MC Yearly Consensus - 1975

[Spinal]

Submit your five favorite films from this year and in a week I will give you a top ten. IMDb dates will be used.

The point system is as follows

1st Place-5 points
2nd Place-4 points
3rd Place-3.5 points
4th Place-3 points
5th Place-2.5 points

There will be no restrictions on short films. A minimum of three films must be listed. You may edit your post freely up until the time that the voting is closed, which will be in about a week. I will give at least 24 hours warning before tallying votes.

You may begin now.

IMDB Power Search (http://www.imdb.com/list)

[Spinal]

1. Grey Gardens
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
3. Dog Day Afternoon
4. Fox and His Friends
5. Tommy

6. Barry Lyndon
7. Salo
8. The Guernica Tree
9. Picnic at Hanging Rock
10. The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum

[Raiders]

1. Deep Red (Argento)
2. Barry Lyndon (Kubrick)
3. Smile (Ritchie)
4. The Passenger (Antonioni)
5. Picnic at Hanging Rock (Weir)

---------------------------------

6. Jaws (Spielberg)
7. The Mirror (Tarkovsky)
8. Nashville (Altman)
9. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Jones)
10. Hard Times (Hill)

[Philosophe_rouge]

1. Picnic at Hanging Rock
2. Nashville
3. Grey Gardens
4. Love and Death
5. Barry Lyndon

[Mysterious Dude]

1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
2. Hester Street
3. Dog Day Afternoon
4. Overlord
5. The Wind and the Lion

[dreamdead]

1. Barry Lyndon
2. Deep Red
3. The Mirror
4. Love and Death
5. Nashville

Can't believe I'm leaving off Forman's film.

[Russ]

1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
2. Dog Day Afternoon
3. Jaws
4. Nashville
5. Love and Death

[Derek]

1. Dersu Uzala (Akira Kurosawa)
2. Mirror (Andrei Tarkovsky)
3. Deep Red (Dario Argento)
4. Salo, or The 120 Days of Sodom (Pier Paolo Pasolini)
5. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Terry Jones)
****************************** *****
6. The Story of Adele H. (Francois Truffaut)
7. Barry Lyndon (Stanley Kubrick)
8. Dog Day Afternoon (Sydney Lumet)
9. Nashville (Robert Altman)
10. Jaws (Steven Spielberg)

HMs: Numero Deux (Jean-Luc Godard)
Grey Gardens (Albert & David Maysles, Ellen Hovde, & Muffie Meyer)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Milos Forman)
Xala (Ousmane Sembene)
Mother Kusters Goes to Heaven (Rainer Werner Fassbinder)

[Watashi]

Dude... Jaws.

1. Nashville
2. Jaws
3. Love and Death
4. Picnic at Hanging Rock
5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

[Ezee E]

1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
2. Dog Day Afternoon
3. Barry Lyndon
4. Jaws
5. Picnic at Hanging Rock

[Lazlo]

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
2. Barry Lyndon
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
4. Jaws
5. The Magic Flute

[MadMan]

Sadly I have much left to see from one of the best years for film.

1. Jaws
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
4. Nashville
5. Death Race 2000

[Spinal]

I need a sub tabulator for this thread. KF will be on a trip and unable to do it. This is a one-time commitment only. You will need to follow the established model for presentation. Anyone want to do it?

[Kurosawa Fan]

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
2. Jaws
3. Dog Day Afternoon
4. Dersu Uzala
5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

I should be back to tabulate 1935, but the thread will probably need to be started before I return.

[Winston*]

I need a sub tabulator for this thread. KF will be on a trip and unable to do it. This is a one-time commitment only. You will need to follow the established model for presentation. Anyone want to do it?

I can do it if you need.

[soitgoes...]

1. Barry Lyndon (Stanley Kubrick)
2. Jaws (Steven Spielberg)
3. Curriculum Vitae (Krzysztof Kieslowski)
4. Grey Gardens (Ellen Hovde, Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Muffie Meyer)
5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Milos Forman)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
6. The Man Who Would Be King (John Huston)
7. Picnic at Hanging Rock (Peter Weir)
8. Dog Day Afternoon (Sidney Lumet)
9. Deep Red (Dario Argento)
10. Seven Beauties (Lina Wertmüller)

[ledfloyd]

1. Monty Python & The Holy Grail
2. Jaws
3. Love & Death
4. Three Days of the Condor
5. Nashville

[origami_mustache]

1. The Mirror
2. Seven Beauties
3. Barry Lyndon
4. Monty Python and The Holy Grail
5. The Passenger

[Spinal]

I can do it if you need.

