Chinatown 1974 * FIRT TIME WATCHING * reaction & commentary *

Just when I thought Jack Nicholson could only play crazy characters!
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[@footofjuniper8212]

Ashleigh: "She's got daddy issues." Us: "Stay tuned."

[@jasonremy1627]

😆😆😆

[@ungroovygaming1213]

i lost my shit when she said it

[@PurushaDesa]

I felt myself reaching for the “Black woman says mm-hmm” meme.

[@ecoleman5690]

😳😂🤣😂😅🤫😉

[@vanessawhitneypro]

Tenderfoot! The way I HOWLED with laughter when I read this comment!

[@victornewmanforever]

Chinatown is considered a masterpiece so feel free to like it as much as you want.

[@TheManInTheLongBlackCoat]

Fun fact: at time of filming, Jack Nicholson had just embarked on his longstanding relationship with Anjelica Huston. This made his scenes with her father, director John Huston, rather uncomfortable, especially as the only time Anjelica was on set was the day they were filming the scene where Noah Cross interrogates J.J. with "Mr. Gittes...do you sleep with my daughter?" 😬

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

Not to mention that elements of the plot tie in to certain aspects of John Huston's life. Plus the film was directed by Roman Polanski (who slices Jack's nose). Roman hasn't returned to the U.S. for years as he faces charges of defiling a minor...

[@petersvillage7447]

Funny, really. Playing The Devil seems to have been the Huston family business, so Jack would have made a brilliant addition to the clan.

[@frankvigliarolo9800]

Chinatown: one of the most twisty, confusing, but ultimately brilliant film noir mysteries. Saw in the movies as a teenager, and LOVED IT. Glad you gave it 5 out of 5. One of my faves.

[@christopherconard2831]

I originally watched it on VHS. When it got to the sister/daughter part my brain stopped "Wait. What?" I rewound it a bit to see what I'd missed before it clicked in my head.

[@cheeseburger12]

I think the ending ruins the film for me. Jack Nicholson was great. But it is so nihilistic. There is nothing redeeming about it the story. In the end, why bother.

[@RobinHood-cd9mh]

@@cheeseburger12 you could see the nihilism as part of the protest of monopolies and corporatism. I don't think much of this film was meant as entertainment.

[@cheeseburger12]

@@RobinHood-cd9mh Except nihilism makes things worse.

[@RobinHood-cd9mh]

@@cheeseburger12 it's not trying to offer a solution. It doesn't have to. It's more of a cry in the dark.

[@grahamers]

Ashleigh at 12:35: "Somebody's got some daddy issues." Me: "You have no idea!" **Grabs my popcorn**

[@jukopliut]

I always thought that she have seen all these movies already. So many predictions hits too close.

[@rmhartman]

me too.

[@katpeabee]

Haha, same! I was like 😳

[@montego2]

I'm still LMAO from that understatement...

[@blainepadgett508]

I was thinking the same thing

[@MrDrokkul]

The cigarette tapping is a way to compact the tobacco in the paper. It was especially important in times depicted here as cigarettes were mostly unfiltered. Tapping the cigarette not only compacted the tobacco, but got any loose tobacco to fall away so it didn't fall out into your mouth while enjoying your smooth, relaxing, doctor approved smoke.

[@sinisterkate5308]

nice

[@sempervigilo7961]

It's funny, I haven't smoked in over a decade, but I still have that tapping habit! (with pens and pencils)

[@sinisterkate5308]

@@sempervigilo7961 : )

[@kathleenobrien3473]

Thank for the information I didn't know that!

[@georgenaylor2850]

Also, Hollis wasn't having an affair with Catherine. He knew everything about the situation and was taking care of her.

[@tomchris60]

I don't know who Ashleigh been talking to but Chinatown is not a cult, it's a classic! It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture. It won one for best screenplay. Also, great job, Ashleigh! You summed up the ending perfectly.

[@grahamers]

"Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." One of the best closing lines in movie history.

[@theotherjake]

Forgotten!

[@miriam8376]

The character I like best in this after Geddes is Mr. Mulwray. He's just such a good man-- he saw his partner's young daughter being abused, got her away from her abuser by marrying her and then having an "arrangement" with her so she could feel safe, and then protected her daughter as best he could too. He went on to investigate his partner because he knew the guy was dirty (in so many ways), and paid for all of this with his life. The movie leaves you to put it all together without much help, so it tends to go over people's heads, especially since the first time you hear about him, it's an attempt to discredit him as an adulterer. But he's a really good guy.

[@TheCelebrityjuicer]

The Great Robert Towne

[@flarrfan]

Google William Mulholland...some plot elements in the movie have historical precedents...

[@alexanderfish4797]

Noah Cross is played by John Huston. In addition to his acting work he was the director for many classic films such as The Maltese Falcon (1941), The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), The Asphalt Jungle (1950), The African Queen (1951), The Misfits (1961), Fat City (1972), The Man Who Would Be King (1975) and Prizzi's Honor (1985). He is also the father of Angelica (Morticia Addams) Huston.

