The American Film Institute's Top 100 Movies of All Time

[c.d.]

http://www.afi.com/100years/movies10.aspx

c.d.

[sdreid]

I assume this is for United States of America films only. So in 6 years, will Intolerance be removed from the list because it's too old rather than because it is not in the top 100?

[glyn]

Makes you wonder if whoever compiles these lists ever actually go to the Cinema.At least ,as far as I can see (though I might be wrong as its only quick glance)there are no Johnny Depp films,so its step in right direction I guess.

[sdreid]

I'm glad to see Psycho on there but, wow, that high? The fact that Intolerance is on there and Birth of a Nation isn't looks timid if you know what I mean. Does your displeasure with a movie's bad viewpoint make it a bad film? I have seen 9 of the top ten and most of that voting group seems to think they're supposed to vote for Citizen Kane. My own choice for #1 would likely be either Dr. Strangelove or Rear Window.

[Derrick]

TITANIC

1500 so called film buff's are having a fooking laugh. Nice boat....shite film...full stop. It even has that bleeding annoying Celine Dion song in it an all.

Strewth.

Star Wars and Rocky are crap as well.

Godfather Part II is a much better film than the first one.

12 Angry Men at 87 Best film ever made as far as pure film making and ensemble acting is concerned.

Where is Pans Labyrinth and Get Carter (UK) eh?

I will say though it is good that so many non-CGI films are still recognised as being, well, brilliant film-making and not a computer animation exercise. That is why Kane is still number 1.

But there is no Bergman, Bunuel, Ealing, Kurosawa etc etc etc.

Aside: Bridge On The River Kwai is not an American film.

Derrick

[Derrick]

Makes you wonder if whoever compiles these lists ever actually go to the Cinema.At least ,as far as I can see (though I might be wrong as its only quick glance)there are no Johnny Depp films,so its step in right direction I guess.

I take it that you have never seen Edward Scissorhands then?

[glyn]

Derrick
I believe I watched 20 mins or so.....then fell asleep.My preference is for character driven films,and I m afraid Depp doesnt do it for me.

[c.d.]

"Citizen Kane" earned its top spot in part for the innovations Orson Welles introduced.

As an interesting aside, "rosebud" is the nickname that Hearst used for his mistress Marion Davies' private parts. It is what enraged him and caused his vendetta against Welles.

c.d.

[glyn]

Derrick
Coincidentally,you mentioned Bergman,have you seen "wild strawberries"?In my opinion probabley one of best films Ive ever watched.Character acting at its best. Swedish-yes...bettered-no.

[sdreid]

It looks to me like "Poverty Row" movies are shorted to the extreme as well. Where are films like Detour and Kansas City Confidential?

[Derrick]

I'm glad to see Psycho on there but, wow, that high? The fact that Intolerance is on there and Birth of a Nation isn't looks timid if you know what I mean. Does your displeasure with a movie's bad viewpoint make it a bad film? I have seen 9 of the top ten and most of that voting group seems to think they're supposed to vote for Citizen Kane. My own choice for #1 would likely be either Dr. Strangelove or Rear Window.

Stan

There are quite a few films in that list that deal with the sour underbelly of US society such as;

In The Heat Of The Night (bigotry and rascism)
Taxi Driver (alienation)
Apocalyse Now (recognised military failure)
The Deer Hunter (the effect of Vietnam on those that survived)
Raging Bull (a most unsavoury character as sporting hero)
Chinatown (city corruption)
On The Waterfront (working class struggle against gangsterism)
The Searchers (prejudice against the native population)
etc etc etc

If one was really going to go for a film that dealt, warts and all, with the growth of the US as a fledgling capitalist state then I would pick Cimino's Heavens Gate. A complete flop but a great film nonetheless.

As for Psycho....It is really dated. Rear Window is a much more watchable and disturbing film as are Vertigo and Frenzy which are among Hitchcocks best.

I prefer Barry Lyndon to Dr Strangelove and think it is Kubricks most beautiful and intelligent work of all.

Derrick

[Derrick]

Derrick
I believe I watched 20 mins or so.....then fell asleep.My preference is for character driven films,and I m afraid Depp doesnt do it for me.

Glyn

Watch it...it is a truly wonderful fairy tale of innocence, fear and intolerence in the best tradition of Andersen and Grimm

It is quite simply Tim Burton's best film.

Derrick

[Red Zeppelin]

"Citizen Kane" earned its top spot in part for the innovations Orson Welles introduced.

Citizen Kane is the most overrated film ever and it's mostly loved by film snobs and technical bores.

In reality (not silly lists) there is no such thing as the greatest/top film ever. The idea of coming up with THE top film ever is just preposterous. No film is good enough to claim that title over all others.

[Robert]

Interesting to see that Shane made the list and Stalag 13 didn't, for I believe that the two competed for the Oscars in the same year, and the war film won. I do think Shane was a much better film.