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The Getaway (1972)
9/10
Top action/thriller flick
31 January 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Much better than the 1994 remake starring Baldwin and Basinger. As always, McQueen is fantastic here as thief "Doc McCoy" who's wife has just helped him out of prison. His screen presence is incredibly strong, and as usual he plays the the King of Cool to a tee. MacGraw, as his wife "Carol", turns in a solid performance (and looks ravishingly gorgeous as well), and the chemistry between her and McQueen is palpable (it's no surprise that they married after shooting this film), even though they barely touch each other (save for one or two kissing scenes). But there's noticeable angst and frustration between Doc and Carol; not only because he's been in jail for a few years, but also because Doc learns that Carol prostituted herself to get him out of jail. Ultimately, of course, this husband and wife team of thieves just can't live without each other. The action moves along at a good pace, and the car chases and shooting scenes are top notch - not fake like other action movies during the time. From the bank robbery to the various problems the couple face trying to escape to Mexico, the film is exciting and thrilling. It's also a bonus hoot to see McQueen and MacGraw (two of the biggest stars of the time) dumped at a garbage tip and covered in garbage.

Very good action film.
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Love Story (1970)
10/10
Best kind of tearjerker
23 January 2005
I wasn't even alive when this came out. I'd never even really heard of MacGraw nor O'Neal before (though they both looked vaguely familiar). The "Love Story" theme, I was definitely aware of though.

I saw it for the first time in 2002, and bawled like hell. I saw it for the second time a few weeks ago (2005) and cried like a baby again. I instantly needed to get my DVD copy. My parents always say that they don't do movies (or music, for that matter) like they used to, and on this occasion, I had to agree.

The movie's premise is simple: the typical boy meets girl love story, with the cliché rich boy, poor girl angle. But I think its simplicity is part of what's so great about it. I fell in love with Oliver and Jenny (and as corny as it may sound, I think their undying love for each other is ultimately what we're all searching for), and their tragedy became my devastation as well. It's generally your typical soppy chick flick (with the exception that the pair don't "live happily ever after"), but probably the best one of its kind. A story like this has become so banal today, 35 or so years later, but it was surely one of the first of its kind. It hits all the right emotional buttons, and although I'm not one to usually cry over films, this one certainly had me in tears.

The two very attractive leads make a cute couple, and have good chemistry. O'Neal and MacGraw both turn in very solid performances, and I quite enjoyed the foul-mouthed MacGraw. Good writing, solid acting, great music (I could listen to the musical score all day), beautiful scenes.

I love "Love Story". Hee! 10 out of 10 from me.
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