The Movie Journal

  The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974) For my first Werner Herzog film, I will be the first one to admit my disappointment with his 1974 West German film, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser . Despite some scenes that literally entranced me with their powerful images and a unique performance from Bruno S, I was bored to almost tears with its nearly unbearable pacing. I am willing to give this film another shot as it perhaps my indifference could be to the fact, I was watching the movie with a migraine. Regardless, now I get a sense of the type of director Herzog is. A man who will not make his movies an easy watch. I can commend that type of director because he/she usually makes bold choices that either dazzle or fail. No matter the outcome, I love the ambition. That is why I actively seek out these types of movies. The movie is based on real events and Herzog’s screenplay follow the events very closely…with the exception of a major point. Our main character was only 17 years old, and that...

  The Wicker Man (1974) The Wicker Man is a horror film that will stay with you for ages, if not forever. You will never forget the shocking images, the battle between paganism and Christianity, and that unbelievable ending. Heading into the film, I was expecting something more visceral and bloody. Maybe the trailers for the 2006 ill-conceived remake brought different ideas into my head, but the chills here are more subtle. After the initial disappointment, I was entranced by this British folk horror film. It is an intelligent film that blends together a mixture of genres; horror, thriller, and musical. Yes, you have heard that last part correctly. As someone who studied history and religion, this film spoke measures to me. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, actor Christopher Lee appeared in a series of films called Hammer Horror. While he did well in those roles, they were often devoid of much substance and Lee wanted to take on more challenging roles. He got his wish in 1971 when he met...

Murder on the Orient Express (1974) When mystery movies are done correctly, you get movies like 1974’s Murder on the Orient Express , based off the novel of the same title by famed mystery author, Agatha Christie. When it comes to her works being adapted to the silver screen, Christie is known for being harsh on those adaptations. In fact, this is only one of two adaptations she saw that she gave her begrudging approval with the other being Witness for the Prosecution . The movie is worth watching for a variety of reasons. Sidney Lumet’s expert direction, the large ensemble of bankable actors (all whom have their moment to shine), Paul Dehn’s script allowing an incredible amount of tension and suspense to build, and just the fact that the source material is a great whodunit mystery with a great ending and a heroic lead character. Despite the large cast, there are only really two settings: the train and the platform. I would generally suggest a large cast being fitted into two ...

The Conversation (1974) Should the government or any private corporation be allowed to spy on citizens? Is spying an ethical duty to protect one’s country or livelihood? These are very relevant questions one must consider when watching 1974’s The Conversation , written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. When the film was first released, people believed it was a response to the Nixon administration’s handling of the Watergate Scandal, where it turned out that Nixon was spying on his opponents. This film is also relevant in today’s post-9/11 world because the government was saying it should be legal to spy on people in order to fish out national security threats. As the film was released before the Watergate fiasco and the script reportedly written in the mid-1960’s, Coppola claims this film had nothing to do with Watergate and it all was a major coincidence. That said, the film raises very interesting questions about the morality and ethics of spying on other people. T...

The Sugarland Express (1974) Before Raiders of the Lost Ark , before Close Encounters of the Third Kind , before Jaws, acclaimed director Steven Spielberg made his theatrical debut with 1974’s The Sugarland Express . Of course, Spielberg would draw attention one year later with the excellent monster film Jaws , but that movie would not have been made without this movie-which David Brown and Richard D. Zanuck also produced. For a theatrical debut in the mid-1970’s, I think Spielberg did an admirable job although I am not quite over-the-moon about the movie. We see the seeds that were planted and would later make him renowned for his ability to create movie magic. I was a little surprised at first that this movie succeeded because it is considered a road trip/chase movie based on a true story and there were many of them that were produced this decade. When viewing the movie, I was surprised this story was based on a real-life event that took place in 1969. The script, writ...

Chinatown (1974)   Over the years, people have called Chinatown one of the best movies ever. I don’t quite agree with that statement, but there is no denying that the movie is a masterpiece. I may not find it one of the best films all-time, but I do find it as one of the best films of 1974. This noir film harkens back to the days where similar films were produced left and right. But starting from the 1960’s, this genre slowly began to fade away. The film may come across as really taking its time to tell the story, but the thriller has lots of tension that builds up to its climatic ending. This film brought public awareness to some issues people may not have really known about. Water is a commodity for human survival and whoever controls the water, controls the money. This movie is a complex series of events surrounding the control of water and that people can die over this issue. Ah, the wonders of being a human being! The movie is a complicated follow, so don’t lose yoursel...

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) I was not the biggest supporter of Martin Scorsese’s first studio film, 1973’s Mean Streets . That film had moments of brilliance and it proved the man would go on to have a magnificent career. That was more evident by his next feature, 1974’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore . While still not a masterpiece, it’s definitely a very engaging film and Scorsese does an excellent job in getting the best out of his actors in his movie. What I really liked is how the film get you feeling at certain parts. Some parts of the film are incredibly funny (especially the scenes between mother and son), while others are intensely dramatic and tear-jerking. Scorsese does an excellent job in balancing those two tones, so it does not feel like the movie is all over the place. We get some magnificent performances out of everyone, especially from Ellen Burstyn who deserved her Oscar win for her portrayal of a mother trying to find independence and self-suf...

The Godfather Part 2 (1974)   “ I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart.” Ah, those infamous words spoken in The Godfather Part II by Michael Corleone and those words essentially define the route this sequel took. Mike is the head of his family, but he is broken, angry man and no one can escape his wrath, not even his poor older brother. This film is a film that  laments for loss and is full of bitter emotions…….but this is also arguably one of the greatest sequels of all time to one of the greatest films of all time. This is one of favorite all-time films, and I wouldn’t hesitate to call it better than the first movie. This movie excels at everything, especially when it comes to storytelling. and the devolution of Michael Corleone’s humanity and morality. The film invokes emotion from us for many reasons from the sad but powerful score by Nino Rota, to the powerhouse acting from everyone in the cast especially from Al Pacino, a story that i...