I know everyone's talking about this year's nominees, as we all should be. But several mentions of this movie on other threads compelled me to post this.

"Network" (1976) is one of the greatest movies of all time and I urge anyone who hasn't seen it to check it out.

It was accalimed when it came out. It got nominations by the score, including Picture and Director, and it won no less than three acting Oscars (with 5 acting noms).

But I think people appreciate it even more today. This is mainly because the crazy things the movie envisioned television networks doing were considered over-the-top when it came out but seem right on the mark today. I don't think it was considered a snub when it didn't win BP back then. But it definitely seems the BP now.

Anyway, don't miss this one.

Network is one of my all time favorite films. Personally my favorite scene in the film is the powerful scene that won Beatrice Straight her Oscar. It is stunning acting and even though she is only in the film for 5 minutes and 40 seconds it was handsdown the best supporting performance of the year that year. It is an actors film and each actor was superb (specifically the supporting performances from Ned Beatty and Beatrice Straight.

How the hell is that your favorite scene in "Network"?

I mean don't get me wrong, I think that "Network" is a great film, one of the smartest screenplays ever with incredible performances by Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway, and Ned Beatty, and a great performance from William Holden.

However, within that incredible cast, I think that the one role that could be played by any woman was the role that Beatrice Straight played. In my opinion, she's no better than being fine in the role, and I personally think that the only reason she won was because there really weren't any other good performances in the Supporting Actress race that year.

What are you talking about? Talia Shire is phenomenal in Rocky!!! lol...yea 76 was a horrible supp actress year...I like the great not incredible William Holden reference Josh...lol...Will...

Nothing that anyone says will ever change my opinion about Beatrice Straight. It is a tour de force of acting. Watch a repeat this year when Viola Davis wins.

I think she is very good in the scene but in my opinion Jodie Foster should have won for Taxi Driver.

By the way JoshFi, I'm predicting Davis as well.

I dunno, Beatrice Straight was beloved in the acting community for a long time but had never really had a good role. I think that's why she won. Davis is just starting out in films, so I don't think Straight can be used as citation to justify her winning the Oscar over Cruz. But I agree it's very possible.

-Beatrice Straight's scene was great. So was Ned Beatty's, and of course the "mad as Hell" scene. But my favorite one was the "Television is not the truth" speech that Peter Finch gives toward the end. Awesome!

-Everyone forgets that Robert Duvall was excellent in the movie as well.

-Talia Shire was up for the lead that year.

-I too think Viola Davis can take it. Her role was bigger than Beatrice Straight's and she was as good.

Even though I would have went with Piper Laurie for Carrie instead, Beatrice Straight was great in her 5 minutes and 40 seconds.

I also agree about Robert Duvall. He was great too and kinda more deserving than Ned Beatty imo. This deserved Best Picture over Rocky.

I have heard a lot of talk about this movie, especially since I have started getting into older films.

I must have had it in my hands in the video store a dozen times at least, but I always end up picking something else. I don't know... it just seems it would be so "dated".

I want to see it, but there are so many other moives I want to see more.

Do you all really think it should jump to the front of my list?

I dont think you must see it anytime soon, I think it is an extremely "dated" film, very overrated. I understand why people love it but still...dated and overrated to me...

I watched on TCM the other night and it was great. I think people call it dated because it's one of those 70's films shot in the 70's with that 70's feel. A great story, great dialogue and acting, it holds up just fine from those perspectives and I think if you didn't live in those times or experience it you'll have a tougher time liking it. They got the nominations wrong in the acting department but that doesn't change the fact that everyone in the film did a terrific job. Definitely a classic and one of the, if not THE greatest script of all time.

one of the greatest sex scenes of all time too...oh Diana Christensen, how sad you are

JWC, to answer your question you have to take a few things into consideration.

In my opinion, I love "Network", and think it's a great film that all film buffs should see.

However, I'd definitely understand how you end up picking something else entirely after going into the video store.

My recommendation would be to get yourself into a mood of 70s films before you rent "Network". Actually, one of the best things you could do would be to watch "Dog Day Afternoon" and "All the President's Men". Funny enough, I got all three of those films in the same collection (I personally think that "Dog Day" is the best of the bunch, though).

In short, if I was in your position, this would be on my list, but not at the top (more in the middle).

That's a good idea Josh. To gear up for a movie you're not really interested in, watch others from that era. Everyone goes through a Brando, De Niro, Pacino, 40's, 80's indie, etc...what have you kinda phases. But it's definitely a movie any film lover should check out if they haven't already.

-I also understand your picking up something else. I tend to put the older movies back on the shelf in favor of "new releases" myself.

-I'm not saying that you should run right out now and see it, or put it on the top of your list. But (as others have said too) it is one of the great films (especially the script) and all film buffs should at some point see it.

-It is kind of "dated" with respect to the clothes, hairstyles, and general feel. They mention TV shows which you might not know (Archie Bunker, Kojak, Six Million Dollar Man). But I still think it is a timeless film and the genius of the screenplay still comes through.

-It's not like other movies of the seventies which were loved and acclamied back then, but are just medicore, or bad, today (An Unmarried Woman, Heaven Can Wait, The Turning Point).

-It's more like Dog Day Afternoon and All The President's Men - still good. I like that idea of getting into the time period and watching several of these films at once.

Well, a friend of mine couldn't believe I haven't seen it and he gave me his DVD copy the very next day. So when I get a chance I'll watch it.

I have seen Dog Day Afternoon and I really liked that. They both were directed by Sidney Lumet, I believe. I'll post my reactions (for anyone who cares). Thanks for all the advice.