You're hired.

[Qrazy]

1. The Mirror
2. One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
3. Dog Day Afternoon
4. Hedgehog in the Mist
5. Dersu Uzala

6. The Passenger
7. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
8. Jaws
9. Barry Lyndon
10. Nashville

HMs Love and Death, Grey Gardens, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Fox and his Friends

[monolith94]

1. The Mirror
2. Love and Death
3. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
4. The Passenger
5. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

[Boner M]

Great year for American cinema (although that goes for nearly every year from the 70's)

1. Jaws
2. Nashville
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
4. The Passenger
5. Fear of Fear

6. Deep Red
7. Dog Day Afternoon
8. Love and Death
9. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
10. Mirror

[Raiders]

For Your Consideration:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YC0NMQYJL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

[Yxklyx]

1. Picnic at Hanging Rock (Peter Weir)
2. Jaws (Steven Spielberg)
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Milos Forman)
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones)
5. The Passenger (Michelangelo Antonioni)

6. Dog Day Afternoon (Sidney Lumet)
7. Nashville (Robert Altman)
8. Dersu Uzala (Akira Kurosawa)
9. Promised Land (Andrzej Wajda)
10. Mirror (Andrei Tarkovsky)

Incredible year!

[Sycophant]

If this goes to the weekend, it may finally be enough incentive for me to watch Nashville.

[Grouchy]

1. Dog Day Afternoon
2. Barry Lyndon
3. The Man Who Would Be King
4. Dersu Uzala
5. Deep Red

[Qrazy]

1. Picnic at Hanging Rock (Peter Weir)
2. Jaws (Steven Spielberg)
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Milos Forman)
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones)
5. The Passenger (Michelangelo Antonioni)

6. Dog Day Afternoon (Sidney Lumet)
7. Nashville (Robert Altman)
8. Dersu Uzala (Akira Kurosawa)
9. Promised Land (Andrzej Wajda)
10. Mirror (Andrei Tarkovsky)

Incredible year!

Thoughts on Promised Land? I've been meaning to get on that.

[Pop Trash]

1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
2. Picnic at Hanging Rock
3. Barry Lyndon
4. The Passenger
5. Jaws

6. Dog Day Afternoon
7. The Beast
8. The Stepford Wives
9. Master of the Flying Guillotine
10.The Rocky Horror Picture Show

[Pop Trash]

Great year for American cinema (although that goes for nearly every year from the 70's)
1971-1976 are my vote for the greatest five year streak in world cinema history.

[Pop Trash]

For Your Consideration:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YC0NMQYJL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

One of my fellow cine-dork friends thinks this is one the most underrated movies of the 70s. He described it as a precursur to Alexander Payne's Election.

[soitgoes...]

If this goes to the weekend, it may finally be enough incentive for me to watch Nashville.
I'm getting it tomorrow from Netflix. There's really no excuse why I haven't seen it yet.

[Derek]

If this goes to the weekend, it may finally be enough incentive for me to watch Nashville.

Psh, we'll be done this and another 5 or 6 years by the weekend.

[soitgoes...]

1971-1976 are my vote for the greatest five year streak in world cinema history. That's 6 years. I'd counter with 1950-1957 being an even better streak, at least with me.

[Spinal]

Psh, we'll be done this and another 5 or 6 years by the weekend.

Just you wait for the monthly consensus.

Top 5 films of June, 1933 ... go!

[Yum-Yum]

1. Deep Red
2. Shivers
3. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
4. Shampoo
5. Switchblade Sisters

[Raiders]

Psh, we'll be done this and another 5 or 6 years by the weekend.

Yes, well we all know you hate things that move at more than a snail's pace. Grandpa.

[Yxklyx]

Thoughts on Promised Land? I've been meaning to get on that.

It's been a while. It's probably Wajda's most "American" movie or maybe I feel that way because it's a period piece and I haven't seen a whole lot of period pieces from other countries. Filmed in lush color yet the story is never black and white - neither anti Communist nor Pro Capitalist; playing like a whimsical drama for the most part with some "Brazil-like" humor at times. There was at least one scene where I had to replay just to make sure I saw what I saw. Ahead of its time. Great performances all around.

