(Mostly Infamous) Harrison Ford Drama, Mystery, Horror & Comedy Films

[00:00:00] This podcast is a production of Unfiltered Studios. If you would like to know more about joining Unfiltered Studios, please visit our website at unfpod.com for more information. I suggested to Mr. Ford that in the past he'd often been overwhelmed in the Star Wars films by the technology and in Indiana Jones by the action, and asked whether it was hard to make his own mark as an actor in that kind of picture.

[00:00:22] Well, I wasn't out to...let me put it this way, if I'm overwhelmed by special effects I think that that's a judgment that the film is out of control. I don't mean personally I overwhelm, but if the human part of the story is lost or there is an emotional relationship between the audience and characters in the film, you're missing something that's very important in films.

[00:00:47] People don't go to films to watch special effects, finally. They go to have an emotional relationship, to see something human, to learn...to be able to exercise their emotions. Well, I think your fans find this because I actually made a similar comment on television a week or two ago and got roundly insulted by a lot of people for my paints.

[00:01:09] Oh, well. I don't take it personally. But as I said before, I mean, you operate in the context of what you're doing. Do you think from now on you'll do more films like this between Indiana Jones and the Star Wars movies? Well, I'm not going to do another Star Wars film. That episode in my life has concluded.

[00:01:34] Well, not considering what you just said about it. If I've been overwhelmed by special effects, no need to do that anymore. No, that's a chapter in the past and we're meant to do one more Indiana Jones film. I think that'll be enough. It's always been my ambition to do different sorts of films, play different kinds of characters.

[00:02:00] It took you a long time, didn't it? I mean, overnight success in your case took about 15 years. It was a long night. Yeah, it was a long night. Well, I always thought it would. In fact, I came when I was quite young to Hollywood. I didn't know very much about what I was doing. I had to learn. And I expected that it would take some time. I also saw that those that stuck it out, simply by the process of attrition, finally got enough work to make a living.

[00:02:25] And my only ambition really was to have regular work. I never really dreamed of being a movie star, as it were. Looking at those Jack Ryan, Tom Clancy adaptations and in recent years re-evaluating even The Devil's Zone and Presumed Innocent, I saw how effective he was in just even just quieter moments.

[00:02:49] And how a lot of these other leading guys, you know, they just kind of couldn't escape their personal persona. And he kind of had just a way of just, I think you could say, just always being intense, even though he still kept getting pigeonholed. Everyone just wanted to have him, you know, save a woman and child in jeopardy.

[00:03:15] He just couldn't escape that. He at least had something else besides, oh, I gotta be a sex animal like Burt Reynolds, you know? Right, right. So I'll pass it on to screenwriter Joseph Burke. What about this actor just kind of really, what's the essence of this person? I think it's already been touched on, but like, the idea that he plays the everyday man.

[00:03:40] And they kind of, you can kind of, even though, like you say, in different roles, he manages to inhabit different things. So you've got like the wisecracking kind of scavenger kind of guy and the wisecracking, I guess I'd probably shoot myself if I didn't say, like legally, I have to say, hand shot first.

[00:04:06] Like, I can't get what anyone says, hand shot first. Because, like, he is the reason I was at Star Wars. That's for sure. Like, and that's the thing, it's the obvious choice for Star Wars, but like, I don't remember a time before Star Wars. Like, I always, it's like it's always been there. Yeah.

[00:04:33] Yeah. I've kind of just abandoned all Star Wars arguments just because the fan base is just over the top. And I just said, oh, at least we can all agree that he's great as Deckard and great as Indiana Jones. And most of us like, he's great. Apart from, maybe the, to be fair, that he's not the problem in Crystal Skull. The film's the problem, but not him. Great comedy. Great comedy. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah.

[00:05:02] The fact that some people I know have even said that was the first Indiana Jones they saw, and I'm like, where your parents are. Yeah. Yeah, right. What were your parents doing? At least, I don't know, just hold up with your dad on a lazy Sunday and watch Treasure of the Sierra Madre, which he was inspired by on Turner Classic Movies. Exactly. Mm-hmm . This is like, eh, people.

