So if it isn’t clear by now, fellow writer and friend Clay Morgan and I like to talk about movies…especially classic movies. Often this takes the form of 20-some-minute long vlogs in which we wax eloquent on whatever classic movie we happened to watch that week. Sometimes we agree on things. Sometimes we don’t. Always, we laugh.
But hey, we like to mix things up. [Cue KitchenAid blender joke that just wouldn’t come together in my head] And so this week for fun we took a look at the Top 20 Movies of All Time…as named by the American Film Institute anyway. AFI is often pretty dependable, but I have to say, there may have been a little head-shaking at some of the movies that made the list.
And some that didn’t.
COME ON…not a single screwball comedy amongst them? No nods to the genius of Howard Hawks? Not even one Cary Grant movie? As I prepared to write this, a slew of movies went through my head that I would’ve added to the list–some because of personal bias (What’s Up Doc, Bringing Up Baby), some because I feel like one aspect or another really earns it a spot on the list (His Girl Friday–because it changed dialogue in movies; Sound of Music–because it’s the most-loved musical ever; It Happened One Night–because it’s basically the first-ever rom-com).
But I think the one whose absence most disturbs me is The Philadelphia Story. I adooooore that movie. The script is beyond fabulous. The dialogue is both witty and weighty. (It has one of my favorite lines of any movie ever: “The time to make up your mind about people is never.”) The cast is basically the trifecta of casting. Sure, there’s nothing fancy camera or sound-wise, but I’d argue there are several among AFI’s Top 20 of which you could say the same.
Anyhow, enough rambling. Here’s our look at the Top 20 movies per AFI…
How many of the movies on the list have you seen? What movies do you think should’ve made the Top 20 that didn’t?
p.s. Here’s AFI’s full list of Top 100 movies–both the 1998 rankings and the 2007 rankings. Also, you can check out the rest of our videos (and subscribe!) here.
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Wow…I’ve only seen eleven (and a half? I think I’ve seen part of The Searchers) of the top twenty. Some of them are favorites (Casablanca, Singin’ in the Rain, Sunset Boulevard), some of them I don’t like personally but I sort of understand why they’re on the list (Gone With the Wind…yeah, I hate that movie. I’ll save my reasoning in case ya’ll cover that one in the future =), and others I’m just confused about (On the Waterfront. I saw that on TCM a couple of weeks ago and didn’t seen anything special about it at all).
As for The General, I guess it’s supposed to be one of Buster Keaton’s best films. I think he’s awesome, though I’ve only seen a few of his movies so far. The General was pretty good, but I much prefer The Cameraman. It’s so random and hilarious…it made me laugh out loud a lot (which is how I judge how funny a film is).
I’m really, really surprised that It Happened One Night didn’t make the top 20! Like you said, it is basically the first rom-com. And it’s one of my favorites. =) I’m also shocked that It’s a Wonderful Life was so low on the list. And Vertigo? Ugh. Why is that one even there??
I sometimes feel like I should watch certain classic movies, just because they make a lot of “best of” lists and are considered important. But I think one of the most disappointing things ever is when you watch a movie that’s supposed to be one of the best films ever and you hate it. It’s sort of like, what’s wrong with me that I can’t appreciate this movie? =) So now I try not to pay too much attention to lists and things. My favorite films are the ones that I can watch over and over and never really get tired of them. Every once in a while, if a film is considered important, I can appreciate it for that reason, even if I don’t particularly enjoy it (like Citizen Kane).
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Kristin, I always love your comments and wish I could hang out with you in person someday to talk movies! But you don’t like Gone with the Wind?!?! Okay, actually I know quite a few people who don’t…most of them because they can’t stand Scarlett and don’t like the ending. But I love it…it’s so epic and even in her selfishness, Scarlett is sympathetic to me, and I love Civil War era movies and ahhh, I love it. 🙂
I really need to watch more silent movies in general…it’s just not a genre I’m familiar with at all. But both Clay and I started watching this documentary called Story of Film awhile back and there was a whole segment on Buster Keaton…which made me eager to do my homework on that era of film.
