A closer look at the AFI's new 100 Best Films list

PenguinsGurl Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 10:00 PM EST

Wheres the list at? Hmmmm. You know where i can find the top love teen movies at ??

Hi Tue, Jun 26, 2007 at 09:07 AM EST

Titanic is on the list but Fargo isn't???

Jakeem Tue, Jun 26, 2007 at 01:18 AM EST

Hey, "Back to the Future" is probably more deserving than "Toy Story," especially because of its airtight screenplay.

Justin Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 05:34 PM EST

It would be nice to see a list where only sub-30 year old AFI members (if there are any) get to vote, considering most of that age range probably hasn't even heard of 2/3 of the movies on the list.

sarg Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 05:06 PM EST

where's blue velvet or blood simple....loved fargo, but that's a far better film...many i understand, and honestly as much as i'd love to see eternal sunshine there, it's a little early for it's contributions...hello? the usual supects, where are you? the 'twist' ending that made m night started here...pulp yes, but i'd actually argue that reservoir dogs had more of an impact...and whoever said little miss sunshine and american beauty deserves to sit down and watch some of the academy's other best picture nods that are now nothing more than a laughing stock

some argue that A.B. is the least derserving best picture win in the last 25, i agreee...

Rose Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 03:09 PM EST

Okay what about American Beauty?
hello its one of the best movies form the 90`s.
its a lot better than some other films on the list.

Bear Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 02:36 PM EST

Cece, my favorite movie of all time is "Eve's Bayou," with an all-black ensemble. Name any aspect of movie making, this one accomplishes all of them better than almost any film of the last decade. Ebert called it the best film of 1998. Kasi Lemmons hasn't even TRIED to top it since. But, no AFI recognition.

When AFI's prior list came out I remember reading in EW a list of movies one of the writers felt had been snubbed. "Back to the Future" was one of them. Go ahead, laugh. Eviscerate me. But I tihnk it would be perfect in the #100 spot.

brad griffin Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 01:47 PM EST

Saving private ryan .........with out a doubt yes

Cece Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 01:47 PM EST

Where are the black films. First they didn't have any. Now, the only one they have is Do the Right Thing? While that is a great movie and I'm glad it's on there, what about Malcom X or The Color Purple? These are two movies that remain on my top 10 list and they need to be on the AFI 100. Maybe in another 10 years, they'll have more than one black film. Maybe they'll have two.

Sam L Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 01:28 PM EST

Okay, the new list does improve upon the old one by including Keaton, Sturges, Rogers & Astaire, and Sunrise and Nashville and Toy Story. But Ebert is absolutely dead on accurate about "Fargo" being kicked off. It's a total travesty!!! And for what...Titanic? Blade Runner?? The Sixth Sense??? Morons! A bunch of morons, is what the committee obviously is. And they put in Fellowship of the Ring--which is not even that influential compared with Star Wars--but leave off Return of the King, which is hands down the best in the series? And they left "A Clockwork Orange" in, that smug, toxic adaptation of Anthony Burgess's thought-provoking book? Why didn't any Lubitsch film make the cut? And where's Blue Velvet? I'm not crazy about it, but it IS the most critically praised film of the '80s, and should have been admitted based on the list's own criteria. Ultimately, this new list is much worse than the original.

harrison Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 12:45 PM EST

Where are the comedies? I would be happy with a Farrelly Bros. classic -- either 'Theres Something About Mary' or 'Dumb & Dumber'...Also no Good Will Hunting or The Usual Suspects? I'm totally with Kirschling on Boogie Nights ... PTA should be on that list.

trigrrrcut Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 12:33 PM EST

Erm... Pulp Fiction is the greatest American motion picture of the past 20 years sorry to break it to everyone. It's emotionally engaging as well as candy colored escapism and socially relevant all rolled into one.

The list as do all things neglects comedy. Airplane!, Caddyshack, Young Frankenstein, even if you ask me The 40 Year Old Virgin deserve space on the list. The problem with alot of these lists is they forget about the joy movie making is supposed to provide. Sure Schindler's List is amazing cinema and speaks to the power of the movies to show us our short comings and our tragdies but entertainment is supposed to both engage and hit home.

Another point of contention almost in direct contrast to my last statement, where are the docs? Bowling For Columbine, Hoop Dreams, this is fertile terain in movie making that went completely ignored.

And the indies of the 80's! Jarmusch and Lynch in particular are in the top 25 most significant cinematic minds ever and they get nil!

