The 10 Best Films of the 1970s, in my opinion

Today, we continue counting down the decades. Not to worry, we only have a few more to go. If you would like to see what my readers think about this decade, please click here.

10. Dirty Harry

I haven’t seen very many films from the 1970s. No, I haven’t gotten around to The Godfather yet. Haven’t watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, either. I haven’t even seen Alien! But I don’t feel that bad about my list, considering that Dirty Harry is all the way down to #10.

9. The Goodbye Girl

Too cute? Maybe. But its optimism, energy, and flamboyant refusal to take no for an answer make it something special. Throw in Richard Dreyfuss (in one of two great 1977 performances) and the adorably sharp-witted Quinn Cummings, and The Goodbye Girl is an all-decader.

8. 3 Women

3 Women is interesting, to say the least. Although the visions of painted Star Trek villians didn’t quite work for me, I thought it was sneakily moving and utterly fascinating probe into the meaning of identity. Duvall and Spacek give great performances… Rule, Fortier, and others are fine, too.

7. The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

If you’re anything like me, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie might confuse you a little bit at first. Satires of events that happened and people that existed 40 years ago are a little hard to get, especially if you’re only 16. But great movies are timeless, and while bits of Discreet Charm require some knowledge, most work regardless. The film has a discreet charm of its own, and once you’re drawn into it, you can’t really escape. A second viewing is suggested.

6. Murder on the Orient Express

I’m a total sucker for a good murder mystery. I’m also all-in on the pre-Garry Marshall star-studded cast idea. There was recently a remake of this film with David Suchet in the Poirot role. I usually love Suchet, but the movie failed because who ever wrote it tried to change Poirot too much. Poirot never changes, and is therefore never the most interesting thing onscreen. Murder on the Orient Express nails everything else around him.

5. Close Encounters of the Third Kind

One day, I’ll make a list of all the pop culture I didn’t like after my first taste, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind will be on it (along with The Office and Beyoncè). But (like The Office and Beyoncè), I came around after I saw it the second time. I’ve since seen it three more times, and it always feels new. Richard Dreyfuss stars with the aforementioned second great 1977 performance, but not the one he won the Oscar, BAFTA, and Globe for.

4. Taxi Driver

When I talk about the difference between favorite films and best films, Taxi Driver is one of the examples I think of. It’s not a film I’ll watch for a fun Friday night in, but I recognize and enjoy its brilliance in the right setting. Robert DeNiro gives his all-time greatest performance (we can discuss Raging Bull later), and I love the surreal, but wholly believable, ending.

3. Star Wars

I am a nerd. This is my justification.

2. All the President’s Men

This is easily one of my favorites. That might be because I have ambitions of (potentially, maybe) becoming a journalist some day. (Or maybe I’ll keep my options open. What does a degree in mass communications mean? And what if a school offers me a full ride but doesn’t have film studies, you know? Life is hard.) Anyway… All the President’s Men is definitely brilliant. It’s got a thrilling, strong story, and it’s populated with great performances. But maybe some folks don’t agree? (My readers gave it -1 points in the final round of 70s’ best voting last fall.) Why is that? I’m ready to defend it.

1. Kramer vs. Kramer

I just love Kramer vs. Kramer. Reasons:

1. Dustin Hoffman.
2. Meryl Streep.
3. The kid.
4. All of the scenes. But specifically the second-to-last one, in which the two male Kramers are in the park.
5. I bawled. All over the place.

It’s hard for me to accurately pinpoint why I love this movie so much. But this is easily one of the best 10 I’ve ever seen.

