The 70s. The "Me" decade of Watergate, disco, and the end of the Vietnam War. This was when the New Hollywood era really peaked and started to be taken more seriously. There were bad flicks, of course, but this decade doesn’t have a winner that I felt belonged in the “Really? This was ‘the Best?’” category. All of the winners really were exceptional films.
1970-1979
The Good
Patton (1970)
Though still fatigued by WWII films, I can see why people dig this flick. Penned by Francis Ford Coppola and masterfully performed by George C. Scott, the film has quality all over it. A biographical war film, we get to see the war from Patton's perspective, which is larger than life. It's a bit long, but it is well made. When it comes to war flicks from 1970, I’m more of a M*A*S*H* guy than Patton. Grade: B
The French Connection (1971)
Being a fan of gritty crime dramas, I was really looking forward to finally sitting down and watching this whole film. Though Hackman as Popeye Doyle is engaging and the overall style of the film is great- I just didn’t quite get into the story like I thought I would. It’s still good, but not as great as I thought it would be. Still, the film has possibly the best car chase in cinema history. Grade: B
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Like I said earlier, this feels like the Vietnam answer to The Best Years of Our Lives. It's gut wrenching and hardcore, but it could probably have a good 45 minutes of “pre-war” cut. De Niro and Walken might be the strongest of the ensemble, but Meryl Streep does what Meryl does- be awesome. Her part isn’t very big and that is a pity. Grade: B-
The Great
The Sting (1973)
There aren’t a lot of “delightful” crime features, but this is probably the best one. Newman and Redford and joined together again by their Butch and Sundance director. I wonder how many people only know Scott Joplin music because of this movie. Though there is a lot of “old Hollywood” in this film and that might be why the Academy picked it over the possibly better nominees The Exorcist and American Graffiti. Still, it’s one of the few best picture winners that can easily be described as "fun." Grade B+
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
This won against All that Jazz, which is possibly the best movie musical ever. So I was kind of prepared to be unimpressed, but you know what- it’s a pretty great flick. Possibly Hoffman’s best performance. Though audiences were introduced to Ms. Streep the year before in The Deer Hunter, this is the beginning of the Meryl we all know and love. Something I really dig about this flick how well it can work without dialogue. Those sequences really show the craft of film making and acting. Grade: B+
The Essential
The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather Part II (1974)
These films, like Gone with the Wind and Casablanca, have had a lot written about them and you don’t need me to tell you that they are essential. Seriously, they are two of the greatest films ever made. I am one of those who thinks the second is better than the first, there are a number of us. Anyway, this is how you do a saga. I do come from an Italian family, so I guess this gets to me on that level and may not on others. If you think of yourself as a lover of film, or have just a passing interest- these are required viewing. Grades: A- (Part I), A (Part II)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
This movie might run the gamut of emotions. It’s funny, horrifying, inspiring, depressing, etc. This is one of those rare moments where everything works out. Nicholson gives what is probably his best performance as McMurphy and Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched will haunt your nightmares. Grade: A
Rocky (1976)
Not only did I watch all the Best Pictures last year, I also watched all the Rocky films. In 2015 Creed came out and I couldn’t remember if I had see all of the Italian Stallion’s entries, so I watched them in reverse order. I do not recommend this. The last five minutes of the previous entry is the first five of the next. Anyway, I’ve become a bit of a Rocky fan. So here’s the thing about 1976, everything up against Rocky was stellar: All the President's Men, Bound for Glory, Network, and Taxi Driver. I think any of them could’ve won and it would have made sense. What makes Rocky so essential? It would create the blueprint for sports and underdog films for the next 40 years, and it’s also a great movie. It might not be asking the hard questions like All the President's Men and Network, or have the haunting performances and direction of Taxi Driver, but its influence would change the language of film. Grade: A-
Annie Hall (1977)
This has gained some controversy over the years because it beat Star Wars, and that isn’t unexpected. Though a great film and an essential Woody Allen film, Annie Hall doesn’t have the cultural impact of the space opera. No one gets excited about a new Annie Hall action figure complete with lobsters. Well, maybe I would. What makes this essential is that it isn't just a rare comedy to win, but one of the best screenplays ever. It is, like most Allen films, super self absorbed, rambly, and some of the social norms haven’t aged well- it is a product of it’s time, but it is also hilarious and superbly structured. I don’t think this is Allen's best, that is probably Crimes and Misdemeanors. Even so, Annie Hall is a wonderful time. Grade: A-
On Thursday we'll grapple with the 1980s. See you then.