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Cultural Improvement Tour

 

The 100 Greatest Movies

 

1. Citizen Kane (1941)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (1) List -

 

2. Casablanca (1942)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (3), Romance (1), Thriller (37), and Inspirational (32) Lists - Definitely worth its place as number 2. A great movie that was not a romance as I thought it would be, being more like an anti-romance taking place during WWII. I was hesitant to watch this movie at first but afterwards I will recommend this to anyone. The main plot is about 2 people trying to escape German occupied Morocco to the US. The dialogue is very strong and it contains several underlying plotlines not immediately noticeable. It very easily drags you into the movie.

 

3. The Godfather (1972)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (2) and Thriller (11) Lists - I think the second one was better, at least easier to follow in my mind, having only watched the movies once, but I did enjoy them. A little complicated if only once though. I recommend to anyone who likes "mafia" type movies. The movie follows the rise of the godfather in the principle NY mafia.

 

4. Gone With the Wind (1939)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (6), Romance (2), and Inspirational (43) Lists - The classic itself, if not one of the longest movies on the list. The romantic movie of the Civil War era, if any others were even made. Considered by many to be the best romance of all time. The story consists of a love quadrangle that contains the horrors of war as it's backdrop. A must watch for anyone, and one of my wife's favorites.

 

5. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (7), Thriller (23), and Inspirational (30) Lists - Another excruciatingly long movie but I enjoyed it, unlike my wife who could not wait till it was over. I enjoyed the direction and the story thoroughly. The plot follows the real life exploits of T. E. Lawrence as he went from innocent observer to leader of Arabs against the Turks during the 1920's. Highly enjoyable for those of us who like war epic movies, otherwise can be considered boring since it is rather long and slow in some parts.

 

6. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (10), Thriller (43), Musical (3), and Inspirational (26) Lists - Another of the classics, but unlike some of the others, I think everyone has seen this one. Don't know what to say about this one that people don't know. After reading some descriptions of the movie, there have been quite a few remakes of the book and this one does not seem entirely true to the book unlike some of those others, but this is the best and most loved of the lot. The original directed by Baum himself apparently had Dorothy as the dethroned princess of OZ. Makes me want to read the book. 

 

7. The Graduate (1967)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (17), Romance (52), and Comedy (9) Lists - The story of a man who just graduated from college and has his whole life in front of him and is not sure what to do now. This is a weird movie about how a man starts sleeping with a woman twice his age then is forbidden to ever see her daughter again. Enjoyable and funny, a must watch.

 

8. On the Waterfront (1954)

     Also on the 10th Anniversary (19) and Inspirational (36) Lists - Right off the bat this movie resembled a cross between Gangs of New York and The Sopranos. The first half of the movie was rather depressing with all the deaths but it definitely turned around by the end. The acting was superb and the story line was great. The is no wonder why this is the 8th greatest movie of all time. 

 

9. Schindler's List (1993)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (8) and Inspirational (3) Lists - The rather depressing look at life in a concentration camp and how a man named Oscar Schindler tried to rescue them. Just knowing that this movie is based off real life makes it hit that much harder. A must watch so that we don't forget history, you know all that doomed to repeat it stuff.

 

10. Singin' in the Rain (1952)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (5), Romance (16), Comedy (16), and Musical (1) Lists - The top musical on the list. Rather strange at times it is very enjoyable and the music is definitely catchy. The plot follows a couple of vaudeville actors, where after the advent of movies with sound, her career is in jeopardy due to her shrill voice. For those of you whole love musicals you have probably have already seen this but if not, you should.

 

11. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (20), Romance (8), and Inspirational (1) Lists - The classic about a man who feels his life is in the dumps and then a miracle grants him his wish of never being born and shows to him how much of an impact he has had. The epitome of the idiom "careful what you wish for." A little impractical at times, especially the view of the world without him, but uplifting and enjoyable non the less.

