Finally, it’s the ’70s! June 14, 2008
Posted by badblokebob in : Editorials, 1970s, 2007 , add a commentThe 1970s finally get in on the 100 Films act (just) in this latest updated from last year’s viewing, with a 5-star review for 1979’s Kramer vs. Kramer. Elsewhere it’s all a lot more recent, with one from the ’90s and eight from the ’00s. One could argue my viewing has a distinctly modern bias…
- Capote (2005)
- Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
- Monster (2003)
- Mystic River (2003)
- Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
- Right at Your Door (2006)
- Ringers: Lord of the Fans (2005)
- Sense and Sensibility (1995)
- The Woodsman (2004)
No shorts this time, so til next…
#60: Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) July 4, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Drama, 5 stars, 1970s, 2007 , add a comment1979 | Robert Benton | 101 mins | TV | PG / PG
The acting is what shines in this multiple-Oscar-winning custody drama. Troubled wife Meryl Streep leaves husband Dustin Hoffman within the first five or so minutes (today she probably wouldn’t leave til the end of the first act) and suddenly busy, work-driven daddy has to look after their young son all on his lonesome. I personally didn’t find the later courtroom scenes quite as edge-of-your-seat intense as some have, but you can’t fault the abilities of the actors. Perhaps particularly noteworthy is the kid, played by Justin Henry, though clearly it wasn’t good enough to launch a decent career for him!
#55: Chinatown (1974) June 11, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Thriller, Film Noir, Roman Polanski, 5 stars, 1970s, Mystery, 2007 , add a comment1974 | Roman Polanski | 131 mins | download | 15 / R
Polanski’s post-noir thriller follows J.J. Gittes, a private eye who begins investigating another cheating husband case but ends up drawn into a conspiracy that he can’t hope to beat. It’s often held up as an example of a perfectly structured screenplay, and the carefully considered reveal of character and plot throughout makes it easy to see why. It’s also packed with imagery and subtext for those who want it, but if that’s not your thing it still makes for a darn good thriller with a few neat twists.