And yay for agreeing on It Happened One Night. I really feel like Frank Capra did wonders for comedy in general by making that movie…that, paired with its awesome dialogue, earn it a spot on MY list anyway.
And yeah, I would agree that it’s disappointing when you watch a movie because supposedly it’s classic and amazing…and then you feel let-down. I think there are movies that are classic because they changed movie-making or capture an era in a way other movies don’t or because of some other cultural significance…and I can appreciate that. Like you said, Citizen Kane is one of those. It’s not a movie I’m going to get excited to watch repeatedly but I understand why people call it the greatest. But then there are movies that I love and adore and consider some of the best movies ever…and there’s really nothing cinematically amazing about them…they’re just my favorite and thus, make MY personal best-ever list.
What? No Cary Grant? Well then, what kind of list is that?
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I know! That may be the list’s greatest fault. 🙂
I know there’s lots of singing, but isn’t SOME LIKE IT HOT a screwball comedy? (I can’t watch the video at work, so I’m going by the top 20 in the link if that’s different).
That’s a good one, but there are plenty more I’d like to see up there. Agreed about Cary Grant and Howard Hawks… just doesn’t seem right.
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE anyone?
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Yep, Chip, I’d call Some Like it Hot a screwball comedy. And it did make the top 20 in the 1998 list, but fell off in the 2007 list. UNCOOL. Here’s the thing with Some Like it Hot: It was sort of Billy Wilder’s mega challenge to the Hays Production Code and really paved the way for a lot of comedies to defy the Code. And for that reason alone, I think it’s pretty deserving of a spot. That, and it’s hilarious. And Tony Curtis doing a Cary Grant accent is awesome. And Jack Lemmon’s maracas scene is ridiculously funny.
Arsenic and Old Lace! Looooove! I was actually just talking about that movie yesterday…I have this idea for a suspense novel but Nicole was telling me my serial killer needs more motivation for murder. And I was like, well, couldn’t he just be like the ladies in Arsenic? Maybe he’s killing these people out of a legit-if-pscyhotic belief that he’s doing them some good…? 🙂
I knew I missed something with that list!
Yes! Maybe I’ll suggest watching that when your parents visit this week. About your serial killer… I think the ones whose motivations are unclear are the most interesting. Maybe they have mommy issues, or MAYBE they think it’s good sport. Eww…
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I’m suddenly dealing with immense jealousy over the fact that they get to visit you guys this weekend.
And you’re right…the hard-to-figure-out serial killers are the most interesting (and the creepiest) for sure!
Must side with Kristin here (in fact did we just talk about this in one of your comment threads, Kristin!?), Gone with the Wind is not my favorite either though I wouldn’t say I cannot stand it. I like it more than my mother did. 😉
Singin’ in the Rain = AWESOME. It’s such a cute film. (Note to self: rewatch soon.)
The Searchers was actually one of my least favorite Wayne films (I went through a John Wayne phase in my teen years and for all I saw, probably Hellfighters, McClintock, etc. were more favorites). Or that is what’s stuck in my memory. 😉
Right or wrong, I watch films to be entertained. If I find something “more” in it – parallels to Christianity or touching life truisms, that’s wonderful too, but to be honest, I like to be entertained first and foremost. I live life, so certainly I don’t want to be reminded of all that is wrong with the world. Cannot wait for your next movie gush! 🙂
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Ohhhh now I want to do a Gush about Gone with the Wind so I can convince everyone to love it. 🙂
I feel like maybe I’ve watched The Searchers but I just can’t remember it! I think Rio Bravo is still my favorite John Wayne flick…mostly because I can’t get over Dean Martin’s amazing acting in it.
I love that you said you watch films to be entertained…and if there’s “more,” great, but you need to be entertained first. I so hear you on that! And I think sometimes that’s where “message” films get it wrong…they’re so focused on a message that they forget to tell an entertaining and well-crafted story. And they lose people, for that reason. Not always, but often.