And Now I Talk About The Oscars (Because You Know I Have To)

Today, I finally break down and break down the Oscars. (That wasn’t that clever, but neither was the idea of inventing February. (Black History Month, you deserve better.) And neither was this racist headline ESPN wrote that I’ve been wanting to talk about for so long (but won’t get the chance to). Sorry if I’m not being coherent.) In this post, I’ll tell you not only who will win gold on Sunday night, but who should win, in my humble ole opinion. There will be a post-Oscar post (I’m full of the good stuff today) just like this one, but with winners instead of predictions. Ready? Okay, let’s do it. Oh, wait. One more thing: asterisks denote films I haven’t actually seen. 

Why is this here? I think you know why.

Best Adapted Screenplay

This is a person one for me. (It’s also a personal one, but I let the typo be because it still works.) Why? Because Community‘s Dean Pelton (known to others as Jim Rash, apparently) is nominated for writing The Descendants‘ screenplay. I think Moneyball‘s was better, but I’m still rooting for Rash. Homie don’t dean this!

If I got to pick:

1. The Descendants
2. Moneyball
3. Hugo
4. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy*
5. The Ides of March*

My official prediction:

1. The Descendants
2. Moneyball
3. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy*
4. The Ides of March*
5. Hugo

Best Original Screenplay

If I got to pick:

1. Bridesmaids
2. The Artist
3. Margin Call
4. Midnight in Paris
5. A Separation*

My official prediction:

1. The Artist
2. Midnight in Paris
3. Bridesmaids
4. A Separation*
5. Margin Call

Best Visual Effects

I don’t mean to be elitist, but I don’t think bad movies should get nominated for these technical categories unless they’re truly groundbreaking in the field. But what I say doesn’t matter. If it did, good movies would win awards.

If I got to pick:

1. Hugo
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: This Title is Too Long
3. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
4. Real Steel*
5. Transformers: This Movie Shouldn’t Exist*

My official prediction:

1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II
3. Real Steel*
4. Hugo
5. Transformers: Dark of the Moon*

Best Sound Mixing

If I got to pick:

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2. Hugo
3. Moneyball
4. War Horse*
5. Transformers: Dark of the Moon*

My official prediction:

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2. War Horse
3. Transformers: Dark of the Moon
4. Hugo
5. Moneyball

Best Sound Editing

I’m afraid that Drive (which I will be seeing very soon after posting this) will walk away without an award. That’s why I’ll be rooting for it in every category it appears in… which is just this one.

If I got to pick:

1. Drive*
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
3. Hugo
4. War Horse*
5. Transformers: Dark of the Moon*

My official prediction:

1. War Horse*
2. Drive*
3. Transformers: Dark of the Moon*
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
5. Hugo

Best Original Song

They’re not allowing the performances of the two nominees during the show. I’m glad.

My official prediction:

1. The Muppets will win.
2. The other one won’t.

Best Original Score

John Williams is nominated twice this year (shocker). How is that okay but an actor being nominated twice in the same category not?

My official prediction:

1. War Horse*
2. The Adventures of Tintin*
3. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy*
4. Hugo
5. The Artist

Best Makeup

I’d make a Glenn Close joke, but I feel like I’m being too hard on her.

My official prediction:

1. Albert Nobbs*
2. The Iron Lady*
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Best Foreign Language Film

I keep forgetting that this is a thing. And then I keep remembering how big of a joke this category is. I’m glad I keep forgetting.

If I got to pick:

1. A Separation*

My official prediction:

1. A Separation*

Best Film Editing

Finally! I’ve seen all of the films in one category!

If I got to pick:

1. Hugo
2. The Artist
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
4. Moneyball
5. The Descendants

My official prediction:

1. The Artist
2. Hugo
3. The Descendants
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
5. Moneyball

Best Documentary Feature

See: my little write-up on Best Foreign Film. Add to it, preferably in all caps: how to hell do you leave Senna, The Arbor, and The Interrupters off your shortlist?!?!

If I got to pick:

1. The Interrupters (write-in candidate)

My official prediction:

1. Pina

Best Costume Design

Can Downton Abbey not be nominated for this?

