Comments on: The Panic in Needle Park: No Music http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/ culture blogging for the good of the planet Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:47:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: newcritics - » Reign Over Me: Not Quite http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-34307 newcritics - » Reign Over Me: Not Quite Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:22:28 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-34307 [...] I’ve become boring on the subject of a brief time, roughly from the mid-sixties to the late seventies, when Americans could make serious movies, like Hud, like The Panic in Needle Park, like Five Easy Pieces, without the need for contrived plots and Hollywood endings. [...] [...] I’ve become boring on the subject of a brief time, roughly from the mid-sixties to the late seventies, when Americans could make serious movies, like Hud, like The Panic in Needle Park, like Five Easy Pieces, without the need for contrived plots and Hollywood endings. [...]

]]> By: Litzy http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-14690 Litzy Sat, 18 Aug 2007 23:55:47 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-14690 hi i enjoyed the read hi i enjoyed the read

]]> By: newcritics - » Bergman: The Last of the Great Ones http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-11225 newcritics - » Bergman: The Last of the Great Ones Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:43:47 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-11225 [...] In another article I mentioned that odd time in American film-making, when Coppola and Scorsese were in their heyday, when people who somehow later fell to the wayside like Jerry Schatzberg and Bob Rafelson and Peter Bogdanovich were able to make movies like Scarecrow and Five Easy Pieces and The Last Picture Show, when a young actor-director like Jack Nicholson could make a novelistic piece like Drive, He Said. And what a period for actors: Pacino, Hoffman, DeNiro, Hackman, and Nicholson. [...] [...] In another article I mentioned that odd time in American film-making, when Coppola and Scorsese were in their heyday, when people who somehow later fell to the wayside like Jerry Schatzberg and Bob Rafelson and Peter Bogdanovich were able to make movies like Scarecrow and Five Easy Pieces and The Last Picture Show, when a young actor-director like Jack Nicholson could make a novelistic piece like Drive, He Said. And what a period for actors: Pacino, Hoffman, DeNiro, Hackman, and Nicholson. [...]

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7444 Dan Leo Sat, 07 Jul 2007 04:13:36 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7444 Dig it. Or if not Serpico for your double bill then Scarecrow, or maybe Dog Day Afternoon. Damn, Al made some great movies back in those days. Dig it. Or if not Serpico for your double bill then Scarecrow, or maybe Dog Day Afternoon. Damn, Al made some great movies back in those days.

]]> By: Jason Chervokas http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7441 Jason Chervokas Sat, 07 Jul 2007 03:42:08 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7441 You know I never knew Joan Didion and her husband did the screenplay on this. I'm a huge Didion fan. I'll have to put this on Netflix. I bet it would make a great double bill w/ Serpico. You know I never knew Joan Didion and her husband did the screenplay on this. I’m a huge Didion fan. I’ll have to put this on Netflix. I bet it would make a great double bill w/ Serpico.

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7352 Dan Leo Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:13:49 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7352 Ah, the good old days, Jason: "lying, criminal President..." In some ways today seems like old times. Oh, and hey, I still dig the damn Dead! Ah, the good old days, Jason: “lying, criminal President…”

In some ways today seems like old times.

Oh, and hey, I still dig the damn Dead!

]]> By: Jason Chervokas http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7328 Jason Chervokas Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:10:11 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7328 Growing up in the early 1970s, esp in Ford to City: Drop Dead era NY gave an entire generation a warped view of what was normal. First of all, everything was shit--lying, crimnal president driven from office didn't feel like a triumph for the rule of law but the final stages of the nation's terminal decay. What did we thing was normal? Rushing the field after a world series win and tearing up the sod, smoking dope openly in the streets, unflinching cinematic realism, directors free to pursue personal visions, movies without music. How the world changes. Growing up in the early 1970s, esp in Ford to City: Drop Dead era NY gave an entire generation a warped view of what was normal. First of all, everything was shit–lying, crimnal president driven from office didn’t feel like a triumph for the rule of law but the final stages of the nation’s terminal decay.

What did we thing was normal? Rushing the field after a world series win and tearing up the sod, smoking dope openly in the streets, unflinching cinematic realism, directors free to pursue personal visions, movies without music. How the world changes.

