Since I mentioned that the 70's is my favorite era for films and I have at least 15 favorites. I have already listed Chinatown, here are the others that I give 9 or 10 stars to;
Network (1976) - about network TV going to extremes to get ratings, and a news anchor who gets up while on the air and tells everyone, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore". The ratings go through the roof and it's the beginning of reality TV.
The Exorcist (1973) I remember waiting in a long line at the mall to see this film. At the time it was the scariest movie ever.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975) A true story of two bungling bank robbers and a standoff with the cops in NYC. Stars Al Pacino and John Cazale who died of cancer just a couple of years later. John was only in 5 films. The Godfather, Godfather II, Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation and The Deer Hunter. He was engaged to Meryl Streep and became sick during the filming of The Deer Hunter. What a way to go out, not a bad film in the bunch. This is a film I can watch over and over.
All The President's Men (1976) Starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford. True story of the Washington Post exposing the Watergate scandal. Tension, intrigue and mystery, it has it all.
Jaws (1975) I don't think I need to say much, an instant classic. Too band actor Robert Shaw (the skipper) died so young and couldn't give us anymore classics.
Taxi Driver (1976) After The Godfather, the film that put DeNiro on the map and Martin Scorsese as a director. Crazed Vietnam vet goes too far, most famous line "You talking to me".
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) Jack Nicholson in an institution for the insane. Great acting and good against evil with Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) always finding ways to enforce the rules.
Heaven Can Wait (1978) Probably my second favorite behind Chinatown, I've seen this one also no less than 50 times. Warren Beatty as the backup QB for the LA Rams when he's killed while out riding his bike. Unfortunately his angel made the mistake of taking him out too soon, and due to his quick reflexes he would lived. Now the angel's supervisor (James Mason) must find him a suitable body to put him back on earth. They settle on a billionaire who has plenty of money but a lousy body. My favorite is Jack Warden as the Rams trainer, he's the only one that knows who the Billionaire really is. This is a remake, I believe there was two before, I've seen the 1943 version and it's amazing how Warren Beatty made that film into a masterpiece.
American Graffiti (1973) The film that launched Richard Dreyfus career and George Lucas as a director. They filmed mostly at night in a small California city when they could control the locations. As it was, it was perfect since the film mostly centered on teens cruising at night listening to early rock on the Wolfman Jack radio show. If you love late 50's and early 60's music, old cars and drag racing, and trying to outsmart the cops, see this film if you haven't already.
The Sting (1973) As a follow up to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Paul Newman and Robert Redford play con-men who love to pull elaborate schemes to con even the smartest, in this case, it's Robert Shaw. Set in time during the 30's or thereabouts, Newman & Redford fit right in and surrounded with a cast of journeymen actors, it keeps you guessing all the way through.
That's all for now, I'll provide more at a later time. i don't think I need to include the Godfather or Godfather II since I don't believe there is a human who hasn't seen those films.
|