AFI Top 10 Top 10 - So many good films... left off the list!

Hola movie lovers,

You probably watched the AFI Top 10 Top 10 special that was on on Tuesday night. And you probably noticed that a lot of good films we left off the list altogether. I know I was yelling at the TV every now and again and I'm sure you were too.

Here's a recap of my reactions, genre by genre:

1. Animation

First off, why on Earth did Jennifer Love Hewitt host this chunk of the show? She wasn't a voice in any of the movies on this list. I really didn't have too many problems with the ten films chosen for this genre. Though I don't like some of them (Shrek, Beauty and the Beast, Finding Nemo...), I understand why each and every one of them were selected. I thought Toy Story should have been higher on the list than 6. And it was super predictable that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was going to be #1... since it was the 1st full length animated movie. But is it really the best animated movie ever made? No. But it's historic significance has permanently cemented its spot near the top of any movie list, especially when dealing with animation.

2. Fantasy

So, I was quite bummed that The Princess Bride was omitted from the Top 10 here. Like Snow White, everyone and their mom knew that The Wizard of Oz was going to snag the #1 slot. It was nice to see Field of Dreams make the list (especially since it was on the shortlist for Fantasy *and* Sports films), as well as It's a Wonderful Life. Two Jimmy Stewart made the Fantasy list (It's a Wonderful Life and Harvey), and this began a streak of Stewart films. If I'm not mistaken, he was the most represented actor this year - woot!

3. Sci-Fi

Again, it was pretty much a guarantee that all 10 of these films were going to make the Top 10 for Sci-Fi, but did ET: The Extra Terrestrial really have to be #3? Why does everyone like this movie? I was forced to watch it so many times when I was little that I developed a fear of ET and still have nightmares about him to this day. I can't stand to see his pumpkin head or listen to his alien voice. And why was 2001: A Space Odyssey #1? As a Star Wars fanatic, I was sincerely hoping A New Hope would take the top slot, but alas, we had to settle for silver.

4. Sports

My favorite genre of film... But how the hell did Jerry Maguire make the list and movies like Rudy, Miracle, A League of Their Own and The Natural didn't make it? THE NATURAL! Come on, AFI, Robert Redford playing baseball totally trumps Tom Cruise asking people to "Show me the money!" Sports is not the main plot of that movie, the relationship between psycho Cruise and squinty Zellweger is. I shake my head at whomever was in charge deciding that Jerry Maguire was more worthy of praise than a dozen or so other movies that were sooooo much more worthy. I was glad to see Bull Durham on the list, though at lowly #5. Bull Durham is my favorite sports movie, nay, one of my favorite movies ever, and I'm so happy that lots of people love this movie too. I was a little shocked to see Raging Bull at #1. We all thought it was going to be The Natural, but we were waaaaay wrong. It was cool to see Breaking Away on the list. That's a great film and it takes place from the same city I'm typing this blog from - go Cutters :)

5. Western

I am the first to admit that I haven't seen as many westerns as I should have by now. In fact, I only saw 9 of the 50 westerns on the shortlist... and only 2 of those made the Top 10. I found it quite shady that there were no Clint Eastwood or Jimmy Stewart westerns on this list (Eastwood only directed Unforgiven... so it doesn't count). And how did Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid only make #7?! That is one of the greatest movies of all time - and it made #7? You can't beat the chemistry between Newman and Redford - it's magical. I finally bought this movie on DVD the other day (I had it on video, but it was getting worn out... I watched it a bajillion times when I was in college because I was writing a film paper on it... because it's awesome). My next favorite western, Tombstone, wasn't even on the shortlist... what's up with that? That movie is fan-freakin'-tastic.

6. Gangster

I really wanted The Departed to be on there... I know it only came out 2 years ago, but it was on the shortlist, and it's such a great flick. Of course Godfather II, Goodfellas and Godfather made up the Top 3, but that's only because everyone thinks The Godfather is the end all-be all of Gangster movies. And it kinda is, but I remember the first time I tried to watch it, I fell asleep because I thought it was dragging... a lot. I stayed awake when we watched it in school, because I knew I was going to be tested on it, but I still wasn't impressed. Do people only like this movie because film critics say that we should? I was glad to see Bonnie and Clyde up there at #5 - that's such a brilliant film - "We rob banks!". But where was On the Waterfront?????? For shame, AFI, for shame.

7. Mystery

I'm glad Hitchcock was well represented here - he made some great mysteries. It was also great to see The Usual Suspects make it onto the list at #10... I knew the ending of that film before I saw it, but it still rocked my socks. What a cast! Who would have thought that Kevin Pollack, a young Benicio Del Toro, Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Bryne and Kevin Spacey would mesh together so well? See that movie if you haven't already. I was sad that L.A. Confidential didn't make it on the list... that was one of the best films to come out of the 1990s... talk about an amazing ensemble!

8. Romantic-Comedy

I nearly fell out of my chair when they listed When Harry Met Sally... at number 6! That should have at least been in the Top 3. That movie is Rom-Com perfection. And why was Harold and Maude on the list? I haven't seen it yet, but isn't it about an old lady and a young guy? Now, that's not very romantic to me. If When Harry Met Sally... couldn't be #1, then I wanted that honor to go to In Happened One Night, but that was sadly beat out by Annie Hall (Woody Allen - blah) and City Lights. I had forgotten about City Lights... I've seen it 3 times over the years and didn't really think of it as a Rom-Com, but it fits the bill. And Chaplin was a great performer, and still made silent pictures even after they were out of fashion.

9. Courtroom Drama

To me, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington should have been included on this list, even though it takes place in Congress as opposed to in a court. I still need to see a bunch of these films, notably The Verdict, Kramer vs. Kramer, and To Kill a Mockingbird. I love 12 Angry Men, and was so glad it took 2nd... I knew it was going to lose out to Mockingbird, but 12 Angry Men is such a powerful movie. I would have liked to see The Crucible on there, but I know it's not the best or most popular courtroom drama. But I do love me that Daniel Day-Lewis :)

10. Epic

Speaking of DDL, I was hoping The Last of the Mohicans would make it to the Top 10, but alas. It did not. But Reds did! I was so happy that Warren Beatty's masterpiece was included... I just saw it last year for the 1st time and I loved it! I really need to see Lawrence of Arabia... I bought the VHS at an estate sale a few years back, but it turned out I only bought video 2 of 2... and I wasn't about to watch the 2nd half of a film I had never seen before! So, I still need to see it - maybe I'll check it out of the library one of these days. See O'Toole in action!

Well, it'll be another year until the next AFI special. I wonder what the theme will be?

Until then, keep watching movies... I know I will!