Well, last month the American Film Institute released its new-and-improved list of the 100 greatest American films ever made. I had the pleasure of watching the broadcast when the list was revealed with a group of film buffs, and I enjoyed participating in the running commentary on the merits of each film as it was revealed. I think everyone in the room had seen at least half of the films on the list, so when a film came up that a certain person had not seen, there were cries of indignation at the ignorance of said audience member ("What do you mean you haven't seen Singin' in the Rain!? You have to watch it!") I thought about compiling my thoughts in a series of top 5 lists as I am wont to do on this blog, but I did not want to limit myself to or force myself to fill 5 slots per category, so, my enumerated readers, here are my random thoughts on the list.
What the List Got Right
-I was pleased to see that two of the films I put on my top 5 list of films that should be included were included (The General - at #18! - and Sullivan's Travels).
-There are more silent films on this list than the previous list. The first one had 4, this one has 6, with The General (#18!) and Sunrise being the most notable additions.
-Some less-than-stellar films (From Here to Eternity, Giant), films that were important/big when they came out but have not withstood the test of time gracefully (All Quiet on the Western Front, Dances With Wolves), and films that are just plain overrated (Doctor Zhivago, Fargo) dropped off the list. Also of note, The Graduate dropped out of the top 10, a film I would put in all three categories. Here's hoping it drops out of the top 50 in 10 years.
-There was a nice selection of films new to the list from the new (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) to the old (The General, #18), and for them most part, I think the choices were good ones. Also, of the 23 films new to the list, I have not seen seven of them. Now I know what to add to the Netflix queue.
What the List Got Wrong
-Of the 23 films that dropped off the list, three are glaring mistakes: Fantasia, The Manchurian Candidate, and The Third Man.
-Chaplin: 3. Keaton: 1. Lloyd: 0. While I can't begrudge Chaplin his three entries, the uninitiated could look at the list and think that Charlie Chaplin was pretty much the only silent comedian, and while the inclusion of The General (at #18) does help to counter that erroneous assumption, the numerical disparity needs to be fixed. I would suggest dropping either City Lights or Modern Times, and adding either Sherlock Jr., Steamboat Bill, Jr., or Our Hospitality from Buster Keaton and at least one of The Kid Brother (my personal favorite), The Freshman, and Safety Last! from Harold Lloyd.
-Of the new films on the list, the one I'm most disappointed to see is Blade Runner. If you're going for a science fiction film from Ridley Scott, Alien would be a much better choice. I'm also not too wild about Titanic making the list, but that one has a lot more deserving aspects to it.
-While I liked seeing Vertigo crack the top 10, I was dismayed to see Raging Bull come in at number 4. I just can't appreciate Scorsese's exercises in unhappiness. I would replace Raging Bull with Star Wars in the top 10.
Some Random Thoughts
-Of the 18 comedies on the list (discounting musicals), only 7 were made in 1960 or later, with the most recent one being Tootsie from 1982. Compare that to 6 comedies from the 1930s alone, and 4 silent (or mostly silent) comedies. I thought it weird that there isn't a single Mel Brooks film on the list, when Blazing Saddles, The Producers (not the musical), and Young Frankenstein would each be worthy additions to the list. It's also interesting that the only two comedies to crack the top 20 were both silent films: City Lights and The General (at #18).
-The big winners of the list are The Searchers, which jumped up 85 spots from the last list to come in at #12, and The General, which didn't even make the last list, but this time around came in at #18. The big losers of the list (other than the ones that dropped off) are The African Queen, which dropped 48 spots to #65, and Ben-Hur, which dropped 28 points to #100.
-Overall I think the AFI 100 list is probably the best top 100 list out there. It does the best job covering the wide range of films that are out there, and most of them are pretty accessible, making it a wonderful primer for the beginning cinephile. It was a bittersweet moment when I finally saw A Streetcar Named Desire since it was the last film on the original list for me to see (discounting A Clockwork Orange; a film I refuse to see at this point in my life). I had the satisfaction of seeing the whole list, but then there was the uncertainty of where to go from there. Now with seven new films on the list I haven't seen, I can tackle the list all over again (though admittedly it's not a very big list to tackle).
Biggest Disappointment With the New List
Fantasia dropped off the list. This is a perfect example of animation as art, and one of the first group of music videos (if not the first). Also, there were only two animated films on the list, though the addition of Toy Story was a good one.