My official prediction:

1. W.E.*
2. Jane Eyre*
3. The Artist
4. Anonymous*
5. Hugo

Best Art Direction

If I got to pick:

1. The Artist
2. Hugo
3. Midnight in Paris
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II
5. War Horse*

My official prediction:

1. The Artist
2. Hugo
3. Midnight in Paris
4. War Horse*
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Best Cinematography

If I got to pick:

1. The Tree of Life
2. The Artist
3. Hugo
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
5. War Horse

My official prediction:

1. The Artist
2. Hugo
3. The Tree of Life
4. War Horse
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Best Animated Feature Film

This one isn’t even close. It’s the lock of the night.

My official prediction:

1. Rango*

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

If I got to pick:

1. Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
2. Berenice Bejo, The Artist
3. Octavia Spencer, The Help
4. Jessica Chastain, The Help
5. Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs*

My official prediction:

1. Octavia Spencer, The Help
2. Berenice Bejo, The Artist
3. Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
4. Jessica Chastain, The Help
5. Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs*

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Even though I thought Jonah Hill was better in Moneyball…

If I got to pick:

1. Christopher Plummer, Beginners
2. Jonah Hill, Moneyball

My official prediction:

1. Christopher Plummer, Beginners
2. Max von Sydow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
3. Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
4. Nick Nolte, Warrior
5. Jonah Hill, Moneyball

Best Actress in a Leading Role

#freekirsten

If I got to pick:

1. Viola Davis, The Help
2. Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
3. Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
4. Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
5. Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs

My official prediction:

1. Viola Davis, The Help
2. Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
3. Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
4. Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
5. Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Best Actor in a Leading Role

If I got to pick:

1. George Clooney, The Descendants
2. Brad Pitt, Moneyball
3. Jean Dujardin, The Artist
4. Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy*
5. Demian Bichir, A Better Life* (this is punishment for meddling with a perfectly decent Season 5 of Weeds; nobody cares about your character, man)

My official prediction:

1. George Clooney, The Descendants
2. Jean Dujardin, The Artist
3. Brad Pitt, Moneyball
4. Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy*
5. Demian Bichir, A Better Life*

Best Directing

If I got to pick:

1. Martin Scorsese, Hugo
2. Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
3. Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life
4. Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
5. Alexander Payne, The Descendants

My official prediction:

1. Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
2. Martin Scorsese, Hugo
3. Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
4. Alexander Payne, The Descendants
5. Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life

Best Picture

Sorry, Hugo.

If I got to pick:

1. The Artist
2. Hugo
3. Moneyball
4. The Tree of Life
5. The Descendants
6. Midnight in Paris
7. The Help
8. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close*
9. War Horse*

My official prediction:

1. The Artist
2. The Descendants
3. The Help
4. Hugo
5. Midnight in Paris
6. The Tree of Life
7. War Horse*
8. Moneyball
9. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close*

The Ten Movies I Would Salvage if a Movie-Eating Monster Took Over the World

Today’s post’s title is very self-explanatory. To repeat myself, these are the ten films that I would save above all others. I hope I can revisit this topic now and again, not to see how the films hold up with repeated viewings, but to see how I have changed as a person. Did it just get deep in here, or is it just me?

A Christmas Story

Looking over my list, I see no overtly religious films; A Christmas Story is probably as close as you’re going to get. But I don’t really think of it as a Christmas movie, even though it has the word Christmas in the title. It’s not like my favorite scenes come before (or after) what’s supposed to be Christmas day. It’s not that I’m not religious (even though I’m really not). A Christmas Story is just a family movie (and I don’t mean that in this sense, but rather something more like this). I’ll always remember sitting on the couch, watching this with my family… no matter what the weather is like outside or if there’s a tree in the corner of the room.

