This week sees the release of Shane Black’s newest film, “The Nice Guys,” starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe as a couple of private detectives who investigate a mystery and get into gun fights and say funny quips. You can see the trailer right here.
And click through this gallery to watch some of the best scenes that Black has been responsible for in his three decades as a writer and director in Hollywood — from his start on “Lethal Weapon” to when he really hit the big time at the helm of “Iron Man 3.”
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005) — Gay Perry has a secret weapon in his pants, and you won’t believe what he does with it!
“The Last Boy Scout” (1991) — Joe just wants a cigarette, but Chet keeps teasing him. You shouldn’t have done that, Chet.
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005) — Not many movie characters verbally acknowledge the end credits of the movie they’re in, but Gay Perry isn’t most movie characters.
“Iron Man 3” (2013) — “Dads leave, there’s no need to be a pussy about it.” This is classic Shane Black, dodging sentiment oh-so deftly.
“Lethal Weapon” (1987) — Riggs goes up on a roof to convince a suicidal guy not to jump off — but then makes him jump off.
“Last Action Hero” (1993) — At the end of this long sequence parodying ’80s action movie cliches, we get what is perhaps the greatest one-liner in history.
“The Long Kiss Goodnight” (1996) — Samuel L. Jackson’s Mitch meets Brian Cox’s Dr. Waldman, who speaks only in obtuse one-liners.
“The Last Boy Scout” (1991) — Joe and Jimmy are not impressed by the bad guy’s use of big words in a tense situation.
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005) — Who taught Harry math? We never found out, and that’s probably for the best since that person may have been accidentally responsible for a man’s death.
“Last Action Hero” (1993) — Something’s rotten in the state of Denmark, and Hamlet (as interpreted by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is taking out the trash.
“The Monster Squad” (1987) — Shane Black co-wrote a comedy about the Universal Monsters and we finally learn that, yes, the Wolfman really does have nards.
“Lethal Weapon” (1987) — Riggs doesn’t do Murtaugh any favors by playing into his anxiety over getting old at the gun range. The visual punchline here is worth a million words.
“Iron Man 3” (2013) — No, kid, Tony Stark will not be your new dad. But, yes, it was worth a shot.
“Lethal Weapon” (1987) — Riggs and Murtaugh meet for the first time, and Murtaugh utters one of the best known lines in movie history.
“Last Action Hero” (1993) — There’s always a guy hidden in the closet. Of course.
“Iron Man 3” (2013) — This scene, in which we learn the Mandarin is really just an actor with a drug problem, pissed off a lot of nerds. But it’s really just a total delight, with Ben Kingsley going all out.
“The Long Kiss Goodnight” (1996) — Samantha transforms into Charly, and teaches Mitch an important lesson about deflowering virgins.