[Pop Trash]

That's 6 years. I'd counter with 1950-1957 being an even better streak, at least with me.
Oh yeah, durr. Well six years then. I guess I'd say 72-76 being the best five years but I really don't wanna knock off the great 1971.

[Mysterious Dude]

It's been a while. It's probably Wajda's most "American" movie or maybe I feel that way because it's a period piece and I haven't seen a whole lot of period pieces from other countries. Filmed in lush color yet the story is never black and white - neither anti Communist nor Pro Capitalist; playing like a whimsical drama for the most part with some "Brazil-like" humor at times. There was at least one scene where I had to replay just to make sure I saw what I saw. Ahead of its time. Great performances all around.
Was it...

the scene where the two guys fall into the machinery and come out the other side in pieces?
I had to watch that again, myself.

[Robby P]

1. The Man Who Would Be King
2. Picnic at Hanging Rock
3. Nashville
4. Dog Day Afternoon
5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Great year.

[Derek]

Yes, well we all know you hate things that move at more than a snail's pace. Grandpa.

:P

Or perhaps I think it'd be nice if there was enough time for people to actually catch up on films for the year before a list is compiled as opposed to rushing through every year. But I suppose it's unfair to expect anything even approaching the awesomeness of the Percy's at their peak.

[Spinal]

Or perhaps I think it'd be nice if there was enough time for people to actually catch up on films for the year before a list is compiled as opposed to rushing through every year. But I suppose it's unfair to expect anything even approaching the awesomeness of the Percy's at their peak.

So what, I wait another few days and a couple of people watch one or two more films? No, I want this thing done in under a year. There's plenty of film knowledge here to draw from current experience. The purpose is not to create a definitive list. The purpose is to assemble recommendations for further viewing from other posters. You want the scenic route, go ride the Green Tortoise.

[Derek]

So what, I wait another few days and a couple of people watch one or two more films? No, I want this thing done in under a year. There's plenty of film knowledge here to draw from current experience. The purpose is not to create a definitive list. The purpose is to assemble recommendations for further viewing from other posters. You want the scenic route, go ride the Green Tortoise.

You're the one doing most of the work, so obviously whatever rules you want to follow are fine. Personally, I find that most of the useful recommendations are on individual people's lists and don't make the final top 10. Rushing through these so that we're only left with reminders at the end of the year that Jaws and Nashville are great films doesn't really seem all that useful to me, but I'm sure it is to others. I'm simply suggesting a slightly different way of using these threads because I know on another site, they were more collectively useful in encouraging discussion and getting people to catch up on some lesser known films. I won't mention it again though since if I want it that way, I can start my own threads and compile the results. :)

[Qrazy]

:P

Or perhaps I think it'd be nice if there was enough time for people to actually catch up on films for the year before a list is compiled as opposed to rushing through every year. But I suppose it's unfair to expect anything even approaching the awesomeness of the Percy's at their peak.

Nah rush through, people can add to the consensus and it will be retallied in the locked thread I believe. This way we'll eventually see a full history of film consensus sometime this decade.

[Spinal]

Rushing through these so that we're only left with reminders at the end of the year that Jaws and Nashville are great films doesn't really seem all that useful to me, but I'm sure it is to others.

There have been films on just about every list that I personally have not seen. I don't think the lists have been nearly as conventional as you suggest.

[Spinal]

Nah rush through, people can add to the consensus and it will be retallied in the locked thread I believe.

No, that is another thread. I will not be doing that. Once we go through all the years, I am done and we will have a webpage listing the results. Any re-votes, new polls will have to be someone else's task.

[Qrazy]

No, that is another thread. I will not be doing that. Once we go through all the years, I am done and we will have a webpage listing the results. Any re-votes, new polls will have to be someone else's task.

Ah, I thought Raiders or someone mentioned some end tally... probably for the director's consensus?

[Grouchy]

For what it's worth, I side with Derek. I'm really not in a hurry to read the lists, they're a nice surprise when they're ready, but if they aren't, cool beans as well. It could be useful to have time for everyone to see relevant films of the year.

Still, Spinal calls the shots since he's the one spending the time.

[Spinal]

For what it's worth, I side with Derek. I'm really not in a hurry to read the lists, they're a nice surprise when they're ready, but if they aren't, cool beans as well. It could be useful to have time for everyone to see relevant films of the year.

