What is your favorite movie?

After reviewing the AFI poll, I believe that the amazon.com People’s Poll is a better reflection of what is ‘best’. How does Gladiator, this multi-academy award winner not place? It’s Hollywood politics. Scott and Crowe are just to good compared to their peers.

It’s no surprise and understandable that The Godfather remains at the top of the AFI and the People’s polls. What is surprising is that Godfather: Part II (my opinion the better of the two films) is 32th. Look at the films ranked better; it doesn’t make sense. Shawshank Redemption at 72? Come on! Explain why Vertigo, City Lights and the Searchers had big jumps? What warranted this significant change from ten years ago? Are the AFI voters attempting to balance the old and the new? Maybe. If so, this list isn’t the “best” films, they are the best representation of the the past and present ranked by throwing darts at a pre-qualified list.

My vote: Gladiator 10.0 and Godfather: Part II 9.998

Like The Godfather and the Godfather: Part II the Gladiator has become part of our culture. They are so believable people think Maximus and the Corleone family existed! Directors Ridley Scott and Francis Ford Coppola bring out the very best of everyone that walks onto their set. Time will continue to honor them among the greatest masters in film history.

That aside, Gladiator, has spectacular visuals and dialog that can be heard and understood and isn’t drowned out by background ‘noise’. Crowe’s award winning performance has us believing Maximus lives. And like the Godfathers, Gladiator is a great epic story; with great direction and acting bathed in breathtaking visuals and sound. This timeless epic can be watched over and over and each time the viewer will see and hear things for the first time. One day the AFI voters will reward The Gladiator its rightful place in film history. Until then, Franzoni and Scott, Crowe and Harris, Phoenix and everyone involved in the production of this great film should take pride that Gladiator already is among the greatest films in the hearts and minds of those that count, the paying public!

It’s romantic, it’s beautiful, it’s terrific, it’s powerful, It’s unhappy, It’s hard

You always see Part 1 & 2 on all greatest movie lists, but PT 2 is always too far down. I believe it is better than 1- it has a more interesting story line w/ the flashbacks to Italy, and the beginnings in New York, De Niro is superb in his role as young Vito.

I consider these films as one film.
Reason it’s my number one?
It will be easier to give you the reasons why it shouldn’t be my number one: there are none.

The Godfather is THE American epic film of the late 20th century. The gangster movie, after all, is one of a handful of distinctly American genres (along with the Western and film noir). Moreover, the movie powerfully dramatizes the cynicism of Vietnam-era America, as the power wielded brutally by the Corleone family is juxtaposed with the equally brutal and equally corrupt power wielded less visibly by “official” organizations, like the American government. “Who’s being naive, Kay?”

Aside from the political themes, though, the first two Godfather films are beautifully shot and richly scripted, and the acting and directing are superb.

Th

IT HAD EVERYTHING YOU WANT IN A MOVIE IT KEEPS YOUR INTEREST
IN THE WHOLE MOVE ALL THE CAST WAS GREAT

It is difficult to find any flaws in this film. Writer/Director Francis Coppola takes the Corleone saga to new levels. The flashback sequences with DeNiro as Young Vito are spectacular and add to the power of the story. Al Pacino brilliantly plays Michael - in fact, all of the players are excellent
The story line is simple: Michael has taken the most powerful crime
family to new heights. He partners with Heyman Roth influencing the corupt Batista regime in Cuba just prior to the Castro revolution. While in Cuba he discovers his brother Fredo’s secret which leads Michael to further distrust the world.
His wife Kay, beautifully played by Diane Keaton, begins to doubt her love of Michael. Ultimately, the final solutions at the end only lead Michael to the final powerful scene.
Power, corruption, love, murder…. are all interwoven into this superb film. I never tire of watching this movie.

Film making at its finest. Great cast, great writing, great directing, great American story. Everything comes together to make the best one-two punch in cinematic history. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve seen these wonderful movies. Together or apart, they’re my favorite.

As good, or better than the masterpiece The Godfather and so honored by its acedemy wins.Those faces of the immigrants ariving into Ellis Island will always be remembered.Plus, the great performance by DeNiro and Pacino. Its so hard to pick between these two wonderful movies that I think I would rank them 1 and 2.

#32!!!! How is it a film widely considered to actually be better than the first ends up so far down the list? Is the AFI seriously tryuing to tell me that Singin’ in the Rain (1952) is a greater film than this? That Chinatown (1974), Apocalypse Now (1979), Vertigo (1958) even The Godfather (1972) are superior to this masterpiece? Not a chance. In fact The Godfather Part II (1974) is without question the finest film in the history of the cinema. Period. Nice to see they came to their sense regarding The Searchers (1956) which last time was up in the nineties but this time is # 12. Good, about time. And Goodfellas (1990) in the nineties, behind Titanic (1997) for God’s sakes?

This second Godfather should be rated only behind Citizen Cane as the greatest movie ever made. Both the story of the young Vito Corleone, and that of Michael’s impotent struggle to become legitimate can stand alone as absolute masterpieces.

“What a lovely pear!”

The Godfather II. i know it’s trite…. but it’s true. What i find most interesting about this film, is that it is SUCH a violent film, and a violent story- but it has such a calming effect throughout the entire movie. The score and the classic “Godfather” theme music is very soothing, it makes no sense. It is so wonderful.

How could anyone come up with one favorite movie. I more than the above to go a top of the heap list. I love movies for many reasons. The Pianist is a emotionally powerful work with one of the great acting performances of all time.