[00:05:29] So, I guess you could say it's kind of interesting how he's kind of navigated it. Like, I remember this one Forbes magazine article back around 2008 to maybe 2012 range. I'll just say 2009.

[00:05:47] I remember seeing a cool, this cool article, and it just kind of talked about actors, their net worth, versus what their movies did box office-wise, and audience reception of what they're more likely to just recognize on movies or TVs. And it was just an interesting study. I might be even getting the studies mixed up, but it was kind of interesting.

[00:06:10] I just saw how if Harrison Ford, Eddie Murphy, Morgan Freeman, and a few of those other just A-listers were in a movie, just people were more likely to see it. It just, they had that kind of likability, you know? And it didn't matter if the trailer was back garbage or the movie was, you know, a total playing field for critics. It was just that kind of just invincible. You're going to rent it. You're going to see it. Yeah.

[00:06:38] And I think he does kind of get to that, you know, once the 90s end, he just starts appearing in just kind of lesser scene kind of ensemble cast movies. And I thought that was interesting.

[00:06:49] We're at that end of the turntable where we must listen to the B-side, the mostly infamous drama or in comedy films of Harrison Ford.

[00:07:48] It's in no specific order. I'll just list these movies in order by the time they came out. So we'll be channeling mainly just movies that Harrison was either part of the ensemble or supporting role in. But either way, some of these are well liked. But there's also going to be plenty that are divisive among his fans.

[00:08:11] We'll chronicle the infamous sequel, More American Graffiti, as well as the TV horror mystery movie of the week, The Possessed. Which coincidentally came out around the same time, yeah, in Star Wars. There's Working Girl, Sabrina, What Lies Beneath.

[00:08:31] And plenty of other jokes related to the Star Wars Holiday Special regarding Henry, Six Days, Seven Nights, and Hollywood Homicide. So just ask yourself, is Hollywood Homicide the worst? Six Days, Seven Nights the bigger stinker? Or is What Lies Beneath just the biggest pile that took a dump on Harrison's otherwise amazing career? We shall come to an agreement.

[00:08:59] I guess it was better than What Lies Beneath. Yeah. It's like, hey, it's the sequel to Sixth Sense. We swear it wasn't made around the same time. We swear. Yeah. Aside from Crystal Skull, I guess I can't think of a single movie that I just can't watch aside from Hollywood Homicide or Six Days, Seven Nights. What Lies Beneath, I'd say.

[00:09:28] Okay, well, yeah, fair enough. I guess it's the second two. It's a pretty boring movie. Will, do you have some other gyms that just kind of hang out for you? I mean, well, in terms of introduction, yeah, mine was also Star Wars related because I was like... I imagine for, I mean, I gotta imagine for 90% of 95% or more.

[00:09:55] Because like, for my dad had the VHS of Star Wars. Oh, there you go. So, on to, once again, just mostly infamous drama, horror, and comedy films. Kind of even action comedies. Ah, for Harrison. So, again, More American Graffiti is one of the most skippable sequels ever.

[00:10:22] It was so hard to even find on video back in the day, let alone for it to get a DVD release. It's not very good. Actors are on loan, including Scott Glenn. Basically, it's what if all the characters went to war post-Vietnam. Ron Howard is as energetic as he was in the final season of Happy Days, which isn't much. So, yeah, I meant to talk a bit about it. We kind of joked about it throughout other parts of the episode, but I'm just giving my two cents.

[00:10:52] We're not off to a good start with infamous Harrison Ford movies. I guarantee you, he probably doesn't even remember he did the sequel. It's just not much to write home about. It's kind of just more interesting that they bothered. They just wanted to put something in the can. And all I can say is, watch the original movie. And don't bring up the second film. It's still not a six day, seven night.

[00:11:18] I think the reason that movie, I think I've seen more parts of that movie than I've actually, I can't even remember if I've said for the whole thing. If I did, it was a long ass time ago. I think I saw that in grade school or middle school. My mom had probably got it because she probably rented it because she loves Harrison Ford. Yeah. You know what? So like, I definitely remember watching it. I don't remember much of it.