Still, Spinal calls the shots since he's the one spending the time.

You are never going to have a time when everyone has seen all relevant films for a given year. Therefore any cut-off point is arbitrary. An extra few days is not going to make a significant change.

[ledfloyd]

One of my fellow cine-dork friends thinks this is one the most underrated movies of the 70s. He described it as a precursur to Alexander Payne's Election.
michael chabon mentioned it as a forgotten masterpiece in his new book of essays i'm reading right now.

[balmakboor]

1. Barry Lyndon
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
3. Fox and His Friends
4. Dog Day Afternoon
5. Switchblade Sisters

[koji]

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Terry Gilliam)
2. Love & Death (Allen)
3. The Man Who Would Be King (Huston)
4. The Passenger (Michelangelo Antonioni)
5. Picnic at Hanging Rock (Weir)
****************************** ********
6. Nashville (Altman)
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Forman) -
8. Seven Beauties (Lina Wertmüller)
9. Dersu Uzala (Kurosawa)-
10. Rocky Horror Picture Show (Sharman,)


And the Lord spake, saying, "First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sergeant: Imagine your loved ones conquered by Napoleon and forced to live under French rule. Do you want them to eat that rich food and those heavy sauces?
Soldiers: No...!
Sergeant: Do you want them to have soufflé every meal and croissant

[Boner M]

Added Fear of Fear, the great Fassbinder film no one ever talks about. Maybe that's cos it's a TV production, but so is Martha, which has already got it's due (and also stars Margit Carstensen, who's great in this one too).

[Derek]

Added Fear of Fear, the great Fassbinder film no one ever talks about. Maybe that's cos it's a TV production, but so is Martha, which has already got it's due (and also stars Margit Carstensen, who's great in this one too).

I'll have to check both of those out post haste. I love Carstensen, especially in Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant.

[Qrazy]

Added Fear of Fear, the great Fassbinder film no one ever talks about. Maybe that's cos it's a TV production, but so is Martha, which has already got it's due (and also stars Margit Carstensen, who's great in this one too).

I feel like Fox and His Friends doesn't get that much love either, but I really liked it.

[Spinal]

One more day for this one and then Winston will count them up.

[Winston*]

#10

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll39/colpot10/deep_red1.jpg

Deep Red

Director: Daria Argento

Country: Italy

A musician witnesses the murder of a famous psychic, and then teams up with a fiesty reporter to find the killer while evading attempts on their lives by the unseen killer bent on keeping a dark secret buried.

The closeup shots of the killer's hands, clad in black leather gloves, were performed by director Dario Argento himself. In one scene David Hemmings walks past a bar at night. The bar is styled after the famous painting "Nighthawks", by Edward Hopper.

"Form and content are not merely in harmony - they're one and the same and even the film's most thrilling and suspenseful moments are carefully framed or revealed in a way that reflects our own fragmented perception of the reality presented." - Derek

[Winston*]

#9

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll39/colpot10/peili.jpg

The Mirror

Director: Andrei Tarkovsky

Country: Soviet Union

A man in his forties is going to die and remembers his past. His childhood, his mother, the war, personal moments but things that also tell the story of all the Russian nation...

Andrei Tarkovsky prepared over 20 different cuts before he finally was happy with the film. To create the effect of the wind making waves through the crops in the field outside the cabin in the woods, Tarkovsky had two helicopters landed behind the camera and would switch on the rotors when he wanted the wind to start. The completed film was initially rejected by Filipp Ermash, the head of Goskino in July 1974. One reason given was that the film is incomprehensible. Tarkovsky was infuriated about this rejection and even toyed with the idea of going abroad and making a film outside the Soviet Union. The Mirror was ultimately approved by Goskino without any changes in fall 1974.

"This movie is so bad I ate my thumb. Yes. I was sitting through this excruciating experience, and finally I just opened my mouth and ate my thumb. Why did I do it? No reason. It was a totally senseless, meaningless, stupid act. Much like this entire movie, much like Tarkovsky's entire career." - spoonbender-3

[Winston*]

#8

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll39/colpot10/woody.jpg

Love and Death

Director: Woody Allen

Country: France/USA

In czarist Russia, a neurotic soldier and his distant cousin formulate a plot to assassinate Napoleon.

