5 films that do not belong on the AFI 100 years 100 Films list.
Okay, so I want to get this post out of the way. No, I did not agree with all 100 films and their impact on film, but I am keeping it modest and only vetoing 5 of them. Below are the five films I think should be replaced, why they should be, and what they should be replaced with keeping with similar actors, directors, and style.
1. 
My father being a huge John Wayne fan and growing up seeing tons of his films growing up this one shocked me. It was the first time I had seen this film, but the acting was atrocious. It seemed like a bad high school play. Actors stopped and waited for their cue, sometimes delivered the line way too fast or loud. John Wayne's stabbing the ground with a knife after sitting down comes to mind as a major cringe-worthy example. No one was believable. It was painful to see major stars acting this bad. Fight scenes were just as bad. It was just a mess from start to finish. John Ford is a legend among Westerns but this was not it.
My father being a huge John Wayne fan and growing up seeing tons of his films growing up this one shocked me. It was the first time I had seen this film, but the acting was atrocious. It seemed like a bad high school play. Actors stopped and waited for their cue, sometimes delivered the line way too fast or loud. John Wayne's stabbing the ground with a knife after sitting down comes to mind as a major cringe-worthy example. No one was believable. It was painful to see major stars acting this bad. Fight scenes were just as bad. It was just a mess from start to finish. John Ford is a legend among Westerns but this was not it. What I think could take its place:
If you have seen it then enough said. John Wayne's best film in my expertise. Need more proof. James Stewart, Lee Marvin, Vera Miles, and directed by John Ford. 2. 
This one hurts because I love Alfred Hitchcock and James Stewart but this is lacking compared to other films that could be on this list. It was just not THRILLING. There was no dramatic aspect that had me on my toes. A man obsessed with a dead love interest turns new love interest into lost one, with a female friend obviously madly in love with him...WHO is pointless in the film. It just did not work for me, especially thinking of the top 100 films of all time.
This one hurts because I love Alfred Hitchcock and James Stewart but this is lacking compared to other films that could be on this list. It was just not THRILLING. There was no dramatic aspect that had me on my toes. A man obsessed with a dead love interest turns new love interest into lost one, with a female friend obviously madly in love with him...WHO is pointless in the film. It just did not work for me, especially thinking of the top 100 films of all time. What I think could take its place:
or 
Both films hold way more suspense. I mean 'Strangers on a Train' was a film from my studies that a professor spent two classes on. From cinematic use of bars and shadows to the plot and foreshadowing, this film is miles ahead of "Vertigo". "The Birds" is another solid suspense with a unique story and better acting than "Vertigo." 3. 
I saw M.A.S.H and this seemed like a Tennessee version of that with music. From storylines that I couldn't care less about, to characters that never had me invested in any of them. Music was bad and uninteresting. Jokes were few and far between. "M.A.S.H" worked brilliantly for Robert Altman but this one was a big fail in respect to the AFI 100.
I saw M.A.S.H and this seemed like a Tennessee version of that with music. From storylines that I couldn't care less about, to characters that never had me invested in any of them. Music was bad and uninteresting. Jokes were few and far between. "M.A.S.H" worked brilliantly for Robert Altman but this one was a big fail in respect to the AFI 100. What I think could take its place:
Music is epic. Cinematic aspects from the film changing chase scenes. Characters that we love and will forever. Heartbreak we can understand. A cause that is noble and important. Special guest appearances from GODS of music. I am not sure how "Blue Brothers" is not on the list if "Nashville" made it. It is kind of offensive. Directed by John Landis who might get overlooked because of some of his other films, but this is a solid cinematic masterpiece. 4. 
I like Westerns I do, but this list puts two westerns on it that do not belong. I know this was directed and starring Clint Eastwood, but this was not his finest film. The acting was fine, the story was extremely loose, and how the story played out on screen was detached from a real flow and had found the ending too easy. We have a sheriff that beats up someone to show how tough they are but it is all a fluke in the end. Just not sure this film really plays out a good story and cinematic elements are nothing new or a breakthrough. If it is on the list because of the All-Star cast it should not be.
I like Westerns I do, but this list puts two westerns on it that do not belong. I know this was directed and starring Clint Eastwood, but this was not his finest film. The acting was fine, the story was extremely loose, and how the story played out on screen was detached from a real flow and had found the ending too easy. We have a sheriff that beats up someone to show how tough they are but it is all a fluke in the end. Just not sure this film really plays out a good story and cinematic elements are nothing new or a breakthrough. If it is on the list because of the All-Star cast it should not be. What I think could take its place:
or 
Both Westerns have you caring about the character. The story flows in a natural way that feels believable. It has co-stars that we love. Just all together better films directed by Clint Eastwood that could replace "Unforgiven." 5. 
I feel like this is on the list because of one chase scene. It is a tense-thrilling scene but one scene should not make the whole film worthy of making the list. I love Gene Hackman, but his acting was lacking in this film as a believable character I care about. Maybe it is because the arrogant, gun-happy, profiling/racist police officer is outdated. It worked for "In the Heat of the Night" but just left me even more detached from this film. I was utterly bored watching this film and immediately asked my wife, "Why was this on the list, because of the chase scene?" That is the only reason I see.
I feel like this is on the list because of one chase scene. It is a tense-thrilling scene but one scene should not make the whole film worthy of making the list. I love Gene Hackman, but his acting was lacking in this film as a believable character I care about. Maybe it is because the arrogant, gun-happy, profiling/racist police officer is outdated. It worked for "In the Heat of the Night" but just left me even more detached from this film. I was utterly bored watching this film and immediately asked my wife, "Why was this on the list, because of the chase scene?" That is the only reason I see. What I think could take its place:
I am choosing "The Exorcist" because it has cinematic elements, story elements, it came out of nowhere to shock and awe the film world, and characters we root for...not the devil. It was also directed by William Friedkin to really show great directing I did not see in "The French Connection." I could watch "The Exorcist" daily and geek out on it for many its many aspects and contributions to film history, but hopefully only see "The French Connection" once.
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