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| AFI's Top 100 Movies Sparks 100 Debates | |
Written by DAVID KEYES September 13, 1998 Earlier this year, the American Film Institute devoted hours on CBS to a program called "AFI’s 100 Years, 100 Movies." The program was the presentation of the Institutes list of the 100 best American films according to institute voters, which include film actors, actresses, directors, critics, etc. If such a list was created through these opinions, than a likely different list would show up if it was viewer’s choice. Such a list has some serious disagreements from other film critics and celebrities outside of the Industry, not just because most are misplaced, but because some are completely ridiculous. For me, it seems as if most of the list’s problems exist in the top 40. At the top of this is Orson Welles’ "Citizen Kane," which is, yes, a marvelous movie, but not the greatest ever made. Actually, some of the greatest ever made are not even in the top 100. Examples: "Bram Stoker’s Dracula," "Bambi," "Dolores Claiborne," "Norma Rae" and "The Exorcist." As far as I know, half of these pictures weren’t even runners up. What a shame. In the top ten, only three movies seem rightfully placed. "Gone With The Wind," "Lawrence Of Arabia" and "The Wizard Of Oz" are deserving of their honors, but still, being placed underneath "The Godfather" and "Casablanca" is quite a confusing notion. In fact, "Casablanca" doesn’t even deserve to be in the top 400. Okay, yes, the movie was respectable, but not as big a masterpiece as critics have hailed it to be. I was even more shocked to learn that films like "Some Like It Hot" and "All About Eve" weren’t placed higher on the list. I imagine these two movies are some of the most acclaimed in history, and it’s a difficulty to see them placed under movies like "It’s A Wonderful Life," "Singing In The Rain" and "On The Waterfront." But at least the top section of the list has some things placed correctly. Most notably, "Psycho," the Hitchcock classic which, I guess, is close to where I would have placed it on the list. It appeared at #18, right above other respectable placements, "Chinatown" and "One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest." Bust as you get further down into the bottom 50 of the list, you begin to notice mentioned movies which deserve either higher or lower honors. On my list, "Fargo" comes around 15 or 16, but here, it is measly placed in the bottom twenty. It’s hard to talk about and criticize everything on the list, because some things are worthy to point out, be they mistakes or honors. But the list DOES spark debates among several individuals. Some might agree with the placement of "Citizen Kane," while others would consider the most acclaimed film, "Gone With The Wind," deserved the #1 spot. © 1998, David Keyes, Cinemaphile.org. Please e-mail the author here if the above review contains any spelling or grammar mistakes. |
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