The Hunt for Red October and Crimson Tide

I made a mistake.



I did something I shouldn't have.


I FUCKED up.



I watched The Hunt for Red October right before Crimson Tide.


*Deep Breath*


That was a mistake. It was my mistake, and my mistake alone. The thing is, I love Crimson Tide. It's a stylish Tony Scott action/thriller with Gene Hackman (HACK-MAN) and Scott's frequent collaborator, Mr. Denzel Washington. The movie is a well made popcorn flick with a cast that is simply too incredible to name everyone here (Long Live Steve Zahn), and the back and forth between Hackman (HACK-MAN) and Washington is just some plain ol' good shit.

I actually hadn't seen Tide in a number of years, and I'm not sure I had ever actually watched my Blu Ray copy (Blu Ray baby), and for whatever reason, I had the worst itch to watch some 'Dad' thrillers. I had just recently purchased The Hunt for Red October, so this seemed like an ideal time for a double feature (The Fugitive is next!).

For reasons unknown, I had decided to watch Red October first. Could it have possibly been the fact that the movie had just turned 30? Perhaps.  Or could it have possibly been that I had purchased it on 4K Blu Ray and I'm a little bitch when it comes to that? Yes. So Red October was first.

Jesus Christ, what a fucking masterclass in action filmmaking.

John McTiernan had just put out Predator three years prior, and Die Hard a year after that. Red October was his follow up to both films. 

Let that sink in. Three action masterpieces within 3 years of each other. One after another. McTiernan was, simply put, working on another level at that time. His sense of geography is akin to Spielberg, every action is clear, every cut is precise. He cuts back and forth between different locations on a submarine, back and forth between CIA offices and Naval ships. It's never once confusing, something that has plagued action films in subsequent decades.

The pace of this film moves at lightening speed, which is all the more impressive when you realize there really aren't any traditional action scenes. No fist fights. Maybe a few bullets are shot. But it's all just a game of cat and mouse between Alec Baldwin and Sean Connery. And it's fucking exhilarating.

Speaking of Connery. Holy Shit. What a commanding performance. I didn't realize it until this viewing (and I hadn't seen this since maybe junior high), but this is how I've always pictured Sean Connery. His sense of honor, a little bit of rebellion, authority. When ever I thought of Connery, I was thinking of him in Red October. Which is insane. James Bond. The Untouchables. The Rock. Indiana Jones' Dad. But my mental image of Sean Connery was him in this movie. He was so good, it actually imprinted on my brain.

But McTiernan. Man. One particular sequence involving a deep ocean canyon and a cocky Connery is an absolute all timer. The man just knew exactly how to get the heart racing, and like his previous films, knew exactly how to cast and create iconic characters. This man basically molded my action childhood, and I feel ashamed that I hadn't revisited this one sooner.


Crimson Tide never stood a chance.


Anywho, I'm gonna do this more. I recently published another post, it's a little personal (ew), but its there if you wanna poke this brain. Like I said, I think I'm gonna watch The Fugitive soon, so I'll be back on here to talk about that ASAP (or whatever the hell else I decide watch if anything).

BYE

I still like movies.

Hello world, it's me Jordan (Robert). There have been some changes in my life since I last wrote in this here thing. I'm engaged again. That's cool. I'm about to be a Step Dad. That's terrifying. I'm about to be 34. That's fine.

I still like movies, though. Very much so. I usually watch at least one movie a day. I hear it keeps the social life away. LOL. Anyway, like I said, I like movies. No matter if times are good or bad, I like movies. One thing I've noticed though, is how much I miss writing about movies.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I'll talk about movies with anyone willing to listen (usually just my Mommy) all day long, but I miss taking those conversations and thoughts and conclusions and writing them out. I used to do it regularly, mostly when I was married and living in North Carolina. That was a hard time for me. I never made many friends when I moved, and I had missed my old friends and family something fierce. My marriage at the time seemed fine, but later I realized it was during those years that it began to deteriorate. And rather than actively deal with my loneliness (which eventually blossomed into a full on case of depression) or work on my marriage, I turned to movies. Oh and maybe too much booze (BUT I'LL DEAL WITH THAT LATER).

But I wrote about movies, just not on here but for a local newspaper in North Carolina. My taste in movies didn't match very well with theirs, but it was a cool opportunity and I got to see movies for free.

As I mentioned before, I'm giving marriage another go. I'm excited about it. I feel like I learned a lot last time, and I'm ready to take that knowledge and apply it with my new wife (who is pretty fucking cool if I do say so). But even as I enter this new and exciting chapter in my life, I find myself distracted. Stressed. Anxious.


In recent years I helped create Playtime Comedy with three of my best friends. It's been an amazing creative outlet. But recently, due to schedules mostly and some thing called a "Pandemic", we haven't had much chance to get together. The lack of a creative outlet has led to a serious creative dry spell for me, which in turn ignites that anxiety I'm working so hard to control.

I also recently made the decision to start taking antidepressants and anxiety medication to help with my depression and anxiety. Finally admitting the fact that i have both anxiety and depression immediately feels like admitting defeat. I'm finally admitting I'm broken.


"You can't think that way." "You're taking the first step!" "There are only three Die Hard movies!" Wait, I mean yes, but, shit. Whatever. Look this shit is scary is all I'm saying.

It's a tough spot to be in for sure. I want so badly to create yet cannot no matter how much I try. Now yes, times will change, schedules will clear, writers block goes away (if it ever really existed). But right now, I need something. I need a release. I need to talk about movies. You don't have to listen of course (I'm also assuming you can't read), but I'm going to use this space to talk about movies, because I like movies, and that's cool and stuff.