Blow Out (1981)

“So you got your choice. You can be crazy or dead” – Jack Terry

Number of Times Seen – 1 (14 April, 2013)

Brief Synopsis – Jack Terry (John Travolta)  is a movie sound man who while recording sounds for a new movie, inadvertently records the sounds of a car going off a bridge. Conspiracy theories galore!!

My Take on it – I have been interested in seeing this movie ever since I heard a few years ago that Tarantino was heavily influenced by it.  Supposedly, he cast Travolta in Pulp Fiction (1994) based on his work in Blow Out.  I have always enjoyed conspiracy theories (real or fiction), [JFK (1991), The Parallex View (1974), Arlington Road (1999) and of course Conspiracy Theory (1997)] so I was interested in seeing it.  Lots of great performances by Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow and Dennis Franz (before he put on the weight for NYPD Blue).

As someone who can appreciate the way movies are made and have watched a number of DVD features on Ben Burtt’s work in the Star Wars movies and other sound men featurettes, I liked the way the movie was done.  Don’t think I’d ever have the patience to be a sound man, but I’m glad there are those who do, so that sounds in movies sound realistic.  I loved the scene where he made a movie out of his sound recording and pictures of the actual car crash.

Bottom Line – Apparently, I heard too much hype about this movie. Although I thoroughly enjoyed it, I still think it was more than above average, but not amazing. I do recommend it for anyone interested in seeing another of Tarantino’s influences or someone who likes seeing how movies are made from a behind-the-scenes aspect.

Rating – Globe Worthy (8/10)