Laura Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 12:24 PM EST

I can not believe Amadeus got cut from the list! Seriously, people, Amadeus is hands down one of the greatest movies ever - it's absolutely brilliant and perfect. Unfortunately, it seems like gritty crime or mob dramas get more attention over period movies.

Speaking of: Where, oh where, is Sense and Sensibility? Again, another brilliant, perfect movie that gets ignored because it's period and because it's a "girl" movie.

Pam Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 12:07 PM EST

Replace "on the list" with "number one on the list" on the below comment.

Pam Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 12:06 PM EST

Actually either Do the Right Thing or Sunset Boulevard should be on the list, and I agree with C on Cassavettes and Cronenberg, as long as its not the Fly.

Pam Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 12:02 PM EST

Star Wars doesn't deserve to be on there because it isn't any good. The same with Pulp Fiction, it's completely hollow and shitty, hollow crap is all it is.

James Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 11:57 AM EST

Pulp Fiction is worse than Titanic, it IS all style no substance. The same can be said for Star Wars.

Jack Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 11:56 AM EST

Pulp Fiction sucks ass, stop lauding when it is exactly as Ash says. It seems Natahn is the one who isn't too bright, anyone who thinks Pulp Fiction deserves to be on the list would feel more at home in a Tarantino circle jerk than in a movie theater.

Dan Daoust Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 09:14 AM EST

I'm still scratching my head at how The Usual Suspects doesn't make the list, and how no one complains about that.

RTA Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 08:44 AM EST

"Young Frankenstein" deserved a slot in there. Can't beat it for LOLs.

Tim Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 07:59 AM EST

Wait a few years, the list will be updated again and some of those movies that dropped off will be back, as well as some of the more recent additions fall off. And Star Wars does belong on the list. It changed movies.

Paul Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 07:57 AM EST

You can't overlook Titanic and the historical significance. After a relatively poor opening at the US box office, it became a powerhouse and was #1 for months. Why? Because people LOVED IT. They saw it again and again. It was the ultimate word of mouth movie.
At one showing I went to, a woman brought a box of tissues, and passed it down the row so everyone could share. People backlash against it I think partially for Leo's popularity afterwords, but the movie belongs on that list.

nathan Sun, Jun 24, 2007 at 07:10 PM EST

First of all, Ash ain't too bright. Pulp Fiction is probably the most infulential and imitated American movie of the past 20 years. What I'd really be interested in seeing is a Top 100 list for world cinema and see how movies like Bicycle Thieves and Nights of Cabiria would rank. Kane's a good choice for the AFI #1 though.

Matt Sun, Jun 24, 2007 at 03:19 PM EST

By those standards some Movies like Titanic would make the List on Money alone. Also there were only 1500 people allowed to Vote and many of the ones who Voted 10 years ago may have died or were not asked to Vote this time. This may account for some of the Dramatic Changes.

Matt Sun, Jun 24, 2007 at 03:17 PM EST

Here is the Official Rules for Voting:

AFI asks jurors to consider the following in their selection process:
CRITERIA
FEATURE-LENGTH FICTION FILM
Narrative format, typically over 60 minutes in length.
AMERICAN FILM
Motion picture with significant creative and/or production elements from
the United States.
CRITICAL RECOGNITION
Formal commendation in print, television and digital media.
MAJOR AWARD WINNER
Recognition from competitive events including awards from peer groups,
critics, guilds and major film festivals.
POPULARITY OVER TIME
Including success at the box office, television and cable airings, and
DVD/VHS sales and rentals.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
A film's mark on the history of the moving image through visionary
narrative devices, technical innovation, or other groundbreaking
achievements.
CULTURAL IMPACT
A film's mark on American society in matters of style and substance.

Ash Sun, Jun 24, 2007 at 03:11 PM EST

Star Wars is the best example of bullshit on the list. George Lucas has never made a worthwhile movie and Star Wars is just his samurai/cowboy/Flash Gordon wet dream that doesn't measure up to any of its influences. Blade Runner kicks Star Wars' overrated ass.

Ash Sun, Jun 24, 2007 at 03:06 PM EST

I also think Pulp Fiction doesn't deserve to be on there. The movie is all style and no substance, all it is is Tarantino pleasuring himself to 70s nostalgia. All Pulp Fiction is is an homage movie, nothing really original nor interesting there.