Citizen Kane

I wrote about this one a few days after I saw it for the first time. The film had worked its magic. If we’re not counting Jefferson, I’d say this is probably the most well-made film ever. The information you can gleam from the way the camera is positioned or the way we transition from one lasting image to the next… that’s why people call this movie the greatest of all-time. Every time I see this movie (it’s been 1.2 times now), I put down my texting device and just stare in awe. That‘s the sort of movie I’d want to have forever (or at least until the next movie-eating monster invasion).

City Lights

This is the funniest movie produced before 1959 (we’ll get to that in a bit, I’m sure). But it’s also one of the most tragic. You know me, I wouldn’t dare ruin a great film, so let’s just leave it at: that final shot will, no doubt, floor me every single time I see it. I knew I’d be including a Charles Chaplin film (how could I not?), but I never thought that it would be the saddest picture on the list.

Dogtooth

Well… this is an interesting one, isn’t it? You’ve probably never heard of Dogtooth, and that’s too bad. I wrote a review of it once, but I won’t link to it; it’s useless because I’m so vague in it. (I did once say that watching it was similar to “being murdered by an Austro-Chinese transgender prostitute while you’re shopping at Wal-Mart,” though.) You know what? Why don’t you go watch it right now? Here’s the link to it on Netflix Instant. Don’t go reading any reviews before, and don’t worry. We’ll wait.

Oh. Back already? See what I mean?

A Hard Day’s Night

I saw this movie twice in 24 hours, and it was as fresh the second time as it was the first. A Hard Day’s Night is sheer expression. It’s one that can be watched at any time, while in any mood. Plus, it looks like it was so much fun to produce. You’d be best served watching the film for yourself, then reading my review… still one of the best reviews I’ve ever written. It really helps when the movie you’re writing about is great. Side note: my Twitter icon is from this movie.

Man on Wire

I first saw this when I still held a working Top 50 list, and it debuted at #6. It was, for me, the best film of the double-naughts (we’ll have a Top 25 list on all the decades later, by the way). I said that A Hard Day’s Night is sheer expression, and that’s true for this one as well. I’m a bit surprised that only one documentary made my list, but I’m glad I got to put in a film that deserves it based on individual merit and not just being the best documentary I’ve ever seen/I ever expect to see.

Pulp Fiction

Oh, what can I say about Pulp Fiction that has not already been said? It’s the most foul-mouthed and violent on my list, but also one of the higher-ranking all-time ones. True, I’ve only seen it once, but is that not enough for a spot? Especially for a film of this quality. Pulp Fiction probably isn’t for the squeamish, but that doesn’t matter. See it anyway.

Some Like it Hot

This April, I will be putting on a little virtual film festival; I will choose 3-5 films that are available on the Internet, watch them, review them, and hope you follow along. Why do I bring this up at this point in time? Because I already know what one of those films will be: Some Like it Hot. It is the funniest movie ever made, for my money the best movie ever made, and by far my favorite movie ever. Is there a film for you that does what Some Like it Hot does to me?

That Darn Cat!

Previously, I had Never Let Me Go as my final inclusion, but I couldn’t resist putting this one in the ole time capsule. Call me a softy, but I have fond memories of watching this one with the family. Sure, I’ve never cried so hard at a movie as I did at NLMG, but if the world has been taken over by a movie-eating monster, would you rather laugh or cry?

Wall-e

This was my first choice when I came up with the topic. And not just because at least one animated film would need to be preserved. Wall-e is a story of reconstruction; we see characters try to rekindle connections that have been lost for centuries. Not only are they returning to a planet they know little about, but they’re making friends face-to-face for the first time in their lives. Should we need an instructional video on how to repopulate the Earth, we’d have to look elsewhere (really… I don’t understand how the people aboard the Axium make babies). But if we should ever need to learn how to make friends, we have our answer. It’s Wall-e.

…

I hope you like my picks and comment with your own. A quick question, by the way: do you prefer my posts with pictures or without pictures?

