A Movie for Each Decade [1920-2010]
March 22, 2020
Category: The 70’s
5 Underappreciated Hitchcock Movies
September 10, 2018
Here’s another post that has been on my mind for a while. Quite often, I hear people mentioning “Vertigo”, “Rear Window” and “Psycho” as soon as we start talking about Alfred Hitchcock. But here’s a man that directed 57 movies over the course of 54 years. Having watched most of these movies, I’ve decided to list a few “underappreciated” ones. How many of those have you seen?
Strangers on a Train (1951)
This was my very first encounter with the master of suspense. My mom got me an Alfred Hitchcock box-set for my 19th birthday, and I couldn’t wait to discover what was in there. Out of all the movies that I watched back then, “Strangers on a train” remains my favorite: a tense, masterful thriller that should rank as one of Hitchcock’s best work. In telling the story of how two strangers agree to kill someone the other person wants gone, Hitchcock keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. There are twists and turns, as you would expect from the master himself, and the climax is incredibly entertaining. If you’re still discovering old films, I highly recommend this one.
Shadow of a Doubt (1942)
One of Hitchcock’s own personal favorite films, “Shadow of a doubt” is a movie that deserves more recognition in my opinion. Joseph Cotton was still fresh out of “Citizen Kane” when he was chosen to play good old uncle Charlie, who is visiting his relatives in a small American town. Soon enough, his niece begins to suspect that he may be…wait for it… a killer on the loose! A psychological thriller through and through, “Shadow of a Doubt” is more proof that Hitchcock could easily manipulate his audience, keeping them on the edge of their seat until the credits start rolling. It’s a fantastic film from start to finish.
Saboteur (1942)
Before 1959’s “North By Northwest”, there was “Saboteur”, another tense film that features a man who is wrongly accused of sabotage. This leads to a relentless chase across the country in order to clear his name. Talking about this underrated gem, Hitchcock said “It’s what strikes the eye that leaves the most lasting impression on moviegoers”. Indeed, the film features elaborate settings and an incredible climax atop the Statue of Liberty that is truly unforgettable. It’s a great film that needs to be rediscovered by movie buffs.
Frenzy (1972)
After a hugely successful 30 years in Hollywood, it was time for Hitchcock to return to England, and what better way to celebrate his return than this terrific gem? This is the first Hitchcock film to earn an “R” rating, and he made it count. There’s a sex criminal known as the Necktie Murderer roaming around 1970’s London, and it’s up to, yet again, a wrongly accused man to find him. “Frenzy” is a delicious mix of suspense and black comedy, and it features one of the most brutal murder scenes I’ve seen in a Hitchcock film. Not for the faint of heart, for sure, but it’s one of his best movies in my opinion.
Suspicion (1941)
Hitchcock had a very busy few years in the early 40’s, directing the Oscar winner “Rebecca” while working on so many other projects. “Suspicion” might strike you as something that could have been shot in 2 weeks, and understandably so. But it’s also very effective, making it a definite must-see in my opinion. Cary Grant was still a rising star at the time, and he’s excellent as a playboy who marries a vulnerable woman (Joan Fontaine), only for her to start suspecting that he wants to kill her. It’s unusual to think of Cary Grant as a killer, and that’s what makes “Suspicion” so intriguing to watch. I’ve seen it over a decade ago and I still consider it as one of the master’s most underrated films.
Classic Movies I Don’t Love
September 5, 2018
I haven’t written anything controversial ever since fanboys messaged me for hating on 2014’s “Godzilla”, so I thought it would be a good idea to tackle something that has been on my mind for a while now: what are some classic movies that I don’t personally love? Don’t get me wrong, most of the films I’m about to mention are in fact GOOD, but I can’t say I love them enough to praise them. Let’s check them out.
1- Titanic (1996)
Possibly the most obvious choice on the list, “Titanic” was quite revolutionary at the time of its release and pretty much won every award there is, but looking back, I don’t think I’ve ever loved this film. It did put Leonardo DiCaprio on the map permanently, and his chemistry with Kate Winslet is still something to admire today, but the movie itself was too manipulative for my own taste, not to mention too damn long. Do I hate it? Not at all. But I guess it’s one of those movies that confuse the shit out of me: why did it win so many awards?
2- Requiem for a dream (2000)
This is by far my least favorite movie on the list, a disturbing (to say the least) film from controversial director Darren Aronofsky about four ambitious people who watch their lives go down the drain when their drug addictions go out of control. The actors are great, especially Jared Leto, and I understand Aronofsky’s intentions, but it all adds up to zero. The movie has many loyal fans, that’s for sure, but spending time with all these characters was no fun at all as far as I’m concerned.
3- The Shining (1980)
I’m a huge Stanley Kubrick fan, but I never managed to warm up to his 1980 horror classic. Having heard so many good things about it when I was still discovering old films, I felt that it was a bit of a letdown. I could never forget Jack Nickolson’s terrific performance as a family man who takes his family to an isolated hotel for the winter where evil lurks, but that’s about it as far as I’m concerned. The rest of the film never left an impact on me, and because of that, I rarely find myself recommending it.
