Comparing Rocky And Taxi Driver

After watching 1976’s Best Picture nominees, I can now conclude that it seemed like a good year for film. I chose that year to focus on, because there were several movies that I have always wanted to see but never got the chance. For the most part, I liked the films. Two of them, I thought, were masterpieces. Another two were good. Lastly, one was subpar, but that’s to be expected. I absolutely loved Network. I thought the ensemble’s performances were amazing. Faye Dunaway’s performance in the movie was superb and deserved the Oscar. Additionally, Peter Finch’s performance nothing short of iconic. However, what really stole the show was excellent story and writing. It seems more relevant than ever. The craft that went into each scene was also
I enjoyed the energy both films had, but had some major issues with the way they were executed. Rocky had many, many story issues, not to mention Sylvester Stallone does not know how to act between his lines. He never reacts to anything anyone says. He just says things with emotion sometimes. Also, the choreography and directing of the last fight was brilliant. The film works as an underdog movie. But, it fails miserably as a love story, which the film seems to want to be more. The romance seems so forced between two characters that do not work at all. Additionally, it had one of the most unwittingly shocking and horrifyingly awkward scenes I have ever seen. I am talking about the scene were Rocky blocks Adrian from leaving his house and kisses her, all while she says she just wants to leave. After that, she is in love, which is utterly horrible. But, Carl Weathers was great. I understand what Taxi Driver trying to do. It was trying to show the audience a glimpse inside the head of someone who all of the sudden goes crazy and commits a horrible crime. But, boy, was this movie odd and, typically, I like
Firstly, they were all very much products of their time. Scenes played longer than modern cinema. Additionally, they moved at a slower pace. As a side note, all of them seemed to have odd subplots that seemed to come out of left field. Secondly, all of them are about taking on the powerful. In Rocky, he literally fights the Heavyweight Campion of the World. In Network, Howard Beale makes several speeches against the powers that be. In All the President’s Men, two reporters take on the President of the United States. In Bound for Glory, a folk singer uses his voice to challenge authority. In Taxi Driver, a deranged man decides he wants to kill a presidential candidate. Thirdly, all of the protagonists were initially discarded by society, later to become later than life figures. In Rocky, Rocky is told by his coach that he has wasted his potential and literally no one he knows watches his fights anymore. By the end, Rocky has fights for the Heavyweight Championship cheered on by millions. In Network, the two newsman learn that they are being fired because of their advanced age. Together, they create one of the most watched shows in television. In All the President’s Men, the two reporters are nobodies relegated to covering minor stories. By the end of the movie, they are responsible for starting the downfall of U.S. President. In Bound for Glory, a painter struggles in life living in dusty