Empire of Passion (1978) - ★★½

Director: Nagisa Oshima
Writers: Itoko Nakamura (Story), Nagisa Oshima
Stars: Tatsuya Fuji, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Takahiro Tamura

Empire of Passion is a majorly creepy movie. I'm not gonna lie, I felt the suspense all the way through it. That didn't stop the movie from being really boring though. All of the shouting and sex was overkill. Save for a few masterful scenes, Empire of Passion is a movie worth a watch, but not worth buying.

Autumn Sonata (1978) - ★★★★½

Director: Ingmar Bergman
Writer: Ingmar Bergman
Stars: Ingrid Bergman, Liv Ullmann, Halvar Bjork, Lena Nyman

Autumn Sonata is an amazing and engrossing film about the damaged relationship between a mother and her daughter. Ingrid Bergman has given many unforgettable performances, from Casablanca (1942) to Anastasia (1956). Her performance in Autumn Sonata stands as one of her very best, playing a fragile woman full of fears who always puts on a facade of happiness. I originally watched this film to see Bergman's performance; but I was most surprised at the depth and feeling of the subject matter and dialogue in this film. It turns out to be one of Ingmar Bergman's best.

Days of Heaven (1978) - ★★★★

Director: Terence Malick
Writer: Terence Malick
Stars: Brooke Adams, Richard Gere, Sam Shepard, Linda Manz, Robert J. Wilke

I can see why critics adore Days of Heaven. It's simple, elegant, original and interesting. As much as I liked this film, I didn't see it as a masterpiece of cinema. At times the pace felt too slow and the characters underdeveloped. However, I can appreciate that this is a great film in almost every aspect.

Same Time Next Year (1978) – ★★★★½

Director: Robert Mulligan

Writers: Bernard Slade (screenplay and play)

Stars: Ellen Burstyn, Alan Alda

This movie just speaks to me. From the very first moment, when the piano begins to play, I get chills up my spine. The love and chemistry between the two main characters feels very genuine. This isn’t a perfect film, but it is one of my personal favorites. Anyone who gets emotional with romance’s better bring a box of tissues when seeing this movie. It is extremely funny, heart-wrenchingly sad, and one of the best romantic-comedies of all time.

Death on the Nile (1978) - ★★★★½

Director: John Guillermin

Writers: Anthony Shaffer (screenplay), Agatha Christie (novel)

Stars: Peter Ustinov, Bette Davis, Angela Lansbury, Maggie Smith, David Niven, Mia Farrow, Jane Birkin, George Kennedy

What a cast! Murder on the Orient Express was my favorite Agatha Christie film adaptation, until I saw John Guillermin's 'Death on the Nile.' The acting, the story, the twist, the suspense! Everything about this film is spectacular.