Alex P Keaton Sun, Jun 24, 2007 at 02:37 PM EST

What I like most about this is how outraged people are that this list is not consistent with their preferences. This is a list of the 100 Greatest Movies. Greatest is not an absolute term; you can interpret "great" in many different ways. Anyone completing the survey forming the list, and anyone responding to it, can have very different perspectives on what it means (from an entertainment view to an influential view to a critical view). So depending on what lens you choose to analyze movies for greatness, you are going to come up with different results.

Tommy Sun, Jun 24, 2007 at 01:02 PM EST

what are you all complaining about? Titanic made it in at 83, in no way professing that it was in the top 10, or even top 50. i like that movie besides, some people are lucky to have a monumental romance, i've seen it happen before in life. how many people can say that they've asked for favors from a godfather? stop your bickering and shut up!

Kay Sun, Jun 24, 2007 at 10:37 AM EST

Is it just me, or does "To Kill a Mockingbird" deserve a higher spot on this list than #25? This is one of my favorite films of all times not only for its social justice themes, brilliant direction, and rich characters but it is simply one of the most pure and touching stories of all times, on or off the big screen. And thank you, Matthew, for your appropriate retort in defense of Italian-American filmmakers - I couldn't have said it better myself!

Sun, Jun 24, 2007 at 02:15 AM EST

WHat Pulp Fiction not on the list. You've got to be kidding!!! Pulp Fiction is the best film of the 90's and should probably be in the top 25 films of all time!!!

Sun, Jun 24, 2007 at 12:10 AM EST

To anonymous: uhh how the heck does star wars not belong on the list? Have you even watched it?!?!

ew Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 11:33 PM EST

puke to the titanic that should not even be on the top 100 all anyone gets out of that movie is a sore azz from sitting there for 3 hrs

C Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 10:33 PM EST

Damn, the link doesn't work anymore. But he did include John Cassavetes (sp?) which is blasphemy excluding from any top 100 list. Also, where are some Cronenberg movies? I would actually axe every
thing AFI put on their list, none of those movies are any good really. Besides Vertigo, Sunset Boulevard, and Do the Right Thing there isn't one decent pick on there. Both Welles and John Ford have done better work. The list completely disregards all horror despite how influential horror is. Put some Romero or maybe Re-Animator on there to make the list somewhere neare decent.

Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 10:21 PM EST

http://www.chicagoreader.com/movies/100best.html

Here's a far better list than AFI could ever come up with, extra congrats to Rosenbaum for including Dead Man.

Dan Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 10:15 PM EST

I can't believe Star Wars and Pulp Fiction are still on the, definitely agree with Anonymous' ones to exclude.

C Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 10:13 PM EST

Good call on the Conversation being better that the overrated Godfathers. I agree with that those should have been excluded, They put too many Chaplin and Hitchcock movies on there. And Lord of the Rings was fantasic garbage, especially that overblown last one. The Man Who Show Liberty Valance should have mad it on there. Also, if you're going to pick a James Cameron movie at leats pick a decent one, why not Terminator 2 instead? I mean it's better than Titanic.

Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 09:52 PM EST

Movies that by no way deserve to be on the list:
Saving Private Ryan
Star Wars
Psycho
Sixth Sense
Both Godfathers (the Conversation is the best Coppola)
Shane
Rear Window
Modern Times
City Lights
MASH
LORD OF THE RINGS (what the hell is this doing here?)
Rocky
Bonnie and Clyde
American Graffiti
Forrest Gump
A Clockwork Orange (not even an American movie, plus Kubrick's worst film)
Yankee Doodle Dandy (of all Cagney's films they pick his worst)
Pulp Fiction (come on)
Titanic

Maureen Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 09:50 PM EST

Swing Time WASN'T on the list before? That's criminally stupid. I'm with all the Casablanca lovers, as well as the Titanic haters. I still can't believe James Cameron thought he needed to add an overwrought love story to make the movie dramatic. Dude, an unsinkable ship sank drowning/freezing hundreds; that's dramatic enough.

E Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 09:09 PM EST

"Kane" is a snoozer--and no way better than Godfather 1 or 2

Heidi Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 08:52 PM EST

I was pulling for Casablanca to hit #1 as well. And I'm happy to see I wasn't the only one thinking "Eternal Sunshine!!" in the back of my head while watching, knowing it surely wouldn't be on there. Boo. Titanic, Sixth Sense=overrated. WHY, GOD, WHY do we lose The Manchurian Candidate for TITANIC? REALLY?????

