Awesome Movie Year
268 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 26 ratingsAwesome Movie Year is a podcast co-hosted by film critic Josh Bell and filmmaker and comedian Jason Harris. Each season looks at why a certain year was an awesome movie year. Each episode focuses on a different film from the year being investigated. Produced by David Rosen of the Piecing It Together Podcast for the All Points West Podcast Network
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Episodes
Broadcast News (1987 Bonus Episode)
April 12, 2024 05:00 - 59 minutes - 82 MBThis special bonus episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features James L. Brooks’ Best Picture nominee Broadcast News. Written and directed by James L. Brooks and starring Holly Hunter, Albert Brooks, William Hurt and Robert Prosky, Broadcast News was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/broadcast-news-1987), Vincent Canby in The New York Times (https:/...
1939 Epilogue
April 05, 2024 05:00 - 27 minutes - 38 MBIn this epilogue to our season on the awesome movie year of 1939, we talk about alternate movies we considered including in all of our different categories this season, and read suggestions from some listeners about their favorite 1939 movies. Visit https://www.awesomemovieyear.com for more info about the show. Make sure to like Awesome Movie Year on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/awesomemovieyear and follow us on Twitter @Awesomemoviepod You can find Jason online at http://goforjaso...
At the Circus (1939 Audience Choice)
April 03, 2024 05:00 - 1 hour - 84.4 MBThe finale of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features our audience choice pick, the Marx Brothers comedy At the Circus. Directed by Edward Buzzell from a screenplay by Irving Brecher and starring the Marx Brothers (Groucho, Chico, Harpo), Kenny Baker, Florence Rice, Eve Arden and Margaret Dumont, At the Circus prevailed over two other movies from classic Hollywood comedy stars in our 1939 audience choice poll. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Frank S. ...
Son of Frankenstein (1939 Future Cult Classic)
March 27, 2024 05:00 - 52 minutes - 72.5 MBThe thirteenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features our future cult classic pick, Universal horror sequel Son of Frankenstein. Directed by Rowland V. Lee from a screenplay by Willis Cooper and starring Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lionel Atwill and Josephine Hutchinson, Son of Frankenstein was the third movie in Universal’s franchise based on Mary Shelley’s classic novel. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from B.R. Crisler in The...
The Gorilla (1939 Dave’s Pick)
March 20, 2024 05:00 - 56 minutes - 77.3 MBThe twelfth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features our producer David Rosen’s pick, Ritz Brothers comedy The Gorilla. Directed by Allan Dwan and starring the Ritz Brothers (Jimmy, Harry, Al), Patsy Kelly, Anita Louise, Lionel Atwill, Bela Lugosi and Edward Norris, The Gorilla was the fourth film adaptation of Ralph Spence’s play. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/28/archives/the-screen-the-...
Gone With The Wind (1939 Best Picture)
March 13, 2024 05:00 - 1 hour - 107 MBThe eleventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features the Academy Awards Best Picture winner, Civil War-era epic Gone With the Wind. Directed by Victor Fleming and starring Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard and Hattie McDaniel, Gone With the Wind won 10 Oscars including Best Picture. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Frank S. Nugent in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1939/12/20/archives/the-screen-in-rev...
Wuthering Heights (1939 New York Film Critics Circle Winner)
March 06, 2024 05:00 - 1 hour - 96.2 MBThe tenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features the New York Film Critics Circle Best Film winner, William Wyler’s Wuthering Heights. Directed by William Wyler from a screenplay by Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht and starring Laurence Olivier, Merle Oberon, David Niven, Flora Robson, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Hugh Williams, Wuthering Heights is the earliest surviving film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode co...
Only Angels Have Wings (1939 Jason’s Pick)
February 28, 2024 05:00 - 57 minutes - 79.6 MBThe ninth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features Jason’s personal pick, Howard Hawks’ Only Angels Have Wings. Directed by Howard Hawks from a screenplay by Jules Furthman and starring Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Thomas Mitchell, Rita Hayworth and Richard Barthelmess, Only Angels Have Wings is often considered one of Hawks’ greatest films. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Frank S. Nugent in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/12...
The Rules of the Game (1939 Foreign Film)
February 21, 2024 05:00 - 1 hour - 88.5 MBThe eighth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features our foreign film pick, Jean Renoir’s The Rules of the Game. Directed and co-written by Jean Renoir and starring Nora Gregor, Paulette Dubost, Mila Parély, Marcel Dalio, Julien Carette, Roland Toutain, Gaston Modot and Jean Renoir, The Rules of the Game was considered a failure until its restoration and rediscovery in the 1950s. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Variety (https://variety.com/19...