[@Acme1970]

He also did the voice of Gandalf in the Hobbit cartoon.

[@vincentschmitt7597]

He was also the voice of Gandalf in the animated Hobbit movie. A movie I like but am in the minority on. The Smaug scene is fantastic. I also enjoyed the tunes in it and its whimsey.

[@izzonj]

Maltese Falcon was the first movie directed by Houston!

[@davidryan1295]

Don't forget Moby Dick w/ Gregory Peck

[@MrMarvelous1973]

@Alexander Fish treasure of the Sierra Madre We don't need no stinking badges

[@editpopulation]

"After the first screening a little old lady came up to me and said 'You should be ASHAMED of yourself!' and I knew then that the film worked!" - producer Robert Evans

[@theman4884]

Chinatown is considered one of the best screenplays ever. Glad to see you are getting into the '70s Now check out: Sorcerer (1977) The Warriors (1979) The Sting (1973) Deliverance (1972) Vanishing Point (1971) Marathon Man (1976) Kelly's Heroes (1970)

[@MpowerdAPE]

THIS guy put "Kelly's Heroes" on his list.... He is indeed "The Man".

[@theman4884]

@@MpowerdAPE It's a movie I love, I wonder if Ashleigh would. I am guessing, yes, she would.

[@RobertoLopez-fg5in]

This is a pretty good list. Have not seen Sorcerer.

[@PChazman1]

KELLY'S HEROES is a great pick!

[@Acme1970]

@James Harper +1 to these (i just watched these back to back the other night) and add The Sting to the list

[@lukemaier182]

There was a situation where Jack's character, Gettis, was a cop and tried to save a woman, but everything he did ended up putting the woman in danger. She eventually dies in Chinatown. Same thing happens to Mrs. Mulray in the end, history repeats! You aren't going to resolve the issue, it's Chinatown. So yeah, you got it Ashleigh! Thanks for a great reaction, looking forward to Monday!!

[@vfplayer]

When she said, “Somebody’s got some daddy issues,” I literally laughed out loud!🤣

[@ThomasCorp]

Definitely one of Jack Nicholson's best and easily one of the best noirs ever made.The casting of John Huston, director of some of the most famous film noirs, as the villain in this film was genius. No matter how many times I've seen it, the ending gets me every time.

[@roberthughes2402]

The Maltese Falcon is a must watch. For more Bogey, you could watch The African Queen and Key Largo.

[@theman4884]

All three are excellent choices. I love the African Queen, although it might not hold up as well as the others. But the ending is so golden and the ship's captain is given won of the best lines in film history.

[@redheadedstepchild9814]

@@theman4884 I still love African Queen but yes, lots of cringe when watching today 😂

[@marlonthemarvellous]

I second that Malteae Falcon is a ride!!!!

[@donaldb1]

From today's perspective, I think the relationship between Bogart and Hepburn in African Queen is just very weird. But the Maltese Falcon is timelessly great.

[@oaf-77]

Sierra Madre is one of my favorites, and Dark Passage for the iconic twist in the beginning

[@1nelsondj]

Faye Dunaway is classic Hollywood, most famous for "Network" with William Holden & Peter Finch (won Best Actor Oscar) - a must-see movie - and "Bonnie & Clyde" (she's Bonnie) with Warren Beatty.

[@MrRezRising]

Every screenwriting class in America uses this screenplay to teach the basics. Syd Field's book is a classic.

[@dahobdahob]

Regarding the credits: prior to the 80s union rules in Hollywood required the complete credits to run at the beginning of the movie. Star Wars was notable for getting an exception to that so they could open on that classic scroll.

[@DonArsuk84]

Except Star Wars didn’t get an exception. The battle with the unions continues for decades over this, and is the reason Steven Spielberg never got to direct a Starwars film, and Empire and Return were directed by no name nonunion directors.

[@scottb3034]

@@DonArsuk84 they got an exception for star wars. they did *not* get one for empire. lucas was fined over it which caused him to leave the guilds. spielberg remained a guild member and thus couldn't do it in an official capacity but he ghost directed segments of the saga. notably bits of Utapau (sinkhole world) and mustafar (volcanic world) in Episode III. Kershner wasn't exactly a noname director and he WAS part of the guild (probably the real reason the directors guild had an issue, since it wasn't lucas waiving his credit). Marquand wasn't since he was a small-timer brit. TL:DR it was the sequel that got lucas to leave the guilds, the original DID have an exception.

[@adarael]

As a born and bred native of Los Angeles, and a film noir fan, I just wanna say thank you for watching Chinatown. :D

[@barbara832001]

I watched this for the first time in a film studies class in college. I loved the movie, and as far as I remember the class liked it too. I have a feeling that some people who don't like this movie aren't used to movies that make you think, or they possibly dislike the director. You really have to pay attention to follow the story. I've honestly never heard of this being a devisive film, I know it's considered a classic.

[@wwk68tig]

Bullseye on most of people who didn't like the movie don't like Polanski either.