[00:11:45] I just feel like part of it was Harry Ford and N.H. Bickker and they fall for each other because David Schwimmer's in there too. Oh yeah. It was a total shit test. Fred. I think the other actor would also later be on NYPD Blue. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That was kind of like the only part of it was like, hey, this cutie is on here.

[00:12:16] Because like another show my mom watched Wrigley so I would see that. I'd watch that sometimes just with her if there was nothing else to do. Well, I mean, if you know your parents, crime shows and renovation shows. It was funny. My my grandparents were more of the crime people. My my folks were too busy either working. They weren't really watching. They had kids. They gave up watching stuff like 37 or St. Elsewhere.

[00:12:46] Maybe I'm big as an actor. Harris Ford would have had his own carpentry show at some point. So that was you would have thought. Yeah. Home improvement was the carpentry. Yeah. Or like he was getting before he hit it with acting. He was also a carpenter. Yeah. Like, yeah. Wow. Character name was like often a segment of his name. Like he's on an episode of Kung Fu playing a guy named Mr. Harrison. I could see that.

[00:13:15] I haven't seen that three hour court martial movie he's in called Judgment, but I have seen the possessed horror movie TV film he's in. It's totally worth it because it's actually not only a decent film, but it's also kind of just he has a hysterically over the top death where he gets burned to death by the gal with satanic powers. Oh, wow. Like, I wonder if he put that on his demo reel got fucking burned by a demonic child.

[00:13:46] He definitely didn't put the holiday special on this demo reel. I know that much. Oh, no. Oh, God. Oh, God. You gotta watch that and just look at the faces that he makes. Oh, my God. He is so pissed off. I mean, he would rather be at Subway than doing that fucking thing. I agree.

[00:14:15] He'd rather be doing everything against his morale, doing underground fighting or something, anything. Yes. Oh, God. It shouldn't be a bad thing. Oh. There could be anything but that. Is there any more to fight? That's okay.

[00:14:47] Everything's okay now. Here's your daddy. Boy, is he groomed. It's okay, everybody. He's gone. How are you? Mom! I guess you can also say he has very underrated actors to have to play opposite of. You know, you got Scorny Weaver, Helen Mirren, James Earl Jones. And, I mean, he definitely doesn't get as much love for his Francis Ford Coppola work.

[00:15:16] And, I mean, Coppola definitely deserves some credit for even just getting him on the Spielberg-Lucas train for a while. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. But, I mean, looking at Working Girl now, it's kind of a reminder. It's like, aren't you glad you don't work in a chaotic workplace like that? You know? Mm-hmm. Something like The Office now is like, oh, they totally went back to a stage play type movie like this. You know? Yeah. Who gets the girl? Who gets to be the boss?

[00:15:43] And it's like, so, I guess you could say he's starred in some movies that also kind of have some social themes that just aren't heavy handed for the most part. Yeah. No business cards. No you must know so and so. What is this? No resumes. Let's just meet like human beings. For once. Well, it's nice to meet you, whatever your name is, but I really do have to go. Please. Please. Please.

[00:16:12] One drink. Okay, one drink, but I'm buying. Okay, but it's an open bar. Right. I knew that. I meant that if it wasn't, I would be buying. Yeah. Uh, tequila gold. That was not good. Tequila. Yeah. I promised myself that when we met, we'd drink tequila. No chardonnay, no frog water. Real drinks.

[00:16:43] These things are usually so...

[00:17:30] A nice little bus. These things. Do I look like I don't belong here? No. No, no. I'm sure you're a real ace at whatever it is that you do do. Damn straight. But how you look. But how you look. A head for business and a bod for sin. Is there anything wrong with that?

[00:18:06] Yeah. So all I can say is, yeah, I'm not a regarding Henry guy. I, my pal, Ken Veits, loves this movie. Oreo also actually likes this movie. I don't think it's very good. But I think it's interesting because, again, the acting is good by both Annette Benning and Ford.

