"Blade Runner" (1982)

Rank on the AFI List: #97

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
1) It stars Harrison Ford
2) It's a sci-fi thriller from the 80's

LET ME EXPLAIN...
For some reason, I had been looking forward to watching this one ever since I began My Quest.  The above info is really all I knew about it, so I guess its similarities to "Star Wars" intrigued me.

Then the movie began, continued, and ended, and I was left utterly disappointed.  This is a weird movie.  There's not a lot of action in it, and as my wife eloquently described it, it's more like an 80's melodrama in space.

The main storyline had giant holes that left me lost and not really caring about any of the characters, and the sub-story was bizarre and a bit uncomfortable to watch.  It seems like this film was trying to say something, but I wasn't doing cocaine in the 80's when I watched it, so its point was lost on me.  (Important note: the trailer included in this post makes the film look a LOT more interesting and exciting than it actually is.)

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
Apparently there hadn't been a movie like this before.  The atmosphere of this futuristic, dystopian reality was so new and different that "Blade Runner" stands out in film history....that's the only thing I can think of for answering this question, despite the fact that I wasn't really impressed by any of it.  It was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effects.

Complaints
Practically no action (in a sci-fi film!), no real depth to the characters (though it seems like this film was trying to give them depth), and THE MUSIC!!  It's like I was watching a soap opera Atari video game.

LET ME SUM UP...
Slow-moving, bizarre sci-fi movie from the 80's that leaves a lot to be desired.

MY RATING: 1/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 87

"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) - RE-WATCH

Rank on the AFI List: #20

Synopsis (according to IMDB.com)
An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
I absolutely love this movie.  I'm one of those people who gets choked up watching it, and I'm so glad I finally got around to watching it for the first time back in college.  It's a story full of compassion, selflessness, sacrifice, and life.  Real life.  Not some Hollywood version of life's fulfillment being found in your plans coming to fruition, but in realizing the blessings found in life no matter what direction life goes.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
See above.  This movie is so great at depicting what real life is like.  Plans fall through.  Sacrifices have to be made.  Life gets tough (I realize I'm a 29-year old with no kids, so I can't really speak on this yet from experience, but I hear things).  People pass away.  Relationships change.  Anyone can see themselves in George Bailey's shoes and relate, so this film does an amazing job at striking a chord that can resonate with anyone.  It's also wonderfully acted by everyone, especially Jimmy Stewart (his prayer in the bar always stands out to me as superb acting).  This film was nominated for 5 Academy Awards and - were it not for The Best Years of Our Lives coming out that same year - would have been the top film of 1946.

Complaints?
A lot of older films have some awkward acting moments (e.g. North by Northwest), and this film is no exception.  Nevertheless, "It's a Wonderful Life" is simply too great of a film to mark it down for something that's simply a sign of the times.

LET ME SUM UP...
One of the greatest films ever.  It's a heart-tugging tear-jerker that is the best example of "life" I've seen on film.

MY RATING: 10/10 (no change from my previous rating)

"King Kong" (1933) - RE-WATCH

Rank on the AFI List: #41

Synopsis (according to IMDB.com)
A film crew goes to a tropical island for an exotic location shoot and discovers a colossal giant gorilla who takes a shine to their female blonde star.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
The story is well known, and there have been a couple remakes of this, so I won't bother at all with the story.  I just want to say that there's something about the visual "effects" that I think is really neat.  Perhaps it's the style of effects way back in 1933, I don't know, but the stop-motion animation of Kong and the other creatures is a major reason I really like this movie.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
This film really seems like it could be considered the first "movie blockbuster".  To try to explain, think of the big action movies that come out every summer: the action, the adventure, the over-the-top explosions or creatures.  Now imagine that type of movie coming out back in 1933.  That's "King Kong".  It starts off setting the stage and introducing characters quietly, but once the action gets introduced, it's virtually non-stop until the end.  And just like a lot of those summer blockbusters nowadays, it's a fun time if you don't take it too seriously.

Complaints?
My wife and I felt one actor in particular wasn't that great in this movie.  However, we disagreed on which actor was bad.  I thought it was the "hero" actor, and she thought it was the director.  Take your pick, but that's really the only thing I can mention here.  This is a great movie.

LET ME SUM UP...
Great movie with a "summer blockbuster" (circa 1933) feel.  If you like action movies and classic film, I'd be shocked if you haven't already seen this and liked it.

MY RATING: 8/10 (No change from my previous rating)