American Beauty is funny, hypnotic, lyrical, beautifully photagraphed, great writing, acting………. Great Story telling. Hip.

Godfather I & II all of the above and insightful.

Bulworth: I movie I never tire of watching. It is hillarious……..

Thunder Road….. Robert Mitchum

The Hustler……. Again great cinematography, acting.
Solyaris: But if I had to pick my greatest movie it would probably be Solyaris. A beautiful film that is the most affective film I’ve seen that paints a picture of transcendence and creation.

Just one comment about a movie lot’s of people love and I send to the bottom of my list. Namely 12 Angry Men. Thought this movie was God awful. It does not put you in the room in the sense that you could make a decision on the fate of the person being judged. The evidence used to walk you to this jury’s conclusion was non-existent.

In my opinion, it perfectly captures the incredible breadth — and importance — of American storytelling: family, the immigrant experience, power, politics, devotion, revenge, heartbreak.

And its themes are just beautiful blueprint tragedy, especially the son never being too far from the father. Coppola didn’t want to do the film, money got him there, and his execution is just spot-on perfect.

For those that are interested: I’ve been an online film reviewer for years, and I have a couple of items worth sharing: A “Top Five” list of Al Pacino films to celebrate his recent AFI award, and tomorrow, a “Top Ten” that will pertain to the AFI 100 (not yet announcing the connection though…) Check meetinthelobby.com, if you’d like.

-Norm Schrager

Simply the greatest movie ever made: FFC made the two stories work. The magic IS the two lives going back and forth - please DO NOT patronize any presentations that butcher this film: ie, the Godfather Saga, which is an abomination!!

This is the finest piece of screenwriting ever, and it is matched by all other aspects — direction, photography, performance. There isn’t a false note anywhere, and the imagery and its consequences stay with you forever. I like to quote Mel Brooks in that I have “…about 3000 ‘favorite’ movies,” but this particular film places as close to the top as any. Thank you, Mr. Coppola.

Runners-Up: Raging Bull, Unforgiven, Nashville, Dr. Strangelove, Annie Hall, A Woman Under the Influence (and Breathless, Winter Light, Ashes and Diamonds, The 400 Blows, Rashomon, Dersu Uzala, 8 1/2, Umberto D., The Leopard …)

This movie has everything I look for in a movie.

Unquestionably the finest sequal of all time, and one of the greatest films of all time! Godfather Part II delivers everything that the first film delivered and more! Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone is in my opinion one of the finest performences of all time, standing right next to Brando’s “On The Waterfront” performence!

The Godfather Part II is just simply an unforgettable film.

Although I’m usually attuned to lighter movies, Mario Puzo’s characters and plot created the most interesting hours of my life. The film switches between fun journeys with a remarkably well-played Vito Corleone in his youth and his son Michael’s intelligent plans to legalize the family and have it take over Nevada and you won’t be bored for a minute. The acting is dead-on with the actors really emulating the personality quirks of these men who don’t seem all too bad when you get to know them, although you know deep down that they are. I’m likely the only one who feels this way, but I believe that Pachino was a better anchor than Brando.

The prequel and the sequel to the Godfather, this film is superior to the original.

Of all the movies I’ve seen, this is the one I’ve seen the most. I’ve seen this movie about 100 times and it never gets boring. Coppola’s subtle direction and use of the parallel story structure is nothing short of genius and Gordon Willis gets even darker in his cinematography: in some cases he is filming near silouettes. To me, this movie is in my top 3 film noirs of all time. So many memorable scenes and I haven’t even talked about the great acting by Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, the late Michael V. Gazzo, the late acting guru Lee Strasberg, the late underrated actor John Cazale, and of course Al Pacino. This film is superior to the first one and deserves more than #32.

P.S. On another note, neglecting foreign films makes this list seem empty as many of the films we love are made by filmmakers who were influenced by foreign directors.
By: A Apte

This film is the closest thing to a Shakepearean tragedy without being Shakespeare

This film is the closest thing to a Shakepearean tragedy without being Shakespeare
By: John Bolier

This film is such a great story.

This film is such a great story. It shows the hard times of the mafia underworld. It shows what you through when you are the largest mafia family in America. It has a great story line and many other things to go with that.
By: Jonathan Di Lello

As good as Citizen Kane — but with color!

As good as Citizen Kane — but with color!
By: John Dakin

This movie delivers everything!

This movie delivers everything! It features great directing, writing and acting. This is also that rare time when the sequal is as good if not better than the original. I’m also a huge Al Pacino fan, and I believe this to be one of his greatest and perhaps one of the single greatest performences of all time!
By: Joshua Lopez

I hated this movie the first time I saw it …

I was totally appalled the first time I saw this movie (I was about 16 years old). I had been completely obsessed with the original but I felt betrayed at the end of part 2 (*** SPOILERS ***) when Fredo is killed. As I grew older and examined the film thoroughly, I realized that Fredo’s death was completely necessary in the formation of Michael into an unstoppable beast of vengence, greed, and apathy. Part 2 expands upon the themes of Part 1 while simultaneously opening a window to the Corleone family’s history (possibly DeNiro’s most restrained yet most refined performance to date). For those reasons, the Godfather Part 2 earns my highwater-mark of greatest American Film.
By: Brian Kramps

Wonderful characters with dimension and purpose.

Amazing juxtaposition of 2 fascinating men told in parallel. Wonderful characters with dimension and purpose. Never been repeated…..
By: Jon Goldberg