AFI #7 – Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

I don’t believe that I have ever watched this film in total. I know that I have seen many parts of it but decided that it was time to put in the effort. And it is an effort. At over 3 1/2 hours, it takes that determination but is worth every bit. This was Peter [...]

AFI #23 – The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

Despite this film being nearly 70 years old, it still works. The look of the film was actually pretty contemporary. Henry Fonda, John Carradine and Jane Darwell all turned in stellar efforts. Even secondary players like Grant Mitchell (the manager at the government camp) show how seriously their craft was taken. He is the prototype for [...]

AFI #4 – Raging Bull (1980)

I’m really wondering how this film jumped from #24 in 1997 to #4. Don’t get me wrong, it is a great film. But in re-watching it, it has lost a lot of its luster to me. I think it should be around #20 or so. It is definitely a showcase of American cinema. The casting [...]

AFI #29 – Double Indemnity (1944) *

This was a great movie. Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck were cast very well for this role (except for the wig that Stanwyck was wearing). It was kind of nice to see MacMurray play a bit of a heavy in the film. The dialogue was vintage film noir, with the staccato style and (what are [...]

AFI #05 – Singing In The Rain (1952) *

I have to start with the disclaimer that I am not a fan of musicals. Most film musicals (to me) tend to present the material as if it were on stage. The procedures of a good stage performance look strange on camera. The interactions between the characters don’t seem ‘natural’. All that being said, this [...]

AFI #19 – On The Waterfront (1954)

After re-watching this film, I have come to appreciate it a little more. The acting of Marlon Brando really ranges from understated to over the top. There were a couple of scenes that were a little cheesy, but for the most part his performance was so low key that even the word ‘understated’ doesn’t fit. [...]

AFI #17 – The General (1927) *

This is new on the list for 2007. It’s kind of funny how a film that is over 80 years could have been missed. Although the advent of DVDs and availability of more obscure titles may have brought this classic out of the woods. I haven’t seen a Buster Keaton film in 20 or so [...]

AFI #03 – Casablanca (1942)

Another movie that is completely worthy of its place on the list. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman were a great choice for the leads. Again, this is a great cast from top to bottom. While the main story is pretty straight forward, it is handled in a way that is not expected. This is a [...]

AFI #02 – The Godfather (1972)

Gangster film were forever changed with the release of The Godfather. But even more importantly, an epic film was made with modern sensibilities. Some of the best performances ever were captured with some of the best photography and directing. This is a rare blend of everyone being at their best. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James [...]

AFI #01 – Citizen Kane (1941)

It’s hard to argue against this film being #1 but I think there is some validity to the argument. My problem with it being number one is that it is just not as accessible as The Godfather or Casablanca. To some degree I think it is a case of the emperor’s clothes. Since film students are told this is [...]