The soundtrack was originally scored with the music of Igor Stravinsky, but Woody Allen thought it made the scenes "unfunny". He discovered 'Sergei Prokofiev' 's lighthearted music worked far better. Woody Allen was so concerned about the quality of Budapest's food that he consumed only canned food and bottled water that he had brought with him from America. As a result, Allen was one of the few of his movie's cast and crew who did not suffer dysentery while filming. Allen claims that of all the movies he's done, this is his favorite and most personal. He also claims this about 12 other movies he's done.

"The best parts of "Love and Death" shouldn't, of course, be revealed here. Comedy's hard to review for that reason. You don't want to give away the laughs and yet you're left with little else to talk about. Perhaps I should just point to the acting skill that Allen and Miss Keaton exhibit. There are dozens of little moments when their looks have to be exactly right, and they almost always are. There are shadings of comic meaning that could have gotten lost if all we had were the words, and there are whole scenes that play off facial expressions. It's a good movie to watch just for that reason, because it's been done with such care, love and lunacy.." - Roger Ebert

[Winston*]

#7

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll39/colpot10/image.jpg

Nashville

Director: Robert Altman

Country: USA

Over the course of a few hectic days, numerous interrelated individuals prepare for a political convention as secrets and lies are surfaced and revealed.

Each actor was required to write and perform their own songs for the movie. The film was very much improvised by the actors, who used the screenplay only as a guide. They spent a great amount of their time in character, and the movie was shot almost entirely in sequence. After seeing the first footage of her work in the traffic jam scene, Barbara Harris reportedly ran out of the projection room, went home, and asked Robert Altman to meet with her immediately. Unhappy with her performance, Harris offered to put up her own money to have the scene re-shot. Altman told her no.

"It's a film about the losers and the winners, the drifters and the stars in Nashville, and the most complete expression yet of not only the genius but also the humanity of Altman, who sees people with his camera in such a way as to enlarge our own experience. Sure, it's only a movie. But after I saw it I felt more alive, I felt I understood more about people, I felt somehow wiser. It's that good a movie." - Roger Ebert

[Winston*]

#6

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll39/colpot10/picnic5.jpg

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Director: Peter Weir

Country: Australia

A story about the disappearance of several Appleyard College students, and a teacher, from Hanging Rock.

Despite many reports to the contrary, this movie is not based on a true story. Not much acting was required in the scenes with Mrs. Appleyard and her students, as their real-life relationship was rather tense. Rachel Roberts, who played Mrs. Appleyard, preferred acting to a piece of tape on the wall, instead of having the girl to be standing there. Hamish, the school dog from Marbury School, Stirling, South Australia, Australia, had a "bit" part in the film

"Hanging Rock suggests, insofar as it suggests anything, that however mysterious the disappearance might be, it primarily serves to focus the unstated anxieties of the society in which it occurs. It's a beautifully shot, haunted, and haunting movie, a classic example of the power of suggestiveness, elusiveness, and understatement and a peerless mystery in the truest sense of the word" - Keith Phipps

[Boner M]

Less Ebert, more spoonbender-3 plz.

[Winston*]

#5

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll39/colpot10/up-dog_day_afternoon_3_lg.jpg

Dog Day Afternoon

Director: Sidney Lumet

Country: USA

A man robs a bank to pay for his lover's operation; it turns into a hostage situation and a media circus.

Al Pacino and Chris Sarandon's phone conversation was improvised. Based on the real-life story of John Wojtowicz, who attempted to rob a Chase Manhattan bank branch in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York on 22 August 1972. He and Salvatore Naturile held nine bank employees hostage for over 14 hours. Wojtowicz was trying to get money for his lover, Ernest Aron, to have a sex change operation. Naturale was killed in the standoff and Wojtowicz received 20 years in a federal penitentiary. Wojtowicz was paid $7,500 plus one percent of the net movie profits for the movie rights for his story. He gave $2,500 to Aron to have the operation. Aron had the surgery and changed her name to Liz Eden. She died of AIDS in 1987. Wojtowicz was released from prison after serving seven years.


"I liked the bit with the guns. Boom! Haha. I like guns. Didn't like the gay stuff tho. Ew." - Kurosawa Fan

[Winston*]

#4

http://stalkingelmo.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/Barry_Lyndon_screenshot_small. jpg

Barry Lyndon

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Country: USA

An Irish rogue wins the heart of a rich widow and assumes her dead husband's position in 18th Century aristocracy.

