About a week ago, the AFI rereleased a tenth anniversary top 100 list. Because there is a longstanding grievance between myself and the antiblast over the list, it goes without saying that this is a touchy issue. We lived and died by the AFI. Yet now, it is as if the ground has been pulled out from under our feet. Anyways, some quick comments on the new list:
-the movement of Godfather over Casablanca, nothing really to talk about, its rather hard to rank one over the other. However, it may prove problematic for any other Mafia wives attempt to watch the list, having them be discouraged after Citizen Kane, rather than giving them the opportunity to get all the way to Casablanca.
-Raging Bull’s huge jump to 4. Not as good a movie as Taxi Driver, nor as Goodfellas. Well shot, well filmed, brought to the top now that Scorsese has won a Best Director Oscar, compelling proof of his influence to the AFI.
-Vertigo’s jump to 9. Perhaps to place a Hitchcock in the top 10.
-Till about 48, the list stays the same. Some movies go up and down, but in general its the same old list compressed.
-The first major new addition is Intolerance, in place of Birth of a Nation. Obviously the AFI voting public has far fewer problems with anti-feminism than racism. Fellowship of the Ring comes next, in the 50. Its somewhat of a symbol for the whole series.
-Something that should have been cut out, Shane, is still in. This movie straight up sucks. Its mad obnoxious, and so is that little kid.
-Sullivan’s Travels got in as well. Although the rest of the Preston Sturges movies are not all that great, this movie is incredible. Its well acted, funny, and relevant.
-Titanic, Toy Story, and the Sixth Sense definitely should not have jumped in. These movies are just a waste of good AFI space, in spots that should have gone to something more deserving, like Patton.
-Giant and Dances with Wolves are out, weakass filler that needed to be taken.
-I mourn the loss of Fargo.
