"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)

"Toy Story" (1995) - RE-WATCH

Rank on the AFI List: #99

Synopsis (according to AFI)
Well, AFI decided to reformat its website since my last re-watch, so an AFI synopsis is no longer available.  I have to say I'm not a fan since I liked how their synopses often gave some insight into why the film is on their list.  Oh well, here's IMDB:

A cowboy toy is profoundly threatened and jealous when a fancy spaceman toy supplants him as top toy in a boy's room.

AFI, bring back your synopses!!

LET ME EXPLAIN...
This is my favorite Pixar movie, so I was excited to watch it again after 10+ years, countless new Pixar films, and two sequels.  Conclusion?  This movie is still awesome, and one of the funniest Pixars ever (for the record, I didn't think Toy Story 3 was all that funny, though it did offer more dramatic action and high quality animation).

What else is there to say?  The premise of our toys coming to life when we're not around is original and takes us back to our childhood, which is a nice escape from the responsibilities of adulthood.  I don't think they could have casted the voices any better, either.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
Finally, an easy film to answer this question about!  Quite simply, it was the first full-length computer-animated movie ever.  The fact that the story and humor is terrific is just the cherry on top.

Complaints?
None.  I love this movie.

LET ME SUM UP...
Inventive premise, engaging story, great humor, and the very first computer-animated movie make this an easy pick for the Top 100.

MY RATING: 10/10 (1.0 higher from my previous rating)

"A Clockwork Orange" (1971)

Rank on the AFI List: #70

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
That it's a futuristic film where a person who loves sex and violence is "reformed" by the government, only it doesn't work.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
This was the movie I was least looking forward to watching on the AFI List.  I considered skipping it, but as I've noticed it get referenced in film discussions and moral debates regularly, I wanted to know exactly what it was all about.

Unfortunately, "what it was all about" was extremely difficult to find because this movie is so stupid.  By stupid, I mean poorly done with unrelatable characters, strange home architecture, sexual decor, etc.  It was so bizarre that there was no way for me to get invested anywhere in the story.  Halfway through I started doing the dishes while semi-watching the movie because I was bored and unimpressed with any of it.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
Absolutely no clue.  Like I said, this movie is stupid.  How it got nominated for 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay, is beyond me.

Complaints:
Every second of this movie.  However, probably my biggest complaint is that this could have been a very good, thought-provoking movie. I went online after it ended to find out more about what the heck the point of it is, and it's actually very intriguing: the necessity of choice. As a Christian, I really appreciate this idea being illustrated in a movie. The point of this story really delves into the reason there is sin and evil in the world: free will. If our free will is taken away and we are incapable of choosing evil, we are nothing more than machines ("clockwork"). Unfortunately, the stupidity and blatant offensiveness of the actual movie ruins the entire premise.

LET ME SUM UP...
This movie is stupid, offensive, and bizarre, ruining a thought-provoking premise that could have been brought to film in a MUCH better way.

MY RATING: 1/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 86

"The Sound of Music" (1965) - RE-WATCH

Rank on the AFI List: #40

Synopsis (according to IMDB since AFI's website is not working):
A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to a Naval officer widower.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
Being a band geek in school, I saw bits and pieces of this film countless times since substitute teachers often used it to fill our class period.  And, being a guy (and a teenager at the time), I of course mocked it and never paid it much attention. 

However, I remember at some point after high school sitting through the whole movie and being somewhat impressed by it.  But hey, now that I'm on My Quest, I needed to give it another full viewing.  Thanks to our friends who own it, my wife and I had some great company!  (And not surprisingly, they're both music teachers.)

At the risk of completely emasculating myself, I will admit that I think this is a really good movie.  The story is engaging (I was surprised how fast a 3-hour musical went by), there is some surprisingly good humor, and the music - perhaps due to its universal recognition - was great (especially when compared to the music in West Side Story, which I found myself constantly comparing this movie to).  All this to say, I am a fan.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
From strictly a filmmaking standpoint, this is well done technically with some great writing.  From a visual standpoint, they have some amazing scenery shots.  From an acting standpoint, Julie Andrews was great, and my wife and I were both extremely impressed with Christopher Plummer as the male lead.  Add in the legendary songs and music, and all together this is one of the best musicals I have ever seen.  On top of that, this movie has Nazis for bad guys, so it's pretty much a lock to be on the AFI List (since the AFI loves movies about WWII and/or Nazis).  It also won 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and (of course) Best Music.

Complaints
Well...it IS a musical.  Other than that, it seemed like some of the musical numbers with the kids should have had a few more takes because some of the gestures and acting seemed awkward and sloppy.

LET ME SUM UP...
One of the best musicals there is.  Surprisingly good humor, great acting, engaging story, and some breathtaking scenery.  If I was more a fan of musicals, I'd give this a higher rating.

MY RATING: 7.5/10 (0.5 higher from my previous rating)

"Cabaret" (1972)

Rank on the AFI List: #63

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
1) It's a musical having something to do with Nazi Germany
2) It stars Liza Minnelli

LET ME EXPLAIN...
Here's the recipe for "Cabaret":

1 part Sophie's Choice
1 part Sound of Music
1 part Schindler's List

Combine "Sophie's Choice" with "Sound of Music".  Whisk together until all good elements of both films are no longer visible.  Once together, strain out any semblance of a plot.

