Dog Day Afternoon (Sept. 22 - Sept. 28)

[notchreturns]

The robbery should have taken 10 minutes. 4 hours later, the bank was like a circus sideshow. 8 hours later, it was the hottest thing on live T.V. 12 hours later, it was all history. And it's all true

What's it about?
Based upon true events, a New York man and two accomplices are besieged in a bank with all the bank employees after his attempt to rob enough money to pay for his male lover's sex change operation goes awry. What results is a two day media circus in which his private life and the humiliation of the police is laid bare for the whole city.

Directed by Sidney Lumet, Dog Day Afternoon stars Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning and Chris Sarandon.

A couple questions to keep in mind...

1. Is Sidney Lumet, the director of films such as 12 Angry Men, Network and Serpico, one of the, if not the most, underrated directors of all time?

2. Thoughts on the performances, directing, and screenplay of Dog Day Afternoon? Out of all of Pacino's performances where do you rank this one?

3. The 1970's was the birthplace of the tough, American, character actor. Which is your fav? Deniro, Pacino, Hoffman, Keital, Hackman, Nicholson...?

4. In 1975 Al Pacino lost the Academy Award for best actor to Jack Nicholson who won for One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Who gave the better performance, in your opinion?

5. Does Dog Day Afternoon make a valid statement about how homosexual's are viewed in the public eye? Thouights on the statements on the media and NYPD in Dog Day Afternoon?

6. Although he attempted robbery and endangered the lives of many did Sonny, Al Pacino's character, evoke sympathy from you?

7. Thoughts on the ending? Thoughts on the outcome of Al Pacino and John Cazale's characters?

8. Dog Day Afternoon is ranked #184 on the IMDB poll... does it deserve it's ranking? Should it be higher or lower?

9. Anything you disliked about the film?

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[This message has been edited by notchreturns (edited 09-16-2002).]

[notchreturns]

Conversation for Dog Day Afternoon will begin now!

[James Logan]

Didn't get the chance to ever see DOG DAY AFTERNOON before...looking forward to seeing what the Schmoes think of it.

[notchreturns]

Okay, I'll go first

*Takes deep breathe* Al Pacino... Al Pacino... Al Pacino... Al Pacino...

That felt good. AQl Pacino rocks like the grand fuckin' canyon folks. He is power, authority, abilty to underplay, the eyes, the intensity are all here live and in color. His performance in Dog Day Afternoon is his second best after The Godfather films.

Okay now that Al Pacino is off my chest likes talk about Sidney Lumet. This dude directed Network, 12 Angry Men, Serpico, The Verdict and he gets NO respect or any that I've seen. His gritty, realistic portraits of the American life is is fan fuckin' tastic. He creates great power and intensity with his camerawork and he slowly, but surely, will build the tension like no other.

Now, Dog Day Afternoon is a great fuckin' film. A 9/10. It's a great true, story with awesome performances, a realistic story and script and some powerful direction. The ending is sad, but enivitable. The late John Cazale is also stars here a gives a very nice performance as the man on the edge.

As for my questions:

1. Yes, I've answered this already. He is extremely underrated. He has made some great films and his direction is always bold and vibrant.

2. I answered this one above.

3. My two favs of the 70's generation were Dustion Hoffman and Pacino. Both are extremely talented, diverse actors. However, I do consider Hoffman the greatest character actore of all time. They're all great...

4. Wow, what a tough question, Notch! LOL Um... I might have been drunk when I thought of this one, so... I guess Pacino...

5. Most definetily. Let's face it most people don't like homosexuals. Case in point, the public loved Sonny before they fund out he was gay, but once the news was announced his "popularity" was spilt 50/50. Hey, the cops and media are made out too be aggresive and trigger- happy. From what I see on the news... they are.

6. Yes, yes and yes. I rooted for him. I cared for him. Maybe it was because it was Pacino, but I felt the guy made an honest make and I wanted him to go free.

7. I answered this one above.

8. Higher, way higher. It's in my top 60, I believe. One of the best of the 70's.

9. Well, it kinda dragged, but so did that day. It's understandable.



Now, what are your thoughts!

[Re-animator]

This movie ranks among one of among the great classics MR al pacino has brought to the film industry,,it is really that good...My thoughts on this movie are.

