EASTWOOD: SUDDEN HEARTBREAK
03/05/21 • 89 min
S3 E13 SUDDEN HEARTBREAK
TRIGGER WARNING: One of the films covered in this episode, Sudden Impact, has a major plot point concerning sexual assault.
1983's Dirty Harry epic SUDDEN IMPACT, is Eastwood's only film in the series as director. Made after personal project Honkytonk Man (S3 E12) in 1982, Clint is in clear "one for them, one for me" mode here, casting Sondra Locke (her 6th and final Eastwood film) as a vengeful woman whose tactics are not dissimilar to Harry's. But they are illegal. But if they are, then aren't his? Potentially intriguing themes but is Locke the key that makes it work or is there a reason they never made a movie together again? This is the most financially successful Dirty Harry movie ever. Good, right? "Go ahead, make my day," is one of the top five most memorable quotes in film history, according to this one poll on the internet we saw! The Enforcer (S3 E2) was supposed to be Clint's final Dirty Harry movie, having ended with Harry walking off, once again, after the system being a failure (also once again). A few tough breaks at the box office (Bronco Billy, Honkytonk Man) along with smaller films Clint needed studio backing for and he was pulled back in to the old shoulder holster (and banked a reported THIRTY MILLION for his efforts). For good or nah? The Dead Pool (S3 E12) would follow and end the Dirty Harry series five years later.
1986's Heartbreak Ridge ends (spoiler) with the invasion of Grenada. Clint plays a guy named Thomas Highway. He trains a group of ragtag marine youths - RECON!! - with discipline problems. Does he get them ready to invade Grenada? What's Clint getting at with this odd little character piece, anyway? It's either boldly enigmatic and unknowable or... something else. Mario Van Peebles plays the ultimate 80s supporting character: Stitch Jones, the Marine Recon rock and roll front man who sings, among other classics, "I love you (but I ain't stupid)."
American Hero and Iraq veteran Larry returns to help us figure it all out and see what Ridge got right and got wrong.
DISASTER IN THE STUDIO: As resident plot recapper, who keeps every episode nominally moving, Ken takes copious notes when watching every Eastwood movie to use when recapping plots when we record. KEN LOST HIS NOTEBOOK SHORTLY BEFORE RECORDING THIS EPISODE! Can the crew survive without his notes? He has no idea who the heck is in these movies! Will we even know what movie we are talking about?
SUDDEN IMPACT 00:03:02
HEARTBREAK RIDGE 00:49:13
S3 E13 SUDDEN HEARTBREAK
TRIGGER WARNING: One of the films covered in this episode, Sudden Impact, has a major plot point concerning sexual assault.
1983's Dirty Harry epic SUDDEN IMPACT, is Eastwood's only film in the series as director. Made after personal project Honkytonk Man (S3 E12) in 1982, Clint is in clear "one for them, one for me" mode here, casting Sondra Locke (her 6th and final Eastwood film) as a vengeful woman whose tactics are not dissimilar to Harry's. But they are illegal. But if they are, then aren't his? Potentially intriguing themes but is Locke the key that makes it work or is there a reason they never made a movie together again? This is the most financially successful Dirty Harry movie ever. Good, right? "Go ahead, make my day," is one of the top five most memorable quotes in film history, according to this one poll on the internet we saw! The Enforcer (S3 E2) was supposed to be Clint's final Dirty Harry movie, having ended with Harry walking off, once again, after the system being a failure (also once again). A few tough breaks at the box office (Bronco Billy, Honkytonk Man) along with smaller films Clint needed studio backing for and he was pulled back in to the old shoulder holster (and banked a reported THIRTY MILLION for his efforts). For good or nah? The Dead Pool (S3 E12) would follow and end the Dirty Harry series five years later.
1986's Heartbreak Ridge ends (spoiler) with the invasion of Grenada. Clint plays a guy named Thomas Highway. He trains a group of ragtag marine youths - RECON!! - with discipline problems. Does he get them ready to invade Grenada? What's Clint getting at with this odd little character piece, anyway? It's either boldly enigmatic and unknowable or... something else. Mario Van Peebles plays the ultimate 80s supporting character: Stitch Jones, the Marine Recon rock and roll front man who sings, among other classics, "I love you (but I ain't stupid)."
American Hero and Iraq veteran Larry returns to help us figure it all out and see what Ridge got right and got wrong.
DISASTER IN THE STUDIO: As resident plot recapper, who keeps every episode nominally moving, Ken takes copious notes when watching every Eastwood movie to use when recapping plots when we record. KEN LOST HIS NOTEBOOK SHORTLY BEFORE RECORDING THIS EPISODE! Can the crew survive without his notes? He has no idea who the heck is in these movies! Will we even know what movie we are talking about?
SUDDEN IMPACT 00:03:02
HEARTBREAK RIDGE 00:49:13
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S3 E12 HONKYTONK DEADPOOL
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S3 E14 PALE HEAT **PENULTIMATE EPISODE**
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