Take "Schindler's List" and water it down.  Water it down some more.  Add just a pinch of what's left to the previous mixture.  Discard what remains.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
Just like The Last Picture Show, I have absolutely no idea, and I can't even give a guess about what might make this so critically acclaimed.  It's an odd musical with virtually no plot, and I never felt like I got close enough to the characters to care about them.  Liza Minnelli's performance was worthy of the Best Actress Oscar that she won, but amazingly enough, "Cabaret" won a total of 8 Academy Awards in 1973.  That includes beating out Francis Ford Coppola ("The Godfather") for Best Director.  I'm in awe...

Complaints:
I finished watching this four days ago, and I'm still waiting for the plot to unfold.

LET ME SUM UP...
Another musical I just can't appreciate, but unlike West Side Story, "Cabaret" has no plot and no excitement.  Liza Minnelli's performance was the ONLY element I thought was good.

MY RATING: 2/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 85

"The Last Picture Show" (1971)

Rank on the AFI List: #95

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Nothing, but reading the back cover, it's something to do with high school kids and a small town.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
Mark this as the low point in My Quest.   Not only because I hated this film, but because this is the sixth film in a row that I've watched for the first time and didn't really like.  This streak needs to end because I'm getting really uninspired to blog about what I've watched.

Nevertheless, I'm dedicated to blogging about every single film on the AFI List, so here's my take on "The Last Picture Show."

I think this film was vaguely about the sad transformation of Small Town America into a deserted ghost town.  That premise intrigues me a bit.  Unfortunately, what this movie really seems to be about is small town teens having sex with everybody.  It tries to convey depth and layers in its story, but it really just comes across as a porn trying to be more than just a porn.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
Sometimes, when I don't have an answer to this question, I check out the Special Features on the DVD.  They usually give helpful insight into what made the movie so important and critically acclaimed when it came out.  The special features for "That Last Picture Show"?  Nothing more than a making-of segment that literally only talked about how the director saw the book in a check-out stand and decided to make it into a movie, and how they casted the different characters.  There was nothing mentioned at all about the relevance of the movie itself.  But for some reason, it was nominated for 8 Academy Awards (half of them for acting, which is one thing I think was good in the movie), winning 2 of them (both for acting).

Complaints:
How about all the sex scenes and really disturbing sexual pairings they have throughout the movie?  This was not fun to watch at all.

LET ME SUM UP...
I think some porn producer came up with the premise of a small town where everybody does everybody, and then some Hollywood director came along and said, "I think I'll turn that into an actual film."  Take out all the sex and nudity, and I might kind of like a film that takes a look at Small Town America turning into a ghost town.  But this movie focuses on sexual libidos way too much.

MY RATING: 2/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 84

"The Apartment" (1960)

Rank on the AFI List: #80

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:

Nothing at all, but after checking out the DVD sleeve, I learned that it stars Jack Lemmon and has a pretty raunchy premise of an employee of a big insurance company who lets executives use his apartment for extra-marital affairs.

LET ME EXPLAIN...

Eh.  That's pretty much how I felt about this movie.  I followed the plot easily and didn't get too bored, but I just wasn't that impressed.  The comedy wasn't very good, the story was all about affairs and cheating, and there just wasn't really anything outstanding to me.  So I say again..."eh".

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
No idea.  Again, I was not really impressed with anything about this film.  Maybe the focus on "Corporate America" and the scandals within companies is something?  That seems like quite a stretch actually, so nevermind.......hmmm.......well, it did win five Academy Awards including Best Picture.  I was shocked when I learned that, but then I saw the other nominees: Elmer Gantry, Sons and Lovers, The Alamo, and The Sundowners.  Must have been the lack of competition that helped "The Apartment" do so well that year.

Complaints:

It's not really a complaint, but rather something odd I wanted to bring up: the way Jack Lemmon's character tries to impress Fran.  I never realized that telling a girl you know everything about her - including her social security number - was an endearing pickup line.

LET ME SUM UP...

Eh.  Nothing special.  Nothing too funny.  Nothing very memorable.

MY RATING: 4.5/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 83

"Modern Times" (1936)

Rank on the AFI List: #78

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Only that it's a Charlie Chaplin film.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
After watching The Gold Rush and deciding that we were Charlie Chaplin fans, my wife and I were looking forward to watching the remaining two Chaplin films on this list (the other one being "City Lights").  "Modern Times", while having its moments, wasn't as funny as "The Gold Rush".  On the other hand, I definitely found this film to be an interesting social commentary.

Unlike the Marx Brothers, who I am convinced put no thought into their films or jokes other than what they thought was funny, Charlie Chaplin really seemed like not only a comic genius, but he used his films to make a serious comment in a humorous way.  For example, "The Gold Rush" was about the real events of desperate people making the dangerous trek to Alaska in the hope of finding gold.  He took a light-hearted yet caring look at a sad reality.

Similarly, "Modern Times" focused on both the cons of the Industrial Revolution as well as the sad reality of the Depression.  Making observations on the monotony of working in factories, bosses maximizing work hours to increase production (the automatic feeder was probably the funniest part of the movie), the strikes, and people stealing bread were all thought-provoking.  So while I didn't think it was the funniest movie, it was still interesting to me.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
Thank goodness for Special Features, because when this ended, I didn't really understand why it was on the list.  Nothing about it seemed particularly amazing or groundbreaking.  Fortunately, I learned that this was in fact the final film to feature Chaplin's famous "tramp" character (which, as I also learned, is evidently the most recognizible fictional character EVER).  That, and possibly the social commentary mentioned above (especially for being made in 1936), may be the reason it's on the AFI List.

