Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2005 > January > 27 > Entry
What was the best movie year? Think flying monkeys, Tara
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Can you recall a year when more classic movies were produced than in 1967? Some of my favorites are “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Cool Hand Luke,” “The Graduate” and “In the Heat of the Night.”
Steve Cox, Rome
Dear Up, Up and Awayer,
Hollywood has had its good years, lousy years and respectable years. I’d say this past year with “Million Dollar Baby,” “Sideways,” “The Aviator,” “Hotel Rwanda” and “Finding Neverland” is a respectable year.
I also agree with you that 1967 was a very good year, whether or not you grooved to the 5th Dimension’s “Up, Up and Away.” But somehow, Steverino, you forgot to add “In Cold Blood” to your list. And, just for fun, you could have also brought up “The Dirty Dozen.” Nothing beats the “Run, Jim, run” in that film.
Of course, I already have a year that equals yours. Try 1974. That year gave us “The Godfather, Part II,” “Chinatown,” “The Conversation,” “A Woman Under the Influence,” “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot,” “Lenny,” “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein.” Oh, and don’t forget Cybill Shepherd’s “Daisy Miller.” (Just kidding).
And let’s not forget 1971: “A Clockwork Orange,” “The French Connection,” “The Last Picture Show,” “The Hospital,” “Klute,” “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” “Carnal Knowledge,” “Mary, Queen of Scots,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Shaft” and “The Emigrants.”
The late 1960s and early 1970s are considered among the heady days of free-spirited directors, whose influence has waned after the financial disaster of the quarter-century-old “Heaven’s Gate.”
What is generally accepted as Hollywood’s greatest year is 1939. That was the time of “Gone With the Wind,” “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wuthering Heights,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Ninotchka,” “Stagecoach,” “Of Mice and Men,” “Babes in Arms,” “Dark Victory,” “Drums Along the Mohawk,” “Beau Geste” and “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex.”
Alan
P.S. You get a “Ray” hat and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Can you please explain to me why “Racing Stripes” is on 753 movie screens across Atlanta and “Million Dollar Baby” is on two?
I understand the whole principle of a slow release, building word of mouth in large cities and opening the film up after some success. But this movie had tremendous buzz from day one. And it just won some Golden Globes. Why would you not open everywhere after your movie won best director and best actress?
I hate to say this, but I think these folks are missing the boat. America’s attention span is only so long (think nanosecond) and the window of opportunity is closing fast.
Do you know what these people are thinking?
Steve Young, Alpharetta
(where the movie isn’t within 20 miles)
Dear Stumped,
Hollywood says, “Gotcha, Steve-o!”
See, you are now beyond desperate to see “Million Dollar Baby,” which was the point of putting it in so few theaters in major cities, and this very week the film has gotten all kinds of Oscar nominations. It goes wide this very day!
“Million Dollar Baby” is showing in roughly 30 theaters in metro Atlanta, including Alpharetta.
The thinking is to take advantage of the film’s heat and buzz. Plus, Oscar voting is going on, and now’s the time to get the whole country talking about your movie.
Alan
P.S. You get a “Million Dollar Baby” shirt and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I thought Kurt Russell’s portrayal of Herb Brooks was very well done â€â€? a bit of a stretch for him â€â€? and worthy of an Oscar nomination. Don’t you agree?
Charles R. Beans, Atlanta
Dear Yes, You Believe,
Whoa. Slow down, there, pardner.
Kurt Russell, who was great years ago on TV as Elvis Presley, was indeed quite good in “Miracle.” But I wouldn’t get too carried away about the performance.
This season’s potential best actor list has been one of the strongest ever.
Here’s who should be competing for best actor: Jamie Foxx (“Ray”), Don Cheadle (“Hotel Rwanda”), Javier Bardem (“The Sea Inside”), Paul Giamatti (“Sideways”) and Gael Garcia Bernal (“Bad Education” or “The Motorcycle Diaries”).
Then there’s Johnny Depp (“Finding Neverland”), Clint Eastwood (“Million Dollar Baby”), Jim Carrey (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) and about five others.
Somewhere behind them would be Kurt Russell. But I’d sure put him ahead of Leo DiCaprio, the mini-me of “The Aviator.”
Alan
P.S. You get my old “Miracle” hockey stick and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Oh Great and Powerful One,
I am devoted to your column and read it every Friday in the local paper. I worship you! I enjoy every column and find your wit and genius enthralling. I’m a devoted film fan and you are my leader! I don’t have a question, but I want an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt. I want to show the world that I am your true and humble servant, unworthy as I may be to sport your precious T-shirt. Thank you for giving my spirits a lift every week. I wish your column a long and successful run.
Brian Harper, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Dear Igor,
Look! It’s moving. It’s alive. It’s alive… . It’s alive, it’s moving, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s alive, it’s aliiiiive !!
Alan
P.S. You get exactly what you asked for.
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