Biggest Improvement With the New List
The General made the list! And did I mention that not only did it make the list, but it made it into the top 20, coming in at #18?
You can see the whole list on afi.com.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Top 3 (+2) 3s
Spider-Man 3. Ocean's 13. Shrek the Third. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. We have a plethora of third movies available for viewing at your local cinema. And last year we had Mission: Impossible III and X-Men 3. With such an onslaught of third films coming out, it got me thinking about what some of the greatest third movies out there are. So, my enamoured readers, I am proud to present my top 3(+2) Third Films.
5. Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977)
Dean Jones and Don Knotts together. Two bumbling jewel thieves. Add to this two cars falling in love and you get one of the best examples of Disney film magic out there. Hands down my favorite of the four Herbie movies.
4. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
I know some will point out that this is actually a stand-alone film as Clint Eastwood plays three separate characters in A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and this one, but even if that is the case, they still form a trilogy of tone and style. And The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly has that in spades.
3. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
While it may not be as action packed as Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Last Crusade has more heart and a deeper emotional core. And it's still cool when Donovan ages 100 years in about 10 seconds, and the grail knight says, "He chose, poorly."
2. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Peter Jackson finishes off his magnificent trilogy in grand fashion with some of the greatest epic battle sequences ever captured on film. But even though some of the biggest moments of spectacle are in this film, there is still plenty of room for some of the heaviest emotional scenes in the film.
1. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
This was my favorite film as a kid, and to some extent it is still my favorite of the Star Wars films. I am still amazed at h0w skillfully it is able to cut between the space battle, the Ewoks vs. the storm troopers, Han and Leia's attempts to bring down the shield, and Luke's final confrontation with Darth Vader in the thrilling final climactic battle sequence.
Three more third films of note:
Monkey Business (1931) - The third Marx Brothers film.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - The third Harry Potter film.
The Third Man (1949) - Has "Third" in the title.
Now it's time to prepare for The Bourne Ultimatum.
5. Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977)
Dean Jones and Don Knotts together. Two bumbling jewel thieves. Add to this two cars falling in love and you get one of the best examples of Disney film magic out there. Hands down my favorite of the four Herbie movies.
4. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
I know some will point out that this is actually a stand-alone film as Clint Eastwood plays three separate characters in A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and this one, but even if that is the case, they still form a trilogy of tone and style. And The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly has that in spades.
3. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
While it may not be as action packed as Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Last Crusade has more heart and a deeper emotional core. And it's still cool when Donovan ages 100 years in about 10 seconds, and the grail knight says, "He chose, poorly."
2. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Peter Jackson finishes off his magnificent trilogy in grand fashion with some of the greatest epic battle sequences ever captured on film. But even though some of the biggest moments of spectacle are in this film, there is still plenty of room for some of the heaviest emotional scenes in the film.
1. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
This was my favorite film as a kid, and to some extent it is still my favorite of the Star Wars films. I am still amazed at h0w skillfully it is able to cut between the space battle, the Ewoks vs. the storm troopers, Han and Leia's attempts to bring down the shield, and Luke's final confrontation with Darth Vader in the thrilling final climactic battle sequence.
Three more third films of note:
Monkey Business (1931) - The third Marx Brothers film.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - The third Harry Potter film.
The Third Man (1949) - Has "Third" in the title.
Now it's time to prepare for The Bourne Ultimatum.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Top 5 Animal Movies
So the two most recent movies I've watched were Reservoir Dogs and Junebug, and about the only thing they have in common is they both have animals in the title. So it got me thinking about what the best films are with an animal in the title. So without further ado, I give you, my inexorable readers, the top five films of all time with animals in the title. In chronological order.