The 10 Best Films of 2011, According to Me

10. Certified Copy

The first time I saw Abbas Kiarostami’s latest picture, I was inspired. Certified Copy opened my eyes to the world of art (including filmmaking). I got the chance to see it  a second time, and I was struck by how much more fun thinking about it is than watching it. Oh well, that still counts. Where: Air Canada/Netflix Instant.

9. The Tree of Life

I wasn’t sure how I would like The Tree of Life, but I knew I had to see it. Well, I did see it; and obviously, I liked it. The Tree of Life really is visual poetry, and it is about both everything and nothing at the same time. I don’t currently (and probably will never) know all of Malick’s intentions, but I gave scenes and shots my own meanings, based on my life. Perhaps that’s exactly what he wanted me to do… Where: St. Anthony Main, Minneapolis.

8. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

#7 is the spot in which the Swedish version landed on 2010’s list, but the David Fincher film is better. While I still believe an amalgamation of the two would be the best film, I recognize the 2011 effort is more artful than its 2009/2010 counterpart, while retaining the thrills and titillation. Where: my hometown Cinemark.

7. Moneyball

Brad Pitt has had an excellent year. He gave two killer, Filmtooth runner-up performances. Imagine the number of times this film could have not been made. I’m interested in what Pitt does from here, with retirement rumors swirling. Where: hometown Cinemark.

6. Attack the Block

If 2010’s films’ general theme was communication (see: The Social Network, The King’s Speech, Dogtooth, etc.), 2011’s is community. And my favorite part of Attack the Block was the way it captured the perfect communal atmosphere. My second favorite thing? The amazing aliens. Where: Amazon Instant.

5. Trust

The camera work is neither dazzling nor particularly informative, but the story is strong enough to carry the film into my heart (and my top 10). I don’t know if I’ll ever see Trust again, the subject being a pedophile and a rape, but if I do, I hope I find the same tragic beauty I got out of the first go-round. Where: Netflix Instant.

4. In a Better World

High stakes situations are usually very interesting to watch, and that holds true with In a Better World, a Danish film that won Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars last spring. I don’t want to spoil it, but it deal with violence; where does it come from, who should we blame, what can we do to stop it. It is shear brilliance, and if you’re anything like me, it will set your brain on fire. I’m still digesting it, a month after my first (and most recent) viewing of it. Where: Amazon Instant.

3. Weekend

This is, quite possibly, the sweetest film I’ve ever seen. The story is simple: two gay men have what they think will be a one night stand, they develop feelings, but one is moving away. It sounds like an awful subplot from Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve, but it’s executed masterfully. I shudder to think what this would have been in lesser hands. Where: Netflix Instant.

2. Hugo

Hugo is pure magic. It finished the year at the #1 slot, a position it held since the November night I watched it. It was gorgeous to look at, without being false, as it was wonderful to be emersed in this world of characters, none of whom felt fake. I have seen neither The Artist nor The Descendants, but even if I had and thought they were of higher quality, I would rooting for Hugo at the Oscars. Where: hometown Cinemark.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

****

Wow. It’s been a long time since I wrote a film review, hasn’t it? So, should we just jump right in?

I was excited for this movie. I got a chance to see the Swedish version (the 7th best film of 2010) back in October, and I was floored by it. I really like David Fincher, and I really like this story. Fortunately, my excitement was not let down.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is about two people trying to solve a crime. One is a disgraced journalist (Mikael, who is played by Daniel Craig), the other a computer hacker (Lisbeth, who is played by Rooney Mara). They were hired by an ailing old man (a role that I thought would have more screen time occupied by Christopher Plummer), and the crime committed was the murder of his favorite niece. I expect most of you are familiar with the plot, though.

Critics have scrutinized the film for spending too much time with the characters apart, but I liked this move in the 2010 version, and I like it here. It’s true, the Swedish version is better with clock management, but pace is something that didn’t bother me as I watched Fincher’s entry in the franchise.

