Best Films Of 1975
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- DirectorMilos FormanStarsJack NicholsonLouise FletcherMichael BerrymanIn the Fall of 1963, a Korean War veteran and criminal pleads insanity and is admitted to a mental institution, where he rallies up the scared patients against the tyrannical nurse."They was giving me ten thousand watts a day, you know, and I'm hot to trot! The next woman takes me on's gonna light up like a pinball machine and pay off in silver dollars!"
One of the greatest films ever made. 10/10 - DirectorSidney LumetStarsAl PacinoJohn CazalePenelope AllenThree amateur bank robbers plan to hold up a bank. A nice simple robbery: Walk in, take the money, and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does.*Spoilers*
There are a few things that separate this film from the average film about not so bright criminals. One, the characters are more realistic in that they are dumb in ways, but they're not entirely dumb. Secondly and most importantly, the film doesn't lean on it's criminals stupidity to create needless or misplaced humor to try to make an entertaining film. Here Lumet relies more on his actors to be more authentic and concentrate on real circumstantial feelings and developing the characters. In the end we have what amounts to by most accounts, the most authentic feeling bank robbery film ever made. This is a film based on a true story and I'm not sure how close to reality Lumet tried to make it, but he sure did create something here that feels very real, and it is also continuously engaging.
Nothing is black and white here, everything is gray. Here we are led to understand the criminals motivations fully, and we cannot help but sympathize with them at least to some degree. This is masterful storytelling put to film by Lumet.
Dog Day is pretty much as gritty of a film as has ever come out of Hollywood. Lumet is a wonder, and a blessing in cinematic history no doubt. Not only is this one of Hollywood's first ever in depth looks from the so called "bad guys" perspectives; But also told so rawly and acted so authentically that almost every person who saw this film found themselves relating to, or at least feeling some compassion for a couple of gay crooks. In 1975, this was a landmark film to say the least. No matter what happens in the world, this will always be an outstanding classic. 8.5/10 - DirectorStanley KubrickStarsRyan O'NealMarisa BerensonPatrick MageeAn Irish rogue wins the heart of a rich widow and assumes her dead husband's aristocratic position in 18th-century England.In terms of story this is on the surface at least, the simplest thing Kubrick ever made. However in terms of the technical aspect, it must have been one of his most challenging. The plot is basically about how greed, arrogance and ignorance can easily become the ruin of a man. The story itself is well told, but mostly quite simple as I said. The humor keeps us interested in the story, as does its undeniable visual beauty. It is not a stretch to say that this must be among the most beautiful looking films ever made. Every scene is filmed in all natural light, whether it be by sun or fire, and the landscapes and architecture handpicked by Kubrick himself are amazing. As in all Kubrick films, so much attention to small details equates to a great result in the end. Spielberg himself has called this film "possibly the most beautifully shot film in history.".
In terms of story, it's entertaining, in terms of it's technical achievement, the film is a landmark. Even for all the story's simplicity, there is a startling statement in the film that certainly can give the viewer real pause and thought. The finality of this world, the equality of all things in the end. It is certainly an interesting, powerful and very humbling down to earth observation. It is the kind of worldly observation that could perhaps lead some people to ruin, and yet lead others to strive for perfection. Perhaps that is part of Kubrick's thinking here, a Kubrickian challenge if you will, as he certainly was always an artist that was challenging his viewers. That through this observation people may become more aware of what they're leaving behind in this world...as one day, we will all equally be gone. For all the things written about this film, it is probably not nearly as unimportant of a story as many critics have said of it. Then again, critics and moviegoers alike have long been trying to catch up to Stanley, and never the other way around. 8.5/10 - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRoy ScheiderRobert ShawRichard DreyfussWhen a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.Hard to dispute Jaws as a classic. I've been a big fan of it since I was a kid. Still one of my favorite Spielberg films.
I've now also seen it in the theatre twice. It's still well worth it to this day, let me tell you.
"Here’s To Swimming with Bow Legged Women."
8.5/10 - DirectorGualtiero JacopettiFranco ProsperiStarsChristopher BrownMichele MillerJacques HerlinCandide, lovelorn youth and eternal seeker from the pages of Voltaire's immortal classic novel, finds himself thrown out of an entirely comfortable castle after his affection for the baron's daughter Cunegonde went a little too far down her thighs for her father's taste.We Must Cultivate Our Garden
Based loosely on Voltaire's satirical novella Candide:Optimism, this wild Italian sex comedy is a film like no other. It is funny, thought provoking, and somewhat Felliniesque in its circus like atmosphere/scenes. This must be one of the most truly interesting silly films in all of the world. It's silly, yes, but also quite brilliant in my estimation. Definitely well worth watching for most fans of European film.