[00:18:25] But I kind of just mainly remember just, again, Seth MacFarlane making fun of it saying, yeah, it's the movie where Harrison turns all, you know, mentally retarded because he gets shot in the head. And it is interesting seeing Mike Nichols work with a dramatic comedy format, which much like with Working Girl, he's no stranger to. But yeah, I just it doesn't draw me in.

[00:18:51] And I've tried it a few times, but I just think it's more of a just want to be just deeper than it actually is. And it's a J.J. Abrams film. So no, thank you already. I'm sorry. So wild how he even cameoed as like a delivery guy in that. Talk about ego. So, yeah, a lot of people like it because they just remember it just being relatable.

[00:19:20] And it's surprisingly very edgy for a PG-13 movie that, again, the man tries to get his life back together. Mental rehab, try to get a sex life back together. Even goes to a porn theater. So I always found it so awkward growing up with family who wanted to watch it because it's a very adult movie otherwise. But other than that, yeah, it just does not draw me in. And I don't ever just find myself saying, hey, I want to just.

[00:19:49] There's so much. I think it would have been better if it was like a Rob Reiner kind of film. Just you might have been able to balance it out and just hit an emotional tone. But yeah, for deeper emotion, I still recommend regarding. Not I'm not regarding presumed innocent, but or even apocalypse now and mosquito coasts. But this this one is just not it because it just. It kind of just ends and that's what's just always. Taking me back about the movie, so.

[00:20:20] On to the next one. Any mishaps? I mean. Even early on when he had like a cameo in the sequel to American Graffiti and Western comedy, the Frisco Kid, I don't really even see any movies that. Really, aside from just some of the ones we touched on that just really stand out like a sore thumb. I mean, I can't say that he's bad in the Sabrina remake. I don't think the movie is really worth seeing, but.

[00:20:50] You know, every. I agree. It's just so necessary. It's like the cast is trying. Right. Right. And but like, but you know why? If you don't, you're not adding anything new. Really? Right. Aside from, I guess. A fresh coat of paint and it sort in a way. Totally. And because of.

[00:21:20] So here we go. Yes. Six days, seven night. I gave a mild final intro, but. Yeah, man, I. I meant to talk about it more, but it's a piece of shit. It's definitely. One of the five bottom movies, but don't worry, not the. You would probably put the holiday special on there first, but then let's go into. Yeah, then it would be what lies beneath.

[00:21:49] And then it would be Hollywood homicide, but this would be yeah, four or five. Yes. It's. Watchable. It's fun seeing future actors. I mean, even. Pre Django Fett tomorrow, more since one of the lead pirates in this Danny Trejo is even in this. There's nothing wrong with and hatch and Harrison Ford. It's kind of even like random hearts, but not good. You know, same deal where you had. Spouses who.

[00:22:18] Hook up with another thing, but it's just aside from being unintentionally horny or almost quasi swinger ish. It just was kind of a dumb Indiana Jones spoof. It was also just kind of beside myself where I was like, this is an Ivan Reitman production. Well, twins and, you know, Ghostbusters or in Dave. It is not. But also the music is just so soapy. And you're like, this is an adventure comedy.

[00:22:48] And it's just overdoing it way too much. You might have fun with it if you want a rainy day movie. But even by those lazy Sunday standards, I've always found this just a real chore to just sit down and watch. I've kind of have only watched it because one of the spouses was really sexy and it was fun seeing Ross from friends do serious stuff. But yeah, it's just production value aside. It's just a very generic set.

[00:23:18] I'll do the next one. Like in the 90s, he fortunately again. Yeah, he had food to do if he had a few other lesser seen movies that like double zone. We got to play opposite Brad Pitt and random hearts. But like those kind of make up for, you know, six days, seven nights. And what lies beneath. Yeah. And what lies beneath. So there you go. And I remember some people used to swear by that.

