Pic of the Day: “Every galaxy I have traveled, all you species are the same. You all think you’re the center of the universe. You have no idea…”
Pic of the Day: “How come no one has nailed Whitey Bulger? He seems to be involved in every crime in the city, and yet the Bureau keeps saying he’s clean!” “Well, what’s Bulger done?” “What’s he done? Everything!”
Pic of the Day: “I say, do you believe in love at first sight?” “No. Do you?” “No. That’s why I’d like to stay for a while, if I may.”
Pic of the Day: “You dare to insult the Führer?” “That would take an artiste. I am but a mechanic.” (75th Anniversary)
Pic of the Day: “I know something about this dog. She’s going somewhere. She’s on her way.” (75th Anniversary)
Mike’s Top Ten of 1979
If I had an affinity for 1978 because it has two of my all-time favorite films, double down on that for 1979. I’ve got two top ten favorite films this year. And there’s a bunch of stuff I love down below the line too.
There’s just so much great stuff here. And, in a way, this is really the last of the auteur years. People often point to the 70s as being the best decade in American film. Typically what they mean is 1967-1976. That’s the decade. But even so, that ’70s’ mentality hung around for the last couple years after Star Wars, before it started getting phased out. This is the last year where it had a noticeable presence. 1980 was the year where it officially ‘ended’, before being turned over to big corporations and mainstream filmmaking. This year still feels like it has some freedom for the cool auteur stuff to come out. Though you can definitely see things coming to an end based on what we had five years before this. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “You think you know something, don’t you? You think you’re the clever little girl who knows something. There’s so much you don’t know, so much. What do you know, really? You’re just an ordinary little girl, living in an ordinary little town. You wake up every morning of your life and you know perfectly well that there’s nothing in the world to trouble you. You go through your ordinary little day, and at night you sleep your untroubled ordinary little sleep, filled with peaceful stupid dreams. And I brought you nightmares. Or did I? Or was it a silly, inexpert little lie?” (75th Anniversary)
Mike’s Top Ten of 1978
A lot to like about 1978. Two of my all-time favorite movies came out this year. So I’ll always think back fondly on it. Plus, there are a couple of really iconic films, aside from those two. The superhero movie started this year. The comedy genre changed forever this year. The horror genre definitely changed forever this year. There’s not really an overarching cinematic change here so much as the 70s continue to churn out great movies.
If there’s one thing I can say about this year, it’s just… Magic. Go see Magic. It’s awesome. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “There can’t be such a thing as civilization unless people have a conscience. Because if people touch God anywhere, where is it except through their conscience? And what is anybody’s conscience except a little piece of the conscience of all men that ever lived?” (75th Anniversary)
Mike’s Top Ten of 1977
1977 changed moviemaking forever. This is when the blockbuster began. Technically Jaws is the grandfather, but this is the year the floodgates broke open, and the one that changed cinema forever. Ironically, this is the year that ended whatever future the auteur era of the 70s had. After this, the studios all got bought by conglomerates, and we moved toward where we are today, a cinema built on franchises and tentpoles. There are still some twists and turns along the way, but that’s what this year ultimately led to.
The big movies take a bit of the air out of the room this year, and you also start to see a bit of the changing of the guard anyway. The auteur works that defined 1971 to 1976 are all starting to look a little stale. They aren’t working as well as they used to, and you start to see a couple of big failures start to happen, which is what will ultimately (after 1980) push Hollywood away from that system and a more studio-driven format.
Still, there’s some cool stuff here. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “What do you do?” “I’m a well-to-do, retired millionaire. How ’bout you?” “Same.” (75th Anniversary)
Mike’s Top Ten of 1976
1976 is a year that a lot of people gravitate to because it’s got some of the most memorable films of the 70s in it. The Best Picture list of this year includes All the President’s Men, Network, Rocky and Taxi Driver. That alone means it’s gonna have a lot of eyeballs on it. And then there’s some other really iconic films from this year too. You could pinpoint a lot of really pivotal moments for film that all happened in this year. John Wayne’s last film, the last great western before the genre died out, and, oh yeah… those four films previously mentioned.