Voltaire's original work which today is considered his greatest masterwork was essentially an attack at the passivity inspired by Leibniz's philosophy of optimism. Like other philosophers of the day, Candide also contends with the problem of evil. Though Voltaire's approach to this and many other subjects was far from typical and certainly far more humorous than most. Voltaire is an extremely important historical figure due to his fearlessness in challenging ideas and authorities of all kinds. He was an outspoken and controversial figure who fought for civil liberties, freedom of speech and freedom of religion, as well as against censorship. In much of his work, through both directness and humor Voltaire ridicules religion, theologians, governments, armies, philosophies and philosophers alike. Voltaire was in fact among the world's first ever authors to become famous and commercially successful internationally. It is fairly widely believed that Voltaire did not hold to an optimistic, nor to a pessimistic view, but rather to a belief that we must act or work to help create the world around us. Some have summed up this practical belief noted in Candide's conclusion as "We Must Cultivate Our Garden.". 8/10 - DirectorPeter WeirStarsRachel RobertsAnne-Louise LambertVivean GrayDuring a rural summer picnic, a few students and a teacher from an Australian girls' school vanish without a trace. Their absence frustrates and haunts the people left behind.This is among Peter Weir's finest work. Almost hypnotic and somewhat whimsical in its atmosphere and highly symbolic in its delivery. Here Weir ventures into Ingmar Bergman and Stanley Kubrick type territory where standard formula goes out the window and a whole other level of communication between filmmaker and viewer takes place; While it's not as good as some of their masterworks, it nonetheless does work very well here. I'm a pretty big fan of this film. In fact in recent years I have found myself becoming a bigger fan of this Director overall. To me, his most underrated or underappreciated film is The Year of Living Dangerously with Sigourney Weaver and Mel Gibson. 8/10
- DirectorTerry GilliamTerry JonesStarsGraham ChapmanJohn CleeseEric IdleKing Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table embark on a surreal, low-budget search for the Holy Grail, encountering many, very silly obstacles.A laugh till you spill your drink film, and then laugh more. 7.5/10
- DirectorArthur PennStarsGene HackmanJennifer WarrenEdward BinnsLos Angeles private investigator Harry Moseby is hired by a client to find her runaway teenage daughter. Moseby tracks the daughter down, only to stumble upon something much more intriguing and sinister.A dark 70's crime mystery. 7.5/10
- DirectorLee PhilipsStarsLinda BlairMartin SheenJeanne CooperAn escaped mental patient kidnaps an illiterate teenage farm girl and takes her to his mountain hideaway, where they become friends--and, eventually, lovers.Quite strong, especially for a mid 70's TV movie.
- DirectorStuart CooperStarsBrian StirnerDavyd HarriesNicholas BallDuring World War 2, a young lad's called up and, with increasing sense of foreboding, undertakes his army training for D-day.7.5/10
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsStockard ChanningJack NicholsonWarren BeattyTwo bumbling hustlers in the 1920s attempt to gain the fortune of an heiress. Nothing will stop them, not even murder.Some have deemed this film as Mike Nichols' low point, however there are also many who would disagree. The Coen Brothers are big fans of this film and it's not really a huge surprise, this feels much like a Coen Bros film in many ways. Despite some critics accounts, really, it isn't a bad film at all. 7/10
- DirectorJack StarrettStarsPeter FondaWarren OatesLoretta SwitTwo couples vacationing together in an R.V. from Texas to Colorado are terrorized after they witness a murder during a Satanic ritual.A pretty good 70's action suspense. 7/10
- DirectorKen RussellStarsRoger DaltreyAnn-MargretOliver ReedA psychosomatically blind, deaf, and mute boy becomes a master pinball player and, subsequently, the figurehead of a cult.Ken Russel and The Who go wild in your face. This film is a surreal, and twisted in your face kind of picture. Definitely not for everyone, but I'm not everyone. 7/10
- DirectorLarry PeerceStarsMarilyn HassettBeau BridgesBelinda MontgomeryYoung ski champion Jill Kinmont is left paralyzed after a tragic skiing accident. Her best friend suffers the same fate after contracting polio. Jill must slowly put her life back together again with the help of those close to her.A well acted heart wrenching true story. At least that's what I recall from this film. It's been a while. 7/10
