A.F.I. Ranking: 61
Director: Preston Struges
Starring: John McCrea, Veronica Lake
Release Year: 1941
Brief Synopsis: John Sullivan is a movie director who has made his name in directing comedies. He is tired of turning out meaningless films, and wants to turn his talents to more dramatic work that show hardships and heart ache. The suits that Sullivan work for point out the he knows nothing about hard times, and needs to stick to what he knows. Sullivan agrees and decides that he will leave Hollywood dressed as a hobo and with only ten cents in his pocket, determined not to return to Hollywood until he knows enough about a hard life to direct his next project, “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?”.
My Thoughts: I had no idea what I was getting into when I put this movie into the DVD player. I had never even heard of it and just randomly picked it off of AFI’s list to watch. Within the first five minutes I thought I was going to be watching a cheeky 1940s comedy that made people laugh back then, but now days you just watch and think how lame. About twenty minutes into the movie the film took a definite shift and turned into a dramatic film about how people in this country treat the homeless. I enjoyed this movie that even when it turned really dark, still managed to make me laugh.
“There's a lot to be said for making people laugh. Did you know that that's all some people have? It isn't much, but it's better than nothing in this cockeyed caravan.”
Rating: List Worthy
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
#20 It's a Wonderful Life
A.F.I. Ranking: 20
Director: Frank Capra
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
Release Year: 1946
Brief Synopsis: George Bailey has spent his whole life putting his dreams of traveling the world on hold to help the people of his small town, Bedford Falls. As things start to unravel, George starts to doubt his life and if it has had any real meaning. On Christmas Eve George hits rock bottom and is visted by Clarence, a guardian angel, who will show George how Bedford Falls would have been different had George never been born. George soon realizes that his small life has had a huge impact.
My Thoughts: Not only is this my favorite Christmas movie, but it is one of my favorite movies of all time. I think so many people hold this movie close to their hearts for a couple of reasons. First, this movie reminds so many people of their parents and grandparents because it has been in the back ground of so many holiday memories. Bedford Falls reminds its audinece of simpler times when there was no technology or super centers. It was just family and friends and the corner store. This movie is also so memorable because George Bailey is such a relatable character. He is the classic nice guy trying to do good. Who hasn’t felt like George before, wondering if they have made the right choices in life and if anything they have done matters? This movie gives hope and shows that in the end good prevails. It shows that people are good natured and will come together when one of its own is in trouble.
“No one is born to be a failure. No one is poor who has friends. A toast to George Bailey, the richest man in town.”
Rating: Top of the List!
Director: Frank Capra
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
Release Year: 1946
Brief Synopsis: George Bailey has spent his whole life putting his dreams of traveling the world on hold to help the people of his small town, Bedford Falls. As things start to unravel, George starts to doubt his life and if it has had any real meaning. On Christmas Eve George hits rock bottom and is visted by Clarence, a guardian angel, who will show George how Bedford Falls would have been different had George never been born. George soon realizes that his small life has had a huge impact.
My Thoughts: Not only is this my favorite Christmas movie, but it is one of my favorite movies of all time. I think so many people hold this movie close to their hearts for a couple of reasons. First, this movie reminds so many people of their parents and grandparents because it has been in the back ground of so many holiday memories. Bedford Falls reminds its audinece of simpler times when there was no technology or super centers. It was just family and friends and the corner store. This movie is also so memorable because George Bailey is such a relatable character. He is the classic nice guy trying to do good. Who hasn’t felt like George before, wondering if they have made the right choices in life and if anything they have done matters? This movie gives hope and shows that in the end good prevails. It shows that people are good natured and will come together when one of its own is in trouble.
“No one is born to be a failure. No one is poor who has friends. A toast to George Bailey, the richest man in town.”
