List of Crap #115: Top 50 Movies of the 70s Countdown!

[F-Zero]

The Seven Samurai is pretty good, but it is WAY too long. 3:30 hours to be exact.

You're either into it or you ain't. Whenever I happen to stumble across it I'm transfixed and the next thing I know I'm rubbing smoke out of my eyes when the farmers go back to singing and planting rice.

[F-Zero]

For you unfortunate folks who haven't seen Being There it's really funny. Peter Sellers goes above and beyond deadpan. I can watch any 10 seconds of that movie and start laughing.

[Edward J Grug III]

The Seven Samurai is pretty good, but it is WAY too long. 3:30 hours to be exact.

You're either into it or you ain't. Whenever I happen to stumble across it I'm transfixed and the next thing I know I'm rubbing smoke out of my eyes when the farmers go back to singing and planting rice.

Yeah, I don't find it too long at all, because it never feels long. It's an extremely easy watch.

[George-2.0]

7 Samurai doesn't feel too long for me either. Hell, at then end I'm wishing they'd find more footage because I don't want to leave these people.

I like arty, indie, foreigny movies, so I don't have to talk myself into watching them. And length doesn't scare me off. I said this on a review at Letterboxd (so for some of you I'm repeating myself) but I've seen 70 minute movies that felt like they went on for eternity -- and 5 to 7 hour epics that sailed by like a breeze... it just depends on the content and the quality (of the director, story, etc.)

[Johnny Unusual]

Yeah, I don't find it too long at all, because it never feels long. It's an extremely easy watch.

This is exactly how I feel about Sergio Leone movies.

[Johnny Unusual]

[Johnny Unusual]

#39

32 Points, 2 Lists, #7 Psycho Goatee

He just dropped in for a quick bite.

Year 1977

What's it about?

Super spy James Bond is sent to investigate a rash of disappearing submarines.  Along the way, the stakes prove to be so high that he is forced to team up with  Major Anya Amasova, Russia's greatest spy and Bond's rival.  And they'll need each other to defeat the mad man Karl Stromberg, whose plans involve starting World War III creating a civilization under the sea.  If that wasn't enough, they'll also have to battle Jaws, his super strong henchman with metal teeth.  Can Bond save the world while avoiding death at the hands of these villains... and his new partner?

Spoiler

What's it REALLY about?
It IS possible for Russia and England and put aside their differenes to wage war on the ocean.  I assume.

Legacy
Jaws!  The most beloved bond villain makes his debut here (he's also the only henchman to be in more than one movie).

Trivia
A representative from the Egyptian government was on-set throughout the shoot in Cairo and Giza, to make sure that the country was not portrayed in an unflattering light. For that reason, when the scaffolding collapses on Jaws, and Bond quips "Egyptian builders", Sir Roger Moore merely mouthed the line, dubbing it in later. It went unnoticed by the official Egyptian minder, and ironically, got a great laugh from Egyptian audiences.

Johnny's Thoughts
I haven't seen this one but I want to for Jaws alone.  Check out this Richard Kiel retrospective.

[Cyrusso]

The Spy who loved me is often referred to as the best Bond film. Honestly I don't like it all that much. I'd rather watch Live and let die, Diamonds are Forever or For your eyes only. The best thing about The Spy who loved me is Barbara Bach.

[Johnny Unusual]

#38

33 Points, 3 Lists, #3 CJones

I see you shiver with antici...

[Johnny Unusual]

....

[Johnny Unusual]

...pation.

Year 1975

What's it about?

Brad and Janet are a coupe who end up with a flat tire outside of Denton, Ohio.  The young, innocent couple, seeking help, wind up in the castle of mad scientist, libertine and "sweet transvestite" Dr. Frank N. Furter.  Furter reveals to them his greatest creation: a hunky muscle man named Rocky.  Soon, the couple find themselves caught in a web of sex and intrigue and find that Furter's jealousy and paranoia making him a danger.  Can Brad and Janet escape the castle in under 19 musical numbers?  Or will they just do the time warp again.

What's it REALLY about?
The Rocky Horror Show, the musical the movie was based on, was basically what a lot of glam rock was in the era: a love letter to the culture of the past that helped shape the creator (Steve Reeves muscle flicks, sci-fi and horror b-movies, 50s rock and roll) while also toying with sexual identity in a way that was popular in the glam rock era.  Using the past to blaze an operatic future!

Legacy
Like the original stage show, the film became a sensation.  To this day, there are interactive showings, often with viewers dressed as their favourite characters and yelling and throwing things at the screen.  It's a fan culture that people would see again for films like The Room.

Oh, and there's a character on One Piece who seems extremely inspired by Tim Curry's Frank N Furter.



Speaking of, and this is the first film in the awesome career of Tim Curry.  Very few get to have film debuts as big and as iconic as this.

Trivia
According to interviews, Patricia Quinn only took a role in the play because she loved the opening song "Science Fiction - Double Feature." She was upset when she didn't get to sing the song in the film, but agreed to lip-sync the words as the pair of red lips in the beginning with vocals by Richard O'Brien.

Johnny's Thoughts
I started to watch this one, but I was too young for it.  It was fun when it was all singing and dancing, but when Meatloaf got shanked, I had to out.  I'll have to give it another go some day.

[George-2.0]

I didn't put a Bond film in my list (nothing in the 70s matched the 60 films IMHO) but if I did, Spy Who Loved Me would have been it. Though I am fond of the much derided The Man With the Golden Gun... it's kind of screwy and surreal in a way I like.

But I find Live and Let Die a bore, Diamonds Are Forever sloppy (regular editor Peter Hunt left, and it shows) and Sean seems pretty bored with it all. And Moonraker is one of the franchises worst. (I do like most of For Your Eyes Only, but it was released in 1981).

Of the 5 from the 70s, I'd go with Spy as the best. Another trivia note, from my review... https://letterboxd.com/captainquint/film/the-spy-who-loved-me/  ...Stanley Kubrick worked on the film, though he didn't want anyone to know it. According to the BD documentary he spent a few hours with Ken Adam, working out the lighting for the massive interior sets.

[F-Zero]

I didn't put a Bond film in my list (nothing in the 70s matched the 60 films IMHO) but if I did, Spy Who Loved Me would have been it. Though I am fond of the much derided The Man With the Golden Gun... it's kind of screwy and surreal in a way I like.

But I find Live and Let Die a bore, Diamonds Are Forever sloppy (regular editor Peter Hunt left, and it shows) and Sean seems pretty bored with it all. And Moonraker is one of the franchises worst. (I do like most of For Your Eyes Only, but it was released in 1981).

Of the 5 from the 70s, I'd go with Spy as the best. Another trivia note, from my review... https://letterboxd.com/captainquint/film/the-spy-who-loved-me/  ...Stanley Kubrick worked on the film, though he didn't want anyone to know it. According to the BD documentary he spent a few hours with Ken Adam, working out the lighting for the massive interior sets.

I think what really puts Spy over the top is the soundtrack. Can't beat that funky Marvin Hamlisch.

[F-Zero]

Two great GREAT 70s movies! We're already getting into the caramel center here.

[F-Zero]

#38

33 Points, 3 Lists, #3 CJones

I see you shiver with antici...