 

12. Sunset Boulevard (1950)

     Also on the 10th Anniversary (16) List -

 

13. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (36), Thriller (58), and Inspirational (14) Lists - Another war movie for war movie lovers. Although Veronica did not like this one that much, I thought it was terrific. Alec Guinness played the perfect lead role and the story line was riveting. The plot follows a British POW in Burma who is forced to build a train bridge. Since they are doing this they decide to build the best one they can. While building the bridge, Colonel Nicholson (Guinness) looses sight of what he is supposed to be doing in Burma when the British try and blow up the bridge. I thought it was fantastic and a must watch, but that is just my opinion.

 

14. Some Like it Hot (1959)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (22) and Comedy (1) Lists - One of the best comedies on the list. This has the classics of comedy, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, dressed up as women after they witness the Saint Valentine's Day gangster murders. Marilyn Monroe also stars as the principle female role. A must watch for anyone because even though its an older movie it is still hilarious. And of course, almost any movie with cross dressing is bound to be funny.

 

15. Star Wars (1977)

     Also on the 10th Anniversary (13), Thriller (27), and Inspirational (39) Lists - Definitely one of my favorite movies of all time. Not only is this the first of the modern sci-fi movies but its special effects completely revolutionized the movie industry. Also the only Star Wars movie able to stand on its own. The lore of Star Wars is expanded upon on my website elsewhere.

 

16. All About Eve (1950)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (28) List - The opening sequence starts it off where you realize this is not going to be the serious drama that you might have thought. The plot follows Eve who adores the actress Margo Channing, but in seeming so innocent and naive she really is just a calculating wench who wants to shine in the spotlight. For fans of dark comedies.

 

17. The African Queen (1951)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (65), Romance (14), and Inspirational (48) Lists - A rather fun movie about a rough around the edges man who saves a prim and proper girl. Eventually they sail down a river chasing after a German ship so that they can destroy it. Bogart plays the part of the rough guy perfectly and the match up of the two main characters is pure magic. The story seems to slow down a bit in the middle as they are just on a steamship in the river for most of the time but the movie works well with it.

 

18. Psycho (1960)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (14) and Thriller (1) Lists - Hitchcock's best hands down. A suspenseful thriller with a surprise twist at the end. I never saw the remake but from what I hear the lack of blood and gore in the original is what made it great. Should you watch this, oh yea.

 

19. Chinatown (1974)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (21) and Thriller (16) Lists - One word, Confusing. My wife and I watched this and about 2 hours later be both went "huh". Did not understand it at all, either a must watch more than once or a must know the contemporary illusions.

 

20. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (33) and Inspirational (17) Lists - A very funny look at inmates in an insane asylum staring Jack Nicholson. Jack plays the part of a new patient who rallies the other patients with him incurring the wrath of the nurses including the now infamous Nurse Ratchet. Though not listed on the 100 greatest comedies list for some reason. It has my vote.

 

21. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (23) and Inspirational (7) Lists - Based on one the 100 Greatest Books, of which I have not read yet. The story is about migrant workers of the Great Depression and their difficulty in finding work when their Oklahoma farms turns into a dustbowl and they are promised work in California. Of course you don't need me to tell you that work was not to be found. A gripping tale of people's struggles in the face of tragedy.

 

22. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (15), Thriller (40), and Inspirational (47) Lists -

 

23. The Maltese Falcon (1941)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (31) and Thriller (26) Lists - The detective movie from which any post movie is judged against. A little confusing at times but enjoyable non the less. A gripping movie that will keep you guessing the whole way through. Another one where Bogart definitely deserves his place among greatest of actors.

 

24. Raging Bull (1980)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (4) and Thriller (51) Lists - Kind if a cross between The Godfather and Rocky, it shows the self-degradation of a championship boxer who could not control his anger or his over-protection of his wife. The acting was superb but you get the feeling someone is gonna get whacked throughout the movie.

 

25. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (24), Thriller (44), and Inspirational (6) Lists - What can I say about this movie that nobody already knows. Not the original of Spielberg's alien stories but definitely the best one. Heartwarming and tender.

 

26. Dr. Strangelove (1964)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (39) and Comedy (3) Lists - A definite must watch more than once because I know I missed many of the jokes. A very humorous look at the cold war that mocks the tensions between the two super powers and the mutual destruction associated with nuclear war. One of the best scenes in any movie ever is when the American rides the nuclear missile down like a bucking bronco, complete with cowboy hat.