The other great thing about this year, as is the case with most 70s years, is that there are so many great films below the top ten that are just great, most of which are true hidden gems that are largely forgotten nowadays.
Also take a look out for one of my absolute favorite comedies of all time. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “If we don’t know what we are doing, the enemy certainly can’t anticipate our future actions.” (75th Anniversary)
Mike’s Top Ten of 1975
If 1973 isn’t the strongest year of the decade, then 1975 for sure is. This top ten list, though. Holy shit. When the weakest one in the bunch is something that you disagree with because it’s not your cup of tea, that’s a strong year. You can’t argue with the cultural impact or strength of any of these films. Kubrick, Lumet, Spielberg, Gilliam, Altman, Forman, Pollack, Russell. That’s just 8 of the top 10. That’s nuts.
I will admit, it’s somewhat top heavy a year, as the lower films aren’t as strong as the ones in some other years. But still, when you have a top ten as strong as this one, you don’t need much else. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “I feel a little bit like Columbus… set down in a strange new land… full of new wonders… new discoveries. It’s a challenge, all right – a challenge to my training. Sometimes challenges can get mighty big. But I’m gonna stay alive, believe me.”
Mike’s Top Ten of 1974
What I love most about 1974 is that the top ten (and the top ten most people would have for this year, which is even more impressive) has two films on it from two different directors! 40% of the top ten list is two directors. Well, if we’re getting specific… that’s four of my top five for this year. Which is nuts.
But also, this top ten list is great. There’s one movie that absolutely no one has ever heard of that I hold dear for a variety of reasons that will translate to almost no one else, but everything else is just amazing stuff.
And I will repeat what I’ve said in other years from this decade… there’s a lot of cool stuff below the line. Some really cool movies you might not know at first glance that you’ll really enjoy if you give them a shot. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “Times have sure changed.” “Yeah, ain’t they? You know, Mac, sometimes I feel like I don’t know what it’s all about anymore.”
Mike’s Top Ten of 1973
1973 has a good case for it to be considered the strongest year of the 70s. Nine out of my top ten are straight up all-time classics. Inarguable classics. And then 11-20 are all just incredible movies, with some great gems sprinkled throughout the rest of the list.
The 70s are in full swing here, and I think ‘iconic’ is the way a lot of these are. One of the most iconic characters of all time, iconic horror movies, iconic uses of music, iconic performances by famous actors.
There’s nothing more to add. These movies are great, and you should watch them. (more…)
Mike’s Top Ten of 1972
1972 always stands out to people because one of the consensus greatest films of all time came out this year. But outside of that, man… are there some great movies here.
What I like best about this year is that you come for The Godfather, and stay for all of the great gems that are all throughout this year. There are like four movies in my top ten that are straight up forgotten gems, and then a few more that are vastly underappreciated.
Not to spoil the fun, but… The Ruling Class, What’s Up Doc, Sleuth and The Hot Rock. Those are your gems. Don’t miss those. (more…)
Pic of the Day: “You’ve just had a bad day, that’s all.” “That’s a masterpiece of understatement.”
Mike’s Top Ten of 1971
1971. There’s a year. This is where the proper 70s begin. This is where all the below the line stuff is just awesome, and it’s all weird 70s stuff, and not just ‘old school Hollywood’ stuff. Not that old school Hollywood stuff is bad, but it doesn’t fit what this decade is all about.
This year in particular though… it’s got some bangers. Look at that top ten list. One hidden gem, one weird movie that I love, but the rest are all straight classics (or at the very least part of famous franchises). The top ten is so strong. But, what’s even cooler is that there are such great films all the way down the line. You don’t just stop at the top ten in a year like this. You’re gonna find great stuff all the way through.
Pay attention, kids. The 70s are a decade you don’t wanna just skim through. (more…)
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