[@Gtomer]

Watched it in film studies also. I thinks it's probably being studied in every film studies around the world.

[@themoviedealers]

Also it's from the Seventies when cynical "downer endings" were popular. Movies were not escapist entertainment but art meant to reflect the ills of society, not a mindless escape from them.

[@wwk68tig]

@@themoviedealers from Esquire magazine: Polanski changed the ending. In Robert Towne's original script, Evelyn Mulray (Faye Dunaway) and her illegitimate daughter get away. Evil Noah Cross (John Huston) is killed. But Polanski would kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2SXgIaGrJZqpZY. According to Towne, Polanksi wanted a tragic ending, in which Evelyn is killed. Guess who got his way? Polanski said to a TV interviewer, if Chinatown had ended happily, "We wouldn't be sitting around talking about it today."

[@Lunch_Meat]

@@wwk68tig Robert townes also totally screwed up John Dante's "ask the dust" and has a reputation of kind not knowing what makes things work but still somehow knowing how to build the good structure of a story without telling a story. He's a Hollywood man who gives the producers what they want

[@jacqueplett1800]

The youngest I've seen Jack Nicholson is in the original Little Shop of Horrors (1950s). Doesn't have a starring role, but the movie is soooo campy. You should definitely check it out.

[@drakocarrion]

In a role that was later taken by Bill Murray no less. Ashleigh will love that one.

[@The-Secret-Door]

I think that movie was shot in...I want to say 3 days? It's worth seeing for movie buffs just because of that! And it's shockingly good considering how quickly and cheaply it was made!

[@Donald909090]

You may not like it?

[@react2379]

I heard it was made on a bet. Can you make a picture on this new york set before it gets demolished tomorrow? Thats why the lighting is so inconsistent. It’s a hoot though, watch it as a double feature with the musical version.

[@GrisouIII]

Loved Steve Martin as the dentist

[@donaldb1]

Definitely check out _LA Confidential._ It's from the nineties, but with a very similar atmosphere to this, except it's about Holywood in particular rather than just about LA.

[@lazarou6324]

I think LA Confidential is way more entertaining than this movie.

[@dodgingcars]

2nd LA Confidential. An Excellent noir. Plus Danny Devito!

[@Ash-928]

I love LA Confidential too, I feel like its in the same universe as Chinatown and the video game LA Noire.

[@jeffpope3221]

One point you seem to miss: Mulwray never had an affair with Katherine. He was just a good step-father to his wife's daughter-sister.

[@rbravender1]

I concur; Hollis is the unsung hero of the film. He was protecting Katherine. I think his growing disgust with Cross is what started his own investigation into the water company, leading to the ultimately fatal confrontation with Noah.

[@DouglasJohnson.]

I know "Chinatown" is a certifiable classic, and I certainly like it, but I think the best period piece mystery, set in the same time, and city, would be "L.A. Confidential." It's fantastic, and well worth a look.

[@alisong4667]

I would love an Ashleigh video to LA Confidential.

[@SadPeterPan1977]

@@alisong4667 I was just about to post the same.

[@jamesfield1674]

Great film

[@pebblesanddirt]

I also like LA Confidential, but I do prefer Chinatown, just for the artistry of Polanski’s work. No slight to LA Confidential - terrific cast, wonderful story, and it looks beautiful.

[@alisong4667]

@@pebblesanddirt I'm not gonna agree with that, but it's a matter of taste.

[@iKvetch558]

Hi Ashleigh...I would really like to see you react to Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in African Queen...it is such a classic old movie, and I really think you will love it. 💯😁🤞

[@MrRezRising]

If you want a laugh, check out Disney's The Jungle Cruise. They stole the costumes straight from TAQ. Dwayne Johnson is no Bogey. 😂

[@TabaquiJackal906]

YES!!!!!

[@tropicalcatdetective]

@@MrRezRising That makes some sense though because the Jungle Cruise ride at Disneyland was inspired by The African Queen in the first place. Also, coincidentally, John Huston who played Noah Cross in Chinatown was the director of The African Queen.

[@MrRezRising]

@@tropicalcatdetective Yeah, get enough lawyers and anything can be "inspired". TAQ was made by United Artists, which MGM owns now. Disney has never had a legal stake in the film. Fun fact: UA was founded by Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and DW Griffith. They were the 'united artists'. 🤘

[@tropicalcatdetective]

@@MrRezRising I don't understand your response? It's well documented that the Disney Imagineers took ideas from the film for the attraction, especially illustrator and set designer Harper Goff. Even the canopied ride vehicles are based on Charlies's titular steamer, with the ride flagship named the 'Congo Queen'. If you're arguing they stole ideas made by another film studio for their ride, yeah, sure, I won't argue they didn't. Ripped off, inspired by, stole, homaged - "everything is a remix."

[@43nostromo]

Brilliant and iconic score by Oscar Winning composer Jerry Goldsmith was hired after the previous composer was fired due to creative differences. It was done in only 2 weeks.