4- Taxi Driver (1976)
Martin Scorsese is quite possibly my favorite director of all time, but weirdly enough, I never loved his 1976 film “Taxi Driver” starring Robert De Niro, and if that puts me in the minority, so be it. I still recommend it, notably for De Niro’s extremely powerful performance as a taxi driver who is going out of his mind, but I never find myself going back to it or watching bits from it, as opposed to let’s say “Goodfellas” or “Raging Bull”.
5- Scarface (1983)
A friend once asked me if I loved this movie and he could easily tell that I didn’t. “The eyes, they never lie” he said. How many times have you seen this quote on an Instagram post? That’s the kind of impact that this movie and its characters has on people, so putting it on the list will certainly be regarded as a controversial decision, but I don’t mind. It’s a movie that I had a blast watching, to be clear, but I rarely find myself quoting it or putting it on my list of films that you MUST see before you die. It’s a matter of personal taste at the end of the day, and I love Al Pacino more than anything, but I can’t say I loved this film.
6- Fight Club (1999)
Perhaps the most controversial title on the list, and for good reasons. But before I proceed, let me clarify: I like this movie enough, and if it wasn’t so popular you probably wouldn’t see it on this list. I’m a huge David Fincher fan, and I think his movies are quite revolutionary in their own way, but I could never truly fall in love with “Fight Club”. Aside from its shocking twist and brilliant performances, I don’t really think it’s as brilliant as people say. I know that fans like to interpret it in their own way and I’ve read endless articles about it, but it’s been shoved down our throats for almost 20 years that maybe you can understand why I feel some resistance to it. It’s still a solid film overall, but top 10 on IMDB? I respectfully disagree.
Fantastic Planet [1973] ★★★½
September 4, 2016
A psychedelic experience from start to finish, Rene Laloux’s richly rewarding “Fantastic Planet” (or “La planète Sauvage” in french) is unlike any animated movie you have ever seen. Set on a distant planet called Ygam where humans (called “Oms” here) are enslaved by giant blue creatures called Draags, a young boy called Terr dares to escape his captor and finds refuge with a group of “rebels”who are resisting the Draags’ reign of terror. The film’s beauty, aside from its eerie story, is in Roland Topor’s stunning animation and Alain Goraguer’s unforgettable jazz score. Awarded with a special prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973, “Fantastic Planet” ranks alongside “2001: A Space Odyssey”, “Metropolis” and “Solaris” as one of the most original science-fiction movies of all time.
Truffaut: the adventures of Antoine Doinel
January 22, 2016
Way before “ Boyhood ”, François Roland Truffaut, French film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film critic, as well as one of the founders of the French New Wave, directed “ Les 400 coups ” (“ The 400 blows ”), a childhood movie featuring his own alter ego: Antoine Doinel.
Years later, Doinel appears in four subsequent films (including one short: “ Antoine et Colette ”) that masterfully portray love, marriage and the difficulties of daily life. Those movies remain some of Truffaut’s finest achievements.
The 400 blows | Les 400 coups [1959]
A classic tale of childhood, family and the loss of innocence. Doinel is a young boy facing constant trouble at home and at school. As things go out of control, he decides to rebel. François Truffaut’s most personal film and one of the all-time greats.
4/4
Stolen kisses | Baisers volés [1968]
Truffaut followed up “ Les 400 coups ” with this irresistible screwball comedy that takes place a few years after the events of the first movie, as we follow Doinel as an adult, trying to earn a living following his discharge from the army, and win the heart of the charming Christine. Easily one of Truffaut’s finest romantic comedies.
4/4
Bed and board | Domicile conjugal [1970]
Third feature film in the Antoine Doinel series is faithful to its predecessors in every way, as we follow the married life of Antoine and Christine. Another wonderful film filled with laughs, tears and nostalgia.
3,5/4
Love on the run | L’amour en fuite [1979]
The last of the Antoine Doinel adventures portrays his separation from Christine, his love affair with Sabine and his brief encounter with his ex-girlfriend Colette. Not as good as the first three, but it’s still a delightful comedy and a fitting conclusion to Doinel’s romantic endeavors.
3/4
Bennesbeh La Bokra Chou? [1978]
January 14, 2016
Watching Ziad El R
ahbani’s “Bennesbeh La Bokra Chou?” for the very first time in Beirut was a joy, I daresay a privilege. A play that many people talk about with affection and even passion can finally be seen on the big screen starting January 21 and you can’t possibly miss that. Asked what it was like to experience it on a big screen after years of listening to it on a CD, my dad replied: “It was beautiful”. And indeed it was. Performed in 1978, “Bennesbeh La Bokra Chou?” remains potent and entertaining, even after all these years. It’s also a showcase for a host of gifted Lebanese actors, from Ziad El Rahbani himself (who also wrote the play) to the late Joseph Saker, who performed some of Lebanon’s most memorable and nostalgic songs. Kudos to M Media for working hard on restoring the long lost footage. The result is nothing short of a triumph. The early “buzz” for the big screen release of “Bennesbeh La Bokra Chou?” is not misplaced; it’s a terrific film and a must-see.
