What is your favourite road trip movie?
October 18th 2006 21:10
The one that came to my mind is Kalifornia, directed by Dominic Sena in 1993. This movie is about a road trip that goes terribly awry.
Brian Kessler (Duchovny) is a journalist determined to make a book about serial killers, and who also wants to move to California with his photographer girlfriend Carrie Laughlin (Forbes). They decide to do both at once, to drive to California and visit infamous murder sites on the way. To subsidise the trip, they take on a pair of travelling companions - Southerner Early Grayce (Pitt) and his child-like girlfriend Adele Corners (Lewis). As the trip progresses, Early begins to appear more and more unstable, and Brian and Carrie begin to fear that they may have a real-life serial killer in the back seat of their car.
Other films I thought of were:
Easy Rider (1969)
Natural Born Killers (1994)
Thelma and Louise (1991)
Strangers on a train (1951)
Alice doesn’t live here anymore (1974)
Or are you waiting for a film version of Kerouac's On the Road?
Brian Kessler (Duchovny) is a journalist determined to make a book about serial killers, and who also wants to move to California with his photographer girlfriend Carrie Laughlin (Forbes). They decide to do both at once, to drive to California and visit infamous murder sites on the way. To subsidise the trip, they take on a pair of travelling companions - Southerner Early Grayce (Pitt) and his child-like girlfriend Adele Corners (Lewis). As the trip progresses, Early begins to appear more and more unstable, and Brian and Carrie begin to fear that they may have a real-life serial killer in the back seat of their car.
Other films I thought of were:
Easy Rider (1969)
Natural Born Killers (1994)
Thelma and Louise (1991)
Strangers on a train (1951)
Alice doesn’t live here anymore (1974)
Or are you waiting for a film version of Kerouac's On the Road?
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Comment by Johanna
PCOS Mum
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
After reading your title, i straight away thought of Thelma & Louise.. oh Brad Pitt at his best... slurp lol
also loved Easy Rider... I haven't seen 'Alice doesn't live here anymore', if my memory is not failing me, there's a book too.. ?
For a different road trip of the non-movie kind, allow me to quote -- Timeline...
'As a child, Morrison's family had a jarring experience when they drove past a truck accident in the desert which had killed several Indians, who lay dying along the side of the highway. In Morrison's own words:
"Me and my mother and father, and a grandmother and a grandfather, were driving through the desert, at dawn, and a truck load of Indian workers had either hit another car, or just — I don't know what happened — but there were Indians scattered all over the highway, bleeding to death. So the car pulls up and stops. That was the first time I tasted fear. I musta' been about four — like a child is like a flower, his head is floating in the breeze, man. The reaction I get now thinking about it, looking back — is that the souls of the ghosts of those dead Indians... maybe one or two of 'em... were just running around freaking out, and just leaped into my soul. And they're still in there."
There's a movie in that
~Lily
Comment by Homer Joyce
I'm so glad you put Kalifornia in your list ... If anyone ever doubts Brad Pitt's ability to act, they really ought to see this film ... awesome performance ... (up there with early De Niro) ...
Does Cape Fear count as a road movie?
One of my mates works in film. His mate used to work for the Road Transport Authority in London. His job was to sit in a truck with a camera attached underneath and film miles and miles of road ... take the film back ... and they'd use the film to work out where to send road gangs. My mate reckons that's the ultimate road movie ...
Homer ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I haven't seen Elizabethtown but have heard mixed responses to it, did you like it?
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for dropping in. Yes, Brad Pitt was scrumptious in Thelma and Louise.
I tried to find out if Alice Doesn't Live Here was a book as well as a film, but couldn't find anything to say there was. There was a television series after the book called Alice and Robert Getchell wrote the screenplay and Martin Scorsese directed it. I haven't seen it for years so my memory is a bit hazy. I looked it up in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You die and funnily enough it wasn't in there.