[@scottb3034]

funny thing about the part where you mention "your sister who is also your daughter": IRL journalists found out and informed Jack Nicholson (also in 1974) that his irl sisters were *actually* his *mother* and his *aunt* respectively. the mother had him so young that his grandparents agreed to pose as his parents. talk about timing.

[@wwk68tig]

outstanding reference, Scott.

[@scottb3034]

@@wwk68tig thank you. party on wayne.

[@natalieps2387]

Right he did not find this out til he was 37. A reporter uncovered this info & he could not ask his bio mom or grandma bc they were both deceased so he called his favorite sister ( really aunt ) Lorraine who confessed the whole thing. Some interesting quotes by Jack, he said he was glad he found out at 37 instead of younger bc he was a fully formed adult. He also said " nobody can keep a deep secret like a family of mostly women. Jack had about 4 or 5 aunts ( including his bio mom ) this also gave him a unique perspective on abortion. He said something to the affect that he can only answer the pro life vs pro choice debate like this. " my mom was a 15 year old girl when she got pregnant & even though it was illegal people still found back alley drs to perform them so it would have been very easy for my biological mother & my parents ( grandparents) to terminate my mothers pregnancy. They decided to keep me & my grandparents would Claim me & nobody knows who my bio dad is. All I can say is I'm grateful for my life & to be around. So that's the most honest answer I can give on abortion. Also i think it's interesting that jack said his bio mom put of all his aunts he was the least close to. He was closest to his aunt lorraine whom he named his daughter after. I also bet when jack was born & saw he was a boy his grandma was probably excited to raise a boy after having all daughters. Also I know jack said he was ok with all this bc he was 37 when he found out but I gotta imagine that's a real kick in the head to have been lied to ur whole life ( the late 30s was such a different time ) & thought ur grandparents were ur mom & dad & ur sister is really ur mom & ur other sisters are really ur aunts. Also that he wound up closest to his " sister Lorraine " instead of his sister that was his mom. I imagine that had to be so strange for everyone & I feel bad jack learned the truth after his mom & grandparents were dead.

[@andrewhogan6533]

@@natalieps2387 very interesting to learn, it’s also a unique look into the psychology of families.

[@mattdellarosa7365]

Mega props for the shout out to mental health. The struggle is real.

[@styles2980]

Tapping the cigarette packs the tobacco tighter, which gives a more dense draw (inward) and a stronger smoke.

[@rmhartman]

also, lose tobacco burns faster.

[@RMBittner]

I’ll just add that, given the very large number of additives that have been introduced into cigarettes since the 1960s, the tapping is now essentially pointless. It did actually make sense when cigarettes were only made from unadulterated tobacco. But now additives affect strength, burn rate, draw, etc.

[@corringhamdepot4434]

Tapping the cigarettes was also a thing for none filter cigarettes. To compress any loose tobacco into the cigarette. Which would otherwise fall into the smoker's mouth.

[@spikeysnack]

It keeps tobacco shreds out of your mouth. Back in the Day smokers were always spitting out nasty flakes off their tongues. In fact you will see actors doing it as a "thing" sometimes, picking a tobacco flake out and tossing it.

[@conureron3792]

Another good film noir to check out is LA Confidential.

[@realise6]

I too sometimes get lost in a plot with many characters and twists. Sometimes the movie ends and I'm still lost and have to rewatch it. I always think you have a sharp mind and grasp hints and nuances quickly. Another great movie reaction, thanks!

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

I think this was Ashleigh's first film noir. There are a lot of great noirs, including The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, Gilda, Double Indemnity, and Laura. Modern noirs include L.A. Confidential, Blade Runner, and Blood Simple. "What kind of pants does that woman have on?" - They're jodhpurs, and are designed for horseback riding. Major studios have their own fleets of cars for movies, and there are companies that offer cars for rent in movie productions. My guess is that the car you asked about is from a rental company. I'd love to wander around the warehouse of one of these companies just to look at all the old cars.

[@themoviedealers]

I used to work around the corner from one. It was an old Cadillac dealership out in the Valley. Just a mishmash of all kinds of 50s/60s/70s vehicles. Cars, trucks, ambulances, police cars, busses, news channel vans.

[@andrewreisinger6860]

Well, she did watch The Big Lebowski, which is at it's heart a film noir.

[@sallyh5413]

Any noir filmed after the 50s is considered ‘neo-noir.’

[@wwciii]

The other thing that you need to know for the movie is that the LA river is rarely more than 3 inches deep.

[@Lunch_Meat]

Now, maybe. Wasn't the case before 1938 and all the dams put along it though.

[@ronbo11]

Every time I see those concrete channels of the LA river, I remember the car racing scene in "Grease" with the T-Birds' Danny Zuko driving Greased Lightning against the Scorpions' Leo "Crater-Face" Balmudo.