 

27. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (42), Romance (65), and Thriller (13) Lists - Starring Warren Beatty as Clyde and Faye Dunaway as Bonnie, this movie is a hit right at the start. The plot line is great, it follows two of the most infamous bank robbers in history from the beginning where Clyde is a car thief and Bonnie his hostage, to their end when they are both shot up. Kind of a romantic thriller with a dismal ending.

 

28. Apocalypse Now (1979)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (30) List - This is a cult movie classic and I can tell why. A very bizarre movie starring Brando and Martin Sheen about a rouge colonel in the Vietnam War who kills hundreds of innocent people eventually becoming deified by his followers. The plot line follows the American captain sent to kill the colonel as he travels upriver and eventually into the colonels new compound. Very gripping story and a wonderfully acted movie showing the atrocity that was Vietnam and how it made people crazy.

 

29. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (26) and Inspirational (5) Lists -

 

30. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (38) and Thriller (67) Lists -

 

31. Annie Hall (1977)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (35), Romance (11), and Comedy (4) Lists - Woody Allen's best movie ever. The movie follows the relationship between a whiney city boy played by Allen and his girlfriend a country bumpkin (Keaton). Its told mostly in the first person perspective of Allen resulting in a very funny "real" type of movie. When your in a comedic type of mood, this would be a good movie to watch.

 

32. The Godfather Part II (1974)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (32) List - The only sequel on the list and it deserves its placement. Personally I liked it better than the original. I found it easier to follow and the flashbacks between the building of the mafia empire and the current situation was very well done. If you liked the first one you probably already seen this one, if not it should be your next movie.

 

33. High Noon (1952)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (27), Thriller (20), and Inspirational (27) Lists -

 

34. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (25) and Inspirational (2) Lists - The movie takes place in Alabama during the Great Depression. Not a very racial friendly place now, not even close to it then. The movie is about a black man wrongly accused of raping a white girl and the following turmoil that the hearing brings. Based on the novel that is also on the 100 Greatest list, it is listed as one of the best racial relations movies ever made. Makes one stop and think and realize our past is not as good as one might think.

 

35. It Happened One Night (1934)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (46) List - Another classic staring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. The plot is simple, rich girl runs away from home because her daddy won't let her marry the man she wants. This draws national attention as the father posts a reward for finding her. This is where Gable comes in as a reporter to get the scoop of a lifetime. Well written and very humorous. Another timeless classic.

 

36. Midnight Cowboy (1969)

     Also on the 10th Anniversary (43) List - When you talk about uplifting movies, this is not among them. I am not saying that I did not enjoy the movie it was just sad. The plot follows a cowboy from Texas that moves to NYC to be a male prostitute. Things just go wrong from the start and he eventually gets himself aligned with conman Ratso Rizzo. The dynamic between the two was great. It showed how the high morals of the cowboy were brought down rather rapidly by the conman until both were living in an abandoned apartment, with almost no food, and needing to steal to get anything. Although a bit trippy in the middle I thought the movie was very well done and you could definitely tell that they were pushing some major boundaries back in '69.

 

37. The Best Years of Our Life (1946)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (37) and Inspirational (11) Lists -

 

38. Double Indemnity (1944)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (29), Romance (84), and Thriller (24) Lists -

 

39. Doctor Zhivago (1965)

    Also on the Romance (7) List -

 

40. North by Northwest (1959)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (55) and Thriller (4) Lists - A thrilling movie about an advertising executive who got tangled up in a James Bond type situation. I found the movie rather humorous and suspenseful, especially the first half where the Grant is mistaken for another man. The entire time it seems obvious to everyone else he is not the man but no one seems to care. The acting is superb with extremely believable performances by both Grant and Eva Marie Saint who was the main female character. I definitely recommend this movie especially when you are in the mood for an action movie with a subdued sort of action.

 

41. West Side Story (1961)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (51), Romance (3), and Musical (2) Lists - The musical based on Romeo and Juliet set in "modern" day New York. Very good catchy music and great acting. It really shows the grittiness of New York at times. Although I question whether gangs in NYC really know all the moves in choreographed dances.

