Title: Taxi Driver (1976)
Why it’s lazy: Because there’s a complexity and depth to Scorsese’s impressionistic take on the woozy neon of New York that isn’t done justice by the pop-up picture book simplicity of, uh, ‘Taxi Driver’.
It leaves you half expecting a Manhattan-set Postman Pat. ‘Traa-vis Bickle, Traa-vis Bickle, Traa-vis Bickle with his Mohawk and gun, eaaarly in the morning…’
Where the name came from: Taxi Driver was, as far as we know, always the name of Paul Schrader’s original script.
But the story itself is heavily influenced by 'An Assassin’s Diary', the published journal of loner Arthur Bremer who shot and paralysed Senator George McGovern in 1967.
What they should have called it: Praying For Rain, Be Nice To Vietnam Vets Or They Will Shoot You In The Cheek.
Next: There Will Be Blood
Comments
dianying
May 14th 2009, 12:00
Has anyone else ever thought that PTA just heard this line in one of the 'Saw' movies and thought that it'd make a classy title for a film someday? That's completely the impression I get.
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gezagonk
May 14th 2009, 12:01
Good list but where are Snakes on a Plane and The Great Escape?
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millerman2k
May 15th 2009, 3:24
"the thing" is a fantastic title. although calling it the "whatsit" would also have been cool...just imagine looking at an old computer screen that shows orange, cheesy snacks taking over the world. "they look like us, but they taste like watsist!"
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filmz4ever
May 15th 2009, 13:32
attack of the 5oft woman? Any film with the title being the name of the main character e.g. Amelie
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filmz4ever
May 15th 2009, 13:33
... sorry, didn't see attack of the 50ft women in the list
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halo2115
May 15th 2009, 21:05
Henry Fonda. Not Peter Fonda. Henry Fonda starred in "Twelve Angry Men." Henry Fonda.
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TheTingler
May 17th 2009, 14:19
It (technically not a movie yet, but will be!) Airport Star Wars
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NDitum
May 17th 2009, 16:07
Halo - egads, that's a shocker. Nearly bit my finger off in shame. Fixed, now.
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Sean123
May 17th 2009, 21:24
8 1/2 takes the biscuit as far as im concerned
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Juniorsnoopy
May 20th 2009, 7:12
It would have to be my favourite movie of all time, "Aliens". "Alien" was 'bad' enough, so what did they think of when they were making a sequel, with more aliens? Lets pluralise....!
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Juniorsnoopy
May 20th 2009, 7:20
I would have to be "Aliens", wouldn't it? The title "Alien" was 'bad' enough, but when they decided to make a sequel with more aliens, what did they decide to do? Merely pluralise!!! Genius!!!
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Neil1972
Jun 10th 2009, 11:30
"Like changing 'Halloween' to 'Knifey Mike' ..." But doesn't 'Halloween' itself qualify as a lazy title? It's a horror film, it takes place at Halloween, any ideas for a title?
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jimrasmussen
Jun 12th 2009, 21:55
Two things about your Taxi Driver comment: 1) Arthur Bremer shot Gov. George Wallace not George McGovern. 2) Bremer shot Wallace in 1972 not 1967. Where did you get your misinformation??
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