Complaints
Already mentioned it above, but this film just wasn't as funny as "The Gold Rush".

LET ME SUM UP...
An interesting Chaplin film that I think is more a clever commentary on industry and the Depression than it is a funny movie.  Some good scenes, but otherwise, this seemed a bit too mediocre for me.

MY RATING: 5/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 82

"All About Eve" (1950)

Rank on the AFI List: #28

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Nothing, except that, judging by its cover, it doesn't quite look like a movie geared toward men.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
There are some films I've watched during My Quest that I refused to learn or read anything about before viewing.  Sometimes it's fun to learn what a movie is about as you're watching.  On the other hand, some films I decided I wanted to know the synopsis beforehand, so I'd read the back of the DVD cover to get a general idea.

"All About Eve" was one that I decided to go in clueless about.  And I think that was a mistake.

I feel this way because I was lost on the point of the story.  I thought it was going to be an uplifting story on a young actress's climb to fame.  This simple idea I had caused me to misjudge nearly every character.

Aside from all that, I just wasn't a big fan of this film.  I never really cared about any of the characters, and it's all about the theatre and the desire to be famous.  I do not have those same goals, nor do I empathize with those who do.

The end of the movie was good because it brought the story full circle and added a new element to each of the characters.  But until then, I had spent almost 2 hours essentially waiting for the movie to end.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
I'm learning that, if you want to increase your chances of getting a film onto the AFI list, focus on either the theatre/acting world or the Holocaust.  The AFI seems to LOVE these.  Aside from that, I'm really not the best person to answer this question because I didn't really like it, but it amazingly holds the record (along with Titanic) for most Academy Award nominations EVER with 14 (winning 6 including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay).  That fact, along with "All About Eve" being rated so high on the AFI List at #28, is baffling to me.  Apparently I missed something.

Complaints:
Nothing specific, but I'm just not a big fan of the movie overall.

LET ME SUM UP...
I wish I had known something about the story before watching this.  Nevertheless, I didn't really care much about the characters or the story because I can't relate to "the theatre world".  However, it is surprising that this movie is not more well known.  I had never even heard of it before seeing it ranked so high on the AFI List, and it's only one of two films in history to receive 14 Academy Award nominations.  Either I missed something, or the Academy really loved the focus on theatre and fame.

MY RATING: 3/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 81

"Schindler's List" (1993) - PREVIOUS VIEWING

Rank on the AFI List: #8

Synopsis (according to AFI):
The film is based on the true, complex, and often puzzling story of Oskar Schindler, the Czech industrialist who saved hundreds of Jews from the gas chambers during the Holocaust. "This list is an absolute good. The list is life."

LET ME EXPLAIN...
This was a good movie.  It was horrible to watch, but in a way that I think is necessary for people to understand just how horrible the Holocaust must have been and how evil humanity can truly be.  Fortunately, the film also illustrates the power of good and doing what is "right" through Oskar Schindler, who transformed from an exploiter into a savior.

I will say that the shock factor of this film was somewhat lost on me because I watched The Pianist before I watched "Schindler's List", and both contain incredibly horrific acts being done to other human beings.

One somewhat odd (and hopefully not offensive) point I feel compelled to make is that "Schindler's List" is the only film I've ever seen where the nudity seemed necessary and justified.  That's because it wasn't sexual at all and added another component to the utter humiliation and horror the Jews must have gone through.  (Having said that, there was one sex scene early in the film that I don't think was necessary at all.  I'm not talking about that.)

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
By all accounts, this was an extremely well-made film.  The fact that it's based on a true story and centers around Jews during the Holocaust makes this an easy choice for being considered one of the Top 10 best films of all time.  Not surprisingly, it won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, and was nominated for another five.

Complaints?
Along with the aforementioned sex scene, another "complaint" would be the length of the film.  I'm not sure it really had to be as long as it was, but it's been over a year since I watched it, so I don't really have any specifics on what they could have cut down.  I just remember thinking that at times during the movie.  Also, I don't know how to explain it, but the general style and flow of the film isn't necessarily my favorite for some reason.

LET ME SUM UP...
A very powerful and horrific film.  Probably the best example there is of what went on during the Holocaust.  It might not be my favorite movie, but I can clearly understand why it's considered one of the best (and most important) films ever made.

MY RATING: 8/10

"To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962) - RE-WATCH

Rank on the AFI List: #25

Synopsis (according to AFI):
Foote adapted Harper Lee's award-winning novel into one of Peck's most memorable movies. Seen through the eyes of his young daughter, Atticus Finch defends an innocent black man accused of rape in a racially divided Alabama town during the Depression.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
It's been a long time since I read this book, and almost as long since I first saw the movie.  Nevertheless, Atticus Finch was still just as noble and righteous this time around and deserves to be considered the #1 Greatest Hero in film history according to the American Film Institute.

This is a tremendous story about good and innocence trying to survive in an increasingly broken and hateful world.  While Atticus fights to keep prejudice and evil from his children, I love how the innocence of Scout ends up saving him as well, in one particular scene.  Then there's Boo Radley and the meaning of "to kill a mockingbird," and this is a very thoughtful, poignant, and powerful movie.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
It's a classic good vs evil story, and it's centered around the poisons of racism and prejudice.  Gregory Peck is perfect for the role of the greatest hero ever, and the story is so relevent and thoughtful that it's pretty easy to understand why it's on this list.  It was also nominated for 8 Academy Awards, winning three of them including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for Gregory Peck's performance.