That last part of the quote you included was very powerful and evocative, especially the sentence, 'that was the first time I tasted fear.' Those words will stay with me. Thanks for sharing it. Yes, I think there is a film in that scenario.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Would you believe that Kalifornia isn't in the book I mentioned in my last comment, 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die? I'm flabbergasted, I'm not saying it is a flawless book, but if they are going to have a brash title like that they should at least include Kalifornia...well, that's my opinion anyhoo. Yes, it is a fantastic film and I thought all the performances were strong (I'm not usually a fan of Juliette Lewis).
Gosh yes, that would make an eerie story for a film (your London connection). I definitely think that would be quite unique. You should write the screenplay, Homer.
I nearly added Cape Fear to the list, but then I wasn't sure. Now I think the list can be less exclusive and include films you saw while on the road (i.e. on a bus etc), while you were travelling or any film that reminds you of a road or any form of travel. So the scope is quite broad. If you think of a film while you are swimming, feel free to share it.
I also nearly added Wolf Creek, but I wasn't sure seeing as I'm too scared to see it. But I know that a portion of that has something to do with a road, doesn't it? Ah yes, I think it does.
My mind is a-pondering....
Comment by Homer Joyce
One road movie that must be included is David Lynch's 'The Straight Story' about the guy who rides a rideon lawn mower / tractor across the US ... to patch up his relationship with his brother ...
Homer ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I wouldn't call myself a David Lynch buff, but I was really surprised I hadn't heard of that film as I'm pretty familiar with most of his work. Thanks for mentioning it. What a unique story-line, that's a film I definitely want to see. Here's Wiki's synopsis:
The film is the story of Alvin's six-week journey across rural America, the people he meets, his impact on their lives, and theirs on his. It is a modern odyssey of a man dealing with his own mortality and the lasting bonds of brotherhood.(1991).
According to Wiki, there are no chapter marks on the DVD version as Lynch wanted the film to be watched as a whole. It sounds captivating. I like a director that directs its audience as well as the film.
Tracy
PS I know I sound a bit obsessed, but that's not in the infamous aforementioned book either.
Comment by Johanna
PCOS Mum
I did like Elizabethtown, but in a not having to think too much way. My favourite part was the end when he did the road trip. It was such a great idea and the map was fabulous.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Elizabethtown is one of those films that I've thought about getting a few times when I'm having a lazy, indulgent afternoon and I want something easy to watch and enjoy. It sounds great, thanks!
Tracy
Comment by Homer Joyce
Well, Lynch is certainly someone who does that …
It might be why some people don’t ‘get’ his films … they approach them from the wrong angle …
… like not watching Natural Born Killers from the angle that it’s a satire on the media … you won’t ‘get’ it … it will just seem like gratuitous violence …
but then with Lynch … if you don’t have a deadpan / warped sense of humour, I guess it would be difficult to approach his films from the right angle … (The Elephant Man excepted) ….
Homer …
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I was young when I watched Elephant Man and it is a film that stayed with since that first and only viewing. I think it taught me a lot about acceptance and the effects of stigmatising people in society. When I think of the film, I feel like crying. He is a director that has created many powerful films.
Yes, you're right about Natural Born Killers. People tended to view that as mindless, gratuitous violence, but like you said, it's a film to be watched knowing it's a satire of the media, public opinion, and the modern attitude toward violence.
Comment by Homer Joyce
No-one in the cinema understood why I was laughing when John Meryck combed his hair ... but I reckon Lynch wouldn't mind ...
Homer ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I agree, I think Lynch wouldn't mind. He is a man who appreciates and encourages irony....
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
love this one ... just of the top ofmy head, before I dash off again,
I loved The Fastest Little Indian with Anthony Hopkins.
No doubt I'll think of an older one, and then an older one still, aand then probably one older then that still that nobody but me saw, there are so many - actually this may be a good time to ask
Has ANYONE ELSE ON THIS PLANET SEEN BUCKAROO BONZAI or am I the only one?
Thanks
Lilla
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I've just been corrected on that title, it's the Worlds Fasted Indian with Anthony Hopkins (I got that bit right).
