DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS (’71): So reading afterward that Delphine Seyrig and her minion were based on Marlene Dietrich and Louise Brooks went a long way to explaining why I found this such a delicious treat. And when will people learn not to honeymoon at empty hotels? Especially when the only other guest is a weirdly ageless but beautiful woman! A delightfully strange “erotic horror” film. If that’s your sort of thing, you’ll like this. #70sfilms #horror

MEAN STREETS (’73): I find “rating” films like this one a challenge, because 50 years out,
what was so new and thrilling then is now so incorporated into the fabric of so many productions, you can lose a sense of the specialness. Obviously this is great, so smooth, with terrific photography and a killer (no pun intended) soundtrack to boot. Robert DeNiro, Harvey Kietel, Amy Robinson all deliver top performances. And one stunner of an ending too. #70sfilms

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW (’71): Yup, I’m with Roger Ebert, this is truly one of the great ones. And what stuck with me when it was all done was Cloris Leachman’s performance. Would have been a crime if she didn’t get the Oscar, as she was just terrifically moving. The film is pitch perfect, one of those “wouldn’t change a frame” outings, presenting the intersection of youth’s end with changes in broader society (Korea, television). An amazing soundtrack to boot. #70sfilms

THE TENANT (’76): Word of advice: If you go to an apartment building and see Shelley Winters as the “concierge”- run. Too bad Roman didn’t follow that, although truthfully the whole building was full of problem people, Shelley the least of them. Slow building but worth sticking with, as that third act is so damn bonkers it defies rational description. I’m still not sure what happened, but I liked it. Bonus points for Isabelle Adjani’s very 70s fashion. #70sfilms

MORNING OF THE EARTH (’72): Essentially a feature-length music video, this South Pacific surfing film stands out for its incredible soundtrack (they really picked some terrific tunes) and great photography. And more than most other films made with this aim, this very effectively captures a mood and a moment. Memorable. #surfingfilms #70sfilms #australianfilm

ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE (’74): Beyond the tie to the TV show I remember as a kid, been wanting to see this for a while, as had heard this heralded in its time as example of “small pic” counterbalancing multi-studio behemoths like TOWERING INFERNO. And indeed, this is an excellent “small pic”. Great turns from Burstyn, Ladd. And loved the cinephile moments Scorsese imbued throughout, beginning right with the credits and that dystopian opening scene. #70sfilms

More amazing imagery from 1970’s THE CONFORMIST. #70sfilms

THE CONFORMIST (’70) on a big restoration/revival run lately, back at NYC’s #FilmForum “by popular demand”. Had to see what the fuss was about. Very gripping story of Italian man desperate to repress his true self by fitting in, and since this is late-30s Europe, he goes full fascist. Just gorgeous to look at, exquisitely staged and filmed. Excellent performances from Trintignant, Sandrelli, and Sanda, the latter two wonderful in very erotic bedroom scene, their dance together. #70sfilms

70s horror film remake ‘Faces of Death’ to star Barbie Ferreira and Dacre Montgomery https://www.russh.com/faces-of-death-horror-remake/ #dacremontgomery #BarbieFerreira #70sfilms #Culture #Film

MAITRESSE (’75): Very controversial in its day, certainly less so through 2023 eyes (though that scene with the board and the nails, no way, no thank you, please don’t make me watch that again). Gerard Depardieu gets a new girlfriend who’s also a work-at-home BDSM mistress. Surprisingly that creates some complications! Pretty entertaining, especially as Depardieu’s obsession to learn her secrets plays out. And that’s one weird ending. #frenchfilm #70sfilms

GOING PLACES (’74): And here I thought THE KNACK was of its time. This one is truly a time capsule, one so raunchy and problematic that I feel confident saying you won’t see something like this again anytime soon. BUT… seen as what it is, it’s pretty entertaining. The first half moves like lightning and contains one jaw-dropper after another. Slows down in 2nd half, meanders a bit, before reaching seemingly appropriate finale. Bonus points for baby Isabelle Huppert. #70sfilms #frenchfilm

THE STING (’73): Now here’s a Best Picture winner right up my alley. 30s nostalgia, poker playing, crazy elaborate cons, and of course two of the coolest to pull it all off in Newman and Redford. The main twist has been repeated/parodied so often that it may not have had quite the impact on me as it would have originally. But it was all crazy clever and just such fun to watch it unfold. Streaming on #Netflix believe it or not. #Oscars #70sfilms