Lifetime Movies: 1980

Clearly the most difficult year so far, the new decade opens with controversy. For the first time I am split between 3 films. One is one of my top 5 films of all time, but I feel it does not deserve to win this year of 1980, there is a more superior film, a film that I know is better but I also know I do not personally feel the same passion for...oh why...why must I choose...so lets get to the Nominees

The Empire Strikes Back
Raging Bull
The Shining


Empire has always been my favorite of the original trilogy..in that case it should be my favorite of all 6 films in the Star Wars series...but it is not my pick for 1980...there are better films as films go...maybe that Dagobah scene was its undoing, I always get sleepy with any kind of Jedi Training.

So now the last two films. There is a clearly better film here and that's why Raging Bull is the best film of 1980...I may own 3 copies of The Shining, I have watched The Shining many many more times then Raging Bull, but a week ago I caught Raging Bull on HBO, it was one scene, the scene where Deniro is asking his brother to punch him, in that instant I was convinced, there is horror, humor, great acting, unreal technical skill of the director, etc, etc...Raging Bull was chosen by Roger Ebert as the film of the decade for a reason..the reason is that it is simply one of the best films ever made in the history of film, and The Shining while great, and acted great and made by my personal favorite director, is a narrow film, some humour, plenty of horror, but just is not one of the greatest films compared to Raging Bull. This was very tough for me, I hold The Shining in a special place for me, for some reason when I think of the film I am reminded of Sunday afternoons, whenever I am in a Catholic Church I think of The Shining..maybe it's the symmetry of the altar..it relates to the symmetry of a Kubrick shot...the isolation and symbolism are at every corner...but all this doesn't mean its better then Raging Bull...Raging Bull is true art as a whole not just parts.

Thoughts on all the films that I considered:

Empire Strikes Back
ends on a down note, and is always referenced as the best of the series, probably for the AT-AT walkers

Airplane
always find something funny and new in this film...and was she giving that blow up doll a blow job?

Stir Crazy
I love the combination of Prior and Wilder, they were a great comedy duo

Fatso
someone once told me you gotta either be fat or Italian to think this film was funny...well I am fat and Italian and I love this film...Deluise is at the top of his career and Ann Bancroft...I love that woman..really..I think she is very sexy and perfect..damn that Mel Brooks cock blocking me....not to mention Deluise has the greatest idea ever...donuts filled with ice cream

Caligula
The Imperial Edition...let me say..sometimes greatness means other things then great film...I have a history with this film that will remain between Frank and I...but the commentary on this is incredible, Malcolm McDowell sighs and says "Jesus Christ" at the start of the commentary when the title comes up..its a great way to spend an afternoon by watching the film twice, and listening to the McDowell and Helen Mirren tracks

The Shining
I own both aspect ratio versions, blu-ray etc..of this...I love that the outside shots were all shot by a second unit in Montana and Oregon...the hotel really exists and sits at the base of Mt Hood in Oregon...Danny is now a teacher in like Ohio or something...and Kubrick is a master

The Elephant Man
The second film with Ann Bancroft...enough said...oh and Lynch..another David Lynch and Mel Brooks film..what a crazy combination

Heavens Gate
I really love this film..the history of how it was made is an obsession for me..the film itself is good in parts, would have made a good mini series..due to films like this and a push for HBO to make historical series now...we never get truly epic films like this anymore

Raging Bull
another great combo..Deniro, Pesci, Scorsese...imagine this film in COLOR?..me either

Caddyshack
to me this is as funny as Animal House..its a classic and you can watch it at any point in the film and just watch the rest

Till next time..another tough choice is coming for 1981...who knew the early 80's were this good?