Manhattan [1979]
December 15, 2013
In many ways, “Manhattan” is one of Woody Allen’s best and most personal movies. His relationship with New York is a never ending love story. “He adored it. He idolized it all out of proportion”. The film offers a funny version of Allen’s real life world in which existentialism plays a major role. His character is torn between the intellectual Mary (Diane Keaton), a vengeful ex-wife (Meryl Streep) and a romantic passion for a teenage girl, Tracy (Mariel Hemingway). The film became an instant classic and the shot in which Allen and Keaton sit on a bench to watch the sun rise was later on established as an icon of popular culture. Allen’s 1977 movie “Annie Hall” may have won some major prizes, but this bittersweet follow-up has all the right ingredients; a fantastic cast playing colorful and well drawn characters, a witty, unforgettable dialogue, and a wonderful cinematography by Gordon Willis, who has shot an idealized New York, especially at night, that makes you want to book airline tickets tomorrow morning. Not to mention the beautiful George Gershwin score, notably songs like “S’Wonderful”, “Embraceable You”, “Sweet and Low Down” and “I’ve Got a Crush on You”.
“Manhattan” isn’t just a love letter to the Big Apple; it’s a paean to dreamers and romantics. We don’t see many films like that nowadays, which makes this one stand out all the more. As Allen’s character so famously puts it: “He was too romantic about Manhattan, as he was about everything else”. Woody Allen is and will always be the king of New York.
Rating: 3.5/4
The Last Picture Show [1971]
May 18, 2011
“The Last Picture Show” is a wonderful accomplishment and worthy of its place in the list of great films of the 70’s. It’s a coming of age tale set in a small, dusty Texas town in the 50’s. The story centers around two best friends, Sonny (Timothy Bottoms) and Duane (a very young Jeff Bridges) as they pass from being highschool seniors into adult life. Director Peter Bogdanovich’s vision is risqué but honest, as he captures the moments when innocence lurches into experience. His movie makes you think about transitions in your own life. How do you handle this critical time from being on the highschool football team one year to being on your own without much safety net the next? Yet in a wider context, the film bids farewell to a bygone era, capturing the nation’s shifting interests (it was a time when Cinema was replaced by Television entertainment). Robert Surtee’s stark, yet attractive black and white cinematography brilliantly captures that era. We get a sense of the North Texas wind blowing through this isolated town where there is nothing much to do and a whole lot of time to do it. Boredom, depression, and a lot of dust. Middle-aged women bored with their lives, old men dying, and the young ones discovering life. It all leaves a feeling of emptiness and despair, a feeling that was not uncommon, especially in small towns in the 50’s.
Rating: 3.5/4
Monty Python And The Holy Grail [1975]
February 23, 2011
It all started with a TV show called “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”, featuring five British comedians, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, and an american named Terry Gilliam. Six years later, and with a minimal budget, “Monty Python And The Holy Grail” was released, and it was written by the whole Python crew and codirected by Gilliam and Jones. From a technical point of view, the movie is easily flawed and impaired. I seriously doubt that anyone working on the project at the time believed it would spark such a cultural phenomenon. Afterall, the inspiration for that show of surrealistic humor wasn’t really a stroke of genius, but rather the need to get characters from one place to another with a budget so low that actual horses were out of the question (weird huh?). To be honest, I thought the film was a bit obnoxious at first; nothing made sense, and some of the jokes looked a bit dated. But it started to grow on me after the first 20 minutes, when I found myself laughing out loud at some of the silliest, yet smartest jokes I’ve ever seen (and I rarely do that). “Holy Grail” nails one hilarious joke after another, but only lacks a satisfying end. Still, you don’t walk away thinking it’s a bad ending, you start quoting the taunting frenchman instead, or the leader of the knights who keeps saying “Ni!”, or the black knight who loses both arms yet is convinced that “it’s just a flesh wound”. That’s what makes this movie a true classic, and if this is your cup of tea, then you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
Rating: 3/4
Mean Streets [1973]
December 4, 2010
The movie that started it all, putting both Martin Scorsesse and Robert De Niro on the map permanently. They later worked together on “Taxi Driver”, “The King Of Comedy”, “Raging Bull”, “Goodfellas” and finally “Casino”. “Mean Streets” is about a small time hood (Harvey Keitel) who works for his uncle, reclaiming bad debts. He and his irresponsible friend Johny (De Niro) spend most of their time making deals in the mean streets of New York’s little italy. Watching this movie was like watching birth; the birth of Martin Scorsesse’s style that is. His later movies became instant classics, but if you’re a true fan of his work, then I suggest you check out “Mean Streets”. It might not look as great today as it did back then, mainly because most of the story techniques and intense dialogue were re-done and over done to the point of cliche, but it’s still a fine movie and a worthy addition to Scorsesse’s collection.
Rating: 3/4
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