5. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – “Rain Drops are Falling in my Head”
Talking about two people (not so in love, or maybe) riding together. Here’s a moment with Paul Newman falling over as much as possible as he rides his best friend’s girlfriend around the farm on his new contraption (a bicycle).It starts as a sweet moment and switches to an odd slapstick moment which is saved by the help of Burt Bacharach’s music.
4. Quicksilver – Bacon v. Fishburne Race
I don’t think we can talk about bikes and bike messengers (Premium Rush) without discussing the amazing feat of filmmaking that is Quicksilver. While this is one of those films that I believe deserves an “all of the scenes” pick, the scene that definitely remains at the top of my mind is the race between Bacon and Fishburne. It’s amazing and the emotional reaction towards the end is why it sticks in your head.
3. ET – They Fly
So this scene is a no brainer. It was so iconic that it became Spielberg’s logo for his production company. What may seem cheesy now when you first see it and Elliot on his bike and lifting off the ground you can’t help but just have your jaw drop to the ground and start cheering. It’s one of those great movie moments where disbelief is the furthest thing from your mind.
2. Better off Dead – I want my $2
What would you do if you owed the paper boy $2? And then that paper boy turned out to be some sort of crazed stalking loan shark type character who had a posse of other paper boys who’s entire purpose in life was to get that $2 from you… well that’s what happens in Better Off Dead and it’s brilliant. One of the most underappreciated comedies of the 80s and the use of the crazed paper boy is so fun that I can’t imagine why I don’t hear anyone talking about this movie anymore.
1. The Bicycle Thief – all of the scenes
Sadly the obvious pick is the best one and the only movie on the list which will continually put me in a state of complete sorrow. In this life we place so much importance on so many unimportant things, it’s always something to see a film remind us all that every so often the smallest and most mundane thing can become the most pivotal thing in your life.