Now soliciting: your Gene Hackman movie recs

Your favorite or better yet, the most awesome

Deeply gratified that multiple people have said Enemy of the State, the movie that prompted the question

I liked Gene Hackman fine before but that movie is what made me understand

OK: watching The Conversation (pseudo prequel to absolutely legendary hit film Enemy of the State) and Night Moves (secret pick I was already leaning towards)

But please continue to leave your picks, this is the only thing I want to do my life

Got too tired to watch Night Moves after all that psychology last night but the Hackman Project continues apace with THE FIRM, co-starring a young Tom Cruise. My spirit is buoyed by the prospect of their excellence

Out of nowhere, Tom Cruise just did a full gymnastics pass with three back handsprings and a backtuck. I have died, I am DEAD. I have ascended into heaven, and Gene Hackman hasn’t even shown up yet

Gene Hackman just appeared materialized in a doorway. I like that moment some of these movies have, when he shows up and it’s just electric

After a tense showdown with Wilford Brimley, Tom Cruise defeated the criminal underworld and the entire US govt by uncovering a discrepancy in BILLING HOURS. The 90s were wild

An interesting thing about watching a bunch of tense Gene Hackman thrillers close together is you can really trace them getting dumber and number over time. Yet they’re all 100% perfect

After a lot of waffling, I’ve decided the next selection will be Crimson Tide. It is my deadass honor to watch Hackman act across from the great Denzel Washington in this 1990s blockbuster

I think a real problem for me with this movie is that threats of war or death seem like nothing compared to my anxiety about the very idea of spending five minutes on a submarine

Denzel has saved everyone’s lives at least half a dozen times and is now dealing with a mutiny. He is absolutely unperturbed and I 100% believe it. God-level performance (presumably inspired by Hackman)

It’s so important to find the right Gene Hackman movie to match your energy. With this in mind, I find myself turning to: Extreme Measures (1996), with Hugh Grant

I never stood up and truly noticed Hugh Grant until his absolutely incredible turn in Paddington 2. How will he be in a movie with Gene Hackman? Confused but intrigued

These 90s thrillers talk about the Issues in ways that have sort of surprised me? The Firm and Extreme Measures with class. Crimson Tide was maybe the most intesting and authentic feeling though. Really brief but nasty flashes where the Hackman character got super racist

Extreme Measures’ dramatization of medical ethics not quite on par with The Firm’s clear-eyed look at billable hours

That’s still so good, haha. The Firm rules

Tonight’s Hackman: The Unforgiven. Really looking forward to this one because I know it’s one of his most iconic bad guy roles. Also hugely fond of Westerns, though I rarely seek them out

Tell me this gets better

Despite good performances from Morgan Freeman (world’s most likeable man) and perfect person G Hackman, I found Unforgiven to be: mostly garbage?

Must restore balance to the universe with a better Hackman

The final Hackman of the weekend will be: Heist (2001)

Also starring Danny Devito!!

Gene Hackman yelling at a stupid kid! Delroy Lindo and Ricky Jay! HEIST is the business

Unfortunately it is a David Mamet movie, so I’m going to bed halfway through. A *great* Hackman nonetheless. Look forward to finishing this later

I’m making a cake that I’m pretty sure is going to turn out ugly? Lifting my spirits with the lightest of Hackmans: Heartbreakers (2001), with Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt

I don’t think this was anyone’s fave but sometimes you gotta follow your heart

One of life’s greatest pleasures is watching Gene Hackman be absolutely perfect in a stupid movie. God bless

One more tonight: Under Suspicion (2000), with Morgan Freeman

Whew, this is not my fave. Also my cake turned out so weird I had to throw it away. Could this be...? the rare cursed Hackman

This movie remains bad. But Morgan Freeman, a cop who’s angry at his dipshit partner, just said, and I quote:

“Go home. Put on a silly hat. Do whatever morons do!”

Literally watched this part 4x

Morgan Freeman, a cop, to Gene Hackman, murder suspect:

“Do you surf, Henry? The internet. This is a statement from your web-browser provider. You sometimes use an online alias. ‘Hardbody Hank.’ Very catchy.”

Is this terrible movie...the best movie??

Had a day. But also made bibimbap and now preparing to watch The Birdcage

Was hugely disappointed that Hackman doesn’t play a gay man in this movie until this incredible breakfast scene. Hackman, a conservative senator, becomes very agitated about a political scandal and screams “I COULD REALLY USE SOME CANDY” at his maid

You’d probably have to see it but this has instantly become one of my favorite lines in a movie, ever? Even better than last night’s Hackman when Morgan Freeman got really mad at someone and told them to “go home and put on a silly hat”

Unspeakable afternoon at the dentist. Going to sit quietly with 2-3 Hackmans, invite my soul to return to my body

It’s a shame that Gene Hackman never really made it as an actor to the age of antiheroes. Just demoralizing to see a perfect villain always lose

(Just watched Runaway Jury. One of the Lesser Hackmans imo)

Also I’m so fascinated by the era of legal thrillers. Why was this a thing? Is there an explainer? Was it just due to people reading John Grisham at the airport?

Halfway tempted to go off-Hackman and watch The Pelican Brief (probably my fave?)

Back in business for the first time in awhile with a “Big Hackman,” as I have started calling these

A very exciting Hackman is on deck—with Danny Devito and Delroy Lindo, but with no one saying David Mamet words! Yeah!!

A little mad that dumb old Travolta’s in here but what are you gonna do

Quite enjoying Travolta in this. Confused

Tonight’s Hackman is Superman (1978). I’m quite curious about this one but am a little sorry to see that it’s 2.5 hours long. Wah wahhh