Rating: Top of the List!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
#23 The Grapes of Wrath
A.F.I. Ranking: 23
Director: John Ford
Starring: Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Charley Grapwin
Release Year: 1940
Brief Synopsis: Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) has just been released from prison after a four year stay for commiting murder. When Joad gets back to his home in Oklahoma, he discovers his family has fallen on some tough times, so the family decides to pack-up all their belongings and drive to California where they have been promised there are jobs. Upon arriving to California, the Joad Family discovers that jobs are a lot harder to come by then they thought. There struggles threaten their safety as well as their family bonds.
My Thoughts: I am torn at what rating to give this movie. This movie is no doubt powerful. It is an interesting look at a dark time in American history, and this movie makes you realize how quickly and easily history can repeat itself. Henry Fonda gives an Acadamey Award winning performance in this film. In this film Fonda gives a very powerful speech that would stir up emotions in anybody, and even though this movie is so depressing it gives you hope, and even manages to throw in some funny one-liners. There are two downfalls to this movie. One, this movie is dark, and I don’t mean in it’s mood. All of the scenes are dark and dreary, that combined with my second downfall, it’s over 2 hour length, always makes me fall asleep when I watch this movie.
This movie is definitly hard to get through (I’ve seen it three times and have fallen asleep every time), but is definitly something you should see once in your life just to see a part of cinematic history and Henry Fonda’s dreamy, crystal eyes. “Maybe there ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue, they's just what people does. Some things folks do is nice and some ain't so nice, and that's all any man's got a right to say.”
Rating: List Worthy!
Director: John Ford
Starring: Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Charley Grapwin
Release Year: 1940
Brief Synopsis: Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) has just been released from prison after a four year stay for commiting murder. When Joad gets back to his home in Oklahoma, he discovers his family has fallen on some tough times, so the family decides to pack-up all their belongings and drive to California where they have been promised there are jobs. Upon arriving to California, the Joad Family discovers that jobs are a lot harder to come by then they thought. There struggles threaten their safety as well as their family bonds.
My Thoughts: I am torn at what rating to give this movie. This movie is no doubt powerful. It is an interesting look at a dark time in American history, and this movie makes you realize how quickly and easily history can repeat itself. Henry Fonda gives an Acadamey Award winning performance in this film. In this film Fonda gives a very powerful speech that would stir up emotions in anybody, and even though this movie is so depressing it gives you hope, and even manages to throw in some funny one-liners. There are two downfalls to this movie. One, this movie is dark, and I don’t mean in it’s mood. All of the scenes are dark and dreary, that combined with my second downfall, it’s over 2 hour length, always makes me fall asleep when I watch this movie.
This movie is definitly hard to get through (I’ve seen it three times and have fallen asleep every time), but is definitly something you should see once in your life just to see a part of cinematic history and Henry Fonda’s dreamy, crystal eyes. “Maybe there ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue, they's just what people does. Some things folks do is nice and some ain't so nice, and that's all any man's got a right to say.”
Rating: List Worthy!
Friday, November 13, 2009
#76 Forrest Gump
A.F.I. Ranking: 76
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field
Release Year: 1994
Brief Synopsis: Forrest Gump tells the story of Forrest, a boy with braces on his legs and a slow mind. This simple boy moves on to grow-up through some pretty great things in his life. He goes to college, Vietnam, becomes a ping-pong champ, runs across the country, and becomes a father. Through his adventures he stumbles across some pretty historical events and some pretty important people such as JFK and John Lennon. While all of this is fantastic, Forrest just wants to find his Jenny and live happily ever after.
My Thoughts: The DVD box calls this movie an epic and it definitely is. This movie takes the audience through the American history of the 1960s and 70s in a very unique way, as a backdrop to Forrest’s life. This movie has many great performances. It is funny, sweet, heartbreaking, and heartwarming all at the same time. It is filled with so many lines that have become a part of American language. Tom Hanks received an Academy Award for his performance, and rightfully so. As I watched this movie tonight I thought two things: one- they haven’t made great movies like this in a very long time, and two- “He sure does love his Dr. Pepper!”
Rating: List Worthy!