[@davidmeir9348]

One of the best pot-noir movies ever made. This, Blade Runner and LA confidential are post noir masterpieces. Oh and btw.... Love the make up

[@ianobrien3248]

I prefer 'Pineapple Express' for my pot-noir, lol

[@rmhartman]

for pot-noir, nothing beats The Big Lebowski

[@sharonstratis2846]

I think Ashleigh would love Blade Runner Director's Cut.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

@@sharonstratis2846 I actually think the theatrical version is best for first time viewers, since it saves a lot of confusion. After the first viewing, I’d recommend the Director’s cut, as that seems to be the preferred version by most (not me. I prefer the theatrical cut) people & I can understand that. Guess I’m just a sucker for voiceover.

[@sharonstratis2846]

@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 I feel that the director's cut fills in a lot of holes and makes a much fuller storyline but that's just my opinion. :)

[@cmb318]

If you're worried about looking up movie posters that giveaway too much about the film before watching it, maybe you could look up the poster afterwards, as part of your film review, to see if it accurately represented the movie?

[@eddieevans6692]

So glad you decided to take this deep dive into a classic movie! Couple of trivia tidbits: The guy who cuts Nicholson's nose is Roman Polanski, the director. He also directed Rosemary's baby, Tess, and The Pianist. His pregnant wife, Sharon Tate was horribly murdered by the Manson cult. John Huston, as others have noted, was a very famous and successful director and has the distinction of directing both his father and daughter in Oscar winning performances. His father Walter Huston in The Treasure of Sierra Madre and His Daughter, Angelica Huston, in Prizzi's Honor. Oh, news flash, rich, powerful people get away with lot's of things normal people don't.

[@LA_HA]

On a lighter note, those pants Faye Dunaway are called jodhpurs, aka old Hollywood director's pants. They were worn by English saddle equestrians back then... ... I think

[@TheScarlettrouge]

I remember seeing the ending as a child and what happens to Faye Dunaway’s character has always traumatized me.

[@GrisouIII]

Def not for sensitive kids. I would have been carred too.

[@alisong4667]

When you get time to really get stuck into it, look up this movies director, Roman Polanski, what happened to his pregnant wife and her friends, and what Polanski did later. It's a saga on its own, the podcast You Must Remember This covered it really well. And definitely adding my voice to the LA Confidential recommendation pile.

[@BigGator5]

"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown." There was a sequel made 16 years later. If you want answers, The Two Jakes (1990) is your ticket. Fun Fact: At the time of filming, Jack Nicholson had just embarked on his longstanding relationship with Anjelica Huston. This made his scenes with her father, John Huston, rather uncomfortable, especially as the only time Anjelica was on set was the day they were filming the scene where Noah Cross interrogates Nicholson's character with "Mr. Gittes...do you sleep with my daughter?"

[@jessicaross7288]

The real sequel is "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" This is not a joke.

[@joshuah9109]

I admire the hell outta the fact you watch these movies in the morning before you go to work, but watching this and trying to follow it first thing!! it's no wonder you were a bit confused. SO GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT!!

[@kevinramsey417]

Your makeup's on fleek today. "She's got some daddy issues" Girl, that comment's about to age like milk. "Did you see that, Beans? Bifocals" **kiss** Ok that sent me. I like to think that Beansy would get along well with my Luna.

[@oaf-77]

Yes. The fleekest.

[@GrisouIII]

@@oaf-77 very Streets Ahead

[@davidpumpkinsjr.5108]

I want to see her do "Fight Club" most to see her reaction to one VERY specific line of Marla's Those of you who have seen the movie, know which line I'm talking about, so no spoilers. I'd wager her reaction would be thus: Ms. Burton - (wide-eyed jaw drop) OH! MY!I GOD!I! Did she really just say that?!

[@alisong4667]

I liked Fight Club in the 90s bit imo it really hasn't stood the test of time. YMMV.

[@richardcutts196]

That's the thing about older movies, they are more complex than what plops out of Hollywood now. They require the viewer to actually pay attention an become involved.

[@nikolatesla5553]

I was really surprised Ashleigh liked this movie since she didn't like The Godfather. It definitely is a great mystery movie where it doesn't seem to make sense until the end.

[@danielallen3454]

Those pants she was wearing are called jodphurs and they are primarily used for horse riding.

[@lurieelcari]

This movie is a trip. The "She's my daughter AND my sister" reveal tore me when I first saw it. As for understanding it, I wouldn't bother Ashleigh... It's Chinatown.

[@havok6280]

Ashley all done up. Me: Who's that? Ashley burps in the middle of her preview review. Me: There she is...

[@shannonbryan2191]

You made me choke laugh on my water!

[@lotus2]

My line of thought exactly! 😂

[@fad23]

I am so glad you took the time to process this beyond your first impressions!

[@reservoirdude92]

This film has one of the greatest screenplays in American cinema; a thoroughly intelligent and perfectly constructed piece of work where every single scene and line matters. Robert Towne was one of the greatest, and you should watch The Last Detail directed by Hal Ashby, starring Jack Nicholson, written by Towne. Another masterpiece with another incredible screenplay.

[@ronbo11]

Maurice ain't lying!

