RIP, Paul Sorvino.

Paul Anthony Sorvino
(April 13, 1939 – July 25, 2022)

Paul Sorvino has passed away 83. He was a terrific actor, widely known for Goodfellas (1990) and Law And Order.

He was wonderful in William Friedkin’s The Brink’s Job (1978, that’s him with Peter Falk), one of the most criminally-overlooked films of the 70s, as I see it. He shined in an ensemble cast that included Peter Falk, Warren Oates, Gena Rowlands, Peter Boyle and Allen Garfield.

But he was always good. Take a look at The Gambler (1974) with James Caan, Warren Beatty’s Reds (1981) and The Rocketeer (1991). And he was a hoot as Lips in Beatty’s Dick Tracy (1990).

RIP, Allen Garfield.

Allen Garfield
(born Allen Goorwitz; November 22, 1939 – April 7, 2020)

COVID-19 has claimed a great character actor, Mr. Allen Garfield.

He’s in some key 70s films, like Coppola’s The Conversation (1974) and Altman’s Nashville (1975), along with The Candidate (1972), Friedkin’s The Brinks Job (1978) and The Stunt Man (1980). And he’s got a great part in one of my all-time favorites, Slither (1973, above).

Blu-Ray News #230: The Brink’s Job (1978).

Directed by William Friedkin
Starring Peter Falk, Peter Boyle, Allen Garfield, Warren Oates, Gena Rowlands, Paul Sorvino

After the box-office failure of his masterpiece Sorcerer (1977), William Friedkin turned out a gem of a heist picture, The Brink’s Job (1978).

It’s a shamefully overlooked movie — from a script by Walon Green who wrote Sorcerer and The Wild Bunch (1969), and I’m so happy to hear it’s getting a Blu-Ray release from Kino Lorber. Can’t wait.

Blu-Ray News #150: Sorcerer (1977).

Directed by William Friedkin
Starring Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer, Francisco Rabal, Amidou, Ramon Bieri

You may not know that William Friedkin’s Sorcerer (1977) is one of my favorite movies — so much so that I dedicated a blog to it alone.

It’s always good news to see the 4K restoration of this maligned masterpiece come available in some form in some part of the world. The latest is a special 40th anniversary edition from British label Entertainment One. It’ll be out November 6th.

Special Features and Technical Specs:
• Sorcerers – A Conversation with William Friedkin & Nicolas Winding Refn
• The Mystery of Fate – A letter from director William Friedkin
• Newly commissioned artwork to celebrate the 40th Anniversary
• Reversible sleeve containing newly commissioned & original artwork

Merry Christmas From The Hannibal 8.

The French Connection (1971), one of my favorite films, is a long way from a Christmas movie. But here’s Gene Hackman in a Santa outfit in one of the opening scenes. “Have you ever been in Poughkeepsie?”

Merry Christmas to you all.