Part of the American New Wave Series Chinatown (1974) is easily one of the five best films of the American New Wave. There’s something very special about a movie that makes you want to watch it over and over so you can find more depth to the story. It captures your interest and never lets… Continue reading Chinatown
Tag: Academy Award Nominee for Best Picture
The Graduate
The Graduate (1967) is the seminal film of the late 60s. It spoke to an entire generation of youth who were disillusioned and disaffected. The Baby Boomers had more expectations placed upon them than any previous generation. As their ideals about what America was supposed to be came crashing down around them, the Boomers began… Continue reading The Graduate
Network
Network (1976) was the lamentation and exhortation of writer Paddy Chayefsky. A lamentation of the corruption of the medium by moneyed interests, and the exhortation to do something about it lest television descend into the depravity depicted in the film. He was saying “this is how far this has gotten, and this is where it’s going… Continue reading Network
Love is a Many Splendored Thing
Love is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955) is another example of how films were watered down in the 1950’s to smooth over or disguise controversial themes in films. Based on a book from a real life story, the Production Board repeatedly refused to sanction the filming because of the themes of adultery and miscegenation– mostly only the… Continue reading Love is a Many Splendored Thing
The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon (1941) was the nothing short of astonishing directorial debut of John Huston. He meticulously planned it shot for shot while writing the screenplay, incorporating the notes directly onto the page along with sketches of each shot. By doing the work first, Huston was able to fine tune and improve on much of… Continue reading The Maltese Falcon