 

42. Rear Window (1954)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (48) and Thriller (14) Lists - I think this is one of the better of Hitchcock's plays. It is gripping and suspenseful and you never really know what is going on or what is going to happen until the end. Fantastic acting even with the minimal scenes.

 

43. King Kong (1933)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (41), Romance (24), and Thriller (12) Lists - I started out watching this movie basing it on the recent Peter Jackson remake. The problem is that you need to take into consideration the time period. Currently the graphics of Kong would be downright laughable today, while back then they were cutting edge. The movie was very enjoyable though. Actually, Jackson's remake just seemed to be an extension of the movie, taking all the same parts and just putting in extra parts in between. That made the movie fly right by since I already knew basically what was going to happen. But it was still a good movie and groundbreaking at the time. The fight between Kong and the T-Rex was very well done and actually more violent than I was anticipating, especially since the meeting with the natives was far less violent then I would have thought. All in all, I would recommend seeing this one before the Peter Jackson movie, but an entertaining movie none the less.
 

44. The Birth of a Nation (1915)

 

45. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (47) and Romance (67) Lists - Another fine work by Brando. The screenplay was written by Williams himself so you know its not going to be that bad figuring the play is one of the best ever written. It is based on a fragile former prostitute who visits her sister in New Orleans and is mercilessly taunted by her brother-in-law. A bit confusing at times but very well acted non the less.

 

46. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (70) and Thriller (21) Lists - Another movie that belongs on my weird list. This movie is about a punk kid in a totalitarian state who is then subjected to behavior modification programming. I've heard people often comment on the irony of the main character's 'Singin in the Rain' while whipping a nude female in front of her husband. Again a bizarre movie.

 

47. Taxi Driver (1976)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (52) and Thriller (22) Lists - The story about a rogue cab driver who is so disgusted with society and decides to take matter into his own hands to save a prostitute. This is an angry movie about a man coping with life in general and society as everything degrades before his eyes. Gritty and compelling.

 

48. Jaws (1975)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (56) and Thriller (2) Lists - The original "When Nature Attacks" story about a rogue shark that reeks havoc on a New England beach until finally being destroyed by a marine biologist and an old fisherman. Good acting especially for the shark. How they got it to do those things I will never know.

 

49. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (34) List -  The first of the full length animations. Not the best done by Disney but that is not the reason it is on the list. Its here for its impact on film, similar in that respect to Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

 

50. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (73) and Thriller (54) Lists - The story is about two of the most notorious bank/train of the west and their downfall. The movie is primarily about their downfall, not their rise to fame nor their formation of The Hole in the Wall gang, but still the story is written very well and easily understandable. Paul Newman (Butch) and Robert Redford (Sundance) were the only actors that were in the entire movie and they held their own. Redford I felt gave the superior performance as the quiet yet sarcastic sidekick, yet sometimes you felt that he was the one who really called the shots. Overall this movie is not what you would expect for a western, it was more in line with Bonnie and Clyde, with fugitives robbing banks and being tracked down by law enforcement. I thought this was a great movie and one of the better ones on the list, funny, action packed, overall enjoyable.

 

51. The Philadelphia Story (1940)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (44), Romance (44), and Comedy (15) Lists - Staring the royalty of the big screen, Stewart, Grant and Hepburn, this is a quick witted romantic comedy. Some of the jokes are rather fast at times though, so if you are not paying attention you are likely to miss them. The story involves a love pentagon with Tracy Lord (Hepburn) about to get married and the national tabloid wanting a story on it. The tabloid sends in some reporters via Lord's ex-husband (Grant) who represents the fun rich while her fiancée represents the poor hardworking guy who just wants his name in the paper. Insert romance here and you have a classic that is as timeless now as it was then.

 

52. From Here to Eternity (1953)

    Also on the Romance (20) List - Personally, I feel this is among the great classics like Gone With the Wind and should be closer to the top of the list. The story is about the soldiers and families shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The story is about an army officer who is sent to a remote outpost because he refused to box for the army. The film is filled with tragic romances between the characters, culminating in the trademark scene of the movie where Lancaster and Kerr are rolling around the sand and kissing on the beach.

