The Best Dennis Hopper Films Featured On Texas Satellite Tv Networks
Dennis Hopper’s terrific presence is ingrained in the mind of the modern film lover, but you may not realize how far back his career goes. While James Dean was wrestling with inner torment in Rebel Without A Cause, Hopper was standing right there next to him. Since then, he’s had an illustrious career, working with Hollywood’s top directors ad making his own films as well. Here are Hopper’s five best films, playing on Texas satellite TV networks.
5. True Romance. A great actor like Hopper wasn’t too proud to take a small role in this hit film, which starred Christian Slater with a script written by Quentin Tarantino. In fact, Christopher Walken had a similar size part and the two square off for one of the finest scenes in modern film. Trading barbs and insults while Hopper’s life is on the line, the final straw comes with the “eggplant” dig. Watch two veteran actors spar, and see James Gandolfini as a mafia thug (go figure) in this wild movie. Check this out on the Independent Film Channel on satellite TV.
4. The American Friend. For a look at one of Germany’s modern masters at work, check out this Wim Wenders film which starred Hopper. Based on the series of Ripley novels by Patricia Highsmith, Hopper navigates a creepy world in 1970s Europe. Old film lovers will love the presence of directors Nicholas Ray and Samuel Fuller as American gangsters.
3. Easy Rider. Strap on your helmet and brace yourself for a ride down the American highways with Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson and Hopper, who also co-wrote the script and directed. A legendary event in American filmmaking (especially the independents), Easy Rider cannot escape discussion for so many reasons. This film can be seen on Turner Classic movies with Texas satellite TV packages.
2. Apocalypse Now. One of the finest war movies ever made, this Francis Ford Coppola epic follows army assassin Martin Sheen up some tricky Vietnamese rivers with instructions to murder rogue Captain Kurtz (Marlon Brando). In the course of his journey, Sheen runs into Hopper, a stoned photographer who is enamored with the work of this “great man.” Robert Duvall nearly steals this film early on, but it’s Sheen and Brando who close the deal in a frightening finale. This film must be seen uncut and commercial-free in high definition clarity.
1. Blue Velvet. Whether you’re disturbed by the first appearance of Hopper in Isabella Rossellini’s apartment (you should be) or the subsequent trip he takes with Kyle MacLachlan, you’ll quickly realize that this film may be the biggest “star” turn that Hopper ever got. It’s David Lynch’s movie all the way: A small, “normal” town quickly realizes there a very ugly underbelly existing along with the Midwestern tranquility, and Hopper is right in the middle of it all. Dial up IFC on your satellite TV program guide and watch this brilliant film.
Checking out one of cinema’s dark horses on directtv in Dallas, Texas. You’ll forget about normal cable in Texas when you see the incredible packages DirecTV has to offer.
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