Alex Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 07:46 PM EST

'The Crowd' and 'American Beauty'

Martha Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 07:21 PM EST

Why shouldn't "Singin in the Rain" be higher on the list than "Gone with the Wind"? (We can debate "Vertigo" and "Lawrence"...) I loved GWTW as a melodramatic teenager, but now it just seems overlong and overblown. And furry_tom, I'm with you on "Spinal Tap"...perhaps for the next iteration of this list we can play a bit of Mach and turn the voting up to 11.

Tuzo Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 03:09 PM EST

Casablanca or Citizen Kane? I find myself in the formers camp. I've seen Citizen Kane and it was good. It may be technically groundbreaking and technically superior but Casablanca is just so much more engaging and entertaining. Maybe it's the subject matter?

If I happen to stumble upon Casablanca on TV I'll think, "oh, good!" and settle in to watch the rest of the movie. If I stumble on to Citizen Kane, I'll probably pause for a a minute or two and think to myself something like, "interesting camera angle -- you can see the ceiling" and then change the channel.

Elliot Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 02:57 PM EST

Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption should've been much higher on the list. And Titanic and Forrest Gump shouldn't even be in the Top 300 movies of all time.

Grulg Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 02:51 PM EST

Kane is so over-rated. The Third Man, for example, if you wanna use a Welles flick, is better, interesting, etc. that to me is a keeper. Why they omit things like 'You Can't Take it With You', 'Big Sleep' or 'Yankee Doodle Dandy', well ya got me.

RayT Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 01:13 PM EST

I was a little disappointed that "Pulp Fiction" wasn't one of the films that vaulted up the list a giant number of places. When the first list was made in '97, it's understandable that "Pulp" wasn't ranked that high. But 10 years later, that film has had an immeasurable impact on countless filmmakers in terms of dialog, narrative flow and even the way music is used in film. Additionally, it's one of the only super-hyped films in history that, every time you go back and rewatch it, reassures you it's not overrated in any way, shape or form.

On another note, I'm so glad to see I wasn't the only one hoping that "Eternal Sunshine" would land a spot on the list! I consider it the best American film since... well... Pulp Fiction!

Lesley Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 01:09 PM EST

I agree with the sentiment that "Rebel without a Cause" should not have been dropped from the list, especially for garbage like "Titanic." I'm sorry, that is the most overrated film of ANY decade.

Marcy Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 12:32 PM EST

No Amadeus? I'm outraged!

Titanic seems to be a pretty controversial pick, but Titanic is also pretty culturally significant because of how popular it is. After all, after 10 years, it's still the box-office champ.

Although Citizen Kane is a proper pick because of its influence on films and its artistic merits and structure of storytelling, I found it empty. Yes, I thought it was engaging and Orson Welles delivered an amazing performance, but I just didn't emotionally connect to the film when it was over.

Brainiac Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 10:58 AM EST

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner was booted!? Noooooo! It's a great film, with great actors. Watching that movie made me see what real acting is. And the story line was interesting, as well! It's a movie that still holds up today. I don't remember what the movie Do the Right Thing was about, but the title sounds familiar......

Jim Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 10:55 AM EST

Oh my. As soon as I saw that All About Eve had plummeted 12 spots, the list was all over for me.

And really, shouldn't there be a time delay as to when they put a movie on the list? Their recent selections simply don't seem to be movies that will stand the test of time. I mean...The Sixth Sense?

But hurrah to Vertigo for getting a much deserved boost to the top 10.

Gabe Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 10:15 AM EST

My big beef with the new list (other than overly trendy new editions like "Blade Runner" and "Sixth Sense") is that "The Manchurian Candidate" fell off. That remains one of the all-time greats, IMHO.

Matthew Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 10:00 AM EST

I'm so proud "Vertigo" made its way onto the top ten. That movie is amazing, stunning, just simply great.

I wanted to see "The Apartment" a little higher, but I can deal with that.

Say what you want, but I think the whole "Lord of the Rings" trilogy is high overrated, as is "Titanic."

Where's "Little Miss Sunshine" by the way?

And REBECCA B., I'm sorry that you feel that this was an [overblown?] tribute to Italian-Americans. Because I mean seriously, "The Godfather"s are horrible right? How'd they find their way onto a list of best movies ever made. And you know "Raging Bull" is pretty bad right?
I guess us Italian-Americans will just go back to you know "eating pasta" and being mobsters.