Duck Soup (1933)
In the Marx Brothers' best film, the plot serves solely to string all the madcap comedy scenes together. And the laughs refuse to stop. Just about the only downside is that the brothers characters don't work together as they do in Monkey Business (which could also qualify for this list) and A Night at the Opera. There are no ducks featured in the film other than behind the opening credits.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
While Gregory Peck's performance usually gets the spotlight when dealing with the film, the film is actually the story of a little girl who learns to look at the world through new eyes. I suppose I should also mention the stirring score by Elmer Bernstein, with none other than John Williams playing piano. While no mockingbirds appear on screen, they are used as an illustration in one of Atticus' lessons to Scout.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Cruelty to cats, people who aren't dead yet, and Arthur's complete inability to get anyone to cooperate are just some of the recurring themes in this wild send-up of the Arthurian legends. It is immensely quotable, and is the only film I can think of where people not only will quote lines from the film, but will often quote whole scenes. But just to set the record straight, you cannot be a Monty Python fan if you have only seen this film. There are no snakes, pythons or otherwise, on screen, and none are discussed in dialog.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
This is a heart wrenching story of a brother and sister who try to survive the bombings in Japan during WWII. The animation is fabulous, and I was enamoured with the believable way in which everyone moved (especially the sister). Not for the faint of heart, this is one of the most emotionally devastating films I have ever seen. In one scene the characters put some fireflies in a jar and use the light to light up their cave.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
I was worried that the film would completely botch one of my favorite books by misinterpreting Lewis's themes, making it too kiddie, making it too gritty and realistic (in the vein of Lord of the Rings), or even worse, all three. So I was pleased when about 95% of my very high expectations were met. Not only is the lion in the title a main character, he's Jesus.
Duck Soup (1933)
In the Marx Brothers' best film, the plot serves solely to string all the madcap comedy scenes together. And the laughs refuse to stop. Just about the only downside is that the brothers characters don't work together as they do in Monkey Business (which could also qualify for this list) and A Night at the Opera. There are no ducks featured in the film other than behind the opening credits.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
While Gregory Peck's performance usually gets the spotlight when dealing with the film, the film is actually the story of a little girl who learns to look at the world through new eyes. I suppose I should also mention the stirring score by Elmer Bernstein, with none other than John Williams playing piano. While no mockingbirds appear on screen, they are used as an illustration in one of Atticus' lessons to Scout.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Cruelty to cats, people who aren't dead yet, and Arthur's complete inability to get anyone to cooperate are just some of the recurring themes in this wild send-up of the Arthurian legends. It is immensely quotable, and is the only film I can think of where people not only will quote lines from the film, but will often quote whole scenes. But just to set the record straight, you cannot be a Monty Python fan if you have only seen this film. There are no snakes, pythons or otherwise, on screen, and none are discussed in dialog.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
This is a heart wrenching story of a brother and sister who try to survive the bombings in Japan during WWII. The animation is fabulous, and I was enamoured with the believable way in which everyone moved (especially the sister). Not for the faint of heart, this is one of the most emotionally devastating films I have ever seen. In one scene the characters put some fireflies in a jar and use the light to light up their cave.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
I was worried that the film would completely botch one of my favorite books by misinterpreting Lewis's themes, making it too kiddie, making it too gritty and realistic (in the vein of Lord of the Rings), or even worse, all three. So I was pleased when about 95% of my very high expectations were met. Not only is the lion in the title a main character, he's Jesus.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Top 5 Robots of All Time
Well it's been a while since my last post and a while since my last top 5 list, so I decided to grace you, my valuable readers, with my picks for the best robots ever created from any medium. In order from great to amazingly awesome.
5. KITT from Knight Rider
So he's not your traditional robot, but he is an artificial intelligence inside a mobile metallic structure, so that's close enough for me. (Besides, every top 5 list should have one unorthodox choice in it.) The suave voice coupled with the sleek black exterior make for one very cool cat. And it doesn't hurt that he could also turbo jump over just about anything.
4. Gir from Invader Zim
He is wonderfully inept, and the best part of the show. Not only is he immensely quotable ("I need them or my head will explode. It does that some times.") he also serves to keep the show from getting too dark and twisted (though it does come pretty close when he's not around).
3. Marvin the Paranoid Android from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Eternally depressed and pessimistic, Marvin brings a laugh to every page he's featured on. You would think someone with a brain the size of a planet would find something to be happy about or find something more useful to do than park spaceships, but I guess that wouldn't be nearly as funny.
2. R2-D2 from Star Wars
The guy is a walking (well, rolling) Swiss army knife. Add to that his ability to communicate a wide range of emotions through beeps and squeals and you have the most endearing character in the Star Wars saga. And if you haven't, check out the real story behind his rise to fame in R2-D2: Beneath the Dome.
