1975 — Jaws
In 1975, a killer arrived on our shores with the same notoriety as any cinematic slasher. A monster shark terrorizes Amity Island, and it’s up to the police chief, an oceanographer, and a veteran boat captain to bring it down. From its initial release to the present day, the seafaring horror/adventure has thrilled viewers. Steven Spielberg’s first cinematic breakthrough plays on our apprehension of the unknown – in this case, the immensity of the ocean and the horrors that lurk beneath it.
1975 — Jaws
1976 — Taxi Driver
Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver, a suitably big inspiration for the new Joker, explores the issues of life’s sensory overload by exploring the tragically taboo topic of mental health. Travis Bickle (Robert DeNiro) battles despair and aggressive behavior while transporting passengers back and forth throughout New York City, the one profession that allows him to forget his horrendous lack of sleep, as the title suggests. Travis observes the sludge, filth, and muck that occupy these streets through the neon-lit avenues, almost like a blacklight.
1976 — Taxi Driver