Legendary actor Gene Hackman, known for his wide range of roles from comedies to dramas, passed away at the age of 95 on Wednesday. Throughout a distinguished and celebrated career spanning many decades, he earned two Oscars for his remarkable performances.
As reported by Variety, Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their pet dog were found deceased at their residence in New Mexico on Wednesday. The report suggests that there are currently no signs of suspicious activity, although the authorities have yet to specify the cause of death.
Originally hailing from California in 1930, Hackman joined the Marines while still a youngster. Afterward, he pursued a career in television production and journalism with the assistance of the G.I. Bill at the University of Illinois. By the mid-1950s, this ambitious actor was on the rise, part of a wave of new talents who were creating a stir in New York’s theater world during the 1960s. He dabbled in television work (at one point being considered for the role of Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch) before making his breakthrough and earning his first of five Academy Award nominations as the older brother of Warren Beatty’s Clyde in the groundbreaking 1967 film, “Bonnie and Clyde.
By the early 1970s, Hackman had earned immense respect and popularity in Hollywood. His first Oscar win came for his outstanding performance in “The French Connection” (1971), a critically acclaimed and impactful film that even took home the Best Picture award that year. In this movie, directed by William Friedkin, Hackman portrayed the gritty New York detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle. Later, he revisited this character in the sequel, titled “French Connection II,” released in 1975.
Following “The French Connection”, Hackman was a consistent presence in cinemas until his acting retirement in 2004. An impressive collection of movies featuring Hackman’s stellar performances spans the last few decades of the 20th century, including some of the most notable and successful films: “The Conversation”, “The Poseidon Adventure”, “Superman: The Movie”, “Superman II”, “Hoosiers”, “Mississippi Burning”, “The Firm”, “Get Shorty”, “Crimson Tide”, “The Birdcage”, “The Royal Tenenbaums”, and many more.
1992 saw Hackman claiming his second Oscar, this round recognizing him as a remarkable supporting actor. His triumph was attributed to his portrayal of “Little Bill” Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s acclaimed film, Unforgiven.
After retiring formally in 2004, following his appearance in the comedy “Welcome to Mooseport”, Hackman spent the subsequent two decades relishing retirement and delving into writing. Having ventured into authorship in 1999, he penned several additional novels over the ensuing 15 years. Although he lent his voice to numerous documentaries, he refrained from acting in any more fiction films following “Welcome to Mooseport.
Even after two decades of retirement, Hackman’s impressive body of work kept him in people’s minds and sparked hope that he might return for a final role until his very last day. Now that he’s passed away, I believe Hackman’s reputation will continue to expand, an accomplishment for someone who was already regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation.
Movies We Love Because They’re Always On Cable
Jaws (1975)
Although it hails from the 70s and stands out as an anomaly among ’90s and early-2000s cable blockbusters, Jaws deserves recognition for pioneering the summer blockbuster genre. Without its enduring impact on re-releases and cable TV airtime, many of these movies might not have achieved such success.
Set in a New England beach town during a sweltering summer, Jaws is both a chilling horror film about a man-eating shark and a suspenseful drama exploring governmental corruption. Since its release, it has left audiences with an ongoing fear of the ocean and even inspired the Discovery Channel to dedicate an entire week to the misinterpreted creature. It’s quite possible that numerous individuals on this list watched Jaws for the first time not in a bustling IMAX theater but comfortably at home, during a late-night summer movie marathon on their favorite channel, with Roy Scheider’s iconic line edited for television ratings.
Home Alone (1990)
Instead of compiling an extensive list of annual Christmas movies that grace our television screens, we opted to single out one favorite for this celebration: the iconic “Home Alone”. Although it occasionally appears on TV beyond the holiday season, its true charm is felt when November arrives. Similar to many films on this list, the initial critical reception of “Home Alone” was modest upon its release. However, a mix of nostalgia and frequent television airings have steered opinions positively, transforming it into a timeless classic.
Regardless of whether you’ve ever intentionally watched “Home Alone”, chances are you’re familiar with it. You may have caught glimpses of it during holiday gatherings, while dozing off at a slumber party, or during late-night channel surfing.
Point Break (1991)
Is the film “Point Break” truly fantastic or excessively absurd? Opinions on Kathryn Bigelow’s action drama about an FBI agent entangled with a gang of surfing outlaws remain divided. Regardless of whether one adores it or despises it, its allure is undeniable when you stumble upon it while flipping through channels. Even if you lean towards the “Point Break” is foolish camp, Patrick Swayze’s philosophical musings will captivate you nonetheless.
You can almost convince yourself that it’s any genre: a sports drama revolving around surfing, an action flick about cops pursuing criminals, or a romantic tale of doomed love. “Point Break” encompasses all these aspects, and its picturesque beachside backdrop certainly adds to its charm. It makes for a perfect summer movie, but it’s even more delightful when you chance upon it during the off-season.