 

53. Amadeus (1984)

    This is one of Veronica's favorites and probably will be for most classical music fans. It is the tragic story of Mozart as told by his arch rival who eventually finds respect for the man after he is gone. The movie is well acted and has a better storyline than one would think. It is not a boring story of a man composing music or something like that, it's actually quite amusing in the first half showing his craziness and tragic in the second half as you watch his life fall apart. A very emotional and tragic movie.

 

54. All Quiet in the Western Front (1930)

 

55. The Sound of Music (1965)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (40), Romance (27), Musical (4), and Inspirational (41) Lists - One of the most popular musicals of all time. It is based on the Von Trapp family who during WWII were eventually forced to leave their native Austria. The main plot of the movie follows a former nun who finds her true calling as a governess to the family and eventually melts the heart of the once stern father. This all occurs in lighthearted nature over several irritatingly get stuck in your head musical numbers. Obviously their situation was portrayed not as dire as it actually was but it is still an enjoyable movie.

 

56. M*A*S*H (1970)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (54) and Comedy (7) Lists - The spark that started one of the best TV shows of all time. This is still one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. A political commentary on the Vietnam War using the Korean War as a backdrop. I still can't get over the theme everyone is used to for the TV show is about suicide.

 

57. The Third Man (1949)

    Also on the Thriller (75) List -

 

58. Fantasia (1940)

    I am not a fan of opera or random musical cartoons but this movie was not bad in my opinion. I know there are people who love it (Veronica) but this is not really my cup of tea. Groundbreaking for its time and very well done but I will be happy with just a normal cartoon.

 

59. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

    This is the movie that made James Dean into James Dean. A good movie showing the problems that teens have in adjusting to new situations and pretty much just getting through life in general. Unfortunately not terribly memorable after the fact.

 

60. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (66) and Thriller (10) Lists - The first modern action adventure movie. Maybe the best of the three and definitely one of my favorites. If you need to know the plot of this one you obviously have missed something in your childhood.

 

61. Vertigo (1958)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (9), Romance (18), and Thriller (18) Lists - Another of the Hitchcock movies on the list, this one focusing on a police detective's fear of heights. After a fellow officer is killed because he is frozen with fear John Ferguson (Stewart) retires from the force. Unfortunately he is then asked to follow his friends wife, who also dies because of his fear of heights. The best thing about the movie was the remarkable camera effects showing Ferguson's vertigo.

 

62. Tootsie (1982)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (69) and Comedy (2) Lists - A very funny movie about a man who claims to be a terrific actor but can't get himself a job. So he decides to dress up like a woman and ends up getting the role. Unfortunately this causes him to have to do this for as long as he worked on the show without anyone knowing the truth. The female role he created becomes a role model for women everywhere, showing them empowerment (a stubborn headed trait he bestowed beforehand) and power are not bad things. Very well written and Hoffman does not make a bad woman. Another in the line of cross dressing just makes a good movie.

 

63. Stagecoach (1939)

    I was pleasantly surprised with this movie. It started off slow and I was setting myself up for a dull movie but what really made the movie for me was that all the characters seemed to have a shady back-story that you knew nothing about. The acting was good and you really felt for the characters. This was not a western in the sense that I think of westerns, this seemed more like a character development story. The characters that people assumed were bad (the shunned prostitute, the drunk doctor, the outlaw) all turned out to be the ones with the best morals and the nicest of the lot. A very entertaining and enjoyable time.

 

64. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

    Also on the Thriller (31) and Inspirational (58) Lists - Spielberg's second best and second most famous alien movie. The plot line mainly follows several mysterious events that leads people to believe that something big is going to happen, hence an alien invasion. Very good acting and rather good suspense in the movie but again not his best. I personally felt it moved a bit slow at times although the special effects were especially well done for the time.

 

65. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (74) and Thriller (5) Lists -

 

66. Network (1976)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (64) List -  "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." Finally figured what movie that came from. A very funny movie about a TV anchorman who is going to lose his job due to his age. So to "stick it" to the network and get himself ratings he declared he was going to commit suicide on TV. A dark comedy about the ruthlessness of the television business.

