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This is the second installment in a Monday series.
AFI is an acronym for American Film Institute. Here is a link to their site. They are famous for their "greatest" lists of American Cinema. One of their compilation lists consists of ten films ranked in each of ten categories. Thus comprising a list of 100 films. Not necessarily the greatest 100 films, there's another list for that.
Every Monday on this blog, I will review a category.
The second category to undergo review is:
Fantasy
AFI defines “fantasy” as a genre where live-action characters inhabit imagined settings and/or experience situations that transcend the rules of the natural world.
By presenting dreamlike realms where fairies flourish, witches scheme and pigs fly, fantasy demands that audiences believe in magic and hope for wishes to come true. (Courtesy AFI)
10. Big (1988)
"I wish I were big." Tom Hanks as a big kid. This movie works on so many levels. Outstanding cast. The scene in the toy store where they play "Chopsticks" on the giant keyboard is a great scene. This is the second greatest film in the genre of hero makes a wish and deals with unintended consequences.
9. The Thief of Baghdad (1924)
This is a film I have not seen. It's the only silent film on any of the lists. I'm not even sure I know how to find it if I want to watch it. It goes on my list of films I need to watch.
8. Groundhog Day (1993)
"I got you babe." This film is hilarious, heart warming, and heart wrenching all at the same time. Bill Murray at his absolute best. Did I mention I almost got to meet Bill Murray on my honeymoon? A tale for another time...
7. Harvey (1950)
"Well, thank you Harvey! I prefer you too. " Jimmy Stewart. An imaginary bunny. That's about all I know. I have never seen the entire film. It's on my list.
6. Field of Dreams (1989)
"Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa." This movie has some of the greatest quotes. The soliloquy at the end by James Earl Jones is a great moment. "Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom.... "
This is hard one to watch without tearing up, at least for me.
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
"Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to." Santa on trial. Imagine, there was cynicism in the 40's. I thought it was a modern invention. I believe in Santa Claus.
4. King Kong (1933)
"It was beauty killed the beast." Even with cheesy special effects, it holds up. The story is timeless. This is a common theme with great movies. Regardless of what's going on around the characters, the human (or ape) interaction could take place in any time or location.
3. It's a Wonderful Life(1947)
"Attaboy, Clarence." The greatest Christmas movie. It also spawned one of my favorite SNL parodies of all time. Often imitated, never duplicated. The greatest film in the genre of hero makes a wish and deals with unintended consequences.
2. Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
"One ring to rule them all." I could watch this trilogy every week and never get tired of it. Formula for success: 1. Start with the greatest fantasy series 2. Go to New Zealand with unbelievable scenery 3. Get great acting 4. Find a visionary director. 5. Start filming.
I'm not sure this is even the best film of the trilogy. You could get an argument for The Return of the King, it did win 11 Oscars after all.
1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
"I'm Melting." I recently went to the Smithsonian. One of the items I had to see was the ruby slippers. Those flying monkeys still give me nightmares.
Omissions:
Since I haven't seen The Thief of Baghdad, it's probably not fair to say it shouldn't be on the list. However, it shouldn't be on the list. If I go to a movie and have to read, I'm ticked. I'm a fan of Big, but there are films better on the omission list. The problem with Twelve Monkeys(1995) is that I don't know which category it would fit under. How you can make a list of the best fantasy films of all time and exclude The Princess Bride(1987) is beyond belief. Come on, it has Andre the Giant for goodness sake. Others I would consider: The Green Mile(1999), Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory(1971), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(2004).
For the uninitiated, AFI is an acronym for American Film Institute. Here is a link to their site. They are famous for their "greatest" lists of American Cinema. One of their compilation lists consists of ten films ranked in each of ten categories. Thus comprising a list of 100 films. Not necessarily the greatest 100 films, there's another list for that.
The ten categories are as follows:
Animation
Fantasy
Gangster
Science Fiction
Western
Sports
Mystery
Romantic Comedy
Courtroom Drama
Epic
Every Monday on this blog, I will review a category. This is really an excuse for me to watch all these movies that I've had on my list for a while to watch. Now, you are forcing me to watch and review all of these films. The newest film on the list is from 2001, the oldest is from 1924 (silent film)
The first category to undergo review is:
Animation
This is the only category that I have seen every film. If you have children, you know why. Some of these films are classics and were watched by most adults when we were children. After looking at this list you realize what an impact on American culture Disney, and most recently Pixar, have had.
List
#10 Finding Nemo (2003)
A father is overprotective. A son is testing the limits. Son gets in trouble. Father has to bail him out. It's a coming of age story and a story of learning to let go.
#9 Cinderella (1950)
Girl is picked upon by step sisters and step mom. Girl hears voices, specifically mice voices. The glass slipper. The prince saves the day. They live happily ever after. What's not to love?
#8 Shrek (2001)
Classic fairy tale that skewers the fairy tale. Very well written and very satirical in nature.
#7 Beauty and the Beast (1991)
I hear the musical is fabulous. A movie that features the voice talents of The Old Meddler (Angela Lansbury) and Robby Benson is an instant classic.
#6 Toy Story (1995)
This was Pixar's first full feature film. Set the bar for future animation. Tim Allen and Tom Hanks are spectacular.
#5 Fantasia (1942)
Set the early bar for animation.
#4 The Lion King (1994)
I still tear up when Darth Vader Mufasa dies.
#3 Bambi (1942)
Yawn.
#2 Pinocchio (1940)
"When you wish upon a star." That musical number alone puts this into the top 3.
#1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Hi Ho. Hi Ho. Snow white living with 7 men at once? Hi Ho indeed.
Omissions
Probably because of the timing of the list, Wall⋅e is the most glaring omission. As with most of these lists "greatness" is skewed to nostalgia or innovation. To me if all of these films are graded on the same rubric, the current crop of animation is clearly superior to the classics.
I'm not a big fan of Fantasia, probably something about it not having a plot or a story line. Jungle Book is one of my all-time favorites, I could easily replace Fantasia or...I also can't say that I'm a big fan of Bambi, but I understand why it's on the list. Others I would consider: Lady and the Tramp, Roger Rabbit, The Jetsons meet the Flinstones.