F for Fake

F for Fake is latter day Welles in pure form, where as much as you can see the brilliance, there is also almost a hubris in the film making in a way. He we have Welles examine different tricksters he's interacted with by presenting his own story as well, where he has conned through life. The film itself is a con, as we get "a" truth, and in a way is brilliant in Welles in a way showing what the documentary form is, by creating that assumption of truth even as in the final act of the film openly admits he has lied to you. Welles overarching vision is something quite remarkable, though the film's presentation at times borders upon self-indulgence even if it is often with a striking purpose. Although Welles's later works aren't his best works, the genius of Welles is still quite evident, and that is the case here, which when at its best is profound, while at its worst, it is indulgent, however indulgence of an ambitious man.
4/5

The Exorcist

The Exorcist is notable as one of the earliest foray's of the New Hollywood into the horror genre. It is easy to see what it might have offered to the normal American filmgoer that would have been quite new with the film's particular techniques of horror, particularly in its use of editing to almost create subconscious terror in the viewer. William Friedkin technically takes the risk of so often visually the terror directly yet it works incredibly well by the images themselves, but also the always terrifying why they are employed. Certain images such as the devil face if focused on long might seem silly yet given just a monetary glimpse they are chilling. Friedkin makes this particularly effective by just how gripping the sense of dread is throughout the film, that it always seems like something terrible is going to happen even in simplest of moments. The film makes it past just being a terror though as there is an emotional connection pivotal to the film that is so well realized by the strong performances by Max von Sydow, Ellen Burstyn and Jason Miller that always stay reserved even amidst the madness which the demon creates.
5/5

Serpico

Serpico is a film with somewhat strange set path as we follow a good cop trying to uncover corruption in the system. The film chooses though to really go a step further by potentially suggesting him to be more of a hippie outsider to begin with making his journey a bit more detached. The film has a very odd flow to it because of this, and is often repetitive. As Serpico meets a new ally then his brick wall, get angry, finds a new wife, then repeat. None of this is helped by some problematic acting to be found in there particularly the wives who are pretty bad actually. Now having said that I don't think it is an outright terrible film, and really my feelings towards the film mirror my feelings toward Pacino's central performance. In that I care far less than I should however it really does have some very good moments in there.
3.5/5