Love Affair (1939 Valentine’s Bonus)
February 14, 2024 05:00 - 52 minutes - 72.7 MBThe seventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features a special Valentine’s Day pick, Leo McCarey’s Love Affair. Directed and co-written by Leo McCarey and starring Charles Boyer, Irene Dunne, Maria Ouspenskaya and Lee Bowman, Love Affair was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Frank S. Nugent in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1939/03/17/archives/the-screen-love-affair-a-bittersweet-r...
The Women (1939 Josh’s Pick)
February 07, 2024 05:00 - 1 hour - 84.3 MBThe sixth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features Josh’s personal pick, George Cukor’s The Women. Directed by George Cukor from a screenplay by Anita Loos and Jane Murfin and starring Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell, Joan Crawford, Paulette Goddard, Mary Boland and Joan Fontaine, The Women was based on the hit 1936 Broadway play by Clare Boothe. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Mildred Martin in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mae Tinee in the Ch...
Gulliver’s Travels (1939 Animated Film)
January 31, 2024 05:00 - 57 minutes - 79.7 MBThe fifth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features our animation pick, the Fleischer brothers’ Gulliver’s Travels. Directed by Dave Fleischer, based on the novel by Jonathan Swift, and starring the voices of Sam Parker, Pinto Colvig, Jack Mercer, Tedd Pierce and Lovey Warren, Gulliver’s Travels was the first feature-length animated film from Fleischer Studios. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Frank S. Nugent in The New York Times (https://www...
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939 Cannes Award Winner)
January 24, 2024 05:00 - 1 hour - 91.7 MBThe fourth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features the Cannes Film Festival winner, Frank Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Directed by Frank Capra from a screenplay by Sidney Buchman and starring James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains, Thomas Mitchell, Eugene Pallette and Edward Arnold, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was awarded the top prize at the 2019 recreation of the canceled 1939 Cannes Film Festival. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come f...
The Ice Follies of 1939 (1939 Box Office Flop)
January 17, 2024 05:00 - 57 minutes - 78.6 MBThe third episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features the year’s biggest flop, ice skating showcase The Ice Follies of 1939. Directed by Reinhold Schünzel and starring James Stewart, Joan Crawford, Lew Ayres and Lewis Stone, The Ice Follies of 1939 was created as a showcase for the International Ice Follies touring ice show. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Frank S. Nugent in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1939/03/17/archives/the-sc...
Stagecoach (1939 Major Filmmaker)
January 10, 2024 05:00 - 59 minutes - 82.3 MBThe second episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features our pick for a movie from a major filmmaker, John Ford’s Stagecoach. Directed by John Ford from a screenplay by Dudley Nichols and starring John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Thomas Mitchell and Louise Platt, Stagecoach was Wayne’s breakthrough film and the first Western that Ford shot in Monument Valley. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Frank S. Nugent in The New York T...
The Wizard of Oz (1939 Box Office Champ)
January 03, 2024 05:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBThe first episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1939 features one of the highest-grossing films at the box office, fantasy musical The Wizard of Oz. Directed by Victor Fleming, based on the novel by L. Frank Baum, and starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Burt Lahr, Jack Haley, Margaret Hamilton and Frank Morgan, The Wizard of Oz was nominated for six Oscars and is considered one of the greatest movies ever made. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Frank S. N...
Tokyo Godfathers (2003 Holiday Bonus)
December 27, 2023 05:00 - 50 minutes - 69.7 MBIn the second of two special holiday episodes for this year, we’re looking back to our season on the films of 2003, to talk about Japanese animated movie Tokyo Godfathers. Directed and co-written by Satoshi Kon and starring the voices of Toru Emori, Yoshiaki Umegaki and Aya Okamoto, Tokyo Godfathers was Kon’s third feature-length animated film. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/tokyo-godfathers-2004), Manohla Dargis in ...
Christmas Evil (1980 Holiday Bonus)
December 20, 2023 05:00 - 54 minutes - 75.2 MBIn the first of two special holiday episodes for this year, we’re looking back to our season on the films of 1980, to talk about holiday horror movie Christmas Evil. Written and directed by Lewis Jackson and starring Brandon Maggart, Jeffrey DeMunn and Dianne Hull, Christmas Evil was banned and vilified in its initial release but has since become a cult classic. Visit https://www.awesomemovieyear.com for more info about the show. Make sure to like Awesome Movie Year on Facebook at http://w...
