AFI 100 years... 100 Cheers

"AFI's List of 100 Most Inspiring Films of All Time." So, this aired a couple of nights ago on CBS. As a movie buff, I have to admit that I'm a sucker for these AFI countdown specials, even if they are running out of ideas. LOL. You can see the entire list here:
http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/cheers.htm

The top 10 choices were:

1) It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
2) To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
3) Schindler's List (1993)
4) Rocky (1976)
5) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
6) E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
7) The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
8) Breaking Away
9) Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
10) Saving Private Ryan (1998)

I love that It's a Wonderful Life was number one. It usually takes a lot for me to get emotional, but everytime I hear Clarence say the line, "You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be just to throw it away?" I always start to tear up. Yeah, maybe I'm a sap. But personally, it's a movie that restores my faith in humanity. Even though it never lasts, it's always nice a feeling. *g*

I think quite a few of the choices are suspect, though. The Karate Kid and Seabiscuit? Give me a break. LOL.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I hate this list. It's so vague that it's effectively worthless. 'Inspiring' films? What the hell is that? Space Odyssey in one list with Babe? Uhh, super.

'Due to the extensive number of movies that inspire in American film, jurors may also write in votes for up to five films that may not already appear on the ballot.'

Extensive number of movies that inspire in American film, haha.

How ya doing, buddy?

Aw, I usually enjoy AFI's Greatest 100 specials, especially the Greatest Movie Songs and Greatest Movie Quotes. I do have to say, the Most Inspiring list was a little vague and kind of pointless, but they're all fun to watch, anyway. A relaxing way to spend a Tuesday night.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

The lists are little more than a way to sit back and either be;

"Yeah, I really like that movie"
or
"Wow, I really have to see that movie"

Sure they're rather vague, sometimes biased, and effectively pointless I still gobble them up. I'm a sucker for "Top ____" lists, especially when it comes to movies.

I actually emailed AFI a few weeks ago and asked if we'd ever see the "100 Years a 100......." series on DVD. Sadly due to "copyright issues" we'll never see that.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

How the fuck is Schindler's List an inspiring movie?

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Motsy

How the fuck is Schindler's List an inspiring movie?

Presumably because it has to do with the story of how a single man managed to save thousands of lives from one of the most evil forces in history?

Christ.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by acid

...one of the most evil forces in history?

Christ.

EVIL JESUS

FELIPE NO

Sadly, I only recogonize about half the films. The rest, I'm pretty much like "what the fuck? These were movies?"

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The list was a little confusing...I mean some of the movies they picked didn't seem that "inspiring". Sure, I can see where some of the ones came in as being such...but having 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star wars, And Charlie Chapplin on the list with stuff like It's a Wonderful Life, Babe, and The Diary of Anne Frank? Some of the movies just didn't fit in with the other movies on the list. I mean sure, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star wars, And the Charlie Chapplin films inspired actors, comidians, and directors...but they wern't "inspirering" in the sence some of the other movies were.

I'm basicly agreeing with everyone else and saying this was the most pointless and biased list they put together :shh:....

How ya doing, buddy?

Umm....How is Grapes of Wrath on there again? The only way it's inspirational is in the "my life doesn't suck as much as theirs" sense. Seriously, EVERYTHING goes wrong and it doesn't even end happy. Plus the book sucks.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Hell, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" is more inspiring than 'Grapes of Wrath', 'Star Wars' or '2001: A Space Odyssey'. Wonka didn't even appear on the list. This makes me quite sad.

And how on God's green Earth did 'Forrest Gump' rate only 37th, and 'Shawshank Redemption' 23rd while 'Grapes of Wrath' got 7th?

I am always suspicious of the AFI's choices because it's obvious that certain outside factors tend to influence their decisions, even when those factors are irrelevant to the criteria at hand. Total box office gross, Academy Awards earned and the relative "wow" factor of the movie's stars all seem to have played a more important role than the actual "inspirational moments", when the Institute cast its ballots.

Is 'Grapes of Wrath' really so inspiring just because it won two Oscars and was nominated for seven? Does Henry Fonda's presence make it that much more uplifting than the life of Forrest Gump? Does the fact that it was made during what some consider the "Golden Age" of film grant it automatic superiority over nearly everything since?

The AFI is known to consist of a very aged electorate. They most likely recall these movies fondly, in ways that new cinematic techniques cannot possibly duplicate because they've convinced themselves that little, if anything, is capable of being better than their precious antiques. And while some classics are indeed deserving, their predilection for older cinema places newer movies at a distinct disadvantage, it appears.

Consider that 'Pleasantville', a movie most people regard as being uplifting and well told, failed to make the list. Yet 'Erin Brokovich' made it to #73. Evidently the presence of Julia Roberts' gaping maw and overhyped cleavage in an otherwise lackluster movie about a conniving bitch is waaaaaaaaaaay more inspiring than a parable about overcoming prejudice.
And both are less inspiring than '2001: A Space Odyssey'? A psychedelic delusion of time and space is supposed to make us feel better about ourselves than 'Pleasantville' is capable? What?

But hell, the AFI picked "Some Like It Hot" and "Tootsie" as the two funniest films ever made. They think drag queens constitute better cinema than any other joke ever told. Shows where their heads are at, eh?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by SpaceOddity

I think quite a few of the choices are suspect, though. The Karate Kid and Seabiscuit? Give me a break. LOL.

Seabiscuit is an excellent choice. It is all about overcoming adversity - every character has to overcome adversity: the owner, the rider, the trainer, the horse, everyone. Also, it's classic David vs. Goliath. The fact that it's a true story only ramps everything up a notch...

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Crash Landon

EVIL JESUS

holy crap that's one freaky looking artwork :fish:

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by speculative

Seabiscuit is an excellent choice. It is all about overcoming adversity - every character has to overcome adversity: the owner, the rider, the trainer, the horse, everyone. Also, it's classic David vs. Goliath. The fact that it's a true story only ramps everything up a notch...

You have a point. The story and events themselves are inspiring, I just didn't like the movie. I loved the book, though.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

The world has finally celebrated schmaltz. Color me unsurprised.

FELIPE NO