Best movies of all time

Somehow I just love this list compiled by fellow blogger and fanboy Allan Bacchus... I just have to agree it is a true fanboy list.

Continuing on...
51. On The Waterfront (1954) dir. Elia Kazan
So far the 40’s and 50’s studio classics are getting shunned for more recent and director-driven films. This Brando-method classic still is the defining film for actors. “I coulda had class…” After a higher #8 and then a #19 placement on the AFI Lists, the fans seem to disagree. Placement on the AFI List #19.

52. L.A. Confidential (1997) dir. Curtis Hanson
Few thought anyone could come close to meeting “Chinatown’s” standard for period noir films. But Curtis Hanson’s film indeed meets the mark. This is clearly a special film that will stand the test of time. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

53. Memento (2001) dir. Christopher Nolan
Another AFI no-show turns out to be one of the favourite films of the fans. This backwards brain-twister received many popular top5 votes. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

54. The Exorcist (1973) dir. William Friedkin
This film was a phenomenon in its day. It seems a little dated now, but the fans have obviously given the film respect for its cultural impact. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

55. Die Hard (1988) dir. John McTiernan
There was little chance this film would ever make the AFI list, but it comes as no surprise that it makes the Fanboy’s list. Perhaps the greatest pure action film of all time. Placement on the AFI List – nil

56. Unforgiven (1992) dir. Clint Eastwood
Though Clint had been making films since 1971, it took almost 20 years for him to deliver his first masterpiece, and he’s delivered 2 or 3 more since then. A remarkable late bloomer. Placement on the AFI List #68.

57. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) dir. George Roy Hill
Apart from the extended Burt Bacharach sequence “Butch Cassidy” is invisible to its age. The dialogue, look, and action all seem as modern as it did almost 30 years ago. Placement on the AFI List #73.

58. Rocky (1976) dir. John G. Alvidson
Ok, so what if “Rocky” beat out “Taxi Driver” for the major awards of 1976. The film is still so much fun to watch and as culturally significant as “Taxi Driver.” Another very close call between AFI and the fans. Placement on the AFI List #57.

59. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) dir. David Lean
Alec Guinness is fantastic in this film – David Lean’s first on location epic. It’s a grand spectacle, if a bit soft on the war realism. It’s a great character film too. Placement on the AFI List #36.

60. King Kong (1933) dir. Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
Two remakes still don’t compare to the power of the original film. How these two independent filmmakers managed to create life out of a 12-inch-tall clay figurine is still a miracle. Placement on the AFI List #41.

61. The Usual Suspects (1995) dir. Bryan Singer
I can still remember the theatre-audience's reaction to the famous cut-to-black at the end of “The Usual Suspects”. There was a collective gasp, and then spontaneous applause. It’s no surprise the love fans still show for this gem of a film. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

62. The Maltese Falcon (1941) dir. John Huston
The title alone can cut glass. The film, too, is a sharp, mean and tough gumshoe noir, with some of the all-time best Hollywood baddies all after the big maguffin – the Maltese Falcon. Placement on the AFI List # 31.

63. Double Indemnity (1944) dir. Billy Wilder
Perhaps the greatest of all of the black and white noir films. It’s a steaming plot twister that established many of the rules of the noir genre. Placement on the AFI List #29.

64. Groundhog Day (1993) dir. Harold Ramis
An ingenious concept executed to comic perfection, and one of the best star vehicle comedies for Bill Murray. If this film wasn’t on the AFI 400 shortlist, it may not have made this list. Cudos to them. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

65. Jurassic Park (1993) dir. Steven Spielberg
"Jurassic Park” doesn’t have the wonderful actors or characters “Jaws” had, and so the film cannot even be compared to that film. But the milestone in CG effects and the tremendous action sequences seems to have warranted inclusion. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

66. Bonnie and Clyde (1967) dir. Arthur Penn
Another milestone film for depiction of violence on screen. The violence shocks us because the film is, for the most part, a happy-go-lucky bank-robbing romp across the United States. Dunaway and Beatty are having so much fun during the film, we can hardly believe our eyes when they are eventually cut down with such violent force. Placement on the AFI List #42.

67. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) dir. Frank Capra
This film is such a classic – and a film with so much optimism that it could only have been made in the United States and by one man, Frank Capra. All his films are a treat to watch and to rediscover. - Placement on the AFI List #26.

68. Amadeus (1984) dir. Milos Forman
This is the second film on the list for Milos Forman. It’s one of the most unique portraits of an artist. F. Murray Abraham won a richly-deserved Best Actor Oscar. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

69. Toy Story (1995) dir. John Lasseter
"Toy Story” set the benchmark for all other CG animated films – the animation bristles with kinetic life, but the character and comic situations jump out of the screen as much as the scenery. Placement on the AFI List #99.

70. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) dir. Elia Kazan
This is my favourite Brando role. It was certainly his breakout performance. It revolutionized acting – it’s one of the top 10 film performances of all time. Placement on the AFI List #47.

71. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) dir. James Cameron
A surprise entry, and a hell of a lot of fun to revisit. Back in the day, I can still remember the gigantic hype surrounding the film. It didn’t disappoint. In hindsight, was it better than the first film? Placement on the AFI List – nil.

72. Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) dir. John Huston
“Sierre Madre” is a morality tale about greed and another early classic from the multi-talented John Huston whose career spanned five decades. Placement on the AFI List #38.

