The Sting

Release Year: 1973
Director: George Roy Hill

Review: I love a good con, and I don’t think there is one more intense and engaging than in ‘The Sting’. We’re presented with a small-time grifter Henry Gondorff (Robert Redford), who is out for revenge after his long-time partner gets murdered. He joins up with the notorious con artist Johnny Hooker (Paul Newman) to pull the ultimate con on the man responsible for his friends death.

What is remarkable about the film is how unwaveringly cunning it is. Despite the fact nearly the entire movie is just the con unfolding with little outside strife, it is still gripping and intense. The audience gets the same view as the mark. Details are withheld and we're left to sort out whats part of the con and what isn't. Every scene is another slick step in the intricate con and is fascinating to watch play out.

Paul Newman plays cool like no other. Despite how dicey the sting may get, it never seems out of his control. Watching Newman work, you get a sense you are getting a glimpse into the life of a true master of his profession. Whether he is scamming a poker game or plotting a massive con, he is always is five steps ahead of everyone else.

Everyone likes it when the bad guy gets what’s coming to him. ‘The Sting’ takes this concept and plays out in an extended and dramatic fashion. Every moment seems to click into place effortlessly, without a dull moment. As the credits roll, you can’t help but smile to yourself and admire the perfect con.

Rating: 4.5/5

The Exorcist

Release Year: 1973

Director: William Friedkin

Review: I stayed away from this film for a long time thinking that special effects and horror elements that might have made this terrifying at the time had long since been antiquated, reducing it to a watered down, laughable scary movie.  I was wrong.  Nothing is lost.  Linda Blair's transformation into the demon is one of the most unsettling experiences that I've seen committed to film.  The premise itself is a horrifying concept, and it is executed brilliantly.  You can truly believe that Blair has been taken over by a demon.  Watching scenes in clips might make it seem over the top, but when watched in context it is truly unnerving.  The title of the film suggests that this is about the priest giving the exorcism, and there is a lot of time spent building up his character.  This part of the film never resonated with me, and kind of felt wasted.  Fortunately the priests character development has little to do with how effective the film is.   Without relying on jump scares, 'The Exorcist' is one of the great terrifying movies and will remain so because it relies on sound story telling while not holding anything back in execution.
Rating: 4.5/5

Sleeper

Release Year: 1973
Review: I'm not a big fan of slapstick comedy, and didn't enjoy Woody's other foray into the genre, Bananas. However, where Bananas failed to maintain Allen's hypnotic flow of wit, this one succeeds. Sure there are some corny slapstick moments, but they fit right in with Allen's genius and hilariously cynical portrayal of the future. This has instantly become one of my favorite Woody Allen films.
Rating: 4/5