119. A Place in the Sun

"Every time you leave me for a minute, it's like goodbye. I like to believe it means you can't live without me."

***This is a VERY spoilery write-up. Don't read if you don't want to know how this movie ends!***

Plot: When George Eastman gets a job at his rich uncle's factory, he falls in love with a coworker, Alice Tripp. A forbidden romance ensues until George begins to ascend the societal ranks and meets the sophisticated Angela Vickers. George falls for Angela, only to then find out that Alice is pregnant. After a failed trip to an abortion clinic, a lovesick George plans to murder Alice by drowning her in a lake. He changes his mind at the last minute, but then Alice accidentally tips the boat over and George does not save her (she can't swim). Despite trying to cover his tracks, the cops link George to her death, and he goes on trial. Though there is no proof, he is convicted of Alice's murder, and the film fades to black as he walks to the electric chair.

My assumption is that this film made it onto the list due to its controversial subject matter. It was filmed in 1949 (released in 1951). Between a premarital affair and pregnancy, a trip to an abortion clinic, juggling two girls at once, and contemplated murder of a pregnant woman, this film was scandalous for its time to say the least. Throughout the whole thing, Lindsay Ray and I kept turning to each other and saying, "I can't believe this is happening in a movie this old!" That being said, I actually think it's a solid film that deserves to be on the list, controversial themes or not.

The performances by Montogomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, and Shelley Winters are all notable. The story was well-paced, and I never found my mind wandering. Director George Stevens and writers Michael Wilson and Harry Brown (all three won the Oscars for it, by the way) drew me in from the first scene, and I couldn't look away through the end. To be as old as it is, A Place in the Sun really had me on the edge of my seat, and I found myself anxiously awaiting the verdict on George's case.

Speaking of the verdict, one of the most ingenious twists in the film is that the viewer finds themselves rooting for George's innocence (at least I did). Despite the fact that he planned to kill her, my love of true justice hates that he gets convicted. He didn't actually kill her, so he should go free, right? But he thought about it, and he didn't save her when she fell in, so then he was guilty, right? That's the beauty of the film's finale. Even now, I'm still not sure how I feel. I love a movie that can do that. I'd definitely recommend this one to anybody who likes a good love triangle thriller.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

6 down, 117 to go....

120. Blade Runner

"I think, Sebastian; therefore, I am."

Plot: In 2019, "replicants," androids that resemble human beings, have been outlawed on Earth. Those that return to Earth from the outer colonies are hunted down and "retired" (killed?) by "blade runners." A retired blade runner, Rick Deckard, decides to come back to track down one last rogue group of replicants.

Woohoo! We've got some sci-fi on the list! And directed by Ridley Scott, a personal favorite, no less.

In the world of sci-fi, Blade Runner is a pretty big deal. As much as Star Wars taught us that sci-fi can be fun, Blade Runner taught us that it could be taken seriously as well. A pretty popular choice for film classes, it brings in religious, ethical, and Ancient Greek themes. It makes us question what truly defines humanity. Who is more human? Rachel, an android who falls in love, or Rick, a violent man who retires countless replicants?

This is the first movie on the list so far that deserves a special shout-out for costumes (Michael Kaplan and Charles Knode) and production design (Lawrence G. Paull). Both create the neo-noir (film noir style with modern elements) look and feel of the film. Jordan Cronenweth's dark, shadowy cinematography also is notable.

Harrison Ford gives a solid performance as the brooding Deckard, Daryl Hannah is delightfully creepy as Pris, and Sean Young is, well, fair as Rachel. But the real star of the show is Rutger Hauer as the replicant Roy Batty. Philip K. Dick, whose book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? provided the main plot for the film, described Hauer as "the perfect Batty--cold, Aryan, flawless." The man was absolutely terrifying. When I ask others what they think of the film, the most common answer I get is: "It was pretty boring, but that android guy was awesome." True story.

And speaking of boring, that's usually the #1 complaint about the film from both critics and audiences. I confess that when the roomie and I first tried to watch this at 9:00 one night, we both started falling asleep. It's slow. That's true, and it does hinder the re-watchability of it. But it adds to the noir style, and I really wouldn't change it.

