AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies
Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 3:47AM A list of the top films of all time is more often than not, dubious at best. However, the American Film Institute's list of Top 100 American films of the last 100 years is generally respected as one of the go-to lists (the other being Sight and Sound's decennial top-10).
When I stumbled upon AFI's list, I was surprised by how many "classic" American films I hadn't seen (in fact, four of the top five: Citizen Kane, The Godfather, Raging Bull, and Singin' In the Rain). Pretty sad stuff. As someone who wants to spend the rest of his life making films, I realized I wasn't doing a good job of following my dear friend Jordan Mahome's proverbial advice: "Be a good film maker, watch good films." However, having said that, I challenge anyone to tell me Newsies is not a good film...
Chicken-nugget loving genetic freak.It's really like anything in life: you want a healthy body, you eat whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and go sugar-free a la Steve Nash. Or you solely eat chicken-nuggets and be born a genetic freak. You know, either way...
In the same vein, I think it's very important to have a good contextual understanding of film history and to digest good/"healthy" films. So, in short, I've decided to watch all 100 films on the list starting from numero uno. I'm about 20-deep into it right now and still going strong.
If you're at all curious, the main criteria to make it on AFI's list are the following:
1. Feature-length (at least 40 min. long)
2. Narrative Film (no documentaries make the list)
3. American Film (strong American influence/English)
4. Major Award Winner (gimme that gold statue!)
5. Popularity over time (how well it stands up to the test of time)
6. Historical Significance (the impact it has had on film history)
7. Cultural Impact (on american society as a whole)
I also think it's important to think critically about these films and openly foster a discussion, whether it's with other people (ideally) or with myself (that's ok too). I've decided I'm going to start doing that with this blog serving as my soapbox. I am currently working on an analysis that I was originally going to include in this introductory blog post, but it's going to take me too long to finish so I thought I'd split it into two separate posts.
Also, because I'm lazy...
afi 100, chicken nuggets, ryan, ryan velasquez, rybo, steve nash, usain bolt, velasquez in AFI 100, Musings 
Reader Comments (8)
Open the gates and seize the day
Don't be afraid and don't delay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us
Give our rights away
Neighbor to neighbor
Father to son
One for all and all for one
When you got a hundred voices singin'
Who can hear a lousy whistle blow?
And the world will know
That this ain't no game
That we got a ton of rotten fruit and perfect aim
So they gave their word
But it ain't worth beans
Now they're gonna see
What "stop the presses" really means
And the day has come
And the time is now
And the fear is gone!!!
now i really wanna watch the movie
agreed!
how have you not seen the Godfather?
calm down... calm down. I've seen it now :)
Just watched Denzel Washington in "Man on Fire" directed by Tony Scott - loved it. I started to watch it as I clicked through the channels, was going to leave it but couldn't. Some reason it really reasonated with me.
I love the way it was shot and edited. Marc Anthony was so, so in it; as was much of the cast. However, I think it was wasterfully shot, cut, edited to weave a tension-filled story one that depicts what unfortunately happens to much now a days in Mexico and other Latin American countries - kidnap for ransom.. I am curious to see what you think once you see it.
Yeah, Man on Fire is definitely a film I've been meaning ot watch for a really long time and haven't gotten around to it.
I'll definitely let you know what I think when I do pops!