Complaints?
Some of the scenes with the kids seemed rushed and not examined enough, making me feel like the smaller elements of the story were somewhat incomplete.  I think this film could have taken more time to develop everything.  Also, the character of Dill seemed necessary only because he was in the book, but otherwise wasn't very relevent in the movie.

LET ME SUM UP...
Great film that is, for the most part, a good representation of the book.  It's a great examination of fighting to keep innocence and righteousness in a world that does its best to destroy it.  Some parts of the story were lacking to me, but the overall statement - and illustration of what it means "to kill a mockingbird" - makes this a fantastic movie.

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

"Rocky" (1976) - PREVIOUS VIEWING

Rank on the AFI List: #57

Synopsis (according to AFI):
No one believes a loser like Rocky Balboa can go the distance. When world heavyweight champ Apollo Creed wants to fight an "unknown," Rocky gets his shot in the ring and at love. "Yo, Adrian!"

LET ME EXPLAIN...
I think it's funny that I grew up seeing Rocky II, III, IV, and V, but I never saw the original.  And I have to say that this is a major reason I was apprehensive to see this.  Sure, the other Rocky movies are fun, especially for a guy, but they are no gems of filmmaking.  So when I learned this won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1977, I was shocked.  I also figured that meant this one would be the most boring out of the entire franchise.

While it's certainly the least action-packed of the Rocky movies, it actually turns out to be the best one, too.  The sequels, more or less, are all about Rocky overcoming great odds to beat the "unbeatable" opponent in the ring, but this centers more around Rocky overcoming a life of struggle.  As the tagline says, "His whole life was a million to one shot."

I give major props to Sylvester Stallone, too.  He wrote the screenplay and played the lead role.  The fact that most of his career had him type-casted as an action star with pretty shallow roles makes "Rocky" all the more impressive of a film.  It's got a ton of heart and gentleness, and is acted very well.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
Sports movies often get shunned of critical acclaim because they're formulaic, predictable, and a bit cookie-cutter.  "Rocky" may very well have been the first true underdog sports story that the cookie-cutter is shaped from.  It was also a very well done movie in general.  Sure, it may be a bit predictable, but this underdog story is one of the best I've ever seen,  And along with winning the Academy Award for Best Picture (in which it beat out three other films on the AFI List that year: "Taxi Driver", All the President's Men, and Network), it also won Best Director, Best Film Editing, and was nominated in seven other categories that year.

Complaints?
It sometimes moves a bit slow.  Plus, there's one scene with Rocky and Adrian that seems almost like Rocky is about to take advantage of her, even though it's trying to show how Rocky helps her come out of her shell.  In any case, it's borderline uncomfortable.

LET ME SUM UP...
Hands down the best Rocky movie, and one of the best underdog films I've ever seen.  It moves a little slow sometimes, but the story - not the action - is the focus and takes time to develop.  It leads to a great, climactic ending that takes me from liking this movie to loving it.

MY RATING: 8.5/10

"Yankee Doodle Dandy" (1942)

Rank on the AFI List: #98

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Only that it was some sort of patriotic musical.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
This movie certainly had patriotism and music, so I was mostly correct in what I knew about it.  However, I didn't realize that this was essentially a biography picture of George M. Cohan.  I had no idea who George M. Cohan was, but he was evidently a singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, writer, and actor, and he "owned" Broadway in the early 20th century and is considered the father of American musical comedy.  I'm a bit embarrassed I didn't know any of this already.

Also, a couple songs George Cohan wrote were inspiration for the US military through World War I and World War II, leading him to receive a special Congressional Medal of Honor.  Neat.

I think I've established that George Cohan was quite a guy.  As for the film itself, my wife and I weren't that into it because - as I mentioned earlier - we didn't know who George M. Cohan was and didn't really have any interest in knowing more about him.  Don't get me wrong, it was a very well-done musical, and James Cagney did an outstanding job playing the lead role, but the content would almost be like if you made a movie about "Aunt Ruth".  I don't know your Aunt Ruth, and I don't really have much interest to learn about her life.  If I had to watch the movie, I'd think "hey, good for Ruth!" but I wouldn't be super excited with learning more about her.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
Well, it is the AMERICAN Film Institute's Top 100 List, and this is the most patriotic film I've seen yet.  It's also a tribute to (apparently) one of the greatest entertainers and creative minds in the history of live theatre, and it's one of the sharpest-made musicals I've seen.  It deservedly won three Academy Awards for Best Music, Best Sound, and Best Actor for James Cagney's performance (check out the video below to see the scene where he tap dances down a flight of stairs...crazy!).

Complaints?
For some reason, the first scene with George Cohan and the President didn't really seem to be acted all that well.  Fortunately, that was the only time I didn't think Cagney's performance was stellar, as he was excellent in every other scene.

LET ME SUM UP...
Good musical with a very patriotic feel.  It's got classic American songs in it which makes it fun, but unless you know who George M. Cohan was and you want to know more about his life, it might not be the most riveting story.  But it's a decent film, nonetheless.

MY RATING: 5.5/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 80

"Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid" (1969) - PREVIOUS VIEWING

Rank on the AFI List: #73

Synopsis (according to AFI):
The chemistry of Newman and Redford redefined the buddy movie.  Goldman's script follows Butch and Sundance as they rob banks from the Old West all the way to Bolivia, making heroes out of anti-heroes.  The movie's key song Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head is a fun counterpart to the actual plight of our friends.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
I really don't get the appeal of this movie.  Yes, Newman and Redford had great chemistry, and yes, there are some funny parts, but other than that....?

