Tom Butt

Oct 2, 2023 | tasteofcinema.com | Tom Butt

6. Shampoo (1975)Out of all the prominent directors of the 1970s whose style is inseparable from their time and place, Hal Ashby is perhaps the most muted and soulful. His films gently examine the human spirit and the current cultural moment until his direction reveals itself to be biting. Not only was Shampoo the quintessential star vehicle for Warren Beatty, but it also brushes upon fame, sex, and politics in the most unassuming posture.

Aug 22, 2023 | tasteofcinema.com | Tom Butt

The Western is one of the most formative genres in the canon of cinema. The American Frontier is the ideal setting for a film that examines the past, the present, and the future. Through its location, characters, and concepts, Westerns, in gracious and scathing fashions, dissects American history and culture. While an archaic genre today, Westerns were run-of-the-mill in the greater history of Hollywood, leading to countless underrated gems in the field throughout Hollywood history. 1.

Aug 22, 2023 | tasteofcinema.com | Tom Butt

6. Dead Man (1995)Few directors capture the raw and unbridled spirit of indie filmmaking quite like Jim Jarmusch. He has retained his off-kilter minimalist tone and affinity toward aimless narrative flow. Even on an elevated scale with a period setting and hard-lined approach towards a theme, Dead Man, Jarmusch’s idiosyncratic Western, belongs to a sole voice deploying the genre in a style that only he can convey.

Aug 1, 2023 | tasteofcinema.com | Tom Butt

When Al Pacino first emerged onto the big screen in the 1970s, acting was never the same. His unmistakable presence and energy opened a window to a whole new style of performance. Through his vulnerability and unique blend of internal angst and volatile expressiveness, Pacino became an anti-Hollywood star. He has starred in many modern classics, but he has excelled equally in a handful of under-the-radar films. 1.

Aug 1, 2023 | tasteofcinema.com | Tom Butt

6. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)Al Pacino is a renowned actor on the stage. A winner of two Tony Awards, his vibrant vocal range and resound manner of speech are perfect for theater productions. When David Mamet brought his play, Glengarry Glen Ross, to the screen, no one should have been surprised that Pacino would chew up the scenery and exploit the magnetic energy of every line of dialogue.