tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post5216097631001467872..comments2023-11-19T04:43:33.827+11:00Comments on Matt vs. the Academy: 1976 - Taxi DriverMatt Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317583098531787395noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-67480398784325315512009-09-29T09:16:59.705+10:002009-09-29T09:16:59.705+10:00The 70s are going to offer many challenges. I can ...The 70s are going to offer many challenges. I can say now that 1971, 1974 and 1976 will be difficult years for me to choose a favorite. <br /><br />1976 has four very competitive choices for me. Two films are gritty urban stories of redemption that take completely different approaches. The two other films deal with the media with one a dogged investigative story and the other a blistering satire on television ratings and news.<br /><br />I can tell you now, Matt that at this stage of my movie viewing life, I have a strong affinity for film noir. I didn't really appreciate it until I was around 40 years old, but since then it has easily become the genre I most re-visit. I think if any decade will rival the 70s it will be the 40s, and I could probably pick a film noir as a favorite movie for each year in that decade.<br /><br />So, that should give you a hint as to my appreciation of Taxi Driver. You hit the nail on the head describing it as hypnotic and dreamlike. Seeing the steam rising through the sewer vents, you feel that Travis Bickle is riding on the lid of hell. It is mesmerizing despite several uncomfortable scenes. You want to look away, yet can't. <br /><br />Taxi Driver had no chance to win the Best Picture Award, and I suspect if Peter Finch didn't win Best Actor, it would have gone to Sylvester Stallone or William Holden. While all gave great performances, Robert De Niro was amazing. It's the closest anyone has come to reaching the depths that Brando was able to reach.Mike Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953461679716236054noreply@blogger.com