‘Shaft’ Helped Create the Archetype Black Action Hero of the 1970s
Gordon Parks’ classic blaxploitation film Shaft presents Richard Roundtree as a swaggering, controversial action hero in gritty, early ’70s New York.
1970s
Ideological Incoherence in Films ‘3 Women’ ‘Girlfriends’ and Late ‘70s Feminism
The inconclusive nature of modern womanhood espoused by 3 Women and Girlfriends reflects and reifies the inconclusive nature of second-wave feminism.
Randy Newman’s ‘Born Again’ Is His Best Critique of Toxic Masculinity
Randy Newman’s satirical narrators lack self-reflection. This makes Newman the ideal songwriter to dismantle what would come to be called toxic masculinity.
The 10 Best Sappy Love Songs of the 1970s
Just in time for Valentine's Day... If you were a child of the 1970s, you no doubt grew up hearing these tunes on your parents' eight-track player and car radio. The songs on this list are sappy, high-drama love ballads -- and for that they're being celebrated.
‘Eyes of Laura Mars’ Is Best as a Document of ’70s New York
A romantic thriller that boasts a contribution from John Carpenter, Eyes of Laura Mars benefits greatly from the gritty '70s Manhattan scenery.
‘The Night Stalker’ Crept Through the 1970s Constraints of Made for TV Film
In the ’70s there was something sinister sneaking into suburban homes between the sitcom and the 11 o’clock news where the real horrors played out. The Night Stalker was among the best.
‘Pick Up the Pieces’ Is a Primer in 1970s Music as Cultural Memory
John Corbett's writing is often poetic in Pick Up the Pieces: Excursions in Seventies Music, with each essay being a resonant reflection on the music, artists, scenes, and memories seemingly etched deeply in his being.
By the Book: Pick up the Pieces: Excursions in Seventies Music
In this excerpt of '70s music, Pick up the Pieces, John Corbett puts his critique of Kraftwerk's Autobahn to poetry and pogos with his conflict for the Clash and their album, The Clash.
‘For Discos Only’ Is the Rare Archival Release You Can Truly Boogie To
With For Discos Only, Craft Recordings have created a multi-disc mirrorball extravangza that simply cannot be beat in terms of groovy fun.
Time Out of Minds: Interview with Author Ryan Walsh on Van Morrison’s ‘Astral Weeks’
Ryan Walsh chronicles the making of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks and the chaotic Boston scene that gave birth to it and tells us all about it in this expansive interview.
Ian Buruma’s ‘A Tokyo Romance’ Is a Timeless Commentary on Cross-cultural Engagement
There's something deeply personal and universalistic about Ian Buruma's writing. He acknowledges the multiplicity of possible perspectives without sliding into the rudderless waters of postmodernism.
‘Astral Weeks’ and the Making of a Van Morrison Classic
Ryan H. Walsh's Astral Weeks beautifully captures a not-so-distant era of free-form radio playing the "boss-town sound", people living communally, thriving underground newspapers -- and a 22-year-old Van Morrison coming into his own.