Thank God for the American Film Institute, then (not something I say often), and their latest attempt at a list, "100 Years...100 Cheers," a countdown of the most inspiring American movies of all time. I know the point is to generate discussion, not to hand stone tablets from on high, but...this is one seriously cocktackular list.
Top 10:
1. It's a Wonderful Life (Capra, 1946)
2. To Kill a Mockingbird (Mulligan, 1962)
3. Schindler's List (Spielberg, 1993)
4. Rocky (Avildsen, 1976)
5. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (Capra, 1939)
6. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (Spielberg, 1982)
7. The Grapes of Wrath (Ford, 1940)
8. Breaking Away (Yates, 1979)
9. Miracle on 34th Street (Seaton, 1947)
10. Saving Private Ryan (Spielberg, 1998)
Here is their definition of what "inspiring" means:
"Movies that inspire with characters of vision and conviction who face adversity and often make a personal sacrifice for the greater good. Whether these movies end happily or not, they are ultimately triumphant--both filling audiences with hope and empowering them with the spirit of human potential."Ooookay.
So, honestly, three Spielberg films in the top 10? What the hell? (The Color Purple and Close Encounters also appear, nos. 51 & 58). And I guess I can see how Schindler's List counts as inspiring, but not so much the other two (E.T.? Seriously?). Of course, To Kill a Mockingbird ended up on this list, it's the sort of serious liberal piety that makes people feel better about themselves for praising. The Grapes of Wrath doesn't make much sense, unless you think that the ending monologue is the entire film.
There are some indefensibly insane picks in the bottom 90. The best one is probably The Bridge on the River Kwai at fucking #14. Have you seen Kwai? Did it inspire you? Or did it make you think, "Jesus, men are feeble, corruptible and blind?" 2001: A Space Odyssey, a film whose theme is best described as "men are animals, bring on the AI!" makes it all the way up to #47. Some of the other particularly ludicrous choices are Star Wars (#39), The African Queen (#48), Gunga Din (#74), Fiddler on the Roof (#82) and Gone with the Wind (#43), which I guess counts as inspirational if you want to be a film producer, or hate black people.
My own picks for what's missing (accounting for the pointless AFI requirement that the film be American) would include: Matewan, Friendly Persuasion, Edward Scissorhands, Inherit the Wind, and if I may indulge in my generation for a moment, The Princess Bride. Hey, it deserves it just as much as a lot of them.
Your own favorite inspirational films, or pick on me for liking Sayles too much, in comments.
Bein' as how I'm trying to be productive at my last day at work for a bit, I can't respond fully except to say, how in hell is the original Mr. Deeds on there, and yet the Sandler is nowhere to be found?!? For SHAME, AFI!
ReplyDeleteSoon we'll have enough material for "AFI's Top 100 Most Useless Lists."
ReplyDeleteI must first say that I had nothing to do with this list.
ReplyDeleteI must now admit that I'll be tasked with voting on every other list they do from here on out. Voting, that is, on a list of 300 that is determined by my betters. Based on a few discussions with the conservatory staff, most everyone hates the lists and finds them to be a big joke, and even pool together to try to make a positive change, but "the system," such as it is, allows no change.
As soon as I saw Fiddler I knew the list was sucktastic.
Will
Will, it didn't even occur to me that you could step in on this! We believe in you! You are the voice of the future, the heartbeat of a generation, the thumping, extracted heart of cinematic spelunkers everywhere!
ReplyDeletei cannot believe they put all 99 of their ridiculous choices above Chariots of Fire, which ought to be #1 by virtue of its musical theme alone.
ReplyDeleteand: no A League of Their Own? seriously?
Wow Cam, good call on ALoTO. What an oversight.
ReplyDeleteWill
You can look at the 300 movie nomination list at the bottom of Tim's link. To say the least, I was out of my element; I counted 38 I would even consider, which included A League of Their Own. So it was out there, but people opted for others. The nomination list in and of itself is troubling because voters are only allowed five write ins. FIVE. What a range of opinion and thought in that pre-stacked deck!
ReplyDelete--molson
I used to like the lists but became disillusioned after (or during) the quote one.
ReplyDeleteIt is, in fact, that very same pre-stacked deck that I apparently face every single year for the rest of my life.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to say that my future involvement in this process will be positive, but I'd be lying. I'll try to make it positive, but I'll be silenced by a chorus that insists on overrating The African Queen, of all damned films, every time out of the gate.
I apologize for the actions that I will "take part in" in the years to come.
Will
Will, it's totally cool. I, for one, will count it a triumph if we just start seeing "Entropy" slipping on at rung 99 or 100 on every list... It will be a sign that Will Beckley lives and breathes.
ReplyDelete