This is for all of you out there who thought Superbad was quality film making. The American film institute released a 100 best American films of all time list. We’re gonna review the top ten. We’ve even avoided foreign films for those of you who can’t stand subtitles. It’s easy. These are good films. Important People think so. They must be watched. Here we stop and evaluate the best 10 films on the list.
1) CITIZEN KANE
Released in 1941, Kane told the story of a man who obtained so much in his life, and died with a wish that no one could understand. A haunting and beautiful portrait of a man’s life, written, directed and starred in by Mr. Orson Wells, whose performance is still one of the best of all time. Seeing as its made in the forties, there’s none of that grotesque visual R rated stuff that people seen to think is necessary for a ‘real’ film nowadays. Somewhat depressing and deeply moving, you should see Citizen Kane.
2)CASABLANCA
How many wonderful quotes have we stolen from Casablanca that we don’t even remember. “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” “Play it Again, Sam.” “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.” “Here’s Lookin’ at You Kid.” This is because secretly, everyone, even those who have never heard of him, wants to be Humphrey Bogart. Casablanca is a timeless picture of wit, love, war, politics and humanity.
3) THE GODFATHER
I’ll bet you’ve heard of this one. Possibly the most ‘infamous’ on this list. The Godfather is the best mobster movie of all time. Why? Because it balances on the edge of a knife to combine cliches and realism, and really wrote a few cliches in the process. Be very warned about very much violence and other less than savory behaviour, as mobsters to do tend to show. Though this is a deep film, it is one that is difficult to recommend, because of its gruesome subject matter.
4) GONE WITH THE WIND
OK, maybe you hate this film, there are a lot of people who hate this film. But really, you hate it for all the right reasons. And you deep down, have to know that this is a worthwhile film. You hate it because Scarlett O’Hara, who plays men for fools and does the worst things to the best people was painted so wonderfully as the oober-villian. With a heartless cruelty to challenge Darth Vader, she tears men to shreds, and you hate her, and love this movie. Watch out for another memorable quote. “Frankly my dear…”*
5) LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
This is a brilliant film. It is actually the only film on this list that I own in my collection. (trusting I would own more of these if I were not a student) Lawrence of Arabia is the story of a common British soldier who takes his ambitions into the Arabian desert and unites the Arab tribes under one banner. This film is the watermark for the epic genre. Lord of the Rings and Braveheart are held up and scrutinized in comparison with this film.
6) THE WIZARD OF OZ
This I expect you to have seen. One of the true original fantasies. With wonderful little ditties, wonderful little people, horrible witches, flying monkies, and other mystical wonderfulness that had such a profound affect on so many childhoods. It goes without saying this colourful, peculiar, quirky and cute film is a classic. If you have not seen this, you must do so, for you are being silly.
7) THE GRADUATE
The story of a young man who gets pulled into sad deeds he never wished to be a part of. This film is peculiar in all of the most shocking, provoking and interesting ways. Completely scored by Simon and Garfunkel, starring the incomparable Dustin Hoffman, you will come away feeling very quizzical and somewhat astounded. Be warned of mature subject matter, this is the story of a man pulled into an affair, which he doesn’t wish to be a part of, but either way, some of the material must be handled with maturity, I leave that to you.
8 ) ON THE WATERFRONT
This is the second film on the list starring the astounding Mr. Marlon Brando, one of the true Renaissance men of Hollywood. The film is intensely interesting in that it is the story of the man directing it, trying to explain to the world why he testified in a court trial against fellow union member. Within this is a look at politics and the bigger picture, through the eyes of a situation that is very real and powerful.*
9) SCHINDLER’S LIST
The masterpiece of Steven Speilburg, director of so many films we have come to know and love (Indiana Jones, Saving Private Ryan, Jurassic Park, Hook, ET) This film, shot in glorious black-and-white, stylistically remembering a powerful wartime story that resonates with a viewer, is the most recent film on the list. (1993) It is, hopefully, a testament to the fact that amidst all the garbage that the recent industry has been producing, there are still filmmakers out there who are not only making good films, but great films, and ones that will stand out in time as masterpieces. Be warned of very-mature subject matter relating to the horrors of war and evils of humanity.
10) SINGING IN THE RAIN
I was so pleased that this film was on the list. If you have not seen this film, you are missing out on a goldmine of comedy, music, dance, history and just pure golden, classic, excellence. The favorite film of musical lovers, starring Gene Kelly, one of the past masters of the genre which was sadly abandoned later in history. It is films like this that makes me happy the musical is being revived. Maybe we will soon see a return to that classic fun and beautiful filmwork that was given to us in “Singing in the Rain.”
*The Editor has not seen these two films. The opinions in the two articles above are mined from different respected sources. No doubt their place on the list should be inspiration to see them anyhow