Warner Bros. would only finance the film on the condition that Stanley Kubrick cast a Top 10 Box Office Star (from the annual Quigley Poll of Top Money-Making Stars) in the lead. 'Ryan O'Neal' was the #2 Box Office Star of 1973, topped only by Clint Eastwood. Brian Blessed was cut out of the final print. Stanley Kubrick called director Ken Russell in the early 1970s to ask him where he had found the locations for his period films. Russell complied and Kubrick used the locations in this movie. Years later Russell said, "I felt quite chuffed."

"Despite its ponderous, funereal moods and pacing, the film is a highly accomplished piece of storytelling, building to one of the most suspenseful duels ever staged. It also repays close attention as a complex and fascinating historical meditation, as enigmatic in its way as 2001: A Space Odyssey." - Jonathan Rosenbaum

[Mysterious Dude]

I'm fairly surprised that Nashville is so low.

[MadMan]

"I liked the bit with the guns. Boom! Haha. I like guns. Didn't like the gay stuff tho. Ew." - Kurosawa FanHilarious. Simply hilarious.

[Winston*]

#3

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll39/colpot10/Jaws-spielberg-shark-4.jpg

Jaws

Director: Steven Spielberg

Country: USA

When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it.

During pre-production, director 'Steven Spielberg' , accompanied by friends Martin Scorsese, George Lucas and John Milius, visited the effects shop where "Bruce" the shark was being constructed. Lucas stuck his head in the shark's mouth to see how it worked and, as a joke, Milius and Spielberg sneaked to the controls and made the jaw clamp shut on Lucas' head. Unfortunately, and rather prophetically, considering the later technical difficulties the production would suffer, the shark malfunctioned, and Lucas got stuck in the mouth of the shark, killing him instantly forcing Spielberg to replace him with animatronics. Lee Marvin was considered for the role of Quint by 'Steven Spielberg (I)' , despite his reservations about using big-name actors. Marvin thanked him but replied that he'd rather go fishing.

"If you think about Jaws for more than 45 seconds you will recognize it as nonsense, but it's the sort of nonsense that can be a good deal of fun, if you like to have the wits scared out of you at irregular intervals.." - Vincent Canby

[Winston*]

#2

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll39/colpot10/monty1.jpg

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Director: Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones

Country: USA

King Arthur and his knights embark on a low-budget search for the Grail, encountering many very silly obstacles.

John Cleese's young daughter was on the set during the filming of the Black Knight scene, and after seeing the "fighting", remarked to Connie Booth, "Daddy doesn't like that man, does he?" Terry Gilliam was supposed to direct the film, but during filming he became exasperated with the actors, and they with him. At one point he gave up directing altogether and took a nap under a nearby tree. At this point Terry Jones took up directing in his stead, which is why they are both credited as directors. For the Japanese release, "Holy Grail" is translated "Holy Sake Cup."

"Because of the quote factor, it can be more difficult to enjoy the movie than it is to enjoy an episode of Flying Circus, but all the little jokes the nerds forgot about make the effort worth it. Isn't everyone glad I convinced Patrick that this movie is better than "Time Bandits?" I know I am." - Kristen

[Winston*]

#1

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll39/colpot10/oneflew.jpg

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Director: Milos Forman

Country: USA

Upon arrival at a mental institution, a brash rebel rallies the patients together to take on the oppressive Nurse Ratched, a woman more a dictator than a nurse.

Most of Jack Nicholson's scene with Dean R. Brooks upon arriving at the hospital was improvised - including his slamming a stapler, asking about a fishing photo, and discussing his rape conviction; Brooks's reactions were authentic. Before shooting began, director Milos Forman screened the film Titicut Follies for the cast to help them get a feel for life in a mental institution. According to Michael Douglas, director Milos Forman had his heart set on Burt Reynolds to play the part of McMurphy. Lily Tomlin wanted to play Nurse Ratched, but was committed at the time to Nashville. Louise Fletcher was so upset with the fact that the other actors could laugh and be happy while she had to be so cold and heartless that near the end of production she removed her dress and stood in only her panties to prove to the actors she was not "a cold-hearted monster".

"You don't care about what I have to say" - James Berardinelli

[Spinal]

Louise Fletcher was so upset with the fact that the other actors could laugh and be happy while she had to be so cold and heartless that near the end of production she removed her dress and stood in only her panties to prove to the actors she was not "a cold-hearted monster".


