1974 Movies
OSCARS Won/Nominated
IMDB Top 250
IMDB Top 250
OSCARS
Best Original Song
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Benji
Dir: Joe Camp Who doesn't love Benji? I grew up watching this and Benji: The Hunted. He is adorable...much more adorable than Lassie, so watching this little cutie help save a couple of kidnapped kids is a pleasure. It is basically a made-for-TV movie...but it isn't TRYING to be high art. B- |
OSCARS
Best Supporting Actress
Best Editing Best Original Song |
Blazing Saddles
Dir: Mel Brooks Stars: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Slim Pickens, Mel Brooks 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die This might possibly be the greatest comedy ever made. Not only does it have a poignant message about racism told in the most ridiculous, extreme, absurdist way...but it has the madcap humor that entertains even those too young or not intelligent to realize how smart it is. This movie would never work today...because our society refuses to understand how this movie portraying ignorant racists, while fearlessly using racist language...is not racist itself. But forget all that...there are pie fights, farting, sexual jokes, and the greatest finale in the history of cinema. When that camera pulls back from the major town brawl and you see the Warner Brothers backlot...the genius is blatantly obvious. A+ Bluray |
OSCARS
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Chinatown
Dir: Roman Polanski Stars: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Roman Polanski 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die IMDB #131 Such a well-crafted film...and that is how it feels crafted. The screenplay is complex to the point of near confusion...but the superb performances and focused, impressive directing by Polanski holds it all together. Also...this movie had some balls slicing Nicholson's nose early on and having him sport a large bandage on his face the entire time. It really turns into a fun whodunit...even if the ultimate payoff leaves a BIT to be desired. B+ |
OSCARS
Best Picture
Best Original Screenplay Best Sound |
The Conversation
Dir: Francis Ford Coppola Stars: Gene Hackman, John Cazele, Harrison Ford 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I just could NOT get into this movie. If I had to say anything about it...it is that Gene Hackman is decent and the sound design, surrounding the surveillance scenes, is phenomenally well done. But this story about a surveillance expert who has detached himself so thoroughly from the world and from human contact as to stay objective in his work...is just a huge slog. Many consider this a marvel and I just don't see it. I felt like this was a good 15-20 minute short stuffed into a 2hr snoozefest of inaction, depression, and constant boring hypotheticals. I kept waiting for the hook...but it never came. C |
OSCARS
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Murder on the Orient Express
Dir: Sydney Lumet Stars: Albert Finney, Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, John Gielgud, Vanessa Redgrave, Anthony Perkins, Jacqueline Bisset, Michael York This film is certainly enjoyable, even if it is simple in execution while being overtly complicated in story. The film is not much more than interrogation and revelation, but Albert Finney's performance as the wacky Hercule Poirot is a vision. He is so good that he commands the screen, in exquisite high comedy that would make Peter Sellers green with envy, and overshadows this ridiculously famous and talented supporting cast. Lumet's direction is as good as it can be while being limited and confined to a stagnant train. The mystery is fun...but I am not kidding here...1985's Clue is actually a better version. The stars may not be as impressive, but the zaniness and the mystery are even more fun. B |
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Dir: Tobe Hooper Stars: Marilyn Burns 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die This film isn't really about anything. You have no idea who the 5 victims are, you have no idea who the killers are, and you have no idea what the motivation is behind such disgusting, brutal slayings. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is just a violent, exhibitionist film that shows some really terrible, inexplicable ways to die. That all being said...there is a raw fear that is inevitable while watching it. Sure, Leatherface is a bit cheesy looking, and he runs with the chainsaw like a doofus, but when everything climaxes to that scene at the dinner table...I could feel the nightmares begin to conform inside my brain. Nothing really to this movie, but the rattle of the chainsaw will bother you much more after experiencing this film. B- |
OSCARS
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Sound |
Young Frankenstein
Dir: Mel Brooks Stars: Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Teri Garr, Kenneth Mars, Madeline Kahn 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die 1974 was Mel Brook's year...because he made 2 of the maybe 5 funniest movies of all time. Young Frankenstein is so brilliant its amazing. Gene Wilder portrays Victor with such ferocity that you can't help but laugh your ass off at almost every single word. Also...the black & white, the music, and the production design really goes all in for the parody. If it wasn't for the absurd screenplay...this movie would be one of those classic monster movies through and through. But it has that screenplay...and we get so many brilliant one-lines that we never want it to end. A Bluray |