that has to be seen to be believed. Eleanor gets chased all over Southern California, particularly the city of Long Beach. How Halicki ever pulled off some of these location shots and car stunts absolutely amazes me. I don’t think a film like this could ever be made today. If you like car chases, definitely check it out. “Pursuit is terminated… That is negative — pursuit is not terminated, repeat, not terminated.”

“The Band Wagon”

Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in “The Band Wagon” (MGM, 1953)

“The Band Wagon” (MGM, 1953). Fading movie musical star Tony Hunter (played by Fred Astaire) leaves Hollywood for New York to star in a new Broadway play. After a disastrous preview along with constant bickering and infighting among the cast and crew, they all ultimately decide to put aside their differences and work together to create a hit show. If you’ve never seen this film, give it a try. Next to “Singin’ in the Rain,” this is probably my favorite MGM musical. The plot may be a touch dozy, but all of the musical numbers are beyond fantastic and really show the excellence of the MGM hit machine, not to mention the tremendous skills of the entire cast and creative team led by the great director Vincente Minnelli. The sublime “Dancing in the Dark” sequence with Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse (pictured above) is the best thing ever. Also stars Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray and Oscar Levant. Songs by Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz, including the now-classic showbiz theme “That’s Entertainment.” Written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Directed by Vincente Minnelli. “It’s going to run for a long time. As far as I’m concerned, it’s going to run forever.”

“Ladyhawke”

Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer (in hawk form) in “Ladyhawke” (Warner Bros./20th Century Fox, 1985)

“Ladyhawke” (Warner Bros./20th Century Fox, 1985). A cray cray jealous medieval bishop (John Wood) puts a curse a woman he loves (Michelle Pfeiffer) and the man she loves (Rutger Hauer). By day, she is a hawk and he is a dude; by night, he turns into a wolf and she is herself–”always together; eternally apart.” The only time they can see each other in their human form is for a brief moment at dawn and at dusk. Needless to say, they are not happy with this situation. With the help of a boy thief (Matthew Broderick), a monk (Leo McKern) and a solar eclipse, they set to make things right. Gorgeous location shooting in Italy, a totally awesome 80s electro synth soundtrack by Alan Parsons, and Michelle Pfeiffer just being in the film make this a true guilty pleasure for me. Written by Edward Khmara, Michael Thomas, Tom Mankiewicz and David Peoples. Directed by Richard Donner. “She loves you more than life itself.”

“Bullitt”

Lieutenant Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen) chases bad guys in a 1968 Ford Mustang GT in “Bullitt” (Warner Bros., 1968)

“Bullitt” (Warner Bros., 1968). A gritty police drama with one of the coolest car chase scenes ever put on film. San Francisco police lieutenant Frank Bullitt (played by Steve McQueen) is tasked with protecting a key witness in a mob trial. When their secret location is compromised and both the witness and a fellow officer are shot, Bullitt doggedly investigates the case. Steve McQueen along with director Peter Yates strove for realism in this adaptation of Robert L. Fish’s novel Mute Witness. The 11-minute muscle car chase through the streets of San Francisco ever amazes and thrills both aurally and visually (the film won a much deserved Academy Award® for Best Film Editing in 1968). Watch it just for the car chase. Also stars Robert Vaughn as politician Walter Chalmers and Jaqueline Bisset as Bullitt’s girlfriend Cathy. Written by Alan R. Trustman and Harry Kleiner. Directed by Peter Yates. “Time starts now.”

“The Breakfast Club”

Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall in “The Breakfast Club” (Universal, 1985)

Welcome to this year’s movie watching project, 2013’s “Guilty Pleasures Film Festival.” Every week, I’ll be watching and writing a brief summary and some thoughts about a film that I love (and the film may or may not actually be good). Entry number one is “The Breakfast Club” (Universal, 1985). Five high school students spend a day in detention and learn a thing or two about life and about each other. The criminal (Judd Nelson), the basket case (Ally Sheedy), the athlete (Emilio Estevez), the princess (Molly Ringwald), and the brain (Anthony Michael Hall) all realize by the end of the day that they are more alike than they think. Writer/director John Hughes really knew how to capture the thoughts, angst and emotions of American teenage life and put it together in an entertaining way on the big screen. Who can’t relate to one or all of these characters in some form or another? I loved watching this film again and realizing that people are still people, whether we’re in high school or not. Written and directed by the late, great John Hughes. “We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.”