AFI 100 Reflections FAQs

                                                  

           

Reflections/FAQs from friends/Instagram

Why: Well, I have spent the past three months watching the 100 films that are on the AFI 10th anniversary of their TOP 100 films.  It is something I have always wanted to do and with a lot of help from many different streaming services my wife and I accomplished it.  There were good and bad films.  There were ones that we will watch again soon and ones that we are solid with and never watching again, but I want to write about my experience going through them.  My insights, patterns I saw, or just little reviews of why it should be on the list or why I am confused it is one of the 100 when other films are better.  

Why AFI's List when many lists exist?  The American Film Institute(AFI) has had my respect and admiration for decades.  What they contribute to the world of film and cinema is amazing and I have always cared about their opinions so naturally their list is my list.  I also love that they do not update it every KNEE JERK reaction to a film like many other lists.  Are their films since 2007 that deserve to be on the list...probably/maybe but just because a film wins a bunch of awards it does not deserve to jump ahead of so many classics that were the first to use this cinematic technique, or story arc, or special effect. People are fickle and what we love today we might not love tomorrow so only changing the list every so often allows time to ask ourselves..."Do we really think it still needs a place on the AFI 100 and what film on the list should not be on there anymore?  For example props to taking Birth of a Nation off it has no place to be admired or celebrated no matter what breakthrough techniques were used at the time.  Also one list that someone suggested to me has The Lion King at 34.  The Lion King does not belong anywhere north of 90 on any all-time greatest film list.  It was a good movie, but you are insulting so many films that came before it that are important to the history of film.  Again AFI avoids knee-jerk reaction to films and that is why they are the list for me and always will be.    

Process:  Before this started I had already seen roughly 50 of the films already, but my wife and I decided to rewatch them all anyway.  This was a great opportunity to rewatch some of my favorites but also rewatch ones that I had no plans on ever seeing again.  There was no rhyme or reason for when we watched which film, no order at all.  Some days we were able to watch 3-4 films, some days it was only 1, and when life really was trucking along we didn't watch any.  

Where did you find them all? 

30 or so we just owned already via DVD or ITUNES/PRIME

    HINT:  the 4.99 movies ITUNES adds sporadically are a great way to build your collection especially if you have been doing like I have for over 10 years.  

Obvious streaming services; NETFLIX, HULU, PRIME, DISNEY PLUS

Trial periods for SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ

HBO (thanks AT&T for free subscription) 

AMC channel

Turner Classic Movies (my favorite channel anyway)

Sundance channel and I think even one on IFC.  

Why do I feel like I can share my opinion?

It started with my mom who introduced me to classic TV and Film early as well as her constant pushing of exploring all genres and eras.  My dad worked a lot so I think films were our escape/vacations.  A Twilight Zone marathon sitting on the couch together eating Lemon slices with salt on them (not sure why but that was our go-to movie snack)  From there I just took off on my own watching films and movies (yes, there is a difference)  

After I finished my English Literature degree I went to get my film degree because next to or at the same level of literature it is truly what I love talking about, watching, and experiencing.  I did not quite finish(Fulltime job came calling) but that education taught me how to communicate in film terms.  When I was younger I would say wow I noticed this and thought it was cool, but after my film classes, I could understand why it was cool and why those little things like books actors are reading on screen matter. I learned how to speak about what I have been seeing all my life.  

Now that I am a husband, father, and teacher I torture my wife, kids, and students with HEY did you see how as they were talking there were shadows that formed bars on him showing that this is foreshadowing him about to be arrested later in the film.  They all enjoy it or humor me or I get the occasional "okay but can you just play it?"  :)  

Film vs Movie

I had a film professor that taught me the difference.  He was a professor from another country we just called Mischa (spelling might be off)  He described it like this. Movies and Films are much like eating.  Films are healthy, nutritious meals that help you grow, have strong bones, and live a happy long life.  Movies are the junk food, fast food, or soda in the nutrition world.  They are good for occasions, treats, in a hurry, but if you ate that every day you would be way over your recommended BMI, have heart problems, and shorten your life.  

A non-judgemental example.  

Films- Basically the AFI 100

Movies- Super Troopers, Out Cold, Friday the 13th, You've Got Mail.

Do I love the movies I listed YES! but my brain and body feel better when I watch Films.  

Does it matter....NO, call them what you want.  I will not argue that like I will not argue Theater and Theatre.  I just like to specify the difference when I discuss the MOVING PICTURES.  

Well thanks for stopping in and taking this journey with me.  

LET'S GEEK OUT ON FILM and DISCUSS as it really is where the sweet spot of life is.