I hope you don't mind me taking over your post for this Buckaroo information?
Lilla.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for your posts. I haven't seen The World's Fastest Indian. It was one of those films I was going to see at the cinema but didn't get around to it, so I'll see it on DVD.
Feel free to add any more you think of....
I hadn't heard of Buckaroo Banzai....so I looked it up and found a Wiki site on it so there must be other people out there that have seen it too. Here's a little blurb on it to wobble other people's memory:
Buckaroo Banzai is the lead character, played by Peter Weller, of the eponymous 1984 cult film, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. A renaissance man, the character is a top neurosurgeon, particle physicist, race car driver, rock star and comic book hero, and in the film, probably the last hope of the human race. In the film, his latest experiments open the door to the 8th dimension and unwittingly start an interstellar battle for the world.
Further Adventures: After a hiatus of twenty-plus years, Earl Mac Rauch and W.D. Richter have begun a new adventure for Buckaroo Banzai, in the form of a comic book produced by Moonstone Books. The new story, Return of the Screw, picks up where the film left off.
Is it a treasured favourite of yours?
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
it certainly is, I really don't know why, by the time I missed it, I couldn't get a copy of it. BUt that wasn't so importatnt, what was is that no one else seems to have seen the darn thing ...? Not a single soul in over ... what? 20 years..!
I know it exists(ed) I watched it about 20 times! I was begining to think I hallucinated the whole thing and someone had spiked my drink or something, so you can imagine I really appreciate the wiki-ref, I'm going to go and look it up myself now. Thanks a million for afirming it did exist at least. I would hav never thought to check Wiki for a film ref. smart thinking.
It was a road film in parts, at least....thanks for humouring me.
Lilla.
Ps I loved Thelma and Louise and Easy Rider and as always as others start to come in, I'll be going 'Oh Yeas!' I loved that, etc
Good question ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
There were quite a few sites about Buckaroo Banzai so you definitely didn't dream it. It sounds like it brings back many memories for you. I enjoyed learning about it, I like finding out about quirky, buried films.
I wonder if other Orbol readers have seen it, maybe JohnDoe or Homer might have heard of it or even seen it. They are connoisseurs of many hidden films....I reckon don't give up hope, Lilla, keep looking for it, it might pop up one day.....good luck..Oh and please keep me posted on your progress...
Tracy
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
But I think you'll know about it anyway, as I'll be checking into it all happening here... inbetween all those road films I've forgotten about - or never heard of, sorry again ...
Lilla.
Comment by Scarlett
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for your comments, yes Kalifornia is definitely a great film.
I'm determined to make one of your delicious desserts one day!!
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for popping in...I was wondering when someone might mention National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) or Road Trip (2000). National Lampoon's Vacation is one of those films that everyone has seen (quite a few times) and can still have a chuckle over...and that's great.
Tracy
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Lilla, I own and love The adventures of Buckaroo banzai in teh 8th Dimension, better still it is available on DVD in Australia. A quirky and unique film , Funny and imaganitive all the cast have a ball with their eccentric characters.
Good call homer with The Straight Story
10 of my favourite road movies- (In no order)
Terrence Mallick's Badlands
Richard Brookes In Cold Blood
Eric Reid's The Hitcher
Richard Sarrafin's Vanishing Point
Monte Hellman's Two Lane Blacktop
Stanley Donen's Two For The Road
Michael Cimino's Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
Walter Salles Motorcycle Diaries
Steven Spielberg's Duel
Arthur Penn's Bonnie and Clyde
tons more great ones, these are just a few that came straight to mind.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
That's brilliant that you have and love Buckaroo Banzai, I think Lilla will be very happy to hear that.
I really want to see The Straight Story...
You listed some great ones too, some of them I haven't seen and some I had forgotten like Motorcycle Diaries, The Hitcher and Bonnie and Clyde...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Badlands is the template for NBK, Kalifornia etc and Two for The Road is a superb story of two opposites who fall in love on the Road.eg: Elizabeth Town,
Comment by LaurenD
I must agree with Motorcycle Diaries, too. A beautiful film.
