What is your favorite movie?

GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES

Zach NeSmith — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:26:21 +0000

The more I get into the world of anime, the more impressed I am. From Studio Ghibli, (the same people who brought us Hayao Miyazaki’s works PRINCESS MONONOKE and my personal favorite SPIRITED AWAY) comes the tragic, semi-autobiographical story of two children struggling to survive in the aftermath of WWII.

Recently orphaned Seita and his younger sister Setsuko wander the streets of Japan, their father off fighting in the Navy and their mother killed in a firebombing. If there is anything they encounter that more disturbing then the images of death and the hunger they encounter on their struggles to survive in this post-war environment, it is the
indifference of their fellow man. Without giving away too much about the rest of the film. I will say that this film is one of the few animated films to bring tears to my eyes. With astonishing animation and (tragically) believable characters, this film belongs on the charts with other great war movies like LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, SCHINDLER’S LIST and EMPIRE OF THE SUN.

The Quiet Man

Barry Buchalter — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:57:06 +0000

This film combines humor,sentiment,beautiful acting,direction,cinematography and music in one beautiful package. I think this is the best part Barry Fitzgerald ever had.

GONE WITH THE WIND

Lawrence Eichman — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:20:13 +0000

This movie has stood up against all competition since 1939. It is typically in the top ten movies of every age group even today. Ask yourself what movie o would sit through any of its competition for as long as this great classic. The movie has every element that one could ask for in a motion picture (e.g. action, romance, intrigue, and great acting). Watching the greatest actor that ever lived, Clark Gable, play the dashing but very human Rhett Butler also secures this as the greatest movie. Every person I have ever known (in my 61 years on earth) constantly wonders when Mr. Gable would be in the next scene while watching this classic. I take nothing from the great acting of Vivien Leigh, Hattie McDonald, Olivia Dehavland, Leslie Howard and the rest of the superb cast but it was Gable’s performance that brought the audience back to this movie year after year (even to the silver screen at least four times) while others which have been wrongly (in my opinion) rated higher never could make that claim. It is easy rate movies as greater work of art but it is durability which mark a movies greatness and none has stood up to Gone With the Wind.

GLADIATOR and the GODFATHER: PART II

David DEugenio — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:23:19 +0000

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!

PULP FICTION

Spencer T — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:55:43 +0000

Pulp Fiction is the most genius film in its plot, screenwriting, directing, and presentation. The simplicity of the sets, and the dialogue is mirrored by simple minded characters with complex stories doing things that would not be considered simple by an average mans viewpoint, be it getting raped, trying to revive an OD’ing girl in your living room, running away from mobsters, performing a hit, or robbing a diner. Also the script is pure genius, especially with Sam Jacksons character, fusing the vulgar and the obscene with his angelic ideals makes a compelling story and entertaining conversation when pinned against the simpleton of Vic Vega who doesn’t care about anything that doesn’t directly affect his life, or that which doesn’t compromise him. The directing is also fabulous with the simple sets adding to the visual appeal, and the affect of time on the story, having Vic Vega die and then seeing him again before going to meet Marcellus for the closing scene. When watching for the first time this may be a daunting film to comprehend, but when watched numerous times is an act of cinematic genius and unparralleled storytelling.

the godfather

bob smith — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:42:24 +0000

where do i begin? brando’s classic raspy whisper. coppola’s legendary set pieces such as the wedding. and the most impressive thing is that it makes us feel the sense of family and life through a mafia family, which is unique and interesting. al pacino gets my vote as the best performance. his transition is classic and tragiv into a ruthless crime boss for the family. best movie ever

THE GODFATHER. PART I

ROMANO LOPEZ — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:09:23 +0000

I first saw this movie in Cuba in the late 1970’s. I must say I have not stopped seen it ever since. I believe all and all I have seen this movie maybe 50 times. I just don’t get tired of watching it. Marlon Brando’s performance as well as Al Pacino’s will be remembered for ever! And not only that. Just consider that at least 6 different actors in the original cast would ultimately win an Oscar for their acting over the years in other movies. I am afraid Hollywood will never be able to summon in one movie such a superstar cast comparable to THE GODFATHER. PART I. It is one of the greatest artistic masterpieces of the 20th Century, and probably the grandest movie of all times!

THE GRADUATE

Bradley Griffin — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:38:58 +0000

If ever a perfect film was made, this is it. I was disappointed to see that it had moved down 10 spots on the AFI 100 Years…100 Movies-10th Anniversary Edition, because I think it deserves a place in the top 10 (if it was left up to me, the top 5–and I have seen the majority of the films on the list). Nichols is obviously an outstanding director, and Hoffman and Bancroft are impeccable in their acting, as is Katharine Ross. The cinematography was revolutionary at that time, and still holds up today. But this film goes beyond the surface: it is the plea of a young man who wants to do something different with his life. He wants to avoid the “plastics” of the world; he feels that his life has been wasted and wants to do something about it. So begins the relationship between Ben and Mrs. Robinson. The musical soundtrack of haunting songs by Simon and Garfunkel is perfectly suited to this film, though only one of the songs was actually composed for it (”Mrs. Robinson”). This made the soundtrack also revolutionary; it was not the custom at the time to use previously-recorded music in films, something which is quite commonplace today. This movie was underappreciated when it came out, losing the Oscar to “In the Heat of the Night” and is still, in my opinion, underappreciated today. It is a true masterpiece and one of the best films in all of American cinema.

WIZARDS

Michael Joyner — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:00:18 +0000

Ralph Bakshi’s 1976 “Wizards” cause it introduced the movie industry to live action footage mixed with animation. Bakshi mastered this style in his other works; “Lord of the Rings”, “American Pop”, “Fire and Ice”, and “Cool World”. This style of filming was later used in current movies; “Sin City” and “300″.

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN

Dan LaTourette — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:54:28 +0000

Speilberg’s war epic is second to none. The sheer intensity and dark imagery excellently exemplify the horror of war. But what also makes this film a masterpeice is the way it glorifies the American soldier. Focusing the plot on a band of American soldiers on a mission to save one, Speilberg brings to life the personalities and the relationships of the characters, and what it meant being a soldier fighting to protect their country. I don’t think you can ask for a better American movie that has more honor, grace, and patriotism than Saving Private Ryan.