It was like watching a grown-up version of hide and seek (the "grown-up" part meaning it moves a bit slowly and there's not much sound), and much like other films on this list made in the late 60s (Easy Rider and Bonnie & Clyde in particular), I did not like the overall style of how this flowed.

However, like I said, there were some funny moments.  For example, the best part of the film - the dynamite scene - made me laugh out loud.  I have included this clip at the bottom of the post if you want to check it out.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
I don't know.  My wife and I just don't understand why this is considered a great movie.  I'd say it was a generational thing because my mother was the first person to recommend that I see this (that was before I began My Quest), but a friend of mine who is 2 weeks younger than me also thinks this is a great film and tells me that I just don't get it.  Furthermore, this was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four of them, not to mention 11 nominations and 17 wins from other film and art institutions.  Again I say, I just don't get it.

Complaints?
Along with what I've already mentioned, the song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" is really annoying.  How did that win so many awards??

LET ME SUM UP...
There are some funny moments and lines, and great chemistry between the two leads.  However, I'm just not a fan of this style of film, and it's a bit too slow and quiet.  The reasons why this film is so great are apparently over my head, so I'll give it an extra point in my rating simply due to my ignorance.

MY RATING: 5/10

"Duck Soup" (1933)

Rank on the AFI List: #60

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
1) It's a Marx Brothers movie.
2) Because it's a Marx Brothers movie, I would probably not like it.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
Well, I was 100% correct about what I already knew about the movie.  It was indeed a Marx Brothers film, and I indeed did not like it.  Their humor is so horribly lame, corny, and ridiculous that it's not funny but stupid.  And this is coming from a guy who loves the "Ace Ventura" movies...

However, there was something about it that I liked.  What is that?  You'll have to keep reading to find out...

I did learn something new watching this that I didn't pick up when watching A Night at the Opera.  And that would be that Harpo Marx is a jerk.  Apparently his role was to employ sight gags and physical comedy, but he always did it at the expense of others.  I suppose one could argue that the people he picked on were jerks and deserved it, but there was no evidence of that until Harpo started burning their hats or cutting off their cigars and jackets.  In other words, Harpo started it.

Actually, to be fair, I need to admit the following: Groucho is a pretty big jerk, too.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
As with the other Marx Brothers movie on the AFI List, "A Night at the Opera", I have no flippin' clue why this is even considered to be an average movie, let alone one of the best ever made.  Seriously??  It's supposedly a groundbreaking political satire because of its focus on dictatorship and war right when Mussolini and Hitler were coming to power.  But come on!  The plot for Marx Brothers' films tend to be nothing more than trivial vehicles to give the comedy team a platform to say cheesy lines and perform stupid stunts.  I just can't picture them thinking "let's do a film that cleverly satirizes politics and the possibility of war and makes fun of today's political environment."  It seems much more likely that they thought "Hey, we have some more jokes to tell!  What haven't we done yet?  I know!  We'll make Groucho the leader of a country!"

Complaints:
The Marx Brothers in general.  I do not like them.  Also, the best joke in the whole movie (the mirror gag) wasn't even original!  Charlie Chaplin did it 17 years earlier in 1916's "The Floorwalker".

LET ME SUM UP...
The Marx Brothers are not funny.  However, as I mentioned above, there was something I liked about this film.  What is that?  It's only 68 minutes long...

MY RATING: 1.5/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 79

"Goodfellas" (1990) - PREVIOUS VIEWING

Rank on the AFI List: #92

Synopsis (according to AFI):
This gangster film for modern day is based on the true story of Henry Hill, played by Liotta, who dreamed as a kid of becoming a member of the glamorous mob who ran his New York City neighborhood.  De Niro and Pesci are members of the family he ascends to, until he breaks the code and eventually falls from grace.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
This is a very well done movie.  It contrasts with "The Godfather" in that "The Godfather" focuses on the decision-makers while "Goodfellas" centers on the guys who carry out the dirty work.  So in a sense, "The Godfather" has a somewhat glamorous view of the mob lifestyle, but "Goodfellas" has a gritty and oftentimes downright awful portayal of what it's like to be part of a mob family.

There were two scenes that stuck out to me as impressive filmmaking.  One is when Liotta pistol-whips a guy (it's a horrible scene, but from a filmmaking standpoint, it's quite impressive).  The other scene (my favorite in the film) is when Liotta and his date enter a night club from the back, walk through a maze of busy hallways and kitchens, and eventually arrive at the dining area and sit down at a table right up front.  What's so impressive about it?  It was one continuous shot, and it went on for over 3 minutes (these are referred to as "tracking shots", and they are really cool when you realize how much effort goes into shooting them).  Click here to check it out!

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
From a movie-making standpoint, "Goodfellas" is exceptional.  From the film editing and cinematography to the screenplay and acting, this is a very well-done movie.  Joe Pesci (who won the lone Oscar for this film for Best Supporting Actor) was terrific at being a horrible and angry person with a very short temper (in fact, Pesci's character in the very first scene really disturbed my wife).  The content of the film was also interesting in that it took a lifestyle that is often glamourized in film and took a close look at just how "real" (and unglamorous) it can be.  All in all, "Goodfellas" was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, and Film Editing, and it stands as the quintessential modern-day gangster film.