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7064 Dan Leo Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:43:14 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7064 Peter, isn''t it a funny world where even Jack Nicholson doesn't have the clout to bring out on DVD his first directing job. (At least I think Drive, He Said is not on DVD.) I haven't seen it since the early 70s but it always stuck in my head as one of those novelistic (for want of a better term), grown-up, not-simple, nonformulaic movies that came out in those days. Peter, isn”t it a funny world where even Jack Nicholson doesn’t have the clout to bring out on DVD his first directing job. (At least I think Drive, He Said is not on DVD.) I haven’t seen it since the early 70s but it always stuck in my head as one of those novelistic (for want of a better term), grown-up, not-simple, nonformulaic movies that came out in those days.

]]> By: Peter http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7058 Peter Mon, 02 Jul 2007 18:32:10 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7058 Dan -- I'm 55 so I was about 20 when Panic and Mean Streets came out. I think I was young and impressionable. The movies you mention are all excellent too, but I'll admit I haven't thought of "Drive He Said" for years. Dan — I’m 55 so I was about 20 when Panic and Mean Streets came out. I think I was young and impressionable. The movies you mention are all excellent too, but I’ll admit I haven’t thought of “Drive He Said” for years.

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7056 Dan Leo Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:35:18 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7056 I don't know, Peter. But I was struck by what you said about Panic and Mean Streets changing the way you looked at movies. Once again it made me think of the movies that came out in that time, like those mad Peckinpahs: The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs (there's Dustin again), Alfredo Garcia. And other movies that had the depth of good novels, like The Last Picture Show, or The King of Marvin Gardens, or that one Jack Nicholson directed, Drive He Said. I'd like to see a new movie again that could affect me the way those pictures did back then. I don’t know, Peter. But I was struck by what you said about Panic and Mean Streets changing the way you looked at movies. Once again it made me think of the movies that came out in that time, like those mad Peckinpahs: The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs (there’s Dustin again), Alfredo Garcia. And other movies that had the depth of good novels, like The Last Picture Show, or The King of Marvin Gardens, or that one Jack Nicholson directed, Drive He Said. I’d like to see a new movie again that could affect me the way those pictures did back then.

]]> By: Peter D http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7048 Peter D Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:09:06 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-7048 I saw this when it came out and, together with Mean Streets, it changed how I look at movies.It is brilliant in concept and execution. I've kept my eye out for it for years.Rory is right about TV -- it doesn't work at all. Why did it take so long to get to DVD? I saw this when it came out and, together with Mean Streets, it changed how I look at movies.It is brilliant in concept and execution. I’ve kept my eye out for it for years.Rory is right about TV — it doesn’t work at all. Why did it take so long to get to DVD?

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6794 Dan Leo Sat, 30 Jun 2007 03:40:13 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6794 Manny, now there is an upbeat double-bill for the whole family if I ever saw one. I think I would have to inhale a pint of good beer in one long gulp at the closest bar immediately upon leaving the theatre. And then quickly toss down a shot of whiskey. Then order another pint. "Ya gotta get me to Florida." Pacino knocked it right out of the park in Panic, and the same thing goes for Dustin Hoffman in Cowboy. By the way, Straight Time, which to me is Hoffman's other supreme performance in a movie, has also just come out for the first time on DVD. Manny, now there is an upbeat double-bill for the whole family if I ever saw one. I think I would have to inhale a pint of good beer in one long gulp at the closest bar immediately upon leaving the theatre. And then quickly toss down a shot of whiskey. Then order another pint.

“Ya gotta get me to Florida.”

Pacino knocked it right out of the park in Panic, and the same thing goes for Dustin Hoffman in Cowboy.

By the way, Straight Time, which to me is Hoffman’s other supreme performance in a movie, has also just come out for the first time on DVD.

]]> By: Manny http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6775 Manny Fri, 29 Jun 2007 23:56:12 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6775 Guess what? I just went to get my mail and found that the latest Film Forum schedule arrived. On August 29, for one day only, they are showing Panic in Needle Park (in a double bill with Midnight Cowboy)! If you see someone stand up and run out halfway through, that's me. Guess what? I just went to get my mail and found that the latest Film Forum schedule arrived. On August 29, for one day only, they are showing Panic in Needle Park (in a double bill with Midnight Cowboy)!
If you see someone stand up and run out halfway through, that’s me.

