Mark Dain I watched Smokey and the Bandit for the first time, for a such a simple plot/idea (2 guys drive to Texas to pickup beer and bring it back to Georgia) I was blown away by how good the story was. I don't normally watch movies that old (1977) but thinking about it, I also really enjoyed the quality of Back to the Future. Is 70's/80's Hollywood a golden age? Maybe before it got too commercialized?

Simon Janes Movies are more often than not today driven by the need to be a commercial success. Those that aren't can go too far the wrong direction and end up with a kind of arty-farty story that makes zero sense. Just as in business, this goes in cycles and there are multiple "golden ages." Try "Kelly's Heroes" (1970) which is essentially a bank heist.