I do have two minor complaints: I was not a fan of Harrison Ford's narration (it was removed from later version of the film) or the soundtrack by Vangelis (who also did Chariots of Fire). The soundtrack was just too 80's for my taste.

Overall, I like the movie, and I'm glad that I've seen it. But, like I said, it's not one that I can watch over and over in a short period of time. In another five years or so, I'll give it another view. I have a feeling it'll be one of those where you find something new in it every time you see it. It's not for everyone, but if you don't mind slow pacing, I'd suggest giving it a try.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

5 down, 118 to go...

121. Yankee Doodle Dandy

"My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you."

Plot: A biography of composer, playwright, singer, and dancer George M. Cohan, whose music fueled American patriotism during WWI, the depression, and into WWII.

One special note about this film is that it's the first James Cagney movie I've ever seen. I know he's known for playing mobsters, but he was phenomenal in this movie. His acting was on point, and that man could dance. Being the Broadway geek that I am, I hoped for a little bit more vocal-wise, but he was still great. He rightfully won the Oscar for best actor.

The movies gets off to a slow start, but after about 45min I found myself really enjoying it. All of the performances are solid, most of the characters are likable, and I even got a little choked up once or twice during the more serious scenes. But what really drives the film is the absolute shameless patriotism (and I mean that in a good way). This movie loves the USA in a way no modern movie could. We get to see the US in that wide-eyed, innocent way we do as kids, and it's wonderfully refreshing. All I hear all day is complaints about this president, that law, this amendment, etc. etc. Sometimes we forget how blessed we really are to live here. This film gives us a pleasant reminder. Overall, a very enjoyable watch, though I'm not certain it belongs on the Top 100 films ever list. Definitely worth a view if you stumble across it one day, though.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

4 down, 119 to go...

122. Toy Story

"You are a child's PLAY THING!"

Plot: When a young boy named Andy leaves the room, his toys come to life. When Andy gets a new action figure, Buzz Lightyear, most of the other toys are thrilled. Except for Woody, Andy's favorite toy, who is afraid he will be replaced.

I should probably provide some backstory before I begin the review... I'd seen Toy Story a couple times when I was younger. I liked it, but I didn't really think it was worth all the praise it got. So years passed, and Pixar kept churning out more and more CGI films while Disney 2Ds were on the decline (not in quality, but in popularity... Mulan and Tarzan, two of the last, are two of the best). Now, being the Disney-obsessed child that I am, I began to resent Pixar just a smidge. Okay, more than a smidge. But I've seen the light and mended my ways, and I decided to re-watch Toy Story as if I'd never seen it before.

My childhood self was an IDIOT.

Toy story is not only heartwarming and fun, but it's absolutely hilarious. The Oscar-nominated screenplay by Joss Whedon (LOVE), Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, and Alec Sokolow had me in stitches. I literally went into a 5-minute-long laughing fit during the scene with the aliens in the claw machine.

I also have to mention the fact that this was, of course, the first full-length CGI film ever made. We take them for granted nowadays, but it was groundbreaking back in '95.

A great script, completely new visual format, wonderful voice cast (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, and John Ratzenberger to name a few), and overall great idea for a story. It hits on all cylinders and has appeal for both kids and adults. Shame on me the first time around for not realizing how great it is.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

3 down, 120 to go...

123. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

"After all, a lot of people are going to think we're a shocking pair."

Plot: When a young, white woman comes home from a trip to Hawaii with a surprise fiance, her parents are shocked to discover that he is a black man.

My mom practically forced me to watch this film for the first time a few months ago. I enjoyed it well enough when I saw it, but I think the fact that I was watching it against my will tainted it for me. I really enjoyed it this time around.

What I appreciate most about this film is that, even in its sappier moments, it always seems to ring true. When I watch it, I see my own mother and father in Christina and Matt Drayton. And I love that we see the maturity in John's 37-year-old character and the naivete in 23-year-old Joanna.

I love movies that make you feel, shall we say, claustrophobic? Just a bunch of people thrown into a room and reacting off of each other. With the exception of a few shots in the airport, two minutes in an art gallery, and quick run to a drive-in, the whole film takes place in the Drayton's home. This movie is nothing but a slew of conversations in the house and on the terrace, but it never gets dull. All of the characters are fleshed out so well in the series of discussions that I truly felt like I knew them all by the end of it. And one of my favorite touches: different interactions lead to different revelations, especially when it comes to Matt, who is stiff and formal with John, frank with his wife, and quiet and pensive with John's mother.

