Best Films Of 1976

Sometimes I watch this film and I think, yeah, it's good. Then other times I really get into the feel of the film and I realize just how great it really is, it captures a mindset and that is its aim. It probably does this better than most films in history in fact. Take a journey into frustration, hatred and madness via Travis Bickle, it's a journey you won't soon forget. 9/10

"What would you like to see done Travis?" "Take it and just flush it all down the f'n toilet."

1976 was a great year for film in my view. Among the films I've seen from this year, 6 of them stand out to me as near masterpieces. Including the Oscar winning Best Picture, Rocky. It really may be the best boxing film out there, along with Scorsese's Raging Bull. To me Rocky is much more than a boxing film however, it's a love story at its heart. In fact the love story in the film may have been just as much of an underdog as Rocky was as a boxer. This is one of the better underdog stories in film history in my estimation, and it is the love story that holds it all together. The love story helps to provide some humor, and to keep the film as down to earth as possible with its awkwardness, all amidst its very extravagant once in a lifetime shot at career glory theme. The balance works wonders here. 9/10

Among the very finest westerns ever made. To me there is one weakly executed scene early in the film. Apart from that, the film is awesome. 8.5/10

Apparently this is fairly hard to find for whatever reason, especially the only version worth watching, the full version of course. If you somehow come across the full TV version of this, which runs just over 2 and a half hours. Watch it! For any real film lover, this is a must see. This is sort of like a David Lynch film, before there ever was a David Lynch feature film. It's very unique, very mysterious, and yet entirely engaging. A gem to be sure!

Personally, I wouldn't bother with the heavily cut 2 hour version.

8.5/10

Still one of the greatest concert films ever, mixed in with a little wizardry and other miscellaneous happenings. One thing you will know for sure after watching this is that that Madison Square Garden crowd got there asses kicked that night. Bonham and Page together onstage were magic. Jones just made them that much more insane, as in, insanely great. They blew the roof off the dump! 8.5/10

This is a unique film with two of histories greatest actors. The offbeat aspect and the humor always make it a delight for me to watch. It's easily re-watchable as there are just so many interesting things going on, including the acting itself. 8.5/10

A strong, raw and challenging drama from Manila. 8/10

A fun Hitchcock film. 8/10

An amazing little Aussie film that captures a real authentic late 60's feel. 7.5/10

A very underrated 1970's psychological thriller, in the rape revenge tradition no less. I'm not sure why this is so under the radar and not given it's proper due. Sure, it's no masterpiece, but it definitely is creepy, chilling, and overall a pretty sexy film in many ways. I think the main reason why it doesn't have a bigger following is because the film is presented in a pretty mainstream way, with really beautiful cinematography, and a decent budget, so it doesn't really fit in with most of the other more gritty thrillers, exploitation or rape revenge films of the era. Nonetheless this is somewhat of a mainstream sexploitation film, and I feel it's a must see if you like 70's thrillers, and don't mind films with some truly uncomfortable moments. 7/10

A pretty uncompromising film with some very tense and well created scenes. 7/10

Unfortunately I've only been able to watch the highly cut version. The uncut version would in my estimation be at least this high on the list.

One of the better films Russ Meyer ever made in my view. 7/10

A very strange blend of erotic, crime and exploitation cinema. A Patty Hearst inspired story that is actually far more effective than I ever would've expected. It's by no means a great film in any real sense. However it does have enough good aspects in my view, all things considered to give it this rating... 7/10

I'm not nearly as big on the Dirty Harry films as some people are, however I do love Clint and I do love the character. This one is pretty good, definitely worth a watch. 6.5/10

A fairly good and little known cult classic. Many have claimed that the 80's film Heathers ripped this film off. I'm not so sure I'd go quite that far, watch it and judge for yourself. 6.5/10

A decent horror film for its time. 6/10

Some good aspects to this early John Carpenter cult film, but it's mostly just silliness I'd say. Honestly, I'd rather watch the more modern remake again over this one, and I don't say things like that often. I'm a pretty big Carpenter fan actually, but this is not among his best stuff, and certainly nothing close to his masterpiece - The Thing. 5.5/10

In many ways the film is not so great. At the same time however it is somewhat amusing. 5.5/10

A partially raunchy cult film that really isn't anything too special in my view. The one sex/masturbation scene between the victim and one of the kidnappers is certainly a little risque for any time period in a non-pornographic film, but it's nothing to write home about either. Overall the film is alright, but also fairly lame at the same time. 5.5/10

An overrated early De Palma film in my view. I do really enjoy a few De Palma films, just not this one so much. 5/10