The American Film Institute has this list... 100 best films. As a filmmaker, I felt like this list included a bunch of stuff I should have seen (probably a long time ago). I also included this goal on my 30 Before 30 list because Rashan had seen everything on the list. It was not a goal I looked forward to completing. Part of that is my problem stems with my impatience with long films. If it's a comedy, it needs to be 90 minutes or less. If it's a drama, it needs to have a wonderfully fleshed-out plot for me to tolerate more than 2 hours.
I found some films I really, really liked and others I just found passable. I was surprised to learn how much I can appreciate a good western! I hated them growing up because it was all my dad would ever watch. That and Star Trek. Wait. And This Old House. And tennis. Okay that's enough. Then of course there were the ones I didn't like at all. Some of them will make you gasp. Dun dun dun... I warn you, I won't sound remotely like a filmmaker. Anything intelligent I had to say about these has already happened and may happen again but not today!
Likes
1) The Godfather. I avoided this one for YEARS. Turns out I really, really liked it!
2) Gone with the Wind. As a Southerner, this one was on my radar my entire life. I'd seen pieces but never the whole thing. You know the length is what got me. I liked it so much I watched it in one sitting!
3) It's a Wonderful Life. I don't know why my mom hates this movie. I'd seen bits and pieces growing up but never saw the whole thing until this past Christmas! I really enjoyed it!
4) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. I don't really like Jimmy Stewart. I think he's corny. But these two movies tried to make me a convert!
5) To Kill A Mockingbird. So cute and sweet. I liked the book, I liked the movie.
6) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I liked this film so much I need to watch it again.
7) Everything Hitchcock. I love that man.
8) Bonnie and Clyde. PAUL NEWMAN!!!! Faye was pretty awesome, too.
9) The Silence of the Lambs, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, The Shawshank Redemption. All 5 stars.
10) Bringing Up Baby. My favorite dead guy Cary Grant & Katharine Hepburn? Yes, please!
Dislikes
1) Casablanca. I KNOW!! I'm lucky Rashan married me for this one. I didn't get the hype at all. And I really hated that he said 'Here's lookin at you, kid' 7,000 times. Blech.
2) Citizen Kane. Eye roll again. I know as a recovering journalist I'm supposed to love this but I didn't. Not even a little bit. I wasn't into the story from the outset.
3) Goodfellas, Easy Rider, The Wild Bunch, Sullivan's Travels, Nashville, Intolerance.
4) A Clockwork Orange. One star. I hated this one most of all. Hated it.
Overall, I gave 67% of the films 4 or 5 out of 5 stars. Just 12 got one or two stars (meaning I would not want to watch them again). I think that's a great ratio considering the skepticism with which I approached this list! Goal complete!
8 comments:
My Dad was/is the same with westerns. When I go home to visit he has a ton on the DVR. He loved Star Trek and made me fall in love with Voyager. My Dad was also a MASH freak back in the day. I knew I was up late when I heard that theme music.
2. I've never seen all of this either but I plan to one day.
3. "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets it's wings." How could anyone hate that movie??!
5. I read the book but never saw the movie.
9. I used Shawshank today in reference to a coworker locking the cells on a spreadsheet. It was hilarious but maybe you had to be there.
I love how you crossed it off your #29. A fan for real. Inspired to do the same...30 days until 30...I don't even think I have that much time left. Just looked at the calendar and I don't. Well,I think I need help with this one...say cheese!
I watched The Godfather for the first time last weekend. Boyoboy is it ever LONG! But good. And I enjoyed seeing super-young De Niro and Diane Keaton!
Now that you've watched the Godfather, you have to watch all of them!
trish.... that's so funny! I never really liked any of the Treks. HATED MASH. Ugh!
2) It's awesome!
3) She doesn't like Jimmy. LOL
5) See it!
9) There are only a few (mostly silly) films I've seen enough times to quote. Shawshank doesn't make the cut!
god's sprinkles... welcome! it was tedious at times but i feel quite accomplished after doing it! 30 days is enough to cram in some fun things. i'd love to see your list!
red... so long but YES so good! i was SHOCKED to see young diane! very cool.
1969... I actually saw 2 first. For shame, I KNOW! Rashan said it wouldn't matter. Ugh. He also said only the first 2 are worth watching. lol
Galen has a degree in Cinema, yet hasn't seen a lot of the classic, must-see films. He should probably sit down and try to make it through this list of films, too!
Jelisa... It's more than a notion but I think it's worth it!
godfather is def a fave. why did you avoid it?
love GWTW book so i should see the movie...
shawshank is my dad's fave movie. it.is.AWESOME!
goodfellas ended too neatly for me.
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