Did you ever think [and this is wild, isn't it?] that Italian Americans are good filmmakers? Guess not.

Jason Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 08:49 AM EST

Fargo lost - boo! Do the Right Thing added - yay! Titanic - boo! I do think that Eternal Sunshine has had a cultural impact, it would have been a welcome addition. Citizen Kane has become a cliche, but still a good movie. Also, good call on Boogie Nights, probably the best of the past 15 years. Not a bad list, though.

MsDaisy Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 08:48 AM EST

"Titanic" is one of the 100 best movies of all time??? It's not even the best movie about the Titanic. See the 1953 version, also called "Titanic" with Barbara Stanwyk, Clifton Webb and a young Robert Wagner instead.

Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 08:03 AM EST

I think ROTK should have been on the list instead of Fellowship...both movies are amazing but ROTK is a much more emotional and engaging film. And i will always wish that Star Wars nabbed the number one spot. I haven't seen Citizen Kane and I know that its probably brilliant and artistic, but I've never had more fun watching a movie than when I watch Star Wars. And in the end...isnt that what its all about? Even today, 30 years after it was released, people who haven't even seen the movie know what it is. Has there ever been a film that has stayed with people as long as Star Wars has? I at least believe it deserves a spot in the top 10.

Meier Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 12:47 AM EST

If we're going to talk about the Coen brothers' movies that should be on the list, you young'uns can weep over Fargo's omission and the obliviousness of The Big Lebowski all you like. For me, there's only one Coens movie that deserves a spot in the official 100 list, one that made its 100 comedies list even:
Raising Arizona.

Daniel Sat, Jun 23, 2007 at 12:40 AM EST

I agree that only Titanic really deserved to be on the list from the movies from the 90s. Saving Private Ryan is great, not top 100 of all time great, and Lord of the Rings and Sixth Sense are both movies that were okay but haven't really aged well (M. Night's continuation with making bad movies seems to make his old ones just seem so lame because his gimmicks are more obvious). I would have liked to see Notorious by Hitchcock make the list, one that rarely makes list but is one of his finest, and something a little more unique like Being John Malkovich or Magnolia would've been nice, and agreed that This Is Spinal Tap should be on there.

Nix Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 11:43 PM EST

I think, considering these are results of a survey, that Fellowship was chosen over ROTK because it made more of an impact, cinematically, business-wise, and emotionally. To be honest, even as a big fan, by the time ROTK came around, there was a front-runner victory-lap to the whole thing, and a lot of people were starting to get sick of hobbits and Gollum and dirty bearded men and most of all Legolas. Fellowship was a risk, it was emotionally complete, its timing during that weird period after September 2001 but before March 2003 was perfect for its message, and it was visually and linguistically startling -- straight up sincere. It gets better with each viewing, whereas ROTK starts to nag. Besides, it's commonly accepted that ROTK's 11 wins were for the trilogy as a whole, not for the movie in itself.

Dan Jones Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 11:34 PM EST

Kane is an awful movie. It's an overrated two hour ego-fest for a director that did much better work in other films. It shouldn't even be on the list.

Jakeem Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 11:33 PM EST

Excuse me? "Doctor Zhivago" gets booted from the Top 100? Blasphemy!
Also, "Singin' in the Rain" may be the perfect movie musical, but does it really deserve a higher ranking than Hitchcock's masterpiece "Vertigo" or epics such as "Gone With the Wind" and "Lawrence of Arabia"?
As Amy Winehouse would say, "No. No. No."

Cassie Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 11:10 PM EST

I was pulling for Casablanca to be #1 this time. Citizen Kane is a masterpiece artistically. But once you get past studying frames and camera angles, it's boring. Casablanca isn't only artistically wonderful, but it's got an emotional story that captivates you from almost the beginning. As for The Godfather usurping it? Well, I can't be too upset about that because The Godfather is amazing too. I really do feel bad for thinking Citizen Kane is boring. I appreciate it for its artistic merit and what it did for filmmaking, but a film has to enthrall me at the same time.

So happy Singing in the Rain made it higher! It really is the best musical ever. I was a little upset On the Waterfront dropped so much, but it still made the top 20. And even though I knew it didn't have a chance, I think Eternal Sunshine should have been on the list. But then again, all the more recent films on the list had a significant cultural impact and Sunshine hasn't yet. And Top Hat is a better than Swingtime.

to anon. Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 09:48 PM EST

movies move up the list with their staying power and relevancy in current culture. Some may move down perhaps because rave reviews lose support through time.

