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The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie (1976)

post #1 of 13
8/27/10 at 5:48am
Thread Starter 
Probably my favourite Cassavetes picture, although I do love A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE. I don't think Ben Gazzara's been better, and everything comes together so wonderfully with that final shot of Cosmo standing the street, blood on his hands, realising that his shitty little corner of happiness wasn't worth the price he had to pay.

I am horrified by the idea of Brett Ratner eventually getting his way and remaking this.
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post #2 of 13
8/27/10 at 5:55am
Damn it, I'm busy as hell, but I'd really like to sit and watch both cuts of this thing again. It's been 15 years, easily. Which version did you watch?
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post #3 of 13
8/27/10 at 6:12am
Thread Starter 
The original cut. It's languid as Hell, but the riffing and elongated club scenes add punch to that finale for me. I need to check out the shorter cut, though.
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post #4 of 13
8/27/10 at 6:19am
Wasn't a bunch of it reshot for the other cut, or am I confusing that with Shadows or some other film?
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post #5 of 13
8/27/10 at 6:35am
Thread Starter 
I think he inserted a heap of alternative takes and chopped a shitload of the nightclub stuff, but having not seen it I'm not sure. I'm a sucker for longer cuts, particularly with a film-maker as loose as Cassavetes.
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post #6 of 13
8/27/10 at 9:48am
I ain't checked it out yet, but which cut is on Netflix Instant?
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post #7 of 13
8/27/10 at 9:56am
Thread Starter 
Both, from the looks of it. Win-win!
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post #8 of 13
8/28/10 at 12:34am
I really love his last scene with Timothy Carrey. "You're an amateur."

And then Carrey's last line with the other goon, as he's leaving the garage. "That's my friend in there."

So weird, oddly badass, and even kind of touching (unless I'm reading that scene all wrong, which is likely).
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post #9 of 13
8/28/10 at 12:58am
Anyone remember Brett Ratner talking about how he wanted to remake it? *snickers*
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post #10 of 13
8/28/10 at 2:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Woods View Post
Anyone remember Brett Ratner talking about how he wanted to remake it? *snickers*
Does the world really need Brett Ratner remakes of John Cassavettes films?

On the subject of this flick, I picked up the awesome Criterion boxed set of Mr. Cassavettes' work and am looking forward to revisiting this one. Can't remember which version I saw when I rented it through Blockbuster On Demand, a year or so ago, but I look forward to checking out both versions real soon.
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post #11 of 13
8/28/10 at 10:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy Jim View Post
Does the world really need Brett Ratner remakes of John Cassavetes films?
Ratner wanted to cast Warren Beatty as Cosmo. An interesting choice for the role, and offbeat enough to get my $10.

The screenplay, however, was to be penned by Cassavetes' son, Nick, who is probably most responsible for ruining SHE'S SO LOVELY.
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post #12 of 13
8/28/10 at 3:10pm
I kinda like She's So Lovely.
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post #13 of 13
11/12/11 at 1:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy Jim View Post
Does the world really need Brett Ratner remakes of John Cassavettes films?

What's funny is I forgot I even read this thread before or heard the Ratner news and was about to reply with the very same comment. I salute you, past version of me. You're always ahead of the game.

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