As we’re finally down to finding out who’s on the
podium…
If you’re still reading this riveting No
Fenders prose, then congrats! As we’rve finally made it to the No Fenders Movie
Choices Closing Ceremonies, Yeehaw!
(No.
5) Bact to The Future
Release
Date: July 3, 1985
In
lane five representing Canada is this epic film that ultimately spawned a
trilogy, a la this ever continuing No Fenders story, Hya!
As
I’m not sure who became the bigger star, Marty McFly or His radically altered
DeLorean (DMC-12) time machine?
Arse-sumedly
Y’all know the plot about Canadian born actor Michael J. Fox inevitably driving
His friend “doc’s” (Christopher Lloyd) DeLorean time machine back to 1955 and
almost causing His parents not to meet and ultimately marry…
As
fox is best known for prominent roles on television’s Family ties and Spin
city, along with All three Back to The Future movies. But is probably best
known today from suffering from Parkinson’s disease, having retired from acting
in 2020.
As
the only question is. Will Marty McFly be able to reach 88mph before the stripe
in order to induce time travel, grab the Gold medal and return in time to stand
atop the podium?
(No.
4) American Graffiti
Release
Date: August 11, 1973
Starting
in lane four, this relatively low budget film directed by George Lucas and
produced by Francis Ford Coppola went on to gross nearly some $200 million!
With a cast that includes the likes of Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Cindy
Williams, Harrison Ford and Mackenzie Phillips to name just a few. Oh yeah, how
could I forget the Wolfman, as in Wolfman Jack Baby!
As
the film chronicles several teenagers struggles with lives during the early
1960’s in California revolving around the burgeoning rock ‘n roll music and the
automobile, i.e.; Hot rodding scene, including the requisite Drag race. As
somehow, you’d think that the Wolfman would have won a medal…
(No.
3) Bullitt
Release
Date: October 17, 1968
This
is the film that started this whole idea some Gory four years ago now, Yikes!
When I stumbledinto it one lazy afternoon during the COVID-19 Lockdown…
As
this is the film that cemented Steve McQueen as a true Bad Arse for me!
Regardless if He used it’s popularity to film His epic Le Mans movie two years
later…
McQueen
plays San Francisco police Detective Frank Bullitt chasing the Mobsters who’ve
killed a wintness He was assigned to protect. But I’m not sure who’s more the
star of this movie, McQueen or His nasty 1968 Ford Mustang!
As
we All know this film involves arguably the best ever car chase scene, with
McQueen, Err Frank Bullitt jumping His Mustang thru the streets of San
Francisco All the way to the Bronze medal!
(No.
2) Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
Release
Date: June 9, 2000
For
Mwah, this is one film’s remake that far out tops the original. For which I’ve
seen the original 1974 film on TV more than once. And should have been smitten
with it’s starring automobile “Eleanor”. Then a 1971 Ford Mustang modified with
’73 parts to loosely resemble the fleeting Mach 1 in School Bus yellow, even if
others said it was Ford’s medium yellow gold.
Briefly
toyed with saying the remake starring Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie was representing Germany. Since I vividly
recall the opening scene beginning with a brick being thrown through the window
of a Porsche 911, it’s car alarm loudly shrieking as the thief gets away with
the stolen Porsche!
Having
Seen the 2000 version on Ye Big screen, and getting quite a rush from that
opening scene!
Naturally,
now nearly a quarter century later, I cannot recall if it was the targeted 911
twin turbo or the 996 model?
The
plot based upon the 1974 movie revolves around stealing 50 targeted vehicles in
a short amount of time (72 hours) for delivery dockside to awaiting transport
in a cargo ship at the Long Beach docks.
Yet
in the remake, once again the Mustang code named “Eleanor” becomes the trouble
vehicle! This time being represented as a 1967 pepper gray with white twin Le
Mans stripes Shelby GT500 replete with nitrous oxide. With is “G-O” button’s
concealed underneath the top of the shift handle, which retired car thief Randla
“Memphis” Raines (Cage) has saved for last on the list of fifty vehicles.
Memphis’
jumps the “Shelby” with the assistance of the engine’s “laughing gas”, but
somehow doesn’t quite get away, or does He? Leaving this film netting the
silver medal.
(No.
1) Smokey and The Bandit
Release
Date: May 19, 1977
Are
you really surprised by this choice? I mean like come on, Y’all couldn’t of
guessed this, Eh? As we’re All Eastbound and Down, Righto?
As
how can I even adequately surmise this great film that stars a legendous’ 1977
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with a Flying Chicken on it’s hood!
Not
to mention box office Hunk Burt Reynolds along with Sally field. Or the
legendary Jackie Gleason playing Buford T. Justice shackled with His whimpering
son.
Along
with good ‘Ol Cledus Snowman’ Snow (Jerry Reed) puttin’ the Hammer down in His
18 Wheeler in order for Him and Bandit (Reynolds) to deliver Thar precious
cargo just-in-time and easily take the Gold medal!
As
“We’ve got a long way to go, and a short time to get there,
I’m
Eastbound just watch ol’ “Bandit” run!”
As sing it
Snowman, I’m Eastbound & Down…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOgUaFkpS3Y
Since probably everybody has an opinion or three
upon Thar own Top-10 movies rendition, or who should have won the gold medal .
Here's just one such listing I perused to help me focus on my own choices along
the way…
https://www.thedrive.com/opinion/12313/top-10-car-movies-of-all-time