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6773 Dan Leo Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:52:54 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6773 Oh, by the way, Manny: only in the 70s could you have the supreme glory of a double bill of Poseidon Adventure and Panic in Needle Park. And then to be young and seeing this double-feature on acid -- it just doesn't get any better. Reminds me of the time I went to see Das Boot when I was hungover -- not a good idea. Oh, by the way, Manny: only in the 70s could you have the supreme glory of a double bill of Poseidon Adventure and Panic in Needle Park. And then to be young and seeing this double-feature on acid — it just doesn’t get any better. Reminds me of the time I went to see Das Boot when I was hungover — not a good idea.

]]> By: Dan Leo http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6772 Dan Leo Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:46:44 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6772 I know what you mean, Blue Girl. I would put Panic in the same category I've involuntarily put that new boxed set of early Bergman (of which I've only watched one so far -- the excellent but very dour Port of Call): the "when I'm in the mood, if ever" category. Personally I'd been waiting so long for this movie to come out on DVD that I was immediately in the mood when I saw it at my local video store (shout-out to the TLA). If you're at all a Pacino fan you've got to see this one eventually -- his first starring role, and he was already brilliant; this movie won him the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather, a part and a performance so completely different. Glad you dug the photo; I looked and looked trying to find something good that caught the feel of the movie. Rory, yes, I'm glad to report that the audio mix sounded pretty good to my non-professional ears. There is quite a bit of background noise which might annoy, especially as we're so used to not hearing it in most movies, but I think this noise is part of the world of this movie. (I watched it with earphones though.) I know what you mean, Blue Girl. I would put Panic in the same category I’ve involuntarily put that new boxed set of early Bergman (of which I’ve only watched one so far — the excellent but very dour Port of Call): the “when I’m in the mood, if ever” category. Personally I’d been waiting so long for this movie to come out on DVD that I was immediately in the mood when I saw it at my local video store (shout-out to the TLA). If you’re at all a Pacino fan you’ve got to see this one eventually — his first starring role, and he was already brilliant; this movie won him the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather, a part and a performance so completely different. Glad you dug the photo; I looked and looked trying to find something good that caught the feel of the movie.

Rory, yes, I’m glad to report that the audio mix sounded pretty good to my non-professional ears. There is quite a bit of background noise which might annoy, especially as we’re so used to not hearing it in most movies, but I think this noise is part of the world of this movie. (I watched it with earphones though.)

]]> By: Manny http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6770 Manny Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:37:54 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6770 I saw this when it first came out, but a friend and I had dropped acid beforehand. Bad idea! What a bummer. The movie made me so nervous I jumped up and ran out of the theater halfway through. Afer 30-some years, maybe I can handle it better now. Thanks for letting us know! (btw, it was a double feature with The Poseidon Adventure, which I was able to sit through, just barely) I saw this when it first came out, but a friend and I had dropped acid beforehand. Bad idea! What a bummer. The movie made me so nervous I jumped up and ran out of the theater halfway through. Afer 30-some years, maybe I can handle it better now.
Thanks for letting us know!
(btw, it was a double feature with The Poseidon Adventure, which I was able to sit through, just barely)

]]> By: Rory Mach http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6766 Rory Mach Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:16:16 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6766 I remember watching <i> Panic </i> on TV a couple of years ago, and it was hard to get past the eccentricity -- shared by a lot of '70s films -- of presenting an impenetrable wall of unmixed audio. I guess the idea was to make the sound feel real (hence, no music), but normal TV speakers just turned it to mud. With nothing mixed down... everything sounded mixed up. Is it any better on the DVD? I remember watching Panic on TV a couple of years ago, and it was hard to get past the eccentricity — shared by a lot of ’70s films — of presenting an impenetrable wall of unmixed audio. I guess the idea was to make the sound feel real (hence, no music), but normal TV speakers just turned it to mud. With nothing mixed down… everything sounded mixed up. Is it any better on the DVD?

]]> By: Blue Girl http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6763 Blue Girl Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:24:43 +0000 http://newcritics.com/blog1/2007/06/28/the-panic-in-needle-park-no-music/#comment-6763 Boy, this is the kind of movie I would have loved when I was younger. But, the older I get, the harder they are to watch. I'm not sure if I've seen this or not. I love that photo, though at the top. Love it. Boy, this is the kind of movie I would have loved when I was younger. But, the older I get, the harder they are to watch.

I’m not sure if I’ve seen this or not.

I love that photo, though at the top. Love it.

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