LaurenD
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for the background info on those films, that's really interesting how much of an effect they've had on other films..
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I also really liked Transamerica, I thought it was quirky as well as poignant. Yes, Motorcycle Diaries was beautiful.
Tracy
Comment by LaurenD
LaurenD
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I haven't seen that one either, I hadn't realised it was a road film...I have so much to learn...
Tracy
Comment by LaurenD
Best line...'Have you ever been karmically bitch-slapped by a 6-armed goddess? ...I thought not.'
LaurenD
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It is was inspired by the so bad its good telemovie from the 70's called The Boy In The Bubble starring a very young John Travolta. Highly amusing in a different way.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Right now I am pretty happy, as you can imagine ...ha! I'm not mad, it wasn't a dream or hallucination, I've just been haning out with the wrong crowd(?). I will go to Civic or something, yes ... and order it there?
Thank you so much for responding ...
L.
Comment by Hellvis
Earache Hotel
Speaking of Repo Man, I'd nominate Roadside Prophets, also directed by Alex Cox. It's got one of the Beastie Boys in it, and John Doe from X: a great LA rockabilly punk band from the '80s.
Another nomination would go to Lord of the Rings--any of them. That was one mother of a road trip. All those weird fuckers seemed to do is walk.
Comment by Unicornspit
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AFL Central
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Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
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Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I had completely forgotten about Kiss or Kill...that's a good one...
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Roadside Prophets sounds interesting in a bizarre sort of way...
I have never thought of the Lord of the Rings trilogy in that sort of way...interesting...probably because I was confused for most of the time they were on...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Priscilla is a classic film, it just doesn't seem to lose its unique appeal.
I think Almost Famous can be classified as a road film, that was a good one too..
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Is that the one where they keep going around and around the roundabout and someone says 'look kids, big ben parliament'?
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Feux Rouges’, (Red Lights) is based on a thriller by the Belgian author George Simenon which was originally set in the United States.
This is an atmospheric film with an effective blend of suspense, relationship difficulties, a French connection and all while on a road trip. It's eerie and the tension mounts and mounts. In the first half of the film there isn't much sound apart from the sound of the road.
Definitely a good one to see....
Comment by MatthewB
WE WANT ART WITH AESTHETICS!!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for your comments. I hadn't heard of Two Lane Blacktop so I looked it up. The synopsis said that the race and the highway metaphorically depict the lives of these contestants as they struggle to their destination which sounds intriguing to me. Vanishing Point is another great road film, I saw that ages ago.
Tracy
Comment by KarenC
Genghis Gal
I have to admit to being a sucker for a 1985 John Cusack film, The Sure Thing,
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I really thought I'd seen this one (as I loved many 80s films) but I haven't....I looked it up and I wonder how I missed it....!
Tracy
Comment by kryzb
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Lizard68591
The Blog Formerly Known As Saturday Morning Movie Club
Comment by MatthewB
WE WANT ART WITH AESTHETICS!!
Tracy- yeah, I love films that have storylines that relate to the thematic concept, like Natural Born Killers or U-turn, Oliver Stone is a master like Hitchcock was in his reflection of the symbolic in the visual structure of the plot. That's why Horror is a classic genre- alienation and the emotional intesity of life in an alienating society are mirrored so effectively in the dramatic carnarge etc. in the film.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for your comments, I don't think I'd thought of horror in that way, it's making me ponder further....
Tracy
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Transamerica
To Wong Foo
Forces Of Nature
Planes Trains & Automobiles
Priscilla
*whispers* and maybe Britney Spears' Crossroads haha
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Did you say Crossroads? I heard you!!
I love Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I've seen it a million times.
Interesting choice: Transamerica... good mention!
I haven't seen To Wong Foo and Forces Of Nature, I might look them up now,
Byee
PS And yes to Priscilla as well, another good one..