Complaints?
Like I said in my initial post, I felt like I needed a shower and de-tox after seeing this movie.  The movie spends so much time in the gutters of life that it's not exactly fun to watch.  This isn't really a complaint, however, since this is what the movie was trying to do, but I'm just not a fan of the content.

LET ME SUM UP...
A very good gangster movie that explores the lives of those who do the dirty work for the families.  It's violent, drug-heavy, and not the most fun to watch, but it's done very well.

MY RATING: 6/10

"The Gold Rush" (1925)

Rank on the AFI List: #58

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Only that it stars Charlie Chaplin.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
This was my first Charlie Chaplin experience, and I was definitely more optimistic than my wife was before it began (I think she feared it'd be too much like a Marx Brothers film).  Fortuntely for us, it wasn't like a Marx Brothers.  In fact, it was quite funny!

I've always heard Chaplin was a great entertainer, and after seeing this movie, I can understand why.

First of all, there's a fine line in physical comedy between hilarious and corny; it's really easy to emphasize something so much that it's over the top.  Also, the silent film era practically required actors to be overly dramatic in order to convey what's going on.  Charlie Chaplin (at least in "The Gold Rush") incredibly avoids all of these pitfalls.

His gestures are strong but subtle when necessary.  His face is expressive but real.  And his comic timing is amazing.

To sum all this up: Charlie Chaplin is rightfully one of the greatest entertainers in film history.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
I'm not surprised at all that a Chaplin film is on the AFI List, seeing as how he was one of the greatest entertainers ever in film.  I AM surprised, however, that there are three Chaplin films on the list.  Because of this, I have to think about why "The Gold Rush" is one of the best movies ever made besides the fact that it's a Chaplin.  Doing a little research (and watching the Bonus Features on the DVD), I learned that:
1. This is one of Chaplin's most famous films,
2. "The Gold Rush" is a contradictory film, taking an incredibly sad event like the Alaskan gold rush and turning it into a comedy,
3. There are some very impressive special effects (especially for being made in 1925),
4. The scene with the dinner rolls (included at the bottom of this post) is arguably the most famous Chaplin scene of all time, and
5. Of all the films he made, Chaplin wished to be remembered most for "The Gold Rush".

Complaints?
Actually, this is a praise about the revised version that we watched.  Chaplin revised "The Gold Rush" in 1942, adding a great musical score to it, and instead of the silent film word frames, Chaplin himself narrated and dubbed the entire movie, which really made it much easier to enjoy.  I definitely recommend watching this version if you can!

LET ME SUM UP...
Within the first ten minutes, my wife and I became Chaplin fans.  He's a great physical comic, and "The Gold Rush" includes some rather impressive special effects for being made so long ago.  It's a story that's easy to follow with great scenes that include a giant chicken, dinner rolls, and a teetering cabin on the edge of a cliff.  I now see why Chaplin is practically immortalized as an entertainer (especially since he also wrote and directed all - or at least most - of the movies he was in).  I'm now very much looking forward to watching the other two Chaplin films on the AFI List (Modern Times and City Lights).

MY RATING: 6.5/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 78

"Sunset Boulevard" (1950) - RE-WATCH

Rank on the AFI List: #16

Synopsis (according to AFI):
Struggling writer Holden hides out from car repossessors in the ancient mansion of aging silent star Swanson ("I am big. It's the pictures that got small."). He sees a lucrative break for himself when she wants to make a return to the screen, but he is unaware of the price he will have to pay.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
I watched this one in my American Film class, and I thought it was decent.  This time around, I still liked it and appreciated even more its film noir style.  However, I can understand if some people don't really like this.

The first thing I think may turn some people off is Gloria Swanson's performance.  To this, I recommend watching a silent film like Intolerance right before watching "Sunset Boulevard".  This may put into context why Swanson's character is so dramatic with her facial expressions and body language.

Something else that may not play to everyone's liking is its focus on Hollywood.  For the sole purpose of understanding this film more, I found myself wishing I was a struggling actor, or writer, or director living in Tinsel Town.  This film was really made for the Hollywood crowd.

On a somewhat unrelated note...
After watching this a second time, and seeing The Bridge on the River Kwai earlier, I'm now a William Holden fan.  I like his dry, sarcastic sense of humor.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
Similar to Tootsie, the fact that this film is about the acting/film industry is one reason I'm sure AFI considers it the 16th best film ever made.  On top of that, most sources consider this the first movie to ever showcase the dark, unglamorous side of Hollywood, which adds to its critical acclaim.  It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning three (Best Music, Best Art Direction, and Best Writing, all of which were very much deserved).

Not really a complaint, but...
I would have loved to know more about Max.  I think his story was told enough to be effective, but he's one of the most intriguing characters to me and I ended up wanting to know more about him.

LET ME SUM UP...
Great film noir that is set in Hollywood as opposed to a detective's office.  It's #16 on the AFI List because of its well-done examination of the bowels of Hollywood.

MY RATING: 7.5/10 (0.5 lower from my previous rating)

"Ben-Hur" (1959)

Rank on the AFI List: #100

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
1) It stars Charlton Heston.
2) It has a famous chariot race scene.
3) It's some sort of Biblical epic.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
Finally getting around to watch this famous epic brought about a few surprises - good and bad - to me...