Barry Lyndon (1975 Bonus Episode)
December 13, 2023 05:00 - 47 minutes - 65 MBNOTE: This episode was a timed exclusive over on our producer David Rosen’s Patreon. Sign up to one of the tiers for access to bonus episodes and more great content from us, Piecing It Together and David Rosen. https://www.patreon.com/bydavidrosen This special bonus episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features the movie most requested by listeners on our social media pages, Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon. Written and directed by Stanley Kubrick (from the novel by William...
Nashville (1975 Bonus Episode)
December 06, 2023 05:00 - 58 minutes - 80.8 MBNOTE: This episode was a timed exclusive over on our producer David Rosen’s Patreon. Sign up to one of the tiers for access to bonus episodes and more great content from us, Piecing It Together and David Rosen. https://www.patreon.com/bydavidrosen This special bonus episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features Robert Altman’s Best Picture nominee Nashville. Directed by Robert Altman from a screenplay by Joan Tewkesbury and starring Ronee Blakley, Henry Gibson, Ned Beatty...
1987 Epilogue
December 01, 2023 05:00 - 40 minutes - 55.6 MBIn this epilogue to our season on the awesome movie year of 1987, we talk about alternate movies we considered including in all of our different categories this season, and read suggestions from some listeners about their favorite 1987 movies. Visit https://www.awesomemovieyear.com for more info about the show. Make sure to like Awesome Movie Year on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/awesomemovieyear and follow us on Twitter @Awesomemoviepod You can find Jason online at http://goforjaso...
RoboCop (1987 Audience Choice)
November 29, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 89 MBThe finale of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features our audience choice pick, Paul Verhoeven’s RoboCop. Directed by Paul Verhoeven from a screenplay by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner and starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Miguel Ferrer, Ronny Cox, Kurtwood Smith and Daniel O’Herlihy, RoboCop prevailed over two other classic action movies in our 1987 audience choice poll. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/rev...
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987 Thanksgiving Bonus)
November 22, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 83.3 MBThis bonus episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features a special Thanksgiving pick, John Hughes’ Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Written and directed by John Hughes and starring Steve Martin, John Candy and Laila Robins, Planes, Trains and Automobiles marked Hughes’ transition from teen movies to more adult fare. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/planes-trains-and-automobiles-1987), Richard Schickel...
Withnail and I (1987 Future Cult Classic)
November 15, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 121 MBThe twelfth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features our future cult classic pick, Bruce Robinson’s Withnail and I. Written and directed by Bruce Robinson and starring Paul McGann, Richard E. Grant, Richard Griffiths and Ralph Brown, Withnail and I was inspired by Robinson’s own experiences as a young man in the 1960s. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Vincent Canby in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/19/movies/film-withnail...
Evil Dead 2 (1987 Dave’s Pick)
November 08, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 89 MBThe twelfth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features our producer David Rosen’s pick, Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead II. Directed and co-written by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks and Kassie Wesley, Evil Dead II helped launch the ongoing Evil Dead franchise. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/evil-dead-2-dead-by-dawn-1987), Caryn James in The New York Times (https://www.nytime...
The Last Emperor (1987 Best Picture Winner)
November 01, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 91.5 MBThe eleventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features the Academy Awards Best Picture winner, Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor. Directed and co-written by Bernardo Bertolucci and starring John Lone, Joan Chen, Peter O’Toole and Ying Ruocheng, The Last Emperor was nominated for nine Oscars and won them all. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-last-emperor-1987), Sheila Benson in the Los An...
The Lost Boys (1987 Halloween Bonus Episode)
October 25, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 88.4 MBThe tenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features a special Halloween selection, Joel Schumacher’s The Lost Boys. Directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Kiefer Sutherland, Dianne Wiest, Jami Gertz and Corey Feldman, The Lost Boys had a major influence on the development of the vampire genre. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-lost-boys-1987), Caryn James in The New...
Working Girls (1987 Sundance Award Winner)
October 18, 2023 05:00 - 57 minutes - 79.5 MBThe ninth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features a Sundance Film Festival award winner, Lizzie Borden’s Working Girls. Directed and co-written by Lizzie Borden and starring Louise Smith, Ellen McElduff, Amanda Goodwin and Marusia Zach, Working Girls premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival and won Special Jury Recognition at Sundance in 1987. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode comes from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert...
The Princess Bride (1987 Jason’s Pick)
October 11, 2023 05:00 - 54 minutes - 75.4 MBThe eighth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features Jason’s personal pick, Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride. Directed by Rob Reiner from a screenplay by William Goldman and starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon and Andre the Giant, The Princess Bride was adapted by Goldman from his own 1973 novel. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-princess-bride-1987), Janet Maslin ...