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field
Release Year: 1994
Brief Synopsis: Forrest Gump tells the story of Forrest, a boy with braces on his legs and a slow mind. This simple boy moves on to grow-up through some pretty great things in his life. He goes to college, Vietnam, becomes a ping-pong champ, runs across the country, and becomes a father. Through his adventures he stumbles across some pretty historical events and some pretty important people such as JFK and John Lennon. While all of this is fantastic, Forrest just wants to find his Jenny and live happily ever after.
My Thoughts: The DVD box calls this movie an epic and it definitely is. This movie takes the audience through the American history of the 1960s and 70s in a very unique way, as a backdrop to Forrest’s life. This movie has many great performances. It is funny, sweet, heartbreaking, and heartwarming all at the same time. It is filled with so many lines that have become a part of American language. Tom Hanks received an Academy Award for his performance, and rightfully so. As I watched this movie tonight I thought two things: one- they haven’t made great movies like this in a very long time, and two- “He sure does love his Dr. Pepper!”
Rating: List Worthy!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
#10 The Wizard of Oz
A.F.I. Ranking: 10
Director: Victor Flemming
Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, and Billie Burke
Release Year: 1939
Brief Synopsis: I feel silly writing a synopsis about one of the most popular movies of all time, but here it goes. Dorothy is a young girl from Kansas who dreams of bigger adventures (insert song) “beyond the moon, beyond the rain.” Little did she know she was about to be faced with the biggest adventure of all time. A tornado hits Kansas sucking up Dorothy’s house with her and her precious pup inside. The tornado sets Dorothy back down in a Technicolor paradise filled with witches, munchkins, and talking trees. Dorothy desperately wants to get back home, so she decides to follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz to send her home. Dorothy makes an interesting group of friends along the way, while constantly being followed by a wicked witch and her band of flying monkeys (are we sure this movie wasn’t made in the 70s).
My Thoughts: This movie is definitely one of a kind. It is the only movie in this world that I can think of that everybody between the ages of two and one-hundred can quote. I don’t know anybody who wasn’t raised on this movie. Like pie and baseball, The Wizard of Oz is an American institution. There are also very few movies that you watched over and over as a child, and then watch as an adult without thinking it completely cheesy. When I was a kid I loved the musical numbers (although I just realized some of the crazy lyrics as an adult) and thought the characters were silly. As an adult now I realize what a great story and moral lesson this movie is. Like all of you, I have seen this movie dozens of times. Nothing is more comforting when you are sick then a bowl of chicken soup, an old blankie, and The Wizard of Oz.
“I learned that, if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again I shouldn’t look any farther than my own backyard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with…”
Rating: Top of the List!
Director: Victor Flemming
Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, and Billie Burke
Release Year: 1939
Brief Synopsis: I feel silly writing a synopsis about one of the most popular movies of all time, but here it goes. Dorothy is a young girl from Kansas who dreams of bigger adventures (insert song) “beyond the moon, beyond the rain.” Little did she know she was about to be faced with the biggest adventure of all time. A tornado hits Kansas sucking up Dorothy’s house with her and her precious pup inside. The tornado sets Dorothy back down in a Technicolor paradise filled with witches, munchkins, and talking trees. Dorothy desperately wants to get back home, so she decides to follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz to send her home. Dorothy makes an interesting group of friends along the way, while constantly being followed by a wicked witch and her band of flying monkeys (are we sure this movie wasn’t made in the 70s).
My Thoughts: This movie is definitely one of a kind. It is the only movie in this world that I can think of that everybody between the ages of two and one-hundred can quote. I don’t know anybody who wasn’t raised on this movie. Like pie and baseball, The Wizard of Oz is an American institution. There are also very few movies that you watched over and over as a child, and then watch as an adult without thinking it completely cheesy. When I was a kid I loved the musical numbers (although I just realized some of the crazy lyrics as an adult) and thought the characters were silly. As an adult now I realize what a great story and moral lesson this movie is. Like all of you, I have seen this movie dozens of times. Nothing is more comforting when you are sick then a bowl of chicken soup, an old blankie, and The Wizard of Oz.