First, the good surprise: I didn't know it was a story told with the life of Jesus Christ as an intertwining side story.  As a Christian, I thought this brought a neat perspective of how "regular folks" around Jerusalem and Nazareth may have experienced and talked about Jesus during that time.

Next, the bad surprise: I didn't think I could spend 4 hours watching a movie and end up only knowing the characters superficially, but that's exactly what happened.  This is difficult to explain, but I'll try by using another 4-hour epic, Gone with the Wind, as an example.

In "Gone with the Wind", you really get to know the characters personally.  You learn their personalities, their passions, and their flaws.  You understand why they do what they do - even if it's irrational - because it fits who you know them to be.  You understand why Scarlett would vow, under God, to lie, cheat, and steal.  You can see why she antagonizes Rhett while depending on him to always be there.  And it makes perfect sense why Rhett ends up not giving a damn.

In "Ben-Hur", I never felt like the characters were exposed to the audience in the same way.  Yes, you learn how heroic Ben-Hur is, and that he loves his family, but that's about it (and really, how hard is it that?  Most people love their family, and if you put a characater in a situation where they can save people and do, you think of them as heroic.).  However, I never understood any of the characters past a generic "of course they would do that because that's what anyone would do" viewpoint.  What this film needed was a better script with more character vulnerability.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
It's a massive epic: over 300 sets were built for the film, and it featured more crew and extras than any other film ever made before it (there were 15,000 extras for the chariot race sequence alone).  Considering the scale of the film, it was done very well.  The aforementioned chariot race sequence was VERY impressive and deserves to be mentioned as one of the greatest scenes in movie history (it took 2 months to shoot the sequence and cost $1 million to produce).  It also won 11 Academy Awards, more than any other film before it (and not matched until "Titanic" in 1997), even though my wife and I really didn't think Charlton Heston's performance was worthy of the Best Actor award.

Complaints?
Along with the lack of character vulnerability I mentioned earlier, the beginning was slow with drawn-out scenes.  In fact, there were scenes throughout the film that seemed longer than necessary.  This did not have to be a 4-hour movie.

LET ME SUM UP...
Slow parts, but good action scenes, especially the famous chariot race.  The script seemed a bit shallow and didn't allow the audience to really get to know the characters too much.  The story itself is a neat idea, from a Christian perspective, to look at the life of Christ through the eyes of people who weren't necessarily followers - nor enemies - of His.

MY RATING: 5.5/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 77

"West Side Story" (1961) - RE-WATCH

Rank on the AFI List: #51

Synopsis (according to AFI):
The Romeo and Juliet tale gets resurfaced on the streets of New York with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, based on their breakthrough Broadway hit.  The Sharks and the Jets mix it up for some of the most memorable dance sequences in film history.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
Let me start by saying this is kind of a re-watch for me in that I remember seeing it on the television in band class when we'd have a sub, but I never really paid much attention.  However, I did include this in my initial post as one of the films I had already seen.  Oh well...

Anyway, this viewing taught me something about myself: I'm really not a fan of the musical genre.  I thought I was because "Singin' in the Rain" is a great movie, and I really enjoyed the live production of "Les Miserables", "The Lion King", and "Blood Brothers".  Maybe I'm just more of a fan of live musicals, but even considering that, I have absolutely no desire to ever see "West Side Story" live (nor "Cats" for that matter.  Even though that has nothing to do with anything about this post, I just wanted to include that in my list of musicals I never want to see).

I was bored 15 minutes into this (I know because I remember thinking "Oh man....another 2 hours and 15 minutes to go...").  I was not a fan of the music, which surprised me because most famous musicals have at least a few numbers that are catchy and fun.  I didn't think any of the songs in this were really that good.

There was also the difficulty of getting into the story.  First, when it's about supposed "tough" gangs in New York, but you see them twirling in the air and dance-fighting with their rivals, it's REALLY difficult to not mock.  On top of that, the love story was pretty weak (I sensed NO chemistry between the two leads, though the girl did the best she could in her role).

The only real redeeming part of the movie was the ending.  It was a fairly good and climactic ending, but the rest of it was tough to get through.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
I'm the wrong guy to ask.  For some reason it's an acclaimed musical, and the AFI synopsis says it has some of the most memorable dance sequences in film history.  Whatever.  It also - somehow - won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.  I'm perplexed, because I thought this was a pretty lame movie (though the leader of the Sharks DID have a performance worthy of the Best Supporting Actor Oscar he won).

Complaints?
See above.

LET ME SUM UP...
I may be in the minority here, but I did not like this movie.  The music and lyrics were surprisingly bad, the dancing - while done well - was a horrible style to depict two street gangs in a turf war.  The love story was weak with little chemistry.  The ending made the movie not a TOTAL waste, but still not enough to redeem the rest of it.

MY RATING: 3/10 (1 lower from my previous rating)

"The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946)

Rank on the AFI List: #37

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
1) It's about US soldiers who fought in World War II returning to the lives they left behind.
2) One of the stars wasn't a professional actor, but an actual soldier who lost his hands fighting in the war.
3) I just might cry watching this.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
I came into this movie with high expectations.  Ever since I first heard about it in my American Film class, I wanted to see it.  With its compelling storyline, I anticipated a great movie, and while the beginning feel of the movie wasn't quite what I was hoping, I ended up loving it by the time it was over.

Never before had a 3-hour black and white movie gone by so fast, with so many great, "real" characters to appreciate and care about (especially Harold Russell, who was a real US soldier who lost his hands in the war).  This is an absolutely wonderful movie, and when it ended I asked my wife what she thought.  Her response: "The best movie I've ever seen.  Ever."

