We bring out the Hellman's on this episode of the podcast as we look at two from Monte Hellman. We start off with the controversial 1974 movie "Cockfighter" and follow it up with the metaphorical masterpiece "Two Lane Blacktop" from 1971. Both films feature Warren Oates, Laurie Bird and Harry Dean Stanton, all turning in strong performances. Cockfighter follows a deliberately mute Oates as he competes in a series of cockfights across the south, in pursuit of respect and love. It's tough to watch at times and confounded us with some of its choices. Two Lane Blacktop, on the other hand, is a wonder. With a deliberate pace and subtext galore, it is making statements left and right. It also features very impressive performances from two musicians, James Taylor and Dennis Wilson. We then proceed to our lists of other things we've been watching.

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