The Sting (1973) - 5 Stars

One sentence plot summary: A small time grifter recruits the help of an experienced con man to help him seek revenge on a mob leader.

Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning, Ray Walston, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, Dana Elcar, James Sloyan, Larry D. Mann, Sally Kirkland

Best of: Extraordinary script, pitch perfect acting from Redford and Newman, classic score.

Worst of: It's nearly perfect, but I suppose the blood looks fake.

Notable: The diner set used for this film was later reused as the 50s diner in Back to the Future.

Also Nominated: American Graffiti, The Exorcist

The Godfather (1972) - 5 stars

One Sentence Plot Summary: Being in the mob is totally awesome.

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, John Cazale, Richard S. Castellano, Abe Vigoda, Al Lettieri, Gianni Russo, Sterling Hayden, Morgana King, Simonetta Stefanelli, Richard Bright

Best of: Tremendous story, tremendous acting.

Worst of: Sonny and Carlo have a pretty fake looking fist fight at one point. Okay...really fake looking.

Notable: During rehearsals, a false horse's head was used for the bedroom scene. For the actual shot, a real horse's head was used, acquired from a dog-food factory.

The French Connection (1971) - 3 stars

One Sentence Plot Summary: Two detectives investigate a major drug operation in New York.

Starring: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, Bill Hickman, Eddie Egan, Sonny Grosso

Best of: The single best car chase I've ever seen.

Worst of: The plot eventually begins to feel like just a repetitive series of stakeouts.

Notable: Popeye's Chicken is named after Gene Hackman's character in this film.

Also Nominated: Fiddler on the Roof, A Clockwork Orange.

Patton (1970) - 4 stars

One Sentence Plot Summary: A biopic following General George Patton through his WWII campaigns.

Starring: George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Stephen Young, Michael Strong, Michael Bates, Frank Latimore, Morgan Paull, Karl Michael Vogler, John Barrie, Siegfried Rauch, Richard Münch, John Doucette, Paul Stevens, Jack Gwillim

Best of: Wonderful performance by George C. Scott. The opening speech in front of the American Flag lives up to the legend.

Worst of: The language was apparently toned down to avoid an R rating, which takes away some of the sting at times.

Notable: George C. Scott turned down his Best Actor Oscar, citing a dislike for artistic competition.

Also Nominated: Five East Pieces

Midnight Cowboy (1969) - 3 stars

One sentence plot summary: A simple minded Texas boy moves to New York City to make it rich as a male prostitute and befriends a local con artist.

Starring: John Voight, Dustin Hoffman

Best of: Superb acting by both leads.

Worst of: Dated artistic choices that keep the film locked in 1969:

Notable: The film signifies the major cultural shifts that were taking place in the country. It is the first Oscar winner to show nudity or to deal with drugs or homosexuality. Originally rated X, it couldn't have been much further from the previous years G rated family-friendly musical.

Oliver! (1968) - 2 stars

One sentence plot summary: Runaway orphan finds a home amongst singing pickpockets.

Starring: Mark Lester, Ron Moody, Jack Wild, Shani Wallis, Oliver Reed

Best of: Ron Moody is a lot of fun as Fagin, king of the pickpockets.

Worst of: An oddly undeveloped title character.

Notable: The fourth musical to win Best Picture in the 60s, and the last (hallelujah!) until 2002's Chicago.

In the Heat of the Night (1967) - 4 stars

One sentence plot summary: A black police officer from Philadelphia is called upon to help solve a murder in a racist, Southern town.

Starring: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger

Best of: Great dialogue. Tension between Poitier and Steiger. Quincy Jones' music.

Worst of: The summer heat is supposed to be an oppresive element in the story, yet you can see both autumn leaves and fog on the breath of the actors.

Notable: Not only is this the first Best Picture winner to feature an African American lead, it is the first to feature a black role of any substance whatsoever.

Also nominated: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, The Graduate.

A Man for All Seasons (1966) - 3 stars

One Sentence Plot Summary: A biopic about the life of Saint Thomas More.

Starring: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, John Hurt, Robert Shaw, Susannah York, Orson Welles

Best of: Paul Scofield is quite fantastic as a stubborn man of priciple and faith.

Worst of: That it's based on true history. Henry VIII was a crazy man.

Notable: One of only four productions to win Best Play Tony and Best Picture Oscar (My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music and Amadeus are the others).

The Sound of Music (1965) - 3 stars

One sentence plot summary: "The hills are alive with the sound of music" and nazis.

Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Peggy Wood

Best of: "Edelweiss, edelweiss Bless my homeland forever..."

Worst of: "I am sixteen, going on seventeen..."

Notable: Audrey Hepburn was originally thought of for the lead in The Sound of Music. Julie Andrews was originally thought of for the lead in My Fair Lady.

Also nominated: Dr. Zhivago

My Fair Lady (1964) - 4 stars

One sentence plot summary: What truly seperates the rich from the poor is cockney accents.

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Stanley Holloway, Gladys Cooper

Best of: Rex Harrison gives a magnetic performance. Audrey Hepburn is the most beautiful woman ever to live. Great songs. Fun plot.

Worst of: I didn't really need the love story for the movie to work for me...and it still doesn't seem like the healthiest of relationships at the end.

Notable: About 90% of Hepburn's singing is dubbed. This is thought to be the main reason she was not nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award.

Also nominated: Mary Poppins, Dr. Strangelove.