:eek:

[Winston*]

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (48)
Monty Python & The Holy Grail (43)
Jaws (42)
Barry Lyndon (40)
Dog Day Afternoon (29)
Picnic at Hanging Rock (28.5)
Nashville (27.5)
Love & Death (23.5)
The Mirror (22.5)
Deep Red (20)


The Passenger 17.5
Dersu Uzala 13.5
The Man Who Would Be King 12
Grey Gardens 11.5

[Winston*]

You'd think it would be easier to find decent professional reviews of these movies not written by Roger Ebert than it is.

[Grouchy]

During pre-production, director 'Steven Spielberg' , accompanied by friends Martin Scorsese, George Lucas and John Milius, visited the effects shop where "Bruce" the shark was being constructed. Lucas stuck his head in the shark's mouth to see how it worked and, as a joke, Milius and Spielberg sneaked to the controls and made the jaw clamp shut on Lucas' head. Unfortunately, and rather prophetically, considering the later technical difficulties the production would suffer, the shark malfunctioned, and Lucas got stuck in the mouth of the shark, killing him instantly forcing Spielberg to replace him with animatronics. Lee Marvin was considered for the role of Quint by 'Steven Spielberg (I)' , despite his reservations about using big-name actors. Marvin thanked him but replied that he'd rather go fishing.
Best trivia ever. And it's all real!

[soitgoes...]

You'd think it would be easier to find decent professional reviews of these movies not written by Roger Ebert than it is.
It really is the most time consuming part of posting these.

[MadMan]

"If you think about Jaws for more than 45 seconds you will recognize it as nonsense, but it's the sort of nonsense that can be a good deal of fun, if you like to have the wits scared out of you at irregular intervals.." - Vincent CanbyGive me a goddamn break. I could write better reviews than this hack.

And yey for Ebert bashing! :| At least when I encounter it here its backed up by some intelligent thought, I guess *shrug*

The trivia bits are the best parts about these threads.

[Spinal]

Out of the 9 Forman films I've seen, I'd place Cuckoo's Nest 8th. Never thought it was one of his best.

[monolith94]

I think that, considering how widely seen The Mirror is, I can be content with its placement.

[Qrazy]

Out of the 9 Forman films I've seen, I'd place Cuckoo's Nest 8th. Never thought it was one of his best.

Hmmm, I'd place it second after Amadeus. I think I've seen about 8.

[Ezee E]

Surprised at these results, even though I like them. I figured Nashville would be much higher.

[Robby P]

Out of the 9 Forman films I've seen, I'd place Cuckoo's Nest 8th. Never thought it was one of his best.

Why is that?

[Spinal]

Why is that?

I find the cutesy version of a mental institution kind of off-putting. (I have a similar issue with 12 Monkeys and Pitt's performance.) It hampers the anti-authoritarian message in my opinion. It's funny that Forman had the cast watch Titicut Follies because there really isn't much that the two depictions have in common. It also doesn't help to have an irritating Jack Nicholson in the lead role. I end up rooting for Nurse Ratched, hoping that she'll manage to get him to shut up and stop being an ass.

[Raiders]

I find the cutesy version of a mental institution kind of off-putting. (I have a similar issue with 12 Monkeys and Pitt's performance.) It hampers the anti-authoritarian message in my opinion. It's funny that Forman had the cast watch Titicut Follies because there really isn't much that the two depictions have in common. It also doesn't help to have an irritating Jack Nicholson in the lead role. I end up rooting for Nurse Ratched, hoping that she'll manage to get him to shut up and stop being an ass.

I agree with this.

[Ezee E]

Nurse Ratched is one hell of a character though. At least you guys seem to agree on that point. She's definitely the best thing that comes out of the movie, which I adore.

[Winston*]

And yey for Ebert bashing! :| At least when I encounter it here its backed up by some intelligent thought, I guess *shrug*


Who was bashing Ebert?

[Russ]

It also doesn't help to have an irritating Jack Nicholson in the lead role. I end up rooting for Nurse Ratched, hoping that she'll manage to get him to shut up and stop being an ass.
This comment intrigues me. Just to clarify..what did you most dislike: the screenwritten version of McMurphy or just Nicholson's somewhat hammy performance? It could be argued that his over-the-top approach was both needed and desired to counter Fletcher's spot-on performance. Either way, there's no denying its iconic place in cinema.

