#peter riegert

[haveyouseenthismovie-poll]

[d1rthaus]

Local Hero - dir. Bill Forsyth 1983

[aspirationalbrand]

crossing delancey (1988)

[ultimate88]

"You know, I got to admit, sometimes I know what I'm doing in this life."

"A hundred and twenty pounds of pure gold, that's me."

"You look, you meet, you try, you see. Sometimes it fits, sometimes it don't."

― Amy Irving & Peter Riegert and Reizl Bozyk as Isabelle Grossmank & Sam Posner and Bubba (Ida) Kantor Crossing Delancey (1988) || dir. Joan Micklin Silver

[marrissacooper]

FAVORITE MOVIES:

LOCAL HERO (1983) — dir. Bill Forsyth

It's their place, Mac. They have a right to make of it what they can. Besides, you can't eat scenery!

[rowandriftwood]

I just watched Local Hero (1983) again, and I think it might actually be my favorite movie.

A businessman from Texas (Peter Riegert) is reluctantly sent to Scotland by the oil company he works for to buy a small coastal town and turn it into a refinery. Instead of the locals being upset at the prospect, they are all delighted about the money they will make. However, American falls in love with the place, and wishes things didn’t have to change, and he never had to leave.

It’s like a heartwarming Hallmark Christmas movie, except that instead of Christmas it’s Scotland, and instead of the big city guy falling for the small town girl, he simply falls for the small town.

Oh, and a very young Peter Capaldi runs like baby bird and falls in love with a marine biologist who might actually be a mermaid.

It’s the perfect combination of gentle humor, delightful characters, and beautiful scenery that gets me right in the feels every time. Just … magical.

As an added bonus, the music was done by Mark Knopfler, the frontman of Dire Straits, who also did the music for The Princess Bride.

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Mask (1994)

If you were born in the late ‘80s or early ‘90s, you idolized Jim Carrey at some point. In second grade, my class received an assignment to write a biography on our favorite Canadian sports athlete. I didn’t have one so I asked the teacher if I could do mine on Jim Carrey (he was born in Ontario). Four of my classmates asked the same thing. Carrey’s big break was Ace Ventura: Pet Detective but that film has aged so dreadfully its finale is unwatchable – even if you keep in mind it was made 30 years ago. A much better way to indulge your nostalgia for the comedian is to revisit Dumb and Dumber or today's movie: The Mask.

Insecure bank teller Stanley Ipkiss (Carey) finds a magical mask in the Edge City river. After putting it on, the mask transforms him into a green-faced, zoot suit-wearing extrapolation of his inner self. With his newfound powers and confidence, Ipkiss gets even with those who’ve wronged him and romances Tina Carlyle (Cameron Diaz), the beautiful singer at the exclusive Coco Bongo club. In the process, he crosses paths with gangster Dorian Tyrell (Peter Greene).   There have been several attempts to make a live-action Looney Tunes film, none as successful at bringing the series’ violent slapstick sense of humor to life as The Mask (and with Coyote vs. Acme being shelved by David Zaslav, that won't change anytime soon). Putting on the mask does more than alter Ipkiss’ appearance and give him the confidence to say and do what he’s always wanted to; it allows him to pull giant mallets out of thin air, survive explosions, re-inflate himself after being flattened, move so fast he looks like a spinning tornado, etc. Jim Carrey excels at playing loud, outlandish catchphrase-spewing characters, making this superhero origin story (the film is based on the Dark Horse comic by Mike Richardson) the perfect vehicle for him. He also fares quite well as lovable loser Stanley Ipkiss. He has great chemistry with the most memorable character in the film: Ipkiss’ dog, Milo. As far as movie pets go, there aren’t many who have as much personality as this adorable, occasionally aggressive, mischievous and deceptively smart (for a dog) Jack Russell Terrier. The pooch may not have a character arc, but its multiple gags build upon each other and Milo plays a critical part in the story.    If you expected me to name Cameron Diaz as the co-star with whom Carrey has the best rapport, I’m getting to her now. The two actors have chemistry but they don't quite sizzle like they should. Or maybe it’s that Diaz (in her film debut) is so stunning that a part of you dismisses any sparks between them – she should be with you. After donning the mask, Stanley howls like the wolf in 1943's “Red Hot Riding Hood” while he watches her perform at the Coco Bongo. You’ll be right there along with him. Seeing her, you remember the first time you saw Marilyn Monroe. All you can say is “Wow!”, which makes you all the more grateful to see that she can keep up with the dance numbers and comedic sequences. As a memorable aspect of the film, she’s got stiff competition between Carrey, the dog and the special effects but she nonetheless stands out.    The Mask is a pretty standard superhero story that’s elevated by its willingness to go all the way with its cartoon motif, the unforgettable one-liners and memorable characters. On top of everyone previously mentioned, there’s Lieutenant Mitch Kellaway (Peter Riegert), the police officer who suspects Ipkiss – even though no ordinary man could pull off the moves he pulls -, his dopey partner Detective Doyle (Jim Doughan) and several big scenes that will stick with you long after the film is gone. Partially because they are funny but also because they showcase the film’s use of music, dance and cartoon logic.    Special effects can often date a picture. Even if those are still (mostly) convincing, jokes that haven’t aged well can make you regret you ever hit "play". The Mask makes extensive use of special effects. They still hold up. When it comes to the jokes, the film does it right. There is a point where a mask-wearing Ipkiss starts turning into a Pepe Le Pew type… but the fact that he’s too much and that his overly aggressive would-be romantic gestures make Tina uncomfortable are both acknowledged and part of the gag.

I must’ve seen The Mask over a dozen times as a kid (mostly in French and on VHS) but that was years ago. I thought I only remembered the broad strokes but nearly everything came flooding back as soon as I started watching. Part of that I can attribute to repetition but also to the fact that this comedy is packed with memorable scenes, lines and characters. It holds up. (October 5, 2024)

[josebarrmageddon]

The Mask (1994) 30th Anniversary

A timeless, comedy classic and a childhood favorite of mine. I use to watch this movie countless times as a kid and still have it on good, old VHS. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was based on a super gruesome comic book. If the original intention was to make a film version of that, then it makes sense why they got Chuck Russell to direct this, who is no stranger to effects-driven horror films. However, once Jim Carrey was considered for the role, the script was rewritten to fit his comedic sensibilities. In retrospect, that was the best choice, but seeing as nowadays, movies are getting legacy reboots and requels, how do you make a new Mask movie? Do you stick to the goofy nature of the movie everyone knows and loves or do you stick to the original source material and make an ultra violent, black comedy about a cartoonish killer?

- Jose Barr (7/29/2024)

[emmynominees]

peter riegert as peter cohen in barbarians at the gate

primetime emmy award nominee for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or movie

[camyfilms]

WE BOUGHT A ZOO 2011

You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.

[haveyouseenthismovie-poll]

[aspirationalbrand]

peter riegert in crossing delancey (1988)

[genevieveetguy]

. You have this exalted view of me and I hate it. If you think I'm that great, there must be something wrong with you.

Chilly Scenes of Winter, Joan Micklin Silver (1979)

[moviesiveseenandwanttoremember]

Joan Micklin Silver’s “Chilly Scenes of Winter” October 19, 1979.

[midnightcowboy1969]

Peter Riegert as Sam in Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979), dir. Joan Micklin Silver

[abs0luteb4stard]

W A T C H E D

I've watched the mask a zillion times since I was a kid. It never gets old.