“I learned that, if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again I shouldn’t look any farther than my own backyard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with…”
Rating: Top of the List!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
#5 Singin' in the Rain
A.F.I. Ranking: 5
Director: Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Conner, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen
Release Year: 1952
Brief Synopsis: Silent movie stars Don Lockwood (Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Hagen) are at the top of their game when it is announced that Warner Brothers is creating the first talking picture. What should be exciting news, could be the end of Lockwood and Lamont due to the fact that Lamont has the most annoying voice on the face of the planet (and doesn’t realize it). Quickly Lockwood and his friends come up with a scheme that will keep Lamont’s god awful voice hidden from the public.
My Thoughts: I chose to start with this movie for two reasons. One, I have been a big Gene Kelly fan ever since my sister introduced me to his movies back in high school. Two, it is Sunday night and Singin’ in the Rain is the perfect Sunday night movie. Many musicals from the 50s do not stand the test of time. They are meant to be funny, but just come across as completely cheesy. This movie is an exception. Sure it has its bit of cheese, but this movie is really funny, even in 2009. This movie is a great mixture of sweet and funny, and not to mention amazing dancing. The three main actors make the dancing in this film look so easy, but holy cow! Next time you watch this movie, watch the actors’ feet as they dance. It is amazing.
This movie contains many songs that have become well know separate from the movie including “Good Mornin’”, “Gotta Dance”, and of course “Singin’ in the Rain”. I think many movies were included on A.F.I.’s list because they contain an iconic moment in movie history, and this movie definitely has one. Who hasn’t started humming Singin’ in the Rain when they get an umbrella in their hand? No matter what mood a person is in, when they see Gene Kelly dancing in the rain with his umbrella and huge smile, you can’t help but to smile yourself.
Rating: Top of the List!
Director: Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Conner, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen
Release Year: 1952
Brief Synopsis: Silent movie stars Don Lockwood (Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Hagen) are at the top of their game when it is announced that Warner Brothers is creating the first talking picture. What should be exciting news, could be the end of Lockwood and Lamont due to the fact that Lamont has the most annoying voice on the face of the planet (and doesn’t realize it). Quickly Lockwood and his friends come up with a scheme that will keep Lamont’s god awful voice hidden from the public.
My Thoughts: I chose to start with this movie for two reasons. One, I have been a big Gene Kelly fan ever since my sister introduced me to his movies back in high school. Two, it is Sunday night and Singin’ in the Rain is the perfect Sunday night movie. Many musicals from the 50s do not stand the test of time. They are meant to be funny, but just come across as completely cheesy. This movie is an exception. Sure it has its bit of cheese, but this movie is really funny, even in 2009. This movie is a great mixture of sweet and funny, and not to mention amazing dancing. The three main actors make the dancing in this film look so easy, but holy cow! Next time you watch this movie, watch the actors’ feet as they dance. It is amazing.
This movie contains many songs that have become well know separate from the movie including “Good Mornin’”, “Gotta Dance”, and of course “Singin’ in the Rain”. I think many movies were included on A.F.I.’s list because they contain an iconic moment in movie history, and this movie definitely has one. Who hasn’t started humming Singin’ in the Rain when they get an umbrella in their hand? No matter what mood a person is in, when they see Gene Kelly dancing in the rain with his umbrella and huge smile, you can’t help but to smile yourself.
Rating: Top of the List!
What is up with movie lists?
There are tons of best of movie lists out there in this world that I often disagree with. I have decided to work my way through the ultimate movie list, The American Film Institutes Greatest Movies of All Time. My goal is to watch every movie on the list whether it be again or for the first time, and decide for myself if it is list worthy. After watching the movie I will post my review here and I am sure cause some big arguments in the comments section. I can't wait!
PS. I know this is kind of dorky, but hey it's going to pass the time during those horrid winter months.
PS. I know this is kind of dorky, but hey it's going to pass the time during those horrid winter months.
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