Comments on: “Death Wish”: Important Movie Celebrates 35 Years; The Anti-Obama Flick

By: Weekend Box Office: Boring “Wild Things” & “Game,” Pointless, Gory “Law-Abiding,” Anti-Semitic “Serious,” Rerun “Stepdad”

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:59:05 +0000

[...] ghost of Charles Bronson called. He wants his magnificent movie back. Skipworthy. This movie’s an IQ test. If you like it, you [...]

By: David

David — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:08:34 +0000

Excuse me. That quote from Death Wish 3 wasn’t about the Joker. It was about the Giggler, a strongarm thief who would snatch valuables and run away giggling. Kersey plugged him in the center of the back with a round from his mail order Wildey magnum pistol after the thief had hotfingered Kersey’s Nikon.

By: David McAlister

David McAlister — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:33:40 +0000

Thanks for the reminiscence. Although Bronson made four more of these movies, it’s the first one that packs the punch. My own favorite Bronson role was “Harmonica” in Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). The final duel with Frank (Henry Fonda) was unforgettable.

As for the other entries in the Death Wish pantheon, I’m convinced that at least one of these (DW3) was a deliberate black comedy. It had several moments of hilarity. (Young thug: “They [i.e. Paul Kersey] killed the Joker, man! THEY KILLED THE JOKER!!” Chief thug, named Mandy (ha ha) Fraker: “They had no business doing that.”) The longevity of the first Death Wish probably owes to our submerged fears that we, too, might someday be in the wrong place at the wrong time and face criminals bent on doing evil. If that ever happens, we know that the cops will eventually arrive and draw a chalk line around our remains. When seconds count, the police are minutes away. No wonder concealed carry permits are becoming more popular. Thank you, Debbie, for your blog. It’s well worth every visit. (And RIP Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland)

By: Nof49

Nof49 — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:55:22 +0000

Where did RoadsScholar say the church was Catholic? And what has the behaviour of a some Catholic priests to do with the subject of this blog?

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:50:03 +0000

Great article Deb. I love any movie that the liberals hate and this one is one of my all-time favorites. After being in law enforcement for the past 22 years I will never be without a firearm, even after I’m retired.

And for Mr. Norman Blitzer…way to stay on subject knucklehead.

By: goldenmike4393

goldenmike4393 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:45:27 +0000

styrgwillidar on August 25, 2009 at 8:43 am

These gun stories in REAL life are my favorite. Cops like them, too.

By: Allan

Allan — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:56:58 +0000

Regarding the criticisms of Mr. Bronsons acting – he simply played an emotionally reserved role which probably fit his personality, and people are not used to seeing this type of potrayal with todays crop of actors (more properly over-actors). I believe he was perfect for this role.

Anther good movie of his was “The Mechanic”. Worth watching if you missed it. Has a nice twist at the end.

I really like that he was never part of the Hollywood crowd. He remained his own man, and by all accounts was a strong devoted husband in a culture that doesn’t seem to encourage it much anymore.

By: BONNI

BONNI — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:32:50 +0000

Where are all the good vigilantes today? We could use some to take care of all those terrorist training camps around the U.S. All I see around now are pantywaists and liberals.

By: Norman Blitzer

Norman Blitzer — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:26:39 +0000

[A woman in NYC was attacked in the pew of a church by a
habitual offender with 11 convictions.]

When is the Catholic Church finally going to punish their perverted priests?

By: JimmyC

JimmyC — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:08:07 +0000

Bronson did give one excellent performance after the Death Wish movies were done, in a powerful indie drama called The Indian Runner (directed by Sean Penn, of all people). It was a supporting role, but probably the best performance of his career.