Blow Out

AMAZING MOVIE. This was just unbelievable. Ten years ago when I was deep into my snobby, French New Wave phase in film school I watched Blow-Up and loved it. Further digging revealed that John Travolta was in an American remake of it. NEVER, I said. I WILL NEVER WATCH THAT FILTH. What an idiot I am. Or should I say, what an idiot I WAS because I just corrected this mistake and man oh man am I glad I did. This is hands down my favorite De Palma flick and if I wasn't a guy who has seen Grease at least 25 times in my life I would probably call this Travolta's best film to date. I mean at least until Old Dogs 2 comes out this is tops. Jokes. But seriously, this is criminally underrated. I should have read more or heard more of "Blow Out is great" over the past 10 years. That makes it sound like I'm trying to pass the buck, that its not MY fault I didn't watch this until now. And you know what maybe I am. This was so friggin' cool and tense and well made that I am ashamed it took me this long. Side note...it wouldn't be a De Palma film without a choice that I debate in my head whether it was right or wrong or if I get it or if I should be feeling kinda gross about something or not but I won't be specific for fear of spoilers. Watch this movieeeeee

Blow Out isn't just a film, it's arguably Brian De Palma's finest hour, a true Hitchcockian masterpiece that keeps you on the edge of your seat with every frame. John Travolta delivers a career-defining performance as the sound engineer who stumbles upon a conspiracy, and De Palma's masterful direction builds an almost unbearable tension. The tragic wrap-up, a genuine chef's kiss of an ending, elevates the entire experience to something truly unforgettable.

**Entertaining from start to finish. Loved this.**

Excellent pacing and great camera work. Also, the rapid closeups involving the editing and splicing of footage helped to visualize the investigation process.

**Listen in and watch out for the Liberty Bell Killer.** What a classic mystery thriller. The look and sound of this is incredible, absolutely loved the story. And that ending hit so hard my neck hurts. My favorite John Travolta performance. _Well worth watching._

Feels like the missing link between Hitchcock and those conspiracy thrillers from the 90s/00s (_Enemy of the State, Bourne trilogy_).
I think the filmmaking in this has aged incredibly well, the use of visuals and sound are still stylish to this day.
Performances are great, the plot’s original and interesting, well written characters, lots of tension that all culminates in a great third act.
My main problem is that there is way too much convenience in it.
The writing’s not very tight and filled with plot holes at just about every turn (yes, I know that term gets misused by most people, but it’s kinda undeniable with this film).

7.5/10

Very good packed thriller by De Palma who is great in the directing of this film

Blow out is an original story with a great ending. I did find the camera movement to be a bit distracting but otherwise a solid film by De Palma.

While out late at the park, capturing ambient sounds for a low-budget slasher movie, a young audio engineer (John Travolta) accidentally records a fatal automobile accident. He’s able to rescue the passenger, a delirious young woman, but the driver is left DOA at the bottom of a lake. We’ll soon learn that the victim was an important political figure and Travolta’s recording contains proof that this was no mere accident. What follows is a hearty dose of suspense mixed with intrigue, as the villains slowly tie off loose ends and various innocent parties stumble into the crosshairs.

Travolta provides a surprisingly adept leading performance, effortlessly cool and on-the-ball alongside a creepy supporting turn from John Lithgow (young but already balding) as the callous hatchet man who successfully spins a serial killing spree into cover for the real story. Nancy Allen (then married to director Brian De Palma) is sufficient as the bimbo survivor / love interest, a walking, talking time capsule who manages some strange natural chemistry with the star. De Palma’s direction takes unusual risks which almost always pay off. The most memorable example is a mesmerizing split-screen act that conveys important plot details via TV news broadcast while also establishing the engineer’s meticulous studio work in parallel. The story feels a little dated, but the daring production concepts are way ahead of their time.

Suspenseful. Hitchcock-like at times. Excelle t camera work.

For a film 40 years or so old, it kept me on the hook for a first time viewing.


7.25/10

A solid thriller with some great cinematography. The story is fine and John Travolta is pretty good and has great hair. it's weird seeing John Lithgow as the bad guy.