#77- American Graffiti

Here's the thing:
American Graffiti is a testament to George Lucas in two ways.
First, and most obviously, it did wonders for his career. Released in 1973, American Graffiti placed third in the box office for that year. This was right before his creation of Star Wars, and gave him the momentum he needed to make that as big of a success as it was (and is).
Second, this film offered an opportunity for nostalgia of the pre-vietnam America that so many longed for in the chaotic, drug-tripping 1970s. The American public missed the 1950's, and so did George Lucas. These were his his high school years, and he thought they deserved some tribute. American Graffiti shows Lucas's singular ability to strike the cords deep within an audience member's soul. It was a shock to see the 1950s played so honestly, and caused the audience to wonder "Where was I in '52?"
Lucas, along with the rest of his generation, dearly missed the simplicity of their youth. The disenchantment of their generation began with the assassination of JFK, and continued on with the Civil Rights Movement, economic/geopolitical uncertainty, and, finally, Vietnam. By the 1970's they had all but forgotten the nightly drives they had taken around their small home towns, with the windows down on their '54 Fords and Buddy Holly blasting.
This was a time everyone wished to be reminded of, and so Lucas made it possible.
Nostalgia can be good sometimes.

#78- Rocky

Alright people,

can you say "classic for a reason"? This movie, although initially hard to engage with, just pulls through as a total winner. Rocky's greatness can be attributed almost entirely to the characters of Rocky and Adrienne. Well, them and the soundtrack.
Rocky we love because he is beat down. He's stupid, slow, washed-up, and on his way out. How relatable to all of us, am I right?
Adrienne resonates because she is frightened, abused, and a self-made spinster. Again, relatable.
But, when they manage to love each other properly, and consequently learn to find value in themselves, they are able to recognize what is actually worth caring about in life. THEY WIN ALL THE WINNINGS!
Rocky is able to get up and fight, even though the odds are against him. He agrees to face the world champion of boxing, in full knowledge that he was chosen as an opponent because he was an easy win for Apollo Creed to get publicity over.
Rocky is the quintessential underdog we all love to root for.
But here's what is great—Rocky loses. (Sorry, spoiler alert blah blah blah... they made like 7 more of these, all of which I cannot spoil the ending of....)
The reason this loss is great is that it doesn't matter. The whole movie has been building to this show down between Rocky and Apollo, but it's not what makes or breaks the ending. Because in the end, Rocky is with the woman he loves, and on top of that, he had enough self respect to put in the effort to fight for his own self-worth.
That is why this movie is great.
People are wearing those Italian Stallion tee-shirts for a reason, ok?