And for those of you who are wondering what the answer to #3 of "What I Already Knew About the Movie" is, I'll admit it.  I got misty-eyed several times and only avoided a full-on cry because I fought so hard to keep from doing so.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
From a historical standpoint, it's about America just after World War II.  The film even came out just after the war ended, so I imagine that it encapsuled everything Americans were going through at the time.  From a filmmaking standpoint, it was an extremely well-done movie with a great screenplay, wonderful cinematography and camera angles, fantastic acting, and characters that were real and gritty while simulaneously noble and great examples of why they're called "the greatest generation".  It cleaned up at the Academy Awards, winning 8 of them, including Best Picture (the same year It's a Wonderful Life was nominated, which should tell you something).  Another awards tidbit I noticed on imdb.com: "The Best Years of Our Lives" was nominated for 17 total awards from 7 different film institutes, and there was only one it did NOT win (the Oscar for Best Sound).  I don't mean to hype up this movie too much, but this was one of the easiest films to answer the question of why it's considered one of the best ever made.

Complaints
This is more my fault than the movie's, but the beginning didn't quite seem as sharp as I was expecting/hoping (it's really hard to explain, so I won't try).  Other than that, this film was amazing.

LET ME SUM UP...
My wife says this is the best movie she has ever seen.  I had high expectations before watching it, and I was not disappointed when it was over.  It has some of the best moments in movie history, some of the best characters in movie history, and it tells a story that really happened for so many Americans.  I highly, HIGHLY recommend seeing this film.

MY RATING: 9.5/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 76

"Chinatown" (1974) - RE-WATCH

Rank on the AFI List: #21

Synopsis (according to AFI):
An evocative score is the backdrop for 1930s Los Angeles, Nicholson is a private eye investigating the murder of Dunaway's husband.  But that's just the tip of Towne's unforgettable screenplay, where water rights, land deals and corruption clash with the unbearable secrets between a father and daughter on a lonely street in Chinatown.  "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."

LET ME EXPLAIN...
I watched this film in the American Film class that inspired My Quest.  I thought it was alright back then, but I really liked it this time.  It's full of great acting, has an interesting plot (one you need to pay close attention to, though, because it's a bit complicated), and it has one of the best screenplays of any film I've seen before.

I was especially interested to watch this again so I could try and figure out the significance of why this film is called Chinatown (something I couldn't figure out after the first viewing).  I'd love to discuss my analysis here, but that might spoil it for those of you who haven't seen this yet.  All I will say is discussing the meaning of Chinatown with my wife after it ended was a lot of fun and gave the entire movie a deeper layer.  It also makes "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown" not only one of AFI's Top 100 Movie Quotes of all time, but one of my favorites as well.  That quote speaks volumes to what this movie is about (and it's not about racism against Chinese people, if that's what you were thinking).

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
An amazing script, great acting, plot twists that the audience doesn't even expect, and a great tribute to the film noir genre from the 40s and 50s.  It also carries some historical significance since it's centered on the drought in Los Angeles during the 1930s.  It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning Best Screenplay (it could have won 4 more if The Godfather Part II didn't come out that same year).

Complaints?
Just like my wife, I couldn't really find any particular fault with this movie, except that it was directed by a pedophile (Roman Polanski) and has a pretty complicated plot that doesn't necessarily resolve.

LET ME SUM UP...
A modern day film noir classic, this movie has an amazing screenplay.  It can get a bit confusing if you're not paying close attention to what's going on from scene to scene, but the significance of "Chinatown" in the story is a great focal point to think about once the credits start rolling.

MY RATING: 8.5/10 (1.5 higher than my previous rating)

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966)

Rank on the AFI List: #67

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
1) It stars Elizabeth Taylor.
2) It's about a dinner party with a bickering married couple.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
This film started out with so much promise.  It reminded me of Meet the Parents and The Dinner Party episode from The Office because it was so uncomfortably awkward while simultaneously REALLY funny.  The lines were witty, and the young couple that comes over for a drink were great as the proper and polite audience trying their best not to show how uncomfortable they are.

Unfortunately, once the scene changes to the swing outside, the entire movie collapses to me.  The comedy evaporates, and the story gets weird, serious, and hard to understand.  When the movie ended, I had just about as many questions as I did after watching 2001: A Space Odyssey.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
I'm struggling to come up with an answer to this.  Sure, it was well acted (Elizabeth Taylor won an Oscar for her role, and Richard Burton was nominated), but not to the point that it becomes the 67th greatest film of all time.  The plot, while being a sad examination of what I'm sure some marriages are really like, didn't seem all that gripping or significant to me.  It was just sad, but the script got really confusing as the movie progressed.  Of course, this was nominated for 13 Academy Awards, winning 5 of them, so for some reason it's considered an amazing film. (Think about that for a moment.  This movie was nominated for 13 Oscars.  That's a ton for one film.  Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring had the same number of nominations in 2001.  Titanic, which shattered box office records in 1997, only had one more nomination than that.)

Complaints
Everything after the initial scene with the four main characters.  Once that scene ends, the movie gets confusing, weird, and not very enjoyable.

LET ME SUM UP...
I'd recommend watching the first part of this film.  It's funny with great wit and some classic awkward moments.  Once you see Richard Burton sitting in the tree swing in the front yard, you can turn it off.

MY RATING: 2/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 75