pick your pacino
The intent of this post was to open a discussion about the best tension-filled scenes in movies. However, it's more like a discussion on Al Pacino's best movies. So of course, I thought a poll would be necessary.
If you notice, there are no recent movies here. I stopped with Glengarry Glenn Ross in 1992. After that, every Pacino role was the same; a little bit of acting, a lot of emoting and the big scene where he makes a poignant speech.
Comments
Nope, nope, nope. Godfather II.
I know it was you Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!
Posted by: Crank | March 6, 2004 10:52 PM
Okay, this list is incomplete: where is his Scent of a Woman (1992 - won best actor Oscar) or his unbelievable performance in Godfather II. I am not voting. This is a scam. Fight the power. Bush Lied. Um. Yeah. :)
(Seriously, not having Scent of a Woman or Godfather II is like having a barbeque without the meat - people will say, hey, goober, where's the meat?)
Posted by: Aravis | March 6, 2004 11:20 PM
I cast a write-in for "Simone"!
Posted by: dorkafork | March 6, 2004 11:32 PM
Say hello to my little friend.
Posted by: Ken | March 6, 2004 11:49 PM
Actually, I quite prefer "Carlito's Way."
Highly underappreciated.
"Where's my cheescake, Charlie?"
Posted by: Kathy | March 7, 2004 12:57 AM
Godfather II!
Posted by: Alex Knapp | March 7, 2004 03:01 AM
None of the above! Donnie Brasco (with honorable mention to Carlito's Way).
Posted by: Chan S. | March 7, 2004 08:20 AM
I kinda have a soft spot for Scent of a Woman too, but that may be because it's the only Pacino film I can remember seeing other than the Godfather pics.
Posted by: McGehee | March 7, 2004 02:58 PM
I thought Insomnia was a very understated performance for Al. I don't even hold the cliche ending against him.
Posted by: Cyrano | March 7, 2004 04:02 PM
They're all good, but I'd like to add "Panic in Needle Park" to the list of write-ins. Agree with previous comments mentioning GFII, Carlito's Way, and Donnie Brasco, as well.
Posted by: Protein Wisdom | March 7, 2004 04:05 PM
Godfather I & II are best, but Donnie Brasco comes in next and all the others are FAR behind.
Posted by: Aaron's Rantblog | March 8, 2004 05:40 AM
I'm sorry, but the scene in Godfather II when Michael's wife tells him she's had an abortion is the most tension-filled scene I've ever seen in any movie in my life.
I've never seen someone go from upset to towering rage with such a tiny, almost insignificant change of expression in my life. He went from confused and angry to nearly killing rage, and his expression barely changed. Takes my breath away every time I see it.
Posted by: Dean Esmay | March 8, 2004 08:02 AM
What about "Heat" (1995)?
He plays a slightly off-kilter copy in, what I thought, was a very intelligent script.
JMHO
TV (Harry)
Posted by: Inspector Callahan | March 8, 2004 01:09 PM
That was "cop", not "copy"
That's what that "Preview" button is for...
TV (Harry)
Posted by: Inspector Callahan | March 8, 2004 01:10 PM