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Well, maybe it worked. Here we are, 5 years after the AFI published their notorious "100 Years...100 Movies" list.
I think what bothers people so much about this list is that there was a lot of disagreement over what belongs and what
doesn't belong.
I mean, yes, Fargo is a great film. But is it really that much better than either Intolerance or Greed,
neither of which made the list? Or is it the fact that the film is currently out on video and DVD and maybe they were just
trying to push sales...? Something to think about. Actually, I think it should be obvious to anyone who knows film that the
AFI list was merely a marketing ploy produced in conjunction with Blockbuster video to boost sagging video rentals and sales
of the so-called "classic movies".
Well, I guess I should get into the act too. I will be publishing my very personal "Top 100" films list soon. I'm restraining
myself to American films only and in alphabetical order.
I recently began to re-watch the AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies program on videotape. I hadn't seen it in it's entirety since
1998, and I must say, I got through about 15 minutes of it before I had to turn it off.
I had forgotten how terribly schmaltzy and cloying the whole thing was! I mean, that whole sickeningly-sweet title sequence
is just the worst.
I was genuinely surprised at some of the "guests" in the program. I mean, Halle Berry? Now, I realize she's gone on to great
things in recent years but in 1998...? That had me confused.
And for heaven's sake, was it really necessary to have President Clinton as a guest, trying to excuse his affair with Monica
Lewinksy? All politics aside, it simply wasn't the time or place.
I plan to try to work up the nerve to watch the whole program again so I can write my proposed essay..."The AFI List 5 Years
Later". That is, if I can actually work up the stomach to sit through it again. With that much sickeningly-sweet schmaltz,
I might just have to make sure to keep an extra supply of insulin around just so I don't go into sugar shock.
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