1. Tom Servo from Mystery Science Theater 3000
He is wonderfully expressive despite having inarticulate arms and no eyes. He has a fine singing voice. He looks good in a dress. He can plug hull breaches just by sitting on them. And most importantly of all, he makes fun of really bad movies. He's so awesome, it's no wonder that he is the one that gets to be carried into the theater while that other one has to walk in on his own.
Of course the list wouldn't be complete without a couple honorable mentions, so here they are:
The Robot from Metropolis - One of the first robots captured on film, and a wonderfully creepy one at that.
The Transformers - I can't pick one over all the others, but it's hard to deny the coolness of something that is both a robot and a car.
G2-9T from Star Tours - Listening to this guy while standing in line is almost better than the ride itself. Almost.
5. KITT from Knight Rider
So he's not your traditional robot, but he is an artificial intelligence inside a mobile metallic structure, so that's close enough for me. (Besides, every top 5 list should have one unorthodox choice in it.) The suave voice coupled with the sleek black exterior make for one very cool cat. And it doesn't hurt that he could also turbo jump over just about anything.
4. Gir from Invader Zim
He is wonderfully inept, and the best part of the show. Not only is he immensely quotable ("I need them or my head will explode. It does that some times.") he also serves to keep the show from getting too dark and twisted (though it does come pretty close when he's not around).
3. Marvin the Paranoid Android from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Eternally depressed and pessimistic, Marvin brings a laugh to every page he's featured on. You would think someone with a brain the size of a planet would find something to be happy about or find something more useful to do than park spaceships, but I guess that wouldn't be nearly as funny.
2. R2-D2 from Star Wars
The guy is a walking (well, rolling) Swiss army knife. Add to that his ability to communicate a wide range of emotions through beeps and squeals and you have the most endearing character in the Star Wars saga. And if you haven't, check out the real story behind his rise to fame in R2-D2: Beneath the Dome.
1. Tom Servo from Mystery Science Theater 3000
He is wonderfully expressive despite having inarticulate arms and no eyes. He has a fine singing voice. He looks good in a dress. He can plug hull breaches just by sitting on them. And most importantly of all, he makes fun of really bad movies. He's so awesome, it's no wonder that he is the one that gets to be carried into the theater while that other one has to walk in on his own.
Of course the list wouldn't be complete without a couple honorable mentions, so here they are:
The Robot from Metropolis - One of the first robots captured on film, and a wonderfully creepy one at that.
The Transformers - I can't pick one over all the others, but it's hard to deny the coolness of something that is both a robot and a car.
G2-9T from Star Tours - Listening to this guy while standing in line is almost better than the ride itself. Almost.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Sherida Made Me Do It
I got tagged by Sherida when she did this silly survey thingy, so I think that means I have to fill it out as well. But it doesn't mean I have to cooperate.
A - Available/Single? Well I am single, but to say I'm available is to imply I'm actively searching with a "this space for rent" sign hanging under my arm which is not the message I wish to convey at this current moment in time.
B - Best Friend? His first name is Josh, I just haven't decided what his last name is yet.
C - Cake or Pie? I'm rather fond of pi. Whenever dumb surveys ask me to pick a number, I always go with pi. It's also a pretty good movie.
D - Drink of Choice? Milk.
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? Oxygen.
F - Favorite Color? Navy blue.
G - Gummy Bears or Worms? Well, Gummy Bears was a fun TV show, but I think I would find it silly now that I'm older. On the flipside, Worms is a very fun game, and it's hard not to like a game with weapons such as the super sheep, old woman, priceless Ming vase, and of course, the holy hand grenade. I'm going with Worms.
H - Hometown? Lincoln, IL, Kokomo, IN, Madang, PNG, Duncanville, TX. Take your pick.
I - Indulgence? I don't believe in indulgences. You cannot buy grace.
J - January or February? It's always bugged me the way February is spelled, so I'll go with January.
K - Kids & Their Names? I don't have any goats.
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? Death and Taxes.
M - Marriage Date? November 31.
N - Number Of Siblings? 2.
O - Oranges or Apples? You want me to compare colors to computers? Why don't I just get an orange Apple computer and have the best of both worlds?
P - Phobias/Fears? Phobophobia.
Q - Favorite Quote? You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but please don't pick your friend's nose.