 

67. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

    Also on the Thriller (17) List - Excellent movie with a fantastic storyline and acting. The premise is that a bunch of Korean soldiers were kidnapped and brainwashed with one turning out to be the ultimate hidden assassin. The brainwashing scene is very well made differing with each soldiers reality. Makes you sit and think, "what really did happen in Korea?"

 

68. An American in Paris (1951)

     Also on the Romance (39) and Musical (9) Lists - Overall An American in Paris is a good movie. The plot is easy to follow and intriguing, the dancing is phenomenal, and the singing is entertaining, but the musical portions seemed to have no connection to the plot of the movie. Maybe I am just jaded by modern day movies but the meaning for last 18 minutes completely eluded me. The very end also seemed to be a bit too good to be true. The story is basically an American painter (Gene Kelly) is in Paris and falls in love with a French girl (Leslie Caron) who happens to be engaged to another man. Like anyone would expect the French girl ends up with the American but for no apparent reason the man she was engaged to seems happy at the match. Not one of the best movies on the list and seemed to drag on at times.

 

69. Shane (1953)

     Also on the 10th Anniversary (45) List -

 

70. The French Connection (1971)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (93) and Thriller (8) Lists -

 

71. Forrest Gump (1994)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (76) and Inspirational (37) Lists - One of the most enjoyable movie's to watch on the list. A modern classic of a mentally retarded man who always finds himself in the most famous places of recent history, meeting presidents, fighting in Vietnam, participating (sort of) at the anti Vietnam rally, ping-pong with China, and so on. Many of the movie's more humorous parts are when Forest Gump unwittingly causes some of histories famous moments including teaching Elvis how to dance. Heart warming and one of the best of the lot in my mind.

 

72. Ben-Hur (1959)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (100), Thriller (49), and Inspirational (56) Lists -

 

73. Wuthering Heights (1939)

    Also on the Romance (15) List -

 

74. The Gold Rush (1925)

     Also on the 10th Anniversary (58) -

 

75. Dances with Wolves (1990)

    Also on the Inspirational (59) List - It appears stories of persecution seem to have a leg up to get on the list. This particular movie is about a Civil War officer who went out to explore the final frontier and is forced to move the Native Americans living there elsewhere. He eventually feels for their plight and becomes one of their tribe. It is a very sentimental movie about how westward expansion was not all the glories history proclaimed it to be. The scenes are at times very monumental and very well done, a must watch, although it is slow at some times.

 

76. City Lights (1931)

     Also on the 10th Anniversary (11) -

 

77. American Graffiti (1973)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (62) and Comedy (43) Lists - Lucas's first big movie and the reason he was able to make Star Wars. Pretty much is about 60's high school students facing decisions in their lives and driving around in their cars. Confusing at times but enjoyable non the less.

 

78. Rocky (1976)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (57), Thriller (52), and Inspirational (4) Lists - What is there really to say about this movie. The perfect movie about the underdog winning out over unspeakable odds. Much better than all the sequels puts together.

 

79. The Deer Hunter (1978)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (53) and Thriller (30) Lists - Just finishing the movie and my first impression is "Wow, I'm depressed now." Don't get me wrong, the movie was fantastic but it was so utterly depressing that you are amazed anyone in the movie has the will to live at the end of it. The focus of the movie seems to revolve around hunting with the goal to kill a deer with one shot. The guys, who we see as happy go lucky at the beginning of the movie, end up in Vietnam where their world is thrown around and they are forced to play a version of Russian Rullet, again, back to the one shot theme. If you are in the mood for a good war movie, then this is for you. If you want a comedy or a feel good movie then you should probably pick something else.

 

80. The Wild Bunch (1969)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (79) and Thriller (69) Lists -

 

81. Modern Times (1936)

     Also on the 10th Anniversary (78) List -

 

82. Giant (1956)

 

83. Platoon (1986)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (86) and Thriller (72) Lists - When talking about movies that are slow this cannot be included. Its is a very quick paced, a little confusing, movie about the Vietnam War. The movie follows a recruit looking for adventure in the war (Sheen) while realizing that war truly is hell. The political nature of the movie is also vivid showing that not only was the war brutal but it was essentially pointless.

