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Welcome to the year 1978!! Two years away from the 80s and this was a year that brought some major hitters and legacy films and characters into a new era of film. The range of films that were dropped during this year showcased the epic range of genres. Michael Myers burst on the scree with a new era of zombies while the Man of Steel was reintroduced to the world once again. If you wanted to go to college, there was a movie for you while some might’ve sung their way out of high school. Here is to the greatness of 1978.
The Deer Hunter
The Deer Hunter is a Vietnam War movie that shows the happiness that goes on before the war but also the pain and fear that happens when several soldiers come back from the war. It is a movie that everyone should watch for its tone and horrors of being a POW but the pain that many have gone through when a soldier comes back home. The Russian Roulette scene was intense and is hard to watch. This film has a lot of stars that are big, and almost all have won an Oscar. That is big time.
Superman
The first film in a while, the Man of Steel made a comeback starring Christopher Reeve as the title character. The film is an origin story of the famous superhero from the time he was a baby on Krypton to growing up in Smallville to finally being a reporter in Metropolis. This is honestly one of the best films of the year. The film does an amazing job mixing humor with seriousness. It made Reeve into a mega star. The film also has a great cast from Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman and many others. This film started the rival of the all-time greatest superhero.
Halloween
Halloween is an instant classic in the horror game and brought one of the best slasher killers to life in Michael Myers. Halloween and Michael Myers are messed up with dude being pure evil. Killing his whole family as a kid but letting his baby sister survive. Breaks out of captivity and stalks his grown-up sister many years later. It is one of the most influential slasher and horror movies. How about that freaking music? Might have the best horror theme song of all time. The song sends chills down your spine. You know the music.
Dawn of the Dead
Horror films are known for having shitty sequels. Dawn of the Dead dispels that notion as it is a high-quality sequel. This is how a horror movie sequel should be. Revolving around four people in a mall, the zombie virus has taken over the world. This is one of the most entertaining zombie films I have seen. George A. Romero up the ante in this film by making it more compelling but definitely up the violence, brutal and disgusting nature of zombies. Once again, this is how a horror sequel should be.
National Lampoon’s Animal House
Animal House is one of the greatest comedies of all time. Of course it was going to be on the list. Having an all star cast from John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Thomas Hulce, and Donald Sutherland, the film is about a wild, crazy, insane, fraternity. The film is insane to watch and still holds up today. Now, I bet frats are not like this now but back in this day, it looked fun and a great time. John Belushi made this film a must watch as he is amazing in it and needs to be applauded.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Yoooooo! This film right here is one of the best sci-fi horror films around. To me it goes head-to-head with The Thing. It is one of the best remakes and goes hard. This film is creepy as hell and will make you think. With an all-star cast, it revolves around several people who discover that people are being replaced by alien duplicates that are almost perfect in every way. This shit will get to you, and that ending scene is straight up terrifying. No thank you!
Coming Home
One of the hardest things probably known to the US military is coming home after deployment or war. The transition must be hard as some people have PTSD from what they have seen and been through. Starring Jane Fonda and Jon Voight, the story follows a woman whose Marine husband goes off to Vietnam war and she volunteers to help wounded soldiers. She becomes involved with a paraplegic Vietnam War veteran and shit gets real when her husband returns. The film shows the struggles of a spouse having their spouse away, looking for comfort and normality and what happens when someone returns. Strong performances all around.
Watership Down
This isn’t an animated film that children should watch. This aint no Disney film. Telling the story of a group of rabbits seeking a new hope, things get real and bloody in this film and it is iconic to watch. The film hits many complex themes from leadership, survival and looking for a better life and world. The first time I watched it, it blew my mind because I wasn’t expecting this type of film. Yet, it is needed because life isn’t all rainbows and sunshine.
Piranha
You might be surprised about this film in my top ten list. It was the film that made me extremely interested in the little demon fish. I watched it long ago with my dad and it made me scared but fascinated by the fish that live in the Amazon. The film revolves around a crazy dude who made lethal, genetically, insane piranhas that are released by into a river and they cause havoc. Thank you for the film, Jaws for inspiring this crazy low budget B-movie. This is why I don’t swim in the ocean and rivers.
Grease
Even I have to put Grease in the top films of 1978. A musical starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, it follows a greaser who tries to spit game at an Australian transfer student. The music is catchy and fun to sing. “Grease” and “You’re the One that I Want” are all time classics. Can’t go wrong with those songs. The story is pretty good with the high school summer romance. You wish at the end you can have a flying car also.
