AFI top 100 "heart pounding" Movies
by Tim Wick
The American Film institute has spent the last several years making lists
that movie snobs like me can then complain about.
First, they gave us their 100 greatest films list that safely placed
Citizen Kane at the top. I'm not arguing this point, but duh. What other
movie would they pick?
Then they gave us the 100 years, 100 laughs list. I wrote about this list
last year and pointed out that the AFI's primary shortcoming was that they
required the list to be comprised of American movies. A list of 100
funniest movies that fails to include Monty Python is not a complete list.
And yes, I say that being wholly tired of people quoting Holy Grail.
Now we get the 100 years, 100 thrills list and I have to say this one is a
head scratcher. The definition of "Thrill" is so broad, it begs the
question why this list was even made. According to their web site, the definition of thrill is "The total
adrenaline-producing impact of a films artistry and craft, creating an
experience that engrosses our body as well as our minds."
Given that definition, it is no surprise that films like Psycho (#1),
Taxi Driver (#22), The Matrix (#66) and even The Phantom of the Opera
(#83) made the list. My favorite film, Raiders of the Lost Ark landed at
#10. I consider this a grave injustice, but perhaps I am being a bit
biased. On the other hand, the fact Star Wars could only muster 27th
place is something I think a lot of people would argue with.
Other films, though fine movies, left me scratching my head. The
Godfather (#11)???? Casablanca (#37)???? E.T. (#44)????????????? E
freakin' T?????????????
Now I love Casablanca. Absolutely love the film. I have no problem with
it's landing at #2 on the 100 greatest films list. But thrilling? Heart
pounding? No. That just doesn't work for me.
As one would expect, the master of suspense (Alfred Hitchcock for the one
person that didn't know) was well represented on the list with nine films
overall and three in the top ten (Psycho at #1, North By Northwest at #4
and The Birds at #7). Steven Spielberg also did well, topping out at #2
with Jaws. I would hope that even he couldn't figure out what E.T. was
doing on a list that deservedly included Raiders (#10), Jurassic Park
(#35) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (#31).
Strangely enough, the only sequel to make the list was Terminator 2 (#77).
Terminator was also on the list at #42. I found it odd that Star Wars
made the list, but The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi did
not.
To be sure, this is simply an opinion poll that gets added weight because
they made a television program out of it.
And let me say that I was sorely disappointed with the television program
because it sought to ruin the ending of almost every film they presented.
My ultimate "shame on you" moment is when they showed the CLIMAX of
Psycho. Now, I know how the movie ends, but how many people watching the
program did not? To give away that wonderful scare of Hitchcock's is
nothing short of unforgivable. Honestly, if this is rebroadcast, miss it
unless you are fine with knowing how many of these films end.
So ultimately what is this list about? Getting you to get off your butt and
rent one of these films. For that, I'll give it two thumbs up.
For the record, here are the top ten:
- Psycho (1960)
- Jaws (1975)
- The Excorcist (1973)
- North By Northwest (1959)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Alien (1979)
- The Birds (1963)
- The French Connection (1971)
- Rosemary's Baby (1968)
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
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