Where Is The Friend’s House? (1987 Foreign Film)
October 04, 2023 05:00 - 52 minutes - 72.6 MBThe seventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features our foreign film pick, Abbas Kiarostami’s Where Is the Friend’s House?. Written and directed by Abbas Kiarostami and starring Babak Ahmadpour, Ahmed Ahmadpour and Khodabaksh Defai, Where Is the Friend’s House? is the first movie in Kiarostami’s acclaimed Koker trilogy. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Gemma Files in Eye Weekly, Jonathan Rosenbaum in the Chicago Reader (https://chicagoreader...
Moonstruck (1987 Josh’s Pick)
September 27, 2023 05:00 - 53 minutes - 73.4 MBThe sixth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features Josh’s personal pick, Norman Jewison’s Moonstruck. Directed by Norman Jewison from a screenplay by John Patrick Shanley and starring Cher, Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Vincent Gardenia and Danny Aiello, Moonstruck was nominated for six Oscars and won three. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/moonstruck-1988), Sheila Benson in the Los Angeles Tim...
Sherman’s March (1987 Documentary)
September 20, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 88.3 MBThe fifth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features our documentary pick, Ross McElwee’s Sherman’s March. Directed by and featuring Ross McElwee, Sherman’s March won the documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 1987 Sundance Film Festival. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Vincent Canby in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/05/movies/film-a-documentary-sherman-s-march.html), Paul Attanasio in The Washington Post (https://www.washing...
Under the Sun of Satan (1987 Cannes Palme d’Or Winner)
September 13, 2023 05:00 - 52 minutes - 71.8 MBThe fourth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features the Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner, Maurice Pialat’s Under the Sun of Satan. Directed and co-written by Maurice Pialat, adapted from the novel by Georges Bernanos, and starring Gerard Depardieu, Sandrine Bonnaire, Maurice Pialat, Alain Artur and Yann Dedet, Under the Sun of Satan was nominated for seven César Awards, including best film. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Janet Maslin ...
Ishtar (1987 Box Office Flop)
September 06, 2023 05:00 - 59 minutes - 81.3 MBThe third episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features the year’s biggest flop, Elaine May’s Ishtar. Written and directed by Elaine May and starring Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, Isabelle Adjani and Charles Grodin, Ishtar was May’s final narrative film as a director. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ishtar-1987), Hal Hinson in The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longter...
Adventures In Babysitting (1987 First Feature)
August 30, 2023 05:00 - 59 minutes - 82.5 MBThe second episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features our pick for a notable filmmaking debut, Chris Columbus’ Adventures in Babysitting. Directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay by David Simkins and starring Elisabeth Shue, Keith Coogan, Maia Brewton and Anthony Rapp, Adventures in Babysitting marked Columbus’ directorial debut after establishing himself as a successful screenwriter. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://ww...
Three Men And A Baby (1987 Box Office Champ)
August 23, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 123 MBThe first episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1987 features the highest-grossing film at the box office, family comedy Three Men and a Baby. Directed by Leonard Nimoy from a screenplay by Jim Cruickshank and James Orr and starring Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson, Three Men and a Baby is a remake of the French film Three Men and a Cradle. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/three-men-and-a-baby-...
Jiro Dreams Of Sushi (2012 Bonus Episode)
August 18, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 82.9 MBThis special bonus episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2012 features David Gelb’s documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Directed by David Gelb and starring Japanese chef Jiro Ono, Jiro Dreams of Sushi has had a major influence on the development of food documentaries in TV and movies. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/jiro-dreams-of-sushi-2012), Ty Burr in the Boston Globe, and Maggie Lee in The Hollywood Rep...
1975 Epilogue
August 11, 2023 05:00 - 31 minutes - 43.5 MBIn this epilogue to our season on the awesome movie year of 1975, we talk about alternate movies we considered including in all of our different categories this season, and read suggestions from some listeners about which movies they hoped we would cover. Visit https://www.awesomemovieyear.com for more info about the show. Make sure to like Awesome Movie Year on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/awesomemovieyear and follow us on Twitter @Awesomemoviepod You can find Jason online at http...
Switchblade Sisters (1975 Audience Choice)
August 09, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 101 MBThe finale of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features our audience choice pick, Jack Hill’s Switchblade Sisters. Directed and co-written by Jack Hill and starring Joanne Nail, Robbie Lee, Monica Gayle and Asher Brauner, Switchblade Sisters prevailed over six other sexploitation movies in our 1975 audience choice poll. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Bill Thompson in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/switchblade...
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975 Future Cult Classic)
August 02, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 115 MBThe twelfth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features our future cult classic pick, midnight movie staple The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Directed and co-written by Jim Sharman, based on the stage show by Richard O’Brien and starring Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick, Susan Sarandon, Richard O’Brien and Patricia Quinn, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has become the longest-running theatrical release of all time, thanks to its audience-participation midnight showings. The contemp...