- DirectorWim WendersStarsRüdiger VoglerHanna SchygullaHans Christian BlechA writer goes on a road trip across West Germany with a group of eclectic people he meets along the way.A good film. Contrary to the opinions of many (Especially Germans.), not a great film in my view. 7/10
- DirectorMichael MillerStarsCarol CasePaul PumpianArt BurkeWhen a middle-aged father searches for his dropout daughter Angel, his quest takes him into the underworld of prostitutes, pimps, drug addicts, and thieves.An early screenplay from Barry Levinson that is actually pretty good, despite the extremely low budget. 6.5/10
- DirectorJack ArnoldStarsFred WilliamsonD'Urville MartinWilliam SmithTwo black bounty hunters, pursuing an outlaw, take over a small Western town without a sheriff.White devil? Black devil? Mysterious devil!! 6.5/10
- DirectorRuss MeyerStarsCharles PittShari EubankCharles NapierClint Ramsey must quit his job at Martin Bormann's gas station and flee after his wife is killed by psychopathic cop Harry Sledge, who tries to pin the murder on him.This is not the best Russ Meyer film by any means, but it's definitely better than his many very average films. One of his better offerings, I'd say it's his 5th best film out of the ones I've seen, and I've seen many of them. 6.5/10
- DirectorPaul BartelStarsDavid CarradineSylvester StalloneSimone GriffethIn a dystopian future, a cross country automobile race requires contestants to run down innocent pedestrians to gain points that are tallied based on each kill's brutality.Sure, it's pretty cheesy in many ways, but it is in its own right a pretty wild and fairly entertaining exploitation film, especially if you first saw it as a youngster back in the day. 6.5/10
- DirectorL.Q. JonesStarsDon JohnsonJason RobardsSusanne BentonA young man and his telepathic dog wander a post-apocalyptic wasteland.6.5/10
- DirectorDavid CronenbergStarsPaul HamptonJoe SilverLynn LowryThe residents of a suburban high-rise apartment building are being infected by a strain of parasites that turn them into mindless, sex-crazed fiends out to infect others by the slightest sexual contact.This was Cronenberg's debut feature film, (He had done some TV films beforehand) and by most accounts this is his first fully developed picture. It's not nearly a masterpiece, but we definitely see glimpses of a great filmmaker to be within its delivery. There is strong attention to detail here, and overall a pretty solid 70's horror film. In its day, this actually became the most profitable Canadian film in history, and the wanna be babysitters of the Canadian Parliament actually wasted time and tax payer dollars debating the social and artistic value of the film and its influence on society.
*Spoilers*
David Cronenberg in more recent years has said, "I have to say that some of my images like this parasite ended up in things like Alien, which was more popular than any of the films I've ever made. But the writer of Alien has definitely seen these movies, Dan O'Bannon. The idea of parasites that burst out of your body and uses a fluid and leaps on your face, that's all in Shivers." and in 2015 he stated Alien "totally ripped off things from my movie Shivers..." Well personally, I've long felt that Alien is a little overrated anyway. I'd certainly rather watch quite a few Cronenberg films again before watching Alien again. 6.5/10 - DirectorWilliam WitneyStarsTrina ParksLejeune RichardsonBettye SweetSyreena must investigate the disappearance of her mother, Cinderella. A series of wild complications follow.A bizarre but worthy blaxploitation romp. 6/10
- DirectorJack HillStarsRobbie LeeJoanne NailMonica GayleThe leader of an inner-city girl gang is challenged when a new girl moves into the neighborhood.Pure 70's girl power trash. 6/10
- DirectorPim de la ParraStarsWilleke van AmmelrooyHans van der GragtNelly FrijdaAnton arrives at Susan's farmhouse in rural Holland to take her away with him. The house and surrounding area is populated by strange characters who duplicitously lust for each other. An opening murder weighs over everything.5.5/10
- DirectorJoseph W. SarnoStarsMary MendumEric EdwardsCathja GraffArchaeologist Walter and his wife Laura are working at a dig on a small island off the coast of Sweden. One day Laura catches Walter having a go at his sexy assistant Anna. Laura calls in her old friend--and former lesbian lover--Hanni to help get her revenge on Walter by joining with Hanni to seduce Anna.5/10