I guess I should be touching on the fact that this film was way ahead of its time by supporting interracial marriage back in the late sixties. But you guys already knew that, and I'm sure that's why it made it onto AFI's 1998 list (It didn't make the cut for the 2007 list). I, of course, applaud the screenwriter and director for their open-mindedness. I also give them a tip of the hat for doing so without any pretension or preachy-ness. Well played, gentlemen, well played.

It also goes without saying that Tracy, Hepburn, and Poitier were fantastic (as always).

Honestly, I can't really think of much else to say for this one other than I truly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

2 down, 121 to go...

1. Citizen Kane

"I always gagged on that silver spoon."

Plot: When a media proprietor by the name of Charles Foster Kane mutters the word "Rosebud" on his deathbed, a reporter investigates the mogul's life to discover the meaning of the mysterious word. Spoiler Alert: It's a sled.

You're probably wondering why we started this adventure with AFI's #1 Film. Well, Citizen Kane is considered by many critics to be the best film ever made. But when I asked most of my friends and family what they thought, the response was overwhelmingly, "Eh... it's okay." I remained optimistic, but, rather than risk ending on a mediocre note, we decided to knock this one out first and end our countdown with #2 Casablanca (which we both love). Sadly, after finally seeing Citizen Kane, I think our decision was a good one.

Let me start with what I loved: The cinematography. If you've seen the film, you probably saw that coming. Welles used innovative camera angles and movement that rivaled Hitchcock's for their beauty and genius. From still diagonal shots from above/below and extreme closeups that seem to invade the viewer's personal space to moving shots such as a camera seemingly passing through a window, all of these techniques are still effective to this day. In addition, the high contrast and heavily backlit cinematography have become industry standards for any modern film that takes place in the '30s or '40s. I, like every other critic in the world, can only praise the visuals of the film.

The narrative style of jumping back and forth through time with flashbacks was also way ahead of it's time (no pun intended), and I applaud Welles for that as well.

But for all the beauty of it, I just can't find much substance.

Citizen Kane is one of those films that seems to get so caught up in symbolism that it detracts from the plot. As soon as we saw the shot of the "No Trespassing" sign on the fence outside of his dark, Gothic home I had a bad feeling that the sign would come to mean something. And it did. As did the sled and countless other symbols and metaphors. Okay, we get it. The film has layers. But is it that great of a movie? After all, don't we pay obscene prices for popcorn and soda and late-night showings to see something entertaining? Though I found the movie somewhat intriguing, I never really got drawn into it. I found the characters undeveloped and couldn't make myself care about any of them. Not a one. And, to be quite frank, I found the first 30-45min kind of boring. And I loved Terrence Malick's The New World, so that's saying something.

I hate to keep comparing Welles to Hitchcock, but their styles are so similar that it's hard not to. And, with Rebecca having come out only one year before Kane, it's hard not to compare the two. Both are set in a dark mansion inhabited by tormented men reflecting on some part of their past. But while Rebecca's Max gains our sympathy by fighting off the spirit of his first wife to move on with his next, Kane just seems to get what's coming to him. After spending his life accumulating wealth and trying to control those around him, he is left alone pining for his loved ones. Boo hoo. Maybe if you weren't such an ass, they'd still be there.

Don't get me wrong. I didn't hate the film. I liked it, and I'm glad I saw it. But is it the #1 movie of all time? No. Not at all.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

1 down, 122 to go...

P.S. Speaking of Rebecca, why didn't it make AFI's list???

The List...

Here is the complete movie list. Every film will be checked off as we watch it, so feel free to come back to this page to see our progress.

