THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971)

The 70's Rivers, Day 8

The French Connection (1971)
It’s really been a long time since I’ve seen this one. It holds up as a model of many of the action movies that followed it, though I’ve never once picked my feet in Poughkeepsie.

The Friedkin River
A raging river in the early part of the decade. The Friedkin River, like so many others of the time, continued to flow much more sporadically as the decade progressed.

BADLANDS (1973)

The 70's Rivers, Day 7

Badlands (1973)
I can see where Terrence Mallick's couple on the run story has a cult follwing. It’s well done and there is more to it than one might think, though overall I still think I’d choose Mallick's Days of Heaven over it even if Martin Sheen pointed a gun at my head.

The Mallick River, Part II
The beginning of the Mallick river is a little rough going for the faint of heart, but try to stay afloat if you can.

DAYS OF HEAVEN (1978)

The 70's Rivers, Day 6

Days of Heaven (1978)
I had never seen a Terrence Mallick movie before this viewing and can understand why many love his vision and camera, even if it may be at the expense of characterization.

The Mallick River, Part I
One of the most beautiful waterways of the 70’s. But you have to look fast for this river-it only resurfaces about every ten years or so.

FIVE EASY PIECES (1970)

The 70's Rivers, Day 5

Five Easy Pieces (1970)
Another small film about the inner conflicts of a prodigy adjusting to…well, life. My favorite Nicholson movie of the decade, which is saying something.

The Rafelson River
A river of the decade that raged strong but quickly ran dry, perhaps unfairly. But, hey,-thanks for The Monkees, Bob.