RIP Sidney Lumet

[Brazoo]

One of the all-time greats. What an incredible wealth of quality work - it's just overwhelming.

Sidney Lumet - IMDb

[wolfie]

Blimey this is a name from the past, he made some great films back in the 60's and 70's. Equus was the last great film he made in the late 70's and then nothing much after that.

Sad to hear of his passing though.

[Brazoo]

Well, personally I think most filmmakers are lucky to have one truly great movie under their belt. I give Lumet at least 5. Then he's a whole heap of movies that are just really really good. Then the one's I consider to be his worst were interesting ideas that just didn't come together for me.

I still haven't gotten around to seeing his last movie "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead", which is suppose to be a bit of a return to form.

[Brazoo]

I think Hardygirl said her favorite movie of all time was "The Wiz".

[HardyGirl]

I think Hardygirl said her favorite movie of all time was "The Wiz".

It is, Brazoo, and it makes me really sad that the director of such a wonderful film has left us. RIP Sidney.

[Brazoo]

"Network", "Dog Day Afternoon" and "12 Angry Men" are 3 of my favorite movies ever.

For me "The Wiz" is in the 'interesting attempt' category of his work, but I think it's an incredible feat that he even wanted try to make that film. He was always trying to do something unique. He's in a very special category of filmmaker to me.

[johnmiic]

Serpico too, no? He made the Whiz!?!? There was a lot of talent in that film.

12 Angry Men, where you are asked to suspend disbelief that Jack Klugman was a street-gang kid who used to know how to use a knife to stab people, lol. Still, a great film, I can't knock that.

[Brazoo]

Yeah - Lumet also made "Serpico", "The Verdict", "Fail-Safe", "Long Day's Journey Into Night"...

With Klugman I think part of the point of his character was that he wasn't a tough guy or thug - one line of reasoning by the other jurors was that it was more plausible that the boy on trial was capable of the violence he was being accused of because of the surroundings of his upbringing - and Klugman's character was a counterpoint to that idea because he also came from a poor and violent neighborhood.

(From what I remember) Klugman's character only says he saw people use switchblades.

[garagesale]

Well... that makes me "mad as hell..."

Network was his masterpiece.

JamesD

[mego73]

Network is one of my favortie movies ever! RIP

[babycyclops]

I saw Fail Safe many, many years ago, and that film is still so clear in my mind. That's the mark of a great film to me.
As for Network, well that film was prescient, just amazing.

[Brazoo]

Yeah, "Fail-Safe" is great too - but it became somewhat forgotten because Columbia pictures and Kubrick held it's release up with a lawsuit. If "Dr. Strangelove" had come out after "Fail-Safe" they might have both been hits - but because people had already seen a comedy version of "Fail-Safe" it was hard to take the movie seriously.

[Brazoo]

"Network" actually gets better as it ages - and seems to be a more accurate depiction of television each time I see it. I don't really have a "top 20 movies" or anything - but if I did it would probably be up there.

[babycyclops]

"Network" actually gets better as it ages - and seems to be a more accurate depiction of television each time I see it.

Indeed! Not only did it depict reality tv, and how quickly audiences become jaded and want more, but also the commodification of revolution.
'The murder hour!'