Shawn Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 09:03 PM EST

Pretty good list but in what world is the Sixth Sense better than Pulp Fiction? Also, I'm totally with you on giving a nod to His Girl Friday - maybe the best screenplay of all time.

Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 08:55 PM EST

How is it that a movie can move up on this list? I mean I know that a new movie can come in above an old movie thus knocking it down a peg, but how does one movie rise 20 spaces...Rocky was in the 70's on the last list, now it's in the 50's. Don't get me wrong, Rocky is my favorite movie of all time...but I don't understand how it gets better with age?!

Brian Z Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 08:35 PM EST

I want both Fargo and Lebowski on there but that's me. I find it a bummer that no Coen work is on there considering the amount of great films they have made.

andy Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 08:26 PM EST

Casablanca is my favorite film, but you can't argue with Citizen Kane. And while it's nice to see Toy Story on the list, it doesn't belong way down in the 90s any more than ``The Searchers'' did on the last list. You could make the case that ``Toy Story'' is the most influential movie since ``Jaws'' and ``Star Wars'' helped shaped Hollywood's blockbuster mentality.

Tony Ginorio Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 07:50 PM EST

As a Disney fan, I am sad to see that Fantasia was dropped from th;e list, but at least they brought in Toy Story, an equally worthy cinematic achievement. Still, I can't help feeling that the AFI has little love for Pinocchio, which I feel is a much better film than Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Not that Snow White doesn't belong up there, quite the contrary. It was, and still is, an extraordinary film, especially for being someone's debut feature. It's just that I consider Pinocchio to be more mature artistically. As for Toy Story, I like it better than Snow White, yet it's not even my favorite Pixar film. That would be Finding Nemo.

King Kane Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 07:36 PM EST

Kane still works brilliantly. I think it deserves the title. Indeed, I think it gets better with age. A lot of people talk about the puzzle structure of Kane, or the technical innovations, but forget all that. It's an endlessly engaging yarn: briskly paced, full of clever dialogue and enigmatic, complex characterizations... The Godfather owes a debt to Citizen Kane but it lacks Kane's energy... As for Raging Bull, I'm sorry, but I just don't get it. I think Scorsese, while he seems like a great guy and a great film scholar, is vastly over-rated as a director. Goodfellas is his best movie, and even that's lost something over time.

Rebecca B. Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 07:17 PM EST

Where is The Color Purple? Where is Audrey Hepburn this time? The Godfather...TWICE? I think this list turned out to be an overblown tribute to Italians in American cinema.

whol Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 07:09 PM EST

titanic being on there....no

Baby Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 06:51 PM EST

I love Citizen Kane. Rosebud has been said to be a reference to someone's body part, which really surprised me. I know the sled had the name on it, but as it goes, with a hidden meaning. Stories such as this one had good acting, and because of censorship, the imagination played a big part in film. This lead writers, producers, etc. to be quite creative.

Guess who's coming to dinner is still one of my favorites. I loved the look on Katharine Hepburn's face when she was told of the budding romance. The meddlesome clergy friend was a nice touch to the story.

Jessica Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 06:48 PM EST

I fully agree with the inclusion of LOTR, but am still highly pissed that Rebel Without A Cause was axed to make way for such cinematic greatness such as...Titanic? When did that become more than an overblown love story? And, yes, I admit it makes me cry and yes, I do enjoy it but better than Rebel? Or even Pulp Fiction, Blade Runner, & Bringing Up Baby? I think not! For shame AFI, for shame ::shakes index finger sternly::

wildecat Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 06:05 PM EST

I was surprised that they picked Fellowship over Return of the King for the LOTR pick - King, after all, won a slew of Oscars and is an amazingly moving epic while Fellowship, not surprisingly, spends a lot of its time on exposition. And I missed what the experts had to say about it because I had to, ya know, be a Mom at that precise moment (major bunk bed crisis). Can anyone fill me in?

Otherwise, I agree with everything you said. Thrilled to see Raging Bull move into the Top 10 and agree wholeheartedly about Fargo - I never got why the critics swooned so much over that film.

furry_tom Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 05:55 PM EST

They still can't make room for This is Spinal Tap? Is it because it looks like they've got armadillos in their trousers?

Stephen Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 05:31 PM EST

I don't care what's on the list, just as long as "Kane" is king. That movie is phenomenal (sp???). It wrenches my heart every time I watch it, which is by now like three million.