Mann’s specific cultural and historic origins are illustrated in the formal qualities and thematic philosophy of the ‘70s and this is represented directly through his characters (Bergman particularly in this film). During the 1968-1980 period American films began to speak about different hallmarks of the deconstruction of the American image, and especially the crisis of masculinity.
FIVE STAR FILMS
FIVE STAR FILMS #49: The Descendants (2011)
It’s a rare bird of a film that can elevate itself so distinctly between a first and second viewing to make a reviewer back-flip on their original estimations. The Descendants is such a film.
FIVE STAR FILMS #48: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
“one of the greatest sci-fi action films ever made: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”
FIVE STAR FILMS #47: THE GODFATHER (1972) by Paul Anthony Nelson
There are great films, capital G-F Great Films, and then, there are those films admitted to the VIP table behind the velvet rope, those seriously discussed when the question of the Greatest Film of All Time is raised. KANE. CASABLANCA. VERTIGO. RULES OF THE GAME. 8 ½. Few films from the last four decades are invited to this gathering of cinematic high rollers, but the first admitted is, nigh-unanimously, Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 masterpiece, THE GODFATHER.
FIVE STAR FILMS #46: Deep Red (1975)
Italian horror maestro, Dario Argento, made a string of giallo and supernatural horror masterpieces in the 70’s and early 80’s. While Suspiria (1977) remains his most famous film, commonly touted as one of the scariest films ever made, it is of my opinion that Deep Red (1975), the focus of this Five Star Films feature, is his greatest work.
FIVE STAR FILMS #45: Roman Holiday (1953)
Roman Holiday certainly deserves its place in the canon of great classic films, and is an absolute treat to experience.
FIVE STAR FILMS #44: The Leopard (1963) by Lee Zachariah
Exactly fifty years ago, The Leopard won the Palm D’or at the 1963 Cannes Film Festival, and this is why.
FIVE STAR FILMS #43: Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
So now on to some reasons WHY Singin’ in The Rain (co-directed by greats Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen) is so beloved …
FIVE STAR FILMS: Kern Saxton (director of Sushi Girl) – Apocalypse Now (1979)
Kern Saxton, the writer, producer, editor, director and star of ‘Sushi Girl’ sat down with Graffiti With Punctuation to share his pick for a Five Star Film.
FIVE STAR FILMS: Thomas Keneally (Booker Prize Winning Author) Fargo (1996)
TK: “I think that ‘Fargo’ is a superb film.”
FIVE STAR FILMS #42: Before Sunset (2004)
Before Sunset is an incredible film on every level, impeccably written, directed and acted, and it is embarrassing to admit that I only watched it for the first time just this month. Contrary to my belief, it proved to be even better than Before Sunrise, a film I would also award five stars.
FIVE STAR FILMS #41: Casablanca (1942)
Warner Bros’ wonderfully gush-worthy Casablanca is one of the most iconic and recognisable films of all time. Expertly directed by Michael Curtiz, it has it all: drama, romance, sacrifice, danger, betrayal, loyalty and even humour – plus arguably film’s greatest love triangle.
FIVE STAR FILMS: Tony Krawitz (Director of Dead Europe) – Taxi Driver (1976)
In a first for Graffiti With Punctuation we’ve had a chance to see what filmmaker Tony Krawitz thinks constitutes a FIVE STAR FILM from behind the lens. What makes a FIVE STAR FILM? That’s always…
FIVE STAR FILMS #40: Se7en (1995)
Fincher’s world is indescribably ugly, and the case gets very personal.
FIVE STAR FILMS #39: How She Move (2007)
A dance movie? In five star films? The horror! The blasphemy! The indignity of it all! While most generic dance flicks automatically have you cocking a pistol and pointing it at your cranium, How She…
FIVE STAR FILMS #38: Super (James Gunn, 2010)
SHUT UP CRIME! Director James Gunn flings his vision of a wannabe “Super-Hero” in our faces, a hypnotically brutal, darkly funny tale of a short order cook’s quest of vengeance which will shock, paint your funny bone black, but at times touch you.
FIVE STAR FILMS #37: Mr Smith Goes To Washington (1939) by Lisa Malouf
Mr Smith Goes to Washington is one of the most beloved films from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
FIVE STAR FILMS #36: The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Michael Mann’s soaring historical/romance epic from 1992, The Last of the Mohicans, is a film I consistently find to be a rousing, exciting and moving experience. Set amidst a rich, turbulent and authentically recreated era…
FIVE STAR FILMS #35: Chungking Express (1994)
Chungking Express was recently voted as number one in an influential Hong Kong film society poll that included criteria of over 20,000 films from the iconic city. After a sublime re-viewing on the Criterion release…
FIVE STAR FILMS #34: The Frighteners (1996)
While he didn’t have the attention of Hollywood yet, they would soon be giving him Oscars but first he had to make The Fighteners with a little help from the Grim Reaper.