 

84. Fargo (1996)

    Also on the Comedy (93) List - A very weird and funny movie about a man who falls down on his luck so hires two thugs to kidnap his wife to get the ransom money from her father. The plan backfires when the thugs just start killing people. The best part about the movie is the statement that it is based on a true story (which was a complete fabrication.)

 

85. Duck Soup (1933)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (60) and Comedy (5) Lists -

 

86. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

 

87. Frankenstein (1931)

    Also on the Thriller (56) List - Although it is very loosely based on the book, this becomes the original in 30's horror movies. Its odd watching the older movies especially with modern digital seamless movies but it is still heart warming to see the creation of the monster's humanity while witnessing the destruction of the man playing god. Again very loosely based on the book which created a far more intelligent monster that terrorized with purpose.

 

88. Easy Rider (1969)

     Also on the 10th Anniversary (84) List -

 

89. Patton (1970)

    Talk about long war movies, Veronica even fell asleep through this one (she missed so much I won't let her mark it off). It tells the life of General Patton a controversial general during WWII. A very stubborn man who felt that he had something great to do with his life. Enjoyable but you might need some coffee as it drags on at times.

 

90. The Jazz Singer (1927)

 

91. My Fair Lady (1964)

    Also on the Romance (12) and Musical (8) Lists - Based on the inspirational play Pygmalion that very few people have actually heard about. Its a very simple concept really, a highly educated linguist who can tell the difference between any accent ever is challenged to convert a street tramp into the belle of the ball. The problem starts when he starts to have feelings for her. Some very enjoyable songs, although not as well know as some other musicals, still sing-a-long worthy. 

 

92. A Place in the Sun (1951)

 

93. The Apartment (1960)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (80), Romance (62), and Comedy (20) Lists -

 

94. Goodfellas (1990)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (92) - This is pretty much The Sopranos before the TV show. The movie is about 3 friends growing up in the mafia through the eyes of Henry Hill (Liotta), a half Irish, half Sicilian boy. It could give The Godfather a run for its money as best mafia movie, although the type of movie is completely different. While The Godfather follows the kingpin of the mafia, this is more about the underlings in the system.

 

95. Pulp Fiction (1994)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (94) and Thriller (53) Lists - Even though Tarantino has only made a few movies, this is definitely hailed as his best. The clever play of seemingly random scenes throughout the movie and witty dialog makes this an easy to watch funny movie. The plot mainly follows two thugs who go around collecting payments for the boss. What once was thought of as a noble profession is changed in the mind of one (Jackson) and the other is asked to watch the very attractive wife of his boss (Travolta).

 

96. The Searchers (1956)

     Also on the 10th Anniversary (12) List -

 

97. Bringing Up Baby (1938)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (88), Romance (51), and Comedy (14) Lists -

 

98. Unforgiven (1992)

    Also on the 10th Anniversary (68) List - The first western I watched on the list and overall it was pretty good, though very depressing at times. Think of a country song in the form of a movie. The plot is pretty simple in that two sharp shooters are hired to kill two cowboys who disfigure a prostitute. From what I have heard it is not the typical western with the old clichés, and from what I saw, I agree. Definitely not what I pictured a western to be due to the realistic nature of the characters that truly let you believe in them.

 

99. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

    Also on the Romance (58) and Inspirational (35) Lists - And yet another movie on the list regarding tolerance and race relations. Though it has a pretty simple plot white girl brings black guy home to her overly protective parents in the strict 60's. What made this movie different was the simplicity with how they presented the subject. The male was a top of his class, handsome physician. In other words he is the perfect mate to make any parent proud to have as a son-in-law. The only problem, he's black. The movie is lighthearted at times with still the reality that her parents need to come grips with the fact that her daughter is in an interracial relationship.

 

100. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

       Also on the 10th Anniversary (98), Musical (18), and Inspirational (88) Lists -

 

 

 

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