Dolemite (1975 Dave’s Pick)
July 26, 2023 05:00 - 55 minutes - 76.6 MBThe eleventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features our producer David Rosen’s pick, Blaxploitation classic Dolemite. Directed by D’Urville Martin from a screenplay by Jerry Jones and starring Rudy Ray Moore, Lady Reed, D’Urville Martin, Jerry Jones and West Gale, Dolemite was based on a character created by Moore in his wildly popular underground comedy routines. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Linda Gross in the Los Angeles Times, Variet...
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975 Best Picture Winner)
July 19, 2023 05:00 - 59 minutes - 81.3 MBThe tenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features the Academy Awards Best Picture winner, Milos Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Directed by Milos Forman, based on the novel by Ken Kesey and starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Will Sampson, William Redfield, Brad Dourif and Sydney Lassick, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was nominated for nine Oscars and won five, including Best Picture. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger ...
Adoption (1975 Berlin Golden Bear Winner)
July 12, 2023 05:00 - 44 minutes - 61.5 MBThe ninth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features the Berlin International Film Festival Golden Bear winner, Márta Mészáros’ Adoption. Written and directed by Márta Mészáros and starring Katalin Berek, Gyöngyvér Vigh and László Szabó, Adoption was the first movie by a female filmmaker to ever win the Golden Bear. The contemporary review quoted in this episode comes from Vincent Canby in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1976/04/02/archives/film-a-widow-ado...
Dog Day Afternoon (1975 Jason’s Pick)
July 05, 2023 05:00 - 1 hour - 85.4 MBThe eighth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features Jason’s personal pick, Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon. Directed by Sidney Lumet from a screenplay by Frank Pierson and starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning, Chris Sarandon, Penelope Allen and Sully Boyar, Dog Day Afternoon was inspired by the true story of a Brooklyn bank robbery in 1972. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dog-day-a...
Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975 Foreign Film)
June 28, 2023 05:00 - 55 minutes - 76.6 MBThe seventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features our foreign film pick, Chantal Akerman’s Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. Written and directed by Chantal Akerman and starring Delphine Seyrig and Jan Decorte, Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles was named the greatest film of all time in the most recent Sight and Sound poll. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Louis Marcorelles in Le Monde (https://www.lemo...
The Stepford Wives (1975 Josh’s Pick)
June 21, 2023 05:00 - 52 minutes - 72 MBThe sixth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features Josh’s personal pick, Ira Levin adaptation The Stepford Wives. Directed by Bryan Forbes from a screenplay by William Goldman (based on Levin’s novel) and starring Katharine Ross, Paula Prentiss, Peter Masterson and Patrick O’Neal, The Stepford Wives garnered mixed response but has become a cult classic and entered the pop-culture lexicon. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://...
Grey Gardens (1975 Documentary)
June 14, 2023 05:00 - 55 minutes - 76 MBThe fifth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features our documentary pick, the Maysles brothers’ Grey Gardens. Directed by David and Albert Maysles along with Ellen Hovde and Muffie Meyer and featuring “Big Edie” and “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale, Grey Gardens premiered at the 1975 New York Film Festival. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/grey-gardens-1976), Janet Maslin in The Boston Phoenix, and Ch...
The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1975 Cannes Award Winner)
June 07, 2023 05:00 - 47 minutes - 64.8 MBThe fourth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features a Cannes Film Festival award winner, Werner Herzog’s The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser. Written and directed by Werner Herzog and starring Bruno S., Walter Ladengast, and Brigitte Mira, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser won three awards at Cannes in 1975. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Richard Eder in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1975/09/28/archives/herzogs-every-man-for-himself-is-stun...
Lisztomania (1975 Box Office Flop)
May 31, 2023 05:00 - 55 minutes - 76.5 MBThe third episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features the year’s biggest flop, Ken Russell’s Lisztomania. Written and directed by Ken Russell and starring Roger Daltrey, Sara Kestelman, Paul Nicholas, Fiona Lewis and Veronica Quilligan, Lisztomania was intended as part of a never-completed series of biopics about composers directed by Russell. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/lisztomania-1975), Ric...
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975 First Feature)
May 24, 2023 05:00 - 53 minutes - 73.9 MBThe second episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1975 features our pick for a notable filmmaking debut, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam’s Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Directed by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam and starring and written by Jones, Gilliam, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin and Eric Idle, Monty Python and the Holy Grail was the first original feature film from the Monty Python comedy troupe. The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Vincen...