Two-Lane Blacktop [Criterion Collection] [2 Discs]

Director Monte Hellman expertly applied the lessons he'd learned at the right hand of Roger Corman with his 1971 "road" flick Two-Lane Blacktop. The film concerns a breakneck Southwestern car race. Young hotshorts James Taylor and Dennis Wilson, arrogantly tooling about in their hypercharged 1955 Chevy, challenge middle-aged Warren Oates, proud possessor of a '70 GTO. Oates, who was to Hellman what John Wayne was to John Ford, gives the performance of a lifetime as the cagey old-timer. Best bit (outside of the brilliantly photographed race scenes): Warren Oates playing 8-track music to match the tastes of his various hitchhikers, then groovin' to "Oh Maybelline" when he's alone.