[X] 123. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner*

[X] 122. Toy Story**

[X] 121. Yankee Doodle Dandy

[X] 120. Blade Runner**

[ ] 119. A Place in the Sun*

[ ] 118. Do the Right Thing**

[ ] 117. My Fair Lady*

[ ] 116. The Jazz Singer*

[ ] 115. The Last Picture Show**

[ ] 114. Pulp Fiction

[ ] 113. Patton*

[ ] 112. Frankenstein*

[ ] 111. Mutiny on the Bounty*

[ ] 110. Goodfellas

[ ] 109. Bringing Up Baby

[ ] 108. Fargo*

[ ] 107. Giant*

[ ] 106. Sophie’s Choice**

[ ] 105. Swing Time**

[ ] 104. The Sixth Sense**

[ ] 103. Dances with Wolves*

[ ] 102. 12 Angry Men**

[ ] 101. Wuthering Heights*

[ ] 100. Easy Rider

[ ] 99. The Apartment

[ ] 98. Ben-Hur

[ ] 97. A Night at the Opera**

[ ] 96. Platoon

[ ] 95. An American in Paris*

[ ] 94. Titanic**

[ ] 93. The Manchurian Candidate*

[ ] 92. Unforgiven

[ ] 91. Close Encounters of the Third Kind*

[ ] 90. Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans**

[ ] 89. The French Connection

[ ] 88. Stagecoach*

[ ] 87. Spartacus**

[ ] 86. The Wild Bunch

[ ] 85. Modern Times

[ ] 84. Rebel Without a Cause*

[ ] 83. Fantasia*

[ ] 82. The Third Man*

[ ] 81. All Quiet on the Western Front*

[ ] 80. All the President’s Men**

[ ] 79. Amadeus*

[ ] 78. From Here to Eternity*

[ ] 77. In the Heat of the Night**

[ ] 76. Forrest Gump

[ ] 75. The Shawshank Redemption**

[ ] 74. Duck Soup**

[ ] 73. The Birth of a Nation*

[ ] 72. Saving Private Ryan**

[ ] 71. American Graffiti

[ ] 70. The Silence of the Lambs

[ ] 69. Doctor Zhivago*

[ ] 68. Rocky

[ ] 67. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

[ ] 66. The Gold Rush

[ ] 65. The Deer Hunter

[ ] 64. Tootsie

[ ] 63. Network

[ ] 62. Cabaret**

[ ] 61. Raiders of the Lost Ark

[ ] 60. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

[ ] 59. Sullivan’s Travels**

[ ] 58. Nashville**

[ ] 57. A Clockwork Orange

[ ] 56. Shane

[ ] 55. MASH

[ ] 54. The Searchers

[ ] 53. Jaws

[ ] 52. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring**

[ ] 51. Intolerance**

[ ] 50. Taxi Driver

[ ] 49. The Philadelphia Story

[ ] 48. North by Northwest

[ ] 47. The Sound of Music

[ ] 46. A Steetcar Named Desire

[ ] 45. West Side Story

[ ] 44. Rear Window

[ ] 43. City Lights

[ ] 42. King Kong

[ ] 41. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

[ ] 40. It Happened One Night

[ ] 39. Midnight Cowboy

[ ] 38. The Best Years of Our Lives

[ ] 37. Vertigo

[ ] 36. Bonnie and Clyde

[ ] 35. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

[ ] 34. Double Indemnity

[ ] 33. Annie Hall

[ ] 32. Dr. Strangelove

[ ] 31. The African Queen

[ ] 30. The Godfather Part II

[ ] 29. High Noon

[ ] 28. To Kill a Mockingbird

[ ] 27. Apocalypse Now

[ ] 26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

[ ] 25. The Maltese Falcon

[ ] 24. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

[ ] 23. E.T.

[ ] 22. The Bridge on the River Kwai

[ ] 21. The Grapes of Wrath

[ ] 20. All About Eve

[ ] 19. Chinatown

[ ] 18. The General**

[ ] 17. 2001: A Space Odyssey

[ ] 16. Some Like It Hot

[ ] 15. Star Wars Episode IV

[ ] 14. Psycho

[ ] 13. It’s a Wonderful Life

[ ] 12. Sunset Boulevard

[ ] 11. Raging Bull

[ ] 10. Wizard of Oz

[ ] 09. On the Waterfront

[ ] 08. Schindler’s List

[ ] 07. The Graduate

[ ] 06. Singin’ in the Rain

[ ] 05. Lawrence of Arabia

[ ] 04. Gone with the Wind

[ ] 03. The Godfather

[ ] 02. Casablanca

[X] 01. Citizen Kane

*Present in 1998 countdown but eliminated from 2007 countdown

**New additions to 2007 countdown