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

[Edward J Grug III]

While there are still three slots left...

Guess again...

#4a

Twist!

[stethacantus]

While there are still three slots left...

Guess again...

#4a

Oh, I thought it was going to be #5, #4a, #4b, #2, #1 with 3 and 4 having the same amount of points. A good question is how many ties are in the top 5, because there's a lot of film's that should be on this list but haven't shown up yet.

[CJones]

If watching Close Encounters for the first time the question is what cut to watch?  I'd say start with the theatrical.  There is one other cut on the disc I liked but don't remember the name of that one, it had more scenes with the family and just how nuts he was getting, that version makes you more sympathetic to Teri Garr's character as to why she gets so fed up with him.  I don't like the longer ending versions.

You mean the version where they actually show the interior of the space craft? Yeah, I don't like that version either. Spielburg hated the idea, and it wasn't in the original cut. When the movie was re-released (the 1st time) the studio demanded it be put back in. When it was re-released again, Spielburg took it back out again. I'm not sure if the 2nd version is even available any more. I only ever saw it on TV.

I do kinda wish there was more explanation for why the "benevolent(?)" aliens had been kidnapping people at all. The kid got off easy. Some of those people were missing for decades. But it wouldn't make sense in the narrative.

[The Lurker]

Special Edition DVD has all three cuts.

[CJones]

While there are still three slots left...

Guess again...

#4a

Oh, I thought it was going to be #5, #4a, #4b, #2, #1 with 3 and 4 having the same amount of points. A good question is how many ties are in the top 5, because there's a lot of film's that should be on this list but haven't shown up yet.

That's how I would have numbered them. And I can't remember there ever having been a tie in the top 5, but I'm sure it must have happened.

[Johnny Unusual]

#4b

116 Points, 7 Lists, #1 Edward J Grug III

Miss Tracy, prepare the standard 'rich and famous' contract for Kermit the Frog and company.

Year 1979

What's it about?

Kermit is a frog living in the swamp when he comes across a man impressed by his singing who suggests he could be famous.  Suddenly smitten with the idea of sharing his music with the world, Kermit decides to head to Hollywood to become a star.  Along the way he meets others who he decides to bring with him to share his dream: a comedian bear, an attention seeking pig, a piano-playing dog and... Gonzo.  Whatever that is.  Along the way, Kermit also finds himself being hunted by the owner of a frog's legs restaurant who is willing to do anything to make Kermit the mascot for his company.

What's it REALLY about?
Its basically Jim Henson telling his own experiences in becoming a famous artist and how what made it worth it was sharing it with his friends and family.

Legacy
The film was a success and rocketed the Muppets from a TV success to a film franchise that lasted about four decades.

Trivia
Edgar Bergen died shortly after his scene was shot in 1978. It held particular meaning for Jim Henson, who cited, on many occasions, how Bergen and his wooden sidekick, Charlie McCarthy, influenced his interest in puppetry. The end credits include a dedication to Bergen.

Johnny's Thoughts
Why don't I own this.  It's one of my perfect feel-good movies and it would be nice to have an emergency copy for whenever I feel blue.

[RVR II]

Special Edition DVD has all three cuts.

I've watched all 3 and wish they would just combine them all into 1 complete movie already

[MartyS (Gromit)]

If watching Close Encounters for the first time the question is what cut to watch?  I'd say start with the theatrical.  There is one other cut on the disc I liked but don't remember the name of that one, it had more scenes with the family and just how nuts he was getting, that version makes you more sympathetic to Teri Garr's character as to why she gets so fed up with him.  I don't like the longer ending versions.

You mean the version where they actually show the interior of the space craft? Yeah, I don't like that version either. Spielburg hated the idea, and it wasn't in the original cut. When the movie was re-released (the 1st time) the studio demanded it be put back in. When it was re-released again, Spielburg took it back out again. I'm not sure if the 2nd version is even available any more. I only ever saw it on TV.

I do kinda wish there was more explanation for why the "benevolent(?)" aliens had been kidnapping people at all. The kid got off easy. Some of those people were missing for decades. But it wouldn't make sense in the narrative.

It had been so long since I watched the 30th anniversary set I thought there were more than 3 cuts of it, but I guess it's just those.  Maybe the scenes I'm remembering were in the special features disc.

Yeah, trying to add explanations would have ruined the movie, better to let the actions of the aliens be a mystery, the movie isn't about them.   

[Edward J Grug III]

Shit - I was so sure The Muppet Movie didn't make it! You're all forgiven.

[Edward J Grug III]

Still never seen Close Encounters. I'm sure I will one day...

You should Edward it's an amazing film. It's held up incredibly well after 42 years.

I am actually interested in watching it - I hate having big cultural gaps like that. Plus I love a lot of Spielberg's work.

My wife has seen it and thinks it's boring, and I rarely have the chance to watch a whole movie alone, so that's the biggest stopping point. I'll try to get to it though.

[Cyrusso]

"Listen to me Major Walsh, it is an event sociological."

[linszoid]

Why don't I own this.  It's one of my perfect feel-good movies and it would be nice to have an emergency copy for whenever I feel blue.

I suffer from the same affliction. But I'm hoping to fix that soon.

[Cyrusso]

Special Edition DVD has all three cuts.

I've watched all 3 and wish they would just combine them all into 1 complete movie already

I am a weird anomaly because I like the Special edition, even though Spielberg was vocal about how he shouldn't have compromised and shown the inside of the mothership. He felt the inside of it was the exclusive property of the imagination of the audience... or words to that effect.

[PsychoGoatee]

Love The Muppet Movie, one of the all times greats. Jim and all the great people he worked with, like Jerry Juhl and Jack Burns who wrote it, the director James Frawley, the great Frank Oz, what a great meeting of minds it is. And kudos to Jim for all his great performances in the movie too. Kermit is one of the best characters ever, and I'm a big Dr. Teeth fan.

[Cyrusso]

Would it be safe to say you're a bigger fan of Lemmy PG?