The ideal adaptation of the best-selling novel is probably somewhere in between the two recent films. However, I believe this one is slightly superior. I’ll concede that the film (tries and) fails to convince audiences that the true climax is at the very end, since this story is more about Mikael and Lisbeth than the mystery they’re trying to solve. But it wraps up nicely, not in the Hollywood way the non-Hollywood version does. Plus, the Lisbeth character is brought down a notch from Noomi Rapace’s “all men and most women can just go to hell, but I don’t really care anyway” version.

If I were Leonard Maltin, this is what I would write in my movie guide app: David Fincher’s Dragon Tattoo remake is more stylish and more likable than its Swedish predecessor. Craig is good as a penniless journalist, but it’s Mara who shines as punk goth Lisbeth, a computer hacker. Don’t miss the opening credits.

Notes

• I suggest you see this on a big screen.
• If you see and enjoy The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, please see Psycho.
• Dragon Tattoo is out now in theaters across the country.
• Coming soon: the final awards (yay), a couple of reviews from 2011 I never got to post, and (I guess) some new stuff.
• Have you seen TGwtDT? What do you think?

Top 20 Films I Could Watch Anytime

Disclaimer: I am stealing this idea from here. You should click on that link after you’re done reading this post.

This top 20 list is pretty self-explanatory. When these movies are on cable, I’ll watch them. When I don’t feel like processing a new movie, and I want to watch something good, I’ll watch them. My criteria: happy, funny, engaging.

Just missed the list: The Thin Man (1934), The Out-of-Towners (1970), Toy Story 2 (1999), Up (2009), How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

20. Ice Age (2002) – Very fun, has great characters, is kind of a road-trip movie

19. Herbie Rides Again (1974) – Not the strongest Disney movie ever, but a classic in my family (that’s a whole ‘nother post that I’ll get to someday)

18. It Should Happen to You (1954) – One of my favorite all-time Jack Lemmon films

17. The Return of the Pink Panther (1975) – Interesting mix of kinds of comedies

16. The Fugitive (1993) – It only jumps the shark at the end… the rest is very, very entertaining

15. Meet the Robinsons (2007) – Underrated Disney movie that’s full of interesting plot twists

14. The Hangover (2009) – It’s never on any of the channels I get, but if it were…

13. No Country for Old Men (2007) – This movie isn’t necessarily happy, but it’s so great that it doesn’t matter.

12. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) – I think The Prisoner of Azkaban was better. But, come on! Lord Voldemort!

11. Beetle Juice (1988) – Alec Baldwin is my favorite.

10. The Gods Must Be Crazy (1981) – So clever, so funny

9. Airplane! (1980) – What a great screwball comedy! [Insert famous phrase from movie here.]

8. Home Alone (1990) – It doesn’t have to be Christmas for me to enjoy this movie.

7. The Social Network (2010) – The movie is so fascinating, and the characters are so real, I can watch this movie multiple times in one day. Incredible.

6. A Christmas Story (1983) – It starts at Thanksgiving. We watch it once then. I’ll see it twice from then until Christmas. I’ll watch it thrice in late December, usually twice on Christmas Eve itself. Once in February or March. Maybe another time in July or August, when it’s hot out.

5. My Cousin Vinny (1992) – Joe Pesci. Marisa Tomei. Hilarity. When the movie is slow, they pull it through. I’ll watch it every time it’s on.

4. That Darn Cat! (1965) – Another family classic, and one of the best live action Disney movies ever.

3. Some Like it Hot (1959) – This is probably my favorite movie. And it makes no sense.

2. Star Wars (1977) – Imagine life without Star Wars. Every time you skip over it with your remote, a nerd movie lover dies. There you go.

1. Meet the Parents (2000) – Stop typing your expletive-filled comment, and calm down. It’s not the best movie ever. It’s not the best movie on this list. But we can all agree that it’s solid Sunday afternoon entertainment, especially if you hate watching your favorite football teams lose.