[00:23:44] And it's like, you know, I really think it was so much that it was just the plot twist that no one bought as it was just the build up. This doesn't know if it wants to be a mystery movie or a horror movie. I guess you could say he's just kind of. Didn't Zemeckis do a horror type film with with Michael J. Fox? Oh, close. So Frighteners. The Frighteners was that. I don't think he was involved. He produced it.

[00:24:13] It was originally supposed to be a movie and they lost the rights to it and sold to Universal. But so then Spielberg came up with an idea to give them called what lies beneath. And Zemeckis held that. Oh, with the movie that wasn't the sixth sense. Yeah, I have tried watching it so many times and I saw it like finally, like in recent years. I'm like, oh boy.

[00:24:42] Is that where Harrison Ford kills his wife? Is that the one? Or am I thinking of it in a different movie? It's kind of. I didn't kill my wife. Um, he attempts to kill his wife. Cause you find out he's a ghost at the end. Oh, okay. I guess. Have you seen this Tom? I'm lost now. I thought. Yeah. Is Harrison Ford in what lies beneath? Yes. He tries to drown his wife in the bathtub or something. Yeah. It's okay. I've seen it. Yeah. But I didn't realize.

[00:25:12] So he's a, I'm confused. I kind of gave it away, but I kind of don't want to say anymore. Cause it's okay. I don't remember that. I guess I got it out for a while, you know? Oh man. It's just one of those where it's, it's literally an ending that sneaks up on you. And then you're like, why have I been sitting here these last two hours and watching this? That doesn't, that doesn't ring true at all. So here we are with Hollywood homicide. Yeah.

[00:25:43] Ah, piece of shit. I have tried with this one, but to close out all these, ah, nine different Harrison films. I think this one, just the reason it just makes you just sit beside yourself is you just kind of wonder what they were thinking. It's more funny because of the behind the scenes may have this kind of put Josh Hartnett back about another decade.

[00:26:10] You know, he's already fresh off of being in slashers and you know, horror action films like the faculty, Halloween 2.0. H2O. Oh my bad. And you know, he's already done two popular war movies in one year, 2001. He just been in the worst one of that year, Pearl Harbor, which is Jerry Bruckheimer, Michael Bay production. Then he was in Black Hawk Down, which is a Ridley Scott, Jerry Bruckheimer production.

[00:26:38] So he's getting pretty close to the end of the tunnel. And this one just set him back because it was all over the tabloids. I didn't know about this growing up, but they were very common on the internet. You got, you start off with like a arrest, making fun of a Hugh Grant type celebrity played by Monty Python's Eric Idol. Blue Diamond Phillips is the arresting officer also making a cameo and it's all downhill from there. The rappers were just unbearable in this.

[00:27:05] Master P cannot fucking stretch himself to save his life. Ron Shelton's direction is very disinterested, which says a lot. This is a guy who did, you know, the great white hype and Bull Durham. He'd already done dark blue a year before. So he's used to doing kind of action comedies. His script for bad boys was used, but yeah, it's another very unusually horny movie as well.

[00:27:33] And this used to come on FX and or USA quite a lot. One time it was like the Fox Sunday night movie. And I remember my siblings coming in and being like, what is this thing? And yeah, the laughs are non-existent. It's basically Harrison stop or my mom will shoot. Now, that being said, I would rather watch this over a minute of that terrible fucking movie, but still not saying much. I would probably put this in so bad it's good movies.

[00:28:02] It's definitely a running punchline for Harrison's career. He's the best thing about it. And he gives it his all. But this kind of starts the whole just dents in the road for the 2000s. And he's even bad in this movie. But there is zero chemistry between the leads. And that shouldn't have been the case. It should have been a fun 48 hour just Lethal Weapon film, which is what it's trying to be. I'll take the second miscontiniality over this.

[00:28:31] And that actually is saying a lot because that's, that movie's so much fun. Predictable and all. Well, this one is just still nonproductive, which is not what I want to call an action comedy. Well, ta-ta for now, gang. Thanks for listening. We'll return after these messages. Hi folks, Halshack here. We got a 90 minute weekly Shack Stop. It's growing all over the world. Find it at 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern time on Mondays.

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