Bracket Challenge: Greatest American Film Of The 1970's - The Semifinals
We're down to the Final Four. And oh, what a crew of cinematic contestants do we have for ya.
We are all the way down to the semifinals in our quest to crown the best American film of the 1970’s. Before we jump to this week’s matchups, let’s take a look at the Quarterfinal matchups to see how we got here.
The Godfather doubled up on One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest in the first of our final eight contests. This was no surprise as The Godfather is the odds on favorite to take the whole prize. Getting to the final eight was a strong showing for R.P. McMurphy and Co.
Our second contest saw another Francis Ford Coppolla picture make its way to the semis in the form of Apocalypse Now. Blazing Saddles put up a strong fight but the absurdity of Mel Brooks’ very wild west could not hold off this tone poem of a Vietnam picture. This will also give us a head to head Coppolla matchup in the first of our semifinal contests.
A third Coppolla joint, The Godfather II has also made its way to the final four. The Exorcist had been the surprise sleeper of the tournament so far, but the mojo ran out on Von Sydow and the Devil the moment they ran up against the mighty Corleone family.
Our final quarterfinal contest was also our closest matchup of last week. Jaws managed to stave off a relentless attack from Alien to eke out a narrow victory. The Spielberg shark flick re[presents the only non-Coppolla film in the final four. Can it manage to lift the trophy? We shall see.
As you can see from the graphic above, we have shed a lot of terrific films to reach this point. These four films stand atop a mountain of great American cinema. Let’s see what these semifinal matchups are gonna look like.
The Godfather and Apocalypse Now face off in our first contest. While Coppola’s Vietnam screed has been one of the major surprises of this tournament, it’s hard to imagine that it has what it takes to unseat The Godfather as presumptive champion. This contest seems pretty cut and dried, but you never know.
Our second matchup is less of a certainty in my opinion. On the one hand, it’s hard to deny the heft and momentum of The Godfather II. Many critics and film buffs will argue that two is superior to the first Godfather film. Whether or not you subscribe to that, it certainly deserves to be considered as one of the greatest sequel films of all-time, perhaps the greatest ever.
It’s crucial to note that The Godfather II is going up against a very tough opponent in Jaws. This classic thriller on the water took home our prize last year as Steven Spielberg’s greatest cinematic achievement. This ought to be a legendary battle between man and beast.
Let’s get to the matchups.
Cheers,
Matty C
What do you think of this tourney? You have a favorite to take home the gold? Leave us a comment.
That was a tough round for my choices! As much as I love the Godfather films (and I understand why they are both still in the mix), I would rather watch One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest or The Exorcist. I’m not really a fan of Apocalypse Now and I feel it’s had an easier route to get to this point than the other films. I’m just glad Jaws is still in. Team Spielberg all the way!
#30 is the hardest choice I've had to make in one of these. 😬