The Sandlot (1993)
If there’s one film that perfectly captures the strange, dreamlike sensation of childhood, it’s undeniably “The Sandlot.” When young Scott Smalls’ life takes an unexpected turn due to his mother’s remarriage and a relocation away from familiar surroundings, he finds solace in a close-knit band of misfit boys who play baseball on the vacant neighborhood sandlot as soon as school ends. Throughout a scorching summer, Smalls and his new companions engage in daring escapades, such as stealing balls from a fearsome dog, pursuing crushes at public swimming pools, and humiliating the snobbish Little League team while forging friendships. “The Sandlot” serves up a double helping of wistful longing for a bygone era (it’s set in the 1960s), and whenever you chance upon it on television, you can’t help but yearn for the simplicity of playing baseball under the glow of Fourth of July fireworks with your dearest friends – though you’re contentedly snuggled up on your living room couch at home.
Stargate (1994)
In a casual and engaging manner,
If you haven’t intentionally watched it in a theater or had someone show it to you, many science fiction movies you encounter on cable can feel like delirious dreams. That’s the feeling that the movie Stargate gives off, where James Spader portrays an Egyptologist/linguist who journeys to another planet alongside Kurt Russell to combat a supremely powerful god-alien. If not for its interconnected universe of spinoff series, it would still retain that dreamlike quality.
In other words, Stargate is an ideal bizarre sci-fi movie to stumble upon on cable. You can start watching it in the middle, and it will still be just as clear to you as if you had watched it from the beginning. It’s similar to another cable classic, The Mummy, in that respect: it’s silly, amusing, has an odd fascination with ancient Egypt, and there’s always a touch of intriguing dark magic or alien technology to keep things interesting when they become dull.
Twister (1996)
Independence Day (1996)
1. Similar to “Home Alone” and “Independence Day,” these films are must-watch events on national holidays. Once the Fourth of July arrives, they become virtually unavoidable, making it seem like another amendment should be added to our constitution, declaring them mandatory for viewing on our nation’s birthday.
2. The idea for “Independence Day” was born during director Roland Emmerich’s press tour for his earlier film “Stargate.” When a reporter asked why he made an alien movie if he didn’t believe in them, Emmerich envisioned a fleet of enormous spaceships appearing over major cities worldwide. This mental image served as the foundation for his action-thriller about an alien invasion, featuring Will Smith and the U.S. Air Force detonating an extraterrestrial mothership with a nuclear bomb. With commercial breaks, it runs for approximately three hours, making it impossible to overlook.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
In a nutshell, horror movies truly excel in cable channels, particularly slashers which are ideal for nighttime viewing, whether you’re home alone or hosting a party with friends. A prime example is “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” a delightful mix of the absurd and terrifying, featuring an all-star cast from the ’90s like Ryan Phillippe, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and more. This film offers a nail-biting mystery that taps into urban legends and classic revenge themes. It seems that according to these horror films from the ’90s, there was nothing teenagers loved more than hunting and killing each other, and we can’t help but be captivated by it. Alongside “Scream,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer” helped usher slasher movies into the contemporary era, spawning numerous imitators who strove to recreate the fear of being pursued by a man wielding a large sharp hook.
Miss Congeniality (2000)
Cable TV is predominantly known for horror films, but comedies, such as the universally cherished “Miss Congeniality,” come in at a close second. This movie offers an entertaining blend of action-crime caper and humorous reality competition parody, making it an enjoyable choice for various tastes within a genre that can sometimes be unpredictable.
Sandra Bullock’s portrayal of a tough FBI agent disguised as a beauty pageant contestant is laugh-out-loud funny, while also delivering a powerful message about embodying strength and embracing femininity without feeling forced or contrived. Be sure to jot down the date for an entertaining night out!
2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
In my opinion, if I could make a wish, it would be for all the Fast & Furious movies to constantly play on TV, across every channel. Regrettably, life isn’t perfect, and this isn’t possible. Yet, they aren’t difficult to find when you look for them. The quirkiest films tend to linger in our memories the longest, and 2 Fast 2 Furious stands out as one of the most peculiar yet beloved installments in the series. It’s unique because it lacks Vin Diesel, allowing Paul Walker’s Brian O’Conner to embark on his own adventure and introducing the future comedy duo, Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson.
The Fast franchise has changed significantly since then, but there’s a certain appeal in 2 Fast’s dedication to a low-stakes plot and playful Spy Kids-like racing graphics. Additionally, it features Suki and her iconic hot pink Honda, an original Ludacris song, and nothing else from the series can rival that.
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2025-02-27 17:25