R - Reason to Smile? A smile is an emotional response. Reason has nothing to do with it.
S - Season? Pepper or cinnamon.
T - Tag Three People? Abraham Lincoln, Steven Spielberg, Karl Gambolputty de von Ausfernschpledenschlittercrasscrenbonfriediggerdingledangledongledunglebursteinvonknackerthrasherapplebangerhorowitzticolensicgranderknottyspelltinklegrandlichgrumblemeyerspelterwasserkurstlichhimbleeisenbahnwagengutenabendbitteeinnurnburgerbratwustlegerspurtenmitzweimacheluberhundsfutgumberaberschonendankerkalbsfleischmittleraucher von Hautkopft of Ulm
U - Unknown Fact About Me? If I tell you, it won't be unknown now will it?
V - Vegetables You Don't Like? Jr. Asparagus. His voice is annoyingly high, and he's way too sensitive when it is suggested he is wearing cheese on his head.
W - Worst Habit? Misinterpreting questions.
X - X-rays You've Had? The dentist told me he took x-rays of my teeth, but I have to take his word for it.
Y - Your Favorite Food? Pure, unadulterated dark chocolate
Z - Zodiac Sign? Watch for falling rocks.
There we go. I have discharged my duties to the worst of my abilities.
A - Available/Single? Well I am single, but to say I'm available is to imply I'm actively searching with a "this space for rent" sign hanging under my arm which is not the message I wish to convey at this current moment in time.
B - Best Friend? His first name is Josh, I just haven't decided what his last name is yet.
C - Cake or Pie? I'm rather fond of pi. Whenever dumb surveys ask me to pick a number, I always go with pi. It's also a pretty good movie.
D - Drink of Choice? Milk.
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? Oxygen.
F - Favorite Color? Navy blue.
G - Gummy Bears or Worms? Well, Gummy Bears was a fun TV show, but I think I would find it silly now that I'm older. On the flipside, Worms is a very fun game, and it's hard not to like a game with weapons such as the super sheep, old woman, priceless Ming vase, and of course, the holy hand grenade. I'm going with Worms.
H - Hometown? Lincoln, IL, Kokomo, IN, Madang, PNG, Duncanville, TX. Take your pick.
I - Indulgence? I don't believe in indulgences. You cannot buy grace.
J - January or February? It's always bugged me the way February is spelled, so I'll go with January.
K - Kids & Their Names? I don't have any goats.
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? Death and Taxes.
M - Marriage Date? November 31.
N - Number Of Siblings? 2.
O - Oranges or Apples? You want me to compare colors to computers? Why don't I just get an orange Apple computer and have the best of both worlds?
P - Phobias/Fears? Phobophobia.
Q - Favorite Quote? You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but please don't pick your friend's nose.
R - Reason to Smile? A smile is an emotional response. Reason has nothing to do with it.
S - Season? Pepper or cinnamon.
T - Tag Three People? Abraham Lincoln, Steven Spielberg, Karl Gambolputty de von Ausfernschpledenschlittercrasscrenbonfriediggerdingledangledongledunglebursteinvonknackerthrasherapplebangerhorowitzticolensicgranderknottyspelltinklegrandlichgrumblemeyerspelterwasserkurstlichhimbleeisenbahnwagengutenabendbitteeinnurnburgerbratwustlegerspurtenmitzweimacheluberhundsfutgumberaberschonendankerkalbsfleischmittleraucher von Hautkopft of Ulm
U - Unknown Fact About Me? If I tell you, it won't be unknown now will it?
V - Vegetables You Don't Like? Jr. Asparagus. His voice is annoyingly high, and he's way too sensitive when it is suggested he is wearing cheese on his head.
W - Worst Habit? Misinterpreting questions.
X - X-rays You've Had? The dentist told me he took x-rays of my teeth, but I have to take his word for it.
Y - Your Favorite Food? Pure, unadulterated dark chocolate
Z - Zodiac Sign? Watch for falling rocks.
There we go. I have discharged my duties to the worst of my abilities.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Nietschze Saturday
I was trying to come up with an appropriate post for Nietschze Saturday, and nothing seemed appropriate. So let me just say that even though you may not be seeking Zarathustra, it doesn't mean Zarathustra is not seeking you. So have a contemplative Nietschze Saturday.
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