[@Majoofi]

Now that you've seen John Huston and Faye Dunaway, it's time to check out more of their movies. Faye Dunaway: Bonnie and Clyde, Three Days of The Condor, Network, Mommie Dearest (but only after you've seen Mildred Pierce) John Huston: The Maltese Falcon, The Treasure of The Sierra Madre, The African Queen, The Man Who Would Be King, Prizzi's Honor

[@GrisouIII]

Excellent suggestions

[@TheTomt50]

All are great! For a "newer" movie Prizzi's Honor is a must see.

[@themoviedealers]

Network is probably my favorite film of all time.

[@xbubblehead]

Although a long-time fan of the film, I just recently read "The African Queen" and it was one of those rare occasions where the movie was much, much better than the book, which had a really stupid ending.

[@sabalos]

My favourite early (like pre-Cuckoos' Nest) Jack Nicholson is The Last Detail (1973). Real loosey-goosey plot, but it's funny and sad and gets four stars for Nicholson's moustache alone.

[@ThrashNeon]

100% agree.

[@craigplatel813]

I would add 5 easy pieces also

[@sabalos]

@@craigplatel813 I actually rate Five Easy Pieces a little lower than many people I think, but it's still a great movie.

[@DreadPirateRobrt]

Ashleigh, don't underestimate yourself. You have made plenty of horrible jokes as good as that one. I've loved them all.

[@shannonbryan2191]

They make me laugh groan every time 😆

[@michaelbuhl4250]

It's based on actual events. The city of L.A. really did take water from the Owens River Valley to grow the city. Without that water the city could not have grown to have a population of over a million people.

[@wwk68tig]

The flood catastrophe mentioned by Hollis Mulwray early in the movie was also an actual event. St. Francis Dam collapse in 1928 killed hundreds of people........it fits into the movie's timeline perfectly.

[@MrDetroitMike]

I’m glad you got to this movie and that you also realize how good it is. I strongly recommend that you get your hands on the Blu-ray and watch the 3-part doc Water and Power. You’ll be even more impressed by the Oscar-winning script.

[@jackjones5314]

Tapping the cigarettes repacks the tobacco. Especially w/o filters.

[@dabe1971]

Glad you liked it. It does take a few viewings to appreciate how good it is due to the story being convoluted but the benefit to doing so is being able to drink in the cinematography & style, it's beautiful. I'm surprised to read that people were dissing it as it's pretty much regarded as a classic - the edge being taken off by the off screen criminal history of the director, Roman Polanski - he's the guy with the knife. But that's unfair on the movie in my opinion, forget the scandal and just enjoy the movie I say.

[@wwk68tig]

Jerry Goldsmith's musical score is haunting.........

[@suzannemilligan8648]

I don't want to defend Polanski, but he wasn't doing anything that dozens, if not hundreds of Hollywood power brokers had been doing since Hollywood started. And none of those people have had the shitstorm of a life that he had: At 7 years of age his parents were sent to concentration camps by the Nazis, his mother was executed. He lived rough, begging for and stealing food. At one point he was beaten so severely he had a fractured skull. Not to mention, years later his wife, unborn son and several friends were butchered at his home by members of the Charlie Manson gang. After all this, no one would be especially well balanced.

[@cgbleak]

To get back to your point, debe, the only movie that had me so confused for so long--but had a completely satisfying explanation (and was arguably as beautiful)--was LA Confidential. And there's something about both movies--acting, directing, writing?--that makes you trust that everything will eventually make sense. Probably all of the above. I hope LA Confidential shows up a lot in your Patreon polls, Ashleigh. If you love young Jack Nicholson, you are gong to have to do laundry after seeing a young Russell Crowe in LA Confidential. Or, if you want to double down on truly beautiful men in movies, watch Paul Newman and Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Just warn your husband in advance that you'll be putting some rasslin' moves on him later that night. Bless ya both. Haven't seen him in a while but he seems like such a great guy.

[@flaggerify]

Well, he was playing a villain in this.

[@DesiSJ]

I have such hair envy, lol. Your hair is truly stunning.

[@davidabbott7270]

I love the fact that Ashleigh did not know that Seabiscuit was a real horse. This coming from a young lady who grew up on a farm

[@TTM9691]

Wow! At the very end of this video, after you've talked it all out.......I love your conclusion! I wasn't expecting that!!! So happy! This is a movie that is a mystery and NOBODY gets it all the first time they see it. In fact, you caught some stuff I didn't the first time I saw it, and you pointed out at least one thing I never noticed: the foreshadowing of her head on the steering wheel!!!! Thanks, Ashleigh! I thought you followed this movie GREAT for a first time! After a person sees the mystery of it, repeated viewings yield more and more stuff. I've seen it a million times and I'm still noticing new stuff (like what you had pointed out). 13:05: The truth is Jack Nicholson in real life had just started dating Angelica Huston, John Huston's daughter! So when he asks him "Are you sleeping with my daughter?", Nicholson was totally feeling the heat....for real! Lol.

