The Year in Movies: 1972

1972

Number of Movies I've Seen: 8
Movin' on up!

Number of Movies from my original top 365:  none

Oscar Winner:
The Godfather - pictured above. I just don't get it. I respect the fact that people love this film (and its plethora of offspring, both direct and indirect), but it is simply not for me. Technically it's darn near perfect: the acting from icons who would lay claim to Hollywood for a generation, the direction that would cement Coppola on the forefront of Hollywood's modern renaissance, the Nino Rota score that is as recognizable as any in film, the cinematography is sublime, and the camerawork is oftentimes quite beautiful... but... why do I care??? Where's the romance? mystery? adventure? passion? Fans exclaim how rewatchable this movie is, but why do I want to give it another shot? Why do I want to spend any more time with these despicable humans?  Once again, I respect its spot in movie history, but it ain't my bag.

Box Office Winner:
The Godfather 

My Top Ten:
1. NEXT POST!

2. The Godfather - I know what you're thinking... I just ripped it apart above. As I said, it isn't at all a bad film. Also, 1972 was a pretty crap year for film from what I've seen.

3. Pink Flamingos - This movie is wild. John Waters is a genius. This movie may be a bit TOO wild.

4. Everything You Wanted to Know about Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask - You will find out soon enough that I am a Woody Allen devotee. I have seen about half of his films, and I love most of them. Creepiness aside, I honestly think he is the greatest living screenwriter. That being said... this is probably one of my least favorite from him. It is too silly and episodic and ventures too far away from what works best for Allen.

5. Behind the Green Door -1972 was a pretty transformative year for pornography. Deepthroat was the sixth highest grossing film of the year. Where Deepthroat was silly comedy, Behind the Green Door is an artsy mind-trip. It is intriguing how nearly 50 years ago the line between filmmaker and pornographer was so blurred. I'm not sure I would call it's distinction today progress.

6. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes - Angie and I binged this series when we first got married. This is the fourth of five. It is fine...

7. Fritz the Cat - Another raunchy early '70s product. Ralph Bashki grabs your attention with cartoon boobs, sex, and drugs so that he can lay down a groovy commentary about racism and politics. I would've probably loved it if I had seen it in 1972, but it simply hasn't aged well at all.

8. Cabaret - A boring musical that doesn't fully commit to any of its "themes" (queer rights, anti-fascism, women's rights, love vs. war), is downright ugly to watch, and has a grand total of one good song ("Maybe this Time"). Fight me...