Might as well just give in and admit, I can’t think of anything interesting to say this week (I’ve watched eighteen movies in fourteen days, y’all – I’m brain-fried for anything else). To be honest, I don’t know what I could possibly talk about – already pitched in my 2p on Zarqawi, the Rove situation is disappointing and uninteresting, Ann Coulter’s 9/11 widow remarks are deeply characteristic of her, and not worth my attention. People continue to die in Iraq, and we continue to form no plans to leave.
Thank God for the American Film Institute, then (not something I say often), and their latest attempt at a list, “100 Years…100 Cheers,” a countdown of the most inspiring American movies of all time. I know the point is to generate discussion, not to hand stone tablets from on high, but…this is one seriously cocktackular list.
Top 10:
1. It’s a Wonderful Life (Capra, 1946)
2. To Kill a Mockingbird (Mulligan, 1962)
3. Schindler’s List (Spielberg, 1993)
4. Rocky (Avildsen, 1976)
5. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (Capra, 1939)
6. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (Spielberg, 1982)
7. The Grapes of Wrath (Ford, 1940)
8. Breaking Away (Yates, 1979)
9. Miracle on 34th Street (Seaton, 1947)
10. Saving Private Ryan (Spielberg, 1998)
Here is their definition of what “inspiring” means:
“Movies that inspire with characters of vision and conviction who face adversity and often make a personal sacrifice for the greater good. Whether these movies end happily or not, they are ultimately triumphant–both filling audiences with hope and empowering them with the spirit of human potential.”
Ooookay.
So, honestly, three Spielberg films in the top 10? What the hell? (The Color Purple and Close Encounters also appear, nos. 51 & 58). And I guess I can see how Schindler’s List counts as inspiring, but not so much the other two (E.T.? Seriously?). Of course, To Kill a Mockingbird ended up on this list, it’s the sort of serious liberal piety that makes people feel better about themselves for praising. The Grapes of Wrath doesn’t make much sense, unless you think that the ending monologue is the entire film.
There are some indefensibly insane picks in the bottom 90. The best one is probably The Bridge on the River Kwai at fucking #14. Have you seen Kwai? Did it inspire you? Or did it make you think, “Jesus, men are feeble, corruptible and blind?” 2001: A Space Odyssey, a film whose theme is best described as “men are animals, bring on the AI!” makes it all the way up to #47. Some of the other particularly ludicrous choices are Star Wars (#39), The African Queen (#48), Gunga Din (#74), Fiddler on the Roof (#82) and Gone with the Wind (#43), which I guess counts as inspirational if you want to be a film producer, or hate black people.
My own picks for what’s missing (accounting for the pointless AFI requirement that the film be American) would include: Matewan, Friendly Persuasion, Edward Scissorhands, Inherit the Wind, and if I may indulge in my generation for a moment, The Princess Bride. Hey, it deserves it just as much as a lot of them.
Your own favorite inspirational films, or pick on me for liking Sayles too much, in comments.