[@thomholbrook7286]

Here's extra weird. In real life, I believe after he did Chinatown, Jack Nicholson ended up finding out the woman he believed was his sister was actual his mother. She had him at a young age and HER mother raised him as her son. So Jack's mom was his sister and his mother was his grandmother.

[@mikethemotormouth]

If I'm reading this right, what you mean to say is the woman he thought was his sister was actually his mom and the woman he thought was his mother was actually his gran?

[@thomholbrook7286]

@@mikethemotormouth yep.

[@SewHealthyWithDiane]

This was about a true tragedy. Ask A Mortician did a FANTASTIC video on the subject!

[@JamesASharp]

Good reaction. You're almost there Ashleigh. Early congratulations on 100,000 subscribers. 🎊 🎊

[@robertlopez628]

I have to admit I have never seen this movie either so i was with you on this roller coaster ride all the way. People do get upset when movie don't have a complete ending but that how it is in life. Not everything can reconciled. Great reaction. Happy Friday. And I hope to see do One Flew Over a Cuckoos Nest soon. another great Jack Nicholson movie.

[@scottboswell6406]

I think it was done already, check Ashleigh's playlist.

[@sandralorenz1796]

Jack Nicholson was 37 in this movie. Yes, Seabiscuit was a real horse. He was the grandson of Man o 'War. He was the top money winning horse of the 1940s. He beat 1938 Triple Crown winner War Admiral in 1938, by 4 lengths, in a special 2 horse race in 1937. He was American Horse of the year in 1938.

[@dustinsavage2832]

A good follow up to this would be L.A. Confidential (1997)

[@gutz1981]

Few people know this, but a squeal of this was made in the 90s (Starring Jack Nicholson again) called "The Two Jakes" and its ironic cause its a follow-up to a movie about the idea that there is no way to get a follow-up.

[@charlest.velten6983]

From around the same time, movies worth checking out are. The Poseidon Adventure, Towering Inferno, Death Wish ( The original first one ) Taking Of The Pelham 1-2-3 ( the original with Walter Matthau ) And The Sting. And The Dirty Harry movies are worth looking into as well.

[@themoviedealers]

Saw all those as a young child. A good cinema formative experience.

[@themoviedealers]

(Except Dirty Harry, saw that much later on TV)

[@micksplace]

I do wonder if she would enjoy the 70's classic disaster movies...I think most would just be too looooong for her except maybe Poseidon.

[@goanna83]

Omg I honour you for deciding to react to this movie! It's a top notch classic, and to me is by far the best noir movie ever made. A total gem 💎 Also, if you're curious to see Faye Dunaway while in her prime, watch Bonnie and Clyde

[@NY4Life]

You’re gonna like this and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

[@Acme1970]

The butler was played by James Hong who also played Lo Pan in Big Trouble in Little China.

[@grahamers]

Ashleigh: "Man! He was hired to see about cheating on his wife, but then his real wife hires him to investigate him for this other reason...." Me: Welcome to Film Noir movies! Now watch The Usual Suspects!!!!!!!!

[@redheadedstepchild9814]

Great movie! I feel like we need to warn her about Kevin spacey and Roman Polanski first tho!

[@1805movie]

"Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."

[@johnshull2454]

A Few Good Men is a great choice for Jack doing a few iconic lines.

[@annamariepowell9162]

YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH!

[@mikethemotormouth]

My second favorite courtroom drama

[@evilzzzability]

It’s an absolute perfect movie that only reveals all its layers upon multiple viewings, which is why it is one of the most studied and dissected movies ever. When Gittes says”it’s nothing personal.” And Evelyn replies “it’s very personal... it couldn’t be more personal.” is just perfectly written screenplay

[@williamblakehall5566]

Good for you for not just getting but appreciating "Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown." I too have a Windows XP brain (love that analogy) and beyond a point I just have to take a complex mystery on faith. (L.A. Confidential will twist your brain but it is the ultimate buddy cop movie.) For more young Jack, if you've not seen it already, you may want to check One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, definitely a Mental Health Matters movie. Looking forward to Willy Wonka, great movie and you're going to love Gene Wilder twice as much as you already do.

[@gregghelmberger]

Hollis was not having an affair with the girl, he was doing his best to be the father she never had. That makes the whole thing even more tragic because he's yet another innocent destroyed by evil and indifference to evil. I took a screenwriting class in college where we spent the entire quarter studying this screenplay and how it was translated to the screen. It was one of the best classes I ever took at any level.

[@gutz1981]

This was the age Jack should have played Joker. Much more slender and looking right for it.

[@redheadedstepchild9814]

We will hear no slander about jack’s joker!

[@jbrisby]

"It leaves me longing for justice and closure". That's what she said.

[@scottstevens7639]

Never saw the movie myself, but I do remember when it was released in theatres. As I recall it played for quite a long time, which means it was quite successful. So, ‘cult classic’ doesn’t really apply as that would suggest it didn’t initially do well at the box office.

