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Network is a memorable film with some fantastic speeches. It spoke to the audience of its time with great passion and it’s easy to see why it won 4 Oscars and numerous other awards.

It is the story of the unscrupulous acts carried out by a rating hungry network in America at a time when terrorism is common place and the audience at home fed with murder, war, corruption, hunger and death in a steady diet of nightly news. Sounds just like today. There are 3 key characters each screwed up more than the other. The only salvation is that one of them truly does save himself.

The performances by Faye Dunaway and Peter Finch are fantastic but in my mind the more subtle role played by William Holden of the only sane person in the movie is a stand out. It’s a real shame Holden didn’t win his Oscar nomination where the other two did. This is the type of movie I’m glad I get to see as part of this year long project. A solid 8/10.

Network (1976)

Neurotic. Woody Allan defined in one word. Each time I’m reminded of him that word springs to mind. He even mentions it in this movie.

Most of his movies are about nothing and this one does not stray too far. That’s not a bad thing. He does it well and never better than in Manhattan. It’s the story of a couple of friends and their relationships old and new. It’s simple, funny and memorable in a subtle way. After watching it you realise it was rather plain and uneventful but you won’t forget the natural banter and emotion displayed.

A standout for me is the long one cut scenes (I’m a sucker for these) as they walk the streets of Manhattan and the scene where their love triangle comes to an uncomfortable head. It’s well worth the watch but only when you have nothing else to see. Just nudged over the 6 for a 7/10.

Manhattan (1979)

Don’t forget to tune in to the Oscars for a somewhat diluted extravaganza this year. Yes, the credit crunch has even de-glitzed the glitzy Academy Awards.

Will Sean Penn walk away with his second Oscar or is it to be the first one for Brad Pitt? Is the Slumdog Millionare going to win another basket of awards to add to its already 62 tally? Whatever the outcome it’s sure to be a great night.

Another Italian film in the top 250 and this one does not disappoint. Penned and directed by Frederico Fellini as with our La Dolce vita entry at 239. He passed away in 1993 but one of his screenplays is currently in production.

La Strada is a sad tale of a traveling entertainer who purchases an assistant that is mentally imbalanced. They have an unusual relationship and try to make ends meet traveling from town to town. She’s ill treated but drawn to him for her own reasons.

To say more would be spoiling it. If you’re looking for a template movie this is not for you. It’s a look at human nature with a twist of reality which is not always pretty but has its moments. A pleasant 7/10.

La Strada (1954)

Directed by Clint Eastwood we have a subtle movie that’s a monster hit in my opinion. Eastwood really is becoming an experienced film maker and we’ll get to see more of his movies further down the road.

Mystic River is set in Boston where we open with 3 kids are playing street hockey in 1975. The events of that day when one of them is kidnapped by child molesterers forever changes their relationship. Their paths cross years later when the daughter of one of the kids is brutally killed. We witness the crime being solved and how each man deals with the problems they face surrounding these events.

When I first watched this movie I fell in love with it. The performances given by the cast is second to none. We see Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon deliver powerful performances and backed up by the wise direction of Clint Eastwood I had no choice but to give this one a 10/10.

Mystic River (2003)