favorite movie #44: an american werewolf in london

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #44 - An American Werewolf in London (1981) - Director John Landis served up a movie that was equally funny, scary, and gross — and extremely entertaining. The special werewolf transformation effects changed make-up and movies for years. Today it's all computers, but there is something to be said for the movie magic of a slowly deteriorating Griffin Dunne, who keeps visiting his pal David Naughton to urge him to end his reign as a newly-minted werewolf. Jenny Agutter is lovely as always, and lends some real pathos as someone who has unwittingly fallen in love with a monster. And the clever movie soundtrack* keeps things light in a movie monster story that, taking its cue from classic horror films, can't really have a happy ending.

*Soundtrack includes multiple versions of "Blue Moon" (Bobby Vinton, Sam Cooke, The Marcels), "Moondance" (Van Morrison), "Bad Moon Rising" (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

favorite movie #18 : after hours

Favorite movies that have had an impact on me - #18 - After Hours (1985) - You can have Raging Bull and Goodfellas. For me, this is Martin Scorsese at his best (along with his short about a painter, “Life Lessons,” from New York Stories). Griffin Dunne discovers how dangerous it is to go downtown, as he is led from one strange experience to even stranger ones late at night in SoHo. A great cast of characters, including Rosanna Arquette, Teri Garr, Linda Fiorentino, and John Heard are along for the ride.

Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne) has no money for a subway token] 

Paul: Couldn't you just give me one token, please? 

Subway Attendant: I can't do that. I may lose my job. 

[Paul looks around and sees no one else in the station] 

Paul: Well, who would know... exactly? 

Subway Attendant: I could go to a party, get drunk, talk to someone... who knows?