[@sockpuppetworld2622]

I love how you’re processing through this whole movie

[@AniDuBes]

The tapping of cigarettes is to pack the tobacco. This allows less air into the cigarette thus causing the cigarette to burn slower and longer. Also it's a cool way in movies/theater to create a natural pause moment in the dialogue creating anticipation.

[@katheriner.5497]

...and to show off your cigarette case.

[@pdshaw]

THIS is why I love your channel. The fact that you kept plugging away at trying to understand the movie (and did) is why I watch. This was great to see you go the distance.... a little like Jake himself!

[@donaldb1]

After _Chinatown_ you have to watch _Who Framed Roger Rabbit._ Surprisingly similar, believe it or not.

[@Greenwood4727]

Jack was also in Little shop of horrors, which was turned into a stage musical, then was turned into musical film..the musical film starred john candy in a small role.

[@rottsylvania]

And Bill Murray and Steve Martin in small roles, too. If memory serves me, Bill Murray plays the same part that Jack Nicholson plays in the original.

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

Fun fact: the knife in the nose scene - the knife was made to be safe, but only if flicked one way, and Polansky kept fiddling with the knife to keep Jack unsure if they got it right, or if they would really cut him with the knife. Speaking of Polanski - you could try watching The Fearless Vampire Killers - starring a young Roman Polanski, and his future exi-wife, Sharon Tate (before she was brutally murdered by the Manson family).

[@gerstelb]

I watched this movie for a course, and the professor pointed out that Polanski comes in at the middle of the movie and cuts Jack’s nose, so he has to wear that great big bandage for the rest of the film, as if to say, “You think this is *your* movie? It’s mine.”

[@2buxaslice]

Nobody should support Roman Polanski. Sexual assaulting a child should not be ignored.

[@letmadora28]

And The Pianist, and The Ninth Gate... There are many that are really good from Polanski.

[@AutoPilate]

Nicholson later directed a sequel, The Two Jakes, that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. It doesn’t quite meet the level of this, but it’s not bad either.

[@redsands1001]

Not sure if ashleigh will like this movie yet but looking forward to the reaction at a couple key scenes Edit: Oh glad she liked it. Maybe la confidential?

[@Britcarjunkie]

Fun fact: There really was a "water war" that took place in the '30's/'40's, in California. The ever expanding county of Los Angeles was running out of drinking water. So, they decided to build an aquaduct from the northern part of the state, to supply L.A., and they chose Owens Lake, and also Mono Lake (and, I think, a few others). Problem was, the Owens Valley was a thriving agricultural region, and tapping into these lakes could (and did) destroy the entire region. The legal battles got to the point that the L.A. Water District bribed employees to have family members buy farms and land along the proposed route of the aquaduct, so that locals wouldn't know that it was actually the city/county of L.A. that was really buying the land. The aquaduct was built (and sections were occasionally blown up by locals), and Owens Lake dried up (it was originally so large, ferries once travelled between the east and west banks!), and Mono Lake was nearly dried up, when a judge stepped in, and ordered L.A. to start restoring the lakes to some extent. Meanwhile, it was decided to destroy a prospering town, and build Shasta Dam,but that's another story...

[@themoviedealers]

The incorrect part is that it actually took place in the 1900s/1910s. The Aqueduct was open by 1912.

[@junebug_tx2305]

If you love Jack...watch 'Terms of Endearment ' you will love it.

[@Trendyflute]

Yes there are definitely companies that maintain fleets of vintage vehicles for use in period films, not sure when they started but I'm pretty sure they were in operation by the 1970s, and are still around today! Glad you liked this, I haven't seen it in years but I remember it being brilliant.

[@Diegesis]

A lot of times when they do period movies they look for vintage car collectors.

[@sparty115]

In all my years, I've never seen anybody so dolled up on an attic 😆

[@russellward4624]

"Seabiscut was a real horse" reminds me of Chirtopher Moltisanti finding out the Cuban missle crisis was real. Lol

[@duanevp]

I didn't QUITE get this movie entirely on the first viewing. But it worked well enough to watch it again, and after watching again and knowing where things were going to lead I was able to keep those moving parts in better perspective. I'll also echo the recommendation for L.A. Confidential. Quite similar in overall tone, still plenty of twists and reveals, but easier to follow.

[@isolationdrive-in1327]

You know, I thought reaction videos were silly until I discovered your videos. It’s like that feeling you get when you share a favourite movie with a friend. And it helps that you’re very funny! Keep up the good work! On that note, I’d love to recommend an old favourite for you - Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window.” It’s a classic!

[@shilohstore6086]

Right as I'm making a comment about how beautiful your hair and makeup look... I hear Hey guys it's still me under here... 😂 😂 😂... I feel simultaneously called out and seeing at the same time!

[@oneguerrero]

When Jake first talks about working in Chinatown he says that they tried do as little as possible because (due to the language barrier) they never knew whether they were hurting or helping. Jake's final bit of dialogue is a mumbled "as little as possible." This is why the film is called Chinatown. Ultimately, Jake trying to help only made things worse.

[@jpotter2086]

You followed Chinatown way better than I did the first several times LOL