1. Mr Sidney Lumet is veryyy underated i stress that..!!! Most of his movies convey very deep meanings and challenge society, he satirises the media with sharp wit. Very good director, behind Martin Scorcese.

2. Al Pacino was great he was able to convey alot of different emotions right through the movie, Fear, Anxiety, Insanity everything.....Although the screenplay waws filled with quite a bit of expletives it was rock solid and cinematography was great..

3. Pacino is definitely my favourite actor...so many memorable movies

4. I cannot comment on this but im sure id say AL PACINO

5. Yes it makes a valid statement, that we portray most homosexuals as outcasts.

6. Al pacino got my sympathy as the movie went on......Sonny grows on you.....and his intentions were very touching

7. I would have liked a happier ending but since this is based on a true story..it will suffice

8. It should be ranked higher.......i mean really how can LORD of the RINGS beat this movie???

9. The movie could have done with a little less swearing but besides that a perfect movie

10/10

make sure u see SCARFACE, SCENT OF A WOMAN, SERPICO, and THE GODFATHER......

[bankholdup]

1. I've only seen 2 of his films, but they're both in my top 15.

2. Awesome! One of Pacino's greatest, besides Michael Corleone.

3. De Niro.

4. Nicholson did and he deserved the Oscar.

5. Uh....I don't know.

6. Hell yeah! I felt bad for the guy.

7. Great ending to a great story.

8. Way higher. This is like my #15 film of all time.

9. Not really, I guess...9/10

[Fergus]

1. Is Sidney Lumet, the director of films such as 12 Angry Men, Network and Serpico, one of the, if not the most, underrated directors of all time?

I wouldn't go as far as to say that he's the MOST underrated filmmaker ever, but he is certainly "one of them". I should say, "criminally underrated."

2. Thoughts on the performances, directing, and screenplay of Dog Day Afternoon? Out of all of Pacino's performances where do you rank this one?

Personally, the entire film was run by one great performance by Pacino, nothing much to say in terms of acting from anyone else. Though, Chris Sarandon as Sonny's "partner" was admirable, certainly a departure from what he normally does. I wouldn't know where to rank this among Pacino's performances. I have not seen either "Scarface" nor "Carlito's Way".

3. The 1970's was the birthplace of the tough, American, character actor. Which is your fav? Deniro, Pacino, Hoffman, Kietel, Hackman, Nicholson...?

Well, despite my curren sentiments that the first two choices are two of the most overrated actors ever, I will voice my opinion that Mr. Hoffman is my favorite actor ever, and is an idol as well.

4. In 1975 Al Pacino lost the Academy Award for best actor to Jack Nicholson who won for One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Who gave the better performance, in your opinion?

Actually, I didn't find anything special about Jack's performance in "Cuckoo's Nest", but I would've given it to Pacino for his nice work.

5. Does Dog Day Afternoon make a valid statement about how homosexual's are viewed in the public eye? Thouights on the statements on the media and NYPD in Dog Day Afternoon?

Actually, I think this is where the film falters. Number one, I thought back in those days, people were more against homosexuals, but after seeing the film, I am all mixed up, because the times when Sonny comes out of the bank, the crowd is cheering. It is just a bit confusing to me. So, no, I do not think they are valid.

6. Although he attempted robbery and endangered the lives of many did Sonny, Al Pacino's character, evoke sympathy from you?

Heck yeah, of course, he's the main character, if his character didn't evoke any sympathy, the movie on a whole would've failed, and I don't see it that way.

7. Thoughts on the ending? Thoughts on the outcome of Al Pacino and John Cazale's characters?

The ending was surprising to me because I didn't expect the guy who actually got in the car to be ...... Or to put it this way, I was a bit stunned by it. I actually cared about those two guys, and I felt sorry for how they ended up, but they really did deserve it.

8. Dog Day Afternoon is ranked #184 on the IMDB poll... does it deserve it's ranking? Should it be higher or lower?

I would immediately say, "NO!" There are too many films that I have liked more than this, I'm sure that number is above 200.

9. Anything you disliked about the film?

The fact that Sonny never got what he wanted.

[notchreturns]

Dissapointing schmoes... dissapointing...