[Spinal]

This comment intrigues me. Just to clarify..what did you most dislike: the screenwritten version of McMurphy or just Nicholson's somewhat hammy performance?

I have a problem with Nicholson in general, so it's probably that.

[Russ]

I have a problem with Nicholson in general, so it's probably that.
Do you have a favorite Nicholson performance (or least-hated)?

[Spinal]

Do you have a favorite Nicholson performance (or least-hated)?

The Shining.

[Qrazy]

I have a problem with Nicholson in general, so it's probably that.

But you secretly love him.

[Spinal]

Films I like far less than other people:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Departed
Chinatown
Five Easy Pieces
As Good as It Gets
Carnal Knowledge


I think there might be a connection.

[Boner M]

I find the cutesy version of a mental institution kind of off-putting. (I have a similar issue with 12 Monkeys and Pitt's performance.) It hampers the anti-authoritarian message in my opinion. It's funny that Forman had the cast watch Titicut Follies because there really isn't much that the two depictions have in common. It also doesn't help to have an irritating Jack Nicholson in the lead role. I end up rooting for Nurse Ratched, hoping that she'll manage to get him to shut up and stop being an ass.
Hmm, you should check out Ulrich Seidl's Import/Export if you want the opposite of this description.

[Spinal]

Hmm, you should check out Ulrich Seidl's Import/Export if you want the opposite of this description.

Noted.

[Qrazy]

I find the cutesy version of a mental institution kind of off-putting. (I have a similar issue with 12 Monkeys and Pitt's performance.) It hampers the anti-authoritarian message in my opinion. It's funny that Forman had the cast watch Titicut Follies because there really isn't much that the two depictions have in common. It also doesn't help to have an irritating Jack Nicholson in the lead role. I end up rooting for Nurse Ratched, hoping that she'll manage to get him to shut up and stop being an ass.

I don't agree in either case but for different reasons. In the case of Gilliam's film he's a caricature/cartoonist filmmaker, so he's not even attempting a realistic portrayal of a mental institution, or of any institution he tackles for that matter. His interests lie in the absurd and in the humor and awkward discomfort he can pull out of the absurd. Caricature itself certainly has certain obvious limitations (it's not even handed) but I think it's similar to melodrama in a sense (Sirk/Fassbinder) in that while you loose in one arena, you gain in another. The melodramatists lose social realism but gain greater emotional range (emotions are felt deeply and vividly realized)... similarly Gilliam loses the ability to comment with nuance on a social institution but he gains tonal zaniness and dark humor (if you don't find it funny that's another matter).

In the case of One Flew I don't find it cutesy in the slightest. Inmates are treated poorly and even lobotomized. It doesn't have the consistently degrading element of Titticut Follies perhaps... parading around naked (although some are unnecessarily strapped to their beds), mocking inmates (although it does have a bit of this), etc... but it retains the psychological condescension (Nurse Ratchet/Billy, psychologist in Titticut Follies w/ 'sane' inmate). If by cutesy you meant more so that it's slightly Hollywoodized in that there are the 'good guys' and 'bad guys' then I can understand your complaints although it doesn't bother me that much... I consider it kind of par for the course for anti-authoritarian films to be somewhat skewed in that fashion (Cool Hand Luke, Shawshank, Punishment Park, Fugitive from a Chain Gang)... because they exist as political rhetoric in a sense, seeking to spur change. It's certainly a fine line though, one that Fugitive and Park cross in my opinion but that One Flew and Cool Hand Luke manage to walk more successfully given their formal strength. Nurse Ratchet is also a complex enough character that as both an authority figure and a human being she's actually much more nuanced than the major authority figures from the other anti-authoritarian films.

[Ezee E]

Films I like far less than other people:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Departed
Chinatown
Five Easy Pieces
As Good as It Gets
Carnal Knowledge


I think there might be a connection.
Damn. None of those? Neg rep!

[MadMan]

I didn't know that anyone else though that Chinatown was anything other than a masterful, brilliant film.

[Yxklyx]

I didn't know that anyone else though that Chinatown was anything other than a masterful, brilliant film.

So you didn't think it was masterful and brilliant and have found someone else with your point of view?

[MadMan]

So you didn't think it was masterful and brilliant and have found someone else with your point of view?I meant that I thought that everyone found the film to be masterful and brilliant. Perhaps I worded that post poorly. I thought otherwise at the time.