73. The Third Man (1949) dir. Carol Reed
The exclusion of this film from the AFI list is a shock to me. But the fans have brought it back to the list where it belongs. Though the Fanboy list leans more toward recent films, the inclusion of this timeless classic Euro-noir speaks volumes. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

74. Rebel Without A Cause (1955) dir. Nicholas Ray
Another old classic left out by AFI and rescued by the fans. James Dean pours his heart out on the screen in this melodramatic classic. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

75. Stand By Me (1988) dir. Rob Reiner
This is another fan favourite that stands the test of time. It’s a rare mature film that appeals to young boys and girls and adults and for the same reasons. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

76. Touch of Evil (1957) dir. Orson Welles
Often referred to as the last of the studio noir films, “Touch of Evil” was considered Welles’ comeback film. In fact, his Brando-esque weight gain was just one of the shocking elements of the film. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

77. Dog Day Afternoon (1975) dir. Sidney Lumet
"Dog Day Afternoon” is one of a string of classic performances from Al Pacino. It’s a remarkable film about a gay man who robs a bank in order to pay for his lover’s sex change operation. Believe it or not, despite the risqué logline, the film is played straight as an arrow and was a critical and commercial success. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

78. Ben-Hur (1959) dir. William Wyler
I’m pretty sure “Ben Hur” gets the vote based mainly on one key scene in the film – the monumental chariot race scene. It’s arguably the greatest action scene ever filmed. By the way, the chariot scene in the original 1925 silent version is just as impressive. Check it out as well. Placement on the AFI List #100.

79. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) dir. Peter Jackson
So that makes all three LOTR films in the top 100. I can’t disagree that all three are powerful films in their own right. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

80. The Deer Hunter (1978) dir. Michael Cimino
“The Deer Hunter”, other than being very long, is still a powerful film. It’s not just about war, it’s about community, friendship and loyalty. And the Russian roulette scenes are still some of the most intense moments ever put to film. Placement on the AFI List #53.

81. Do the Right Thing (1989) dir. Spike Lee
Spike Lee’s brilliantly constructed and stylized masterpiece is the defining film about racism in urban America. It’s a simmering pot of a rage that boils over in a brilliant third act. It’s one of the great American auteur films of all time. Placement on the AFI List #96.

82. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) dir. Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg’s skills are best showcased in this film. It’s a film about adults made with childlike innocence. It bristles with lively pace and has that heavenly awe-inspiring quality that only Spielberg can create. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

83. This Is Spinal Tap (1984) dir. Rob Reiner
A landmark film that continues to influence film and television today. The fans clearly know how important and brilliantly funny this film is. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

84. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
It’s remarkable to think this film was made in 1937 – before colour film was even widely established. The hand-drawn cell animation has that “Disney” quality that can never be recreated. Other than in short films, it’s an art form that’s sadly losing life fast. Placement on the AFI List #34.

85. Platoon (1986) dir. Oliver Stone
Oliver Stone has as many haters as fans. I’m surprised to see “Platoon” as his only entry on this list., because most Stone fans would say it’s not his best film, but it’s certainly his most important and most significant. Placement on the AFI List #86.

86. Braveheart (1995) dir. Mel Gibson
Before 1995, who would ever have thought Mel Gibson could have directed such a passionate and exhilarating epic film such as this. For me the battle scenes are still the best of its kind and have yet to be topped. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

87. Network (1976) dir. Sidney Lumet
“Network” is a fabulous film, written by one of the great writers for film, TV or theatre –Paddy Chayefsky. A terrific cast round out this American classic. Placement on the AFI List #64.

88. Duck Soup (1933) dir. Leo McCarey
The dialogue in this film zings. The pace and rhythm are fast and furious, punchlines are flung at us a mile minute. The comedy is situational, absurd, and slapstick piled on top of each other. Watch for similarities with the Zucker Bros best work 50 years later. Placement on the AFI List #60.

89. The Sixth Sense (1999) dir. M. Night Shyamalan
Though I didn’t see the twist coming, I personally didn’t think much of it, and so I was very surprised when the film’s popularity built up to astronomical proportions. But I’m obviously in the minority. Placement on the AFI List #89.

90. The Sound Of Music (1965) dir. Robert Wise
This film is a guilty pleasure for many fans. From 1965 to 1970 it was the highest grossing film of all time – and when adjusted for inflation it currently sits at #3. Placement on the AFI List #40.

91. Blazing Saddles (1974) dir. Mel Brooks
Fans chose Brooks’ western-comedy over “The Producers” and “Young Frankenstein”. Please go and check out all three of these great films. Placement on the AFI List #40 – nil.

92. Requiem for a Dream (2000) dir. Darren Aronofsky
Like “Fight Club” “Requiem” has grown to become a major influence on young people and young filmmakers. “Requiem” is tough, brutal and emotionally exhausting, but a piece of cinematic art. Placement on the AFI List - nil.

93. Ghostbusters (1984) dir. Ivan Reitman
“Ghostbusters” is such a fun and satisfying film on all levels of entertainment. It’s hard to believe “Ghostbusters” and “Citizen Kane” are on the same list. Wait to go fans! Placement on the AFI List – nil.

94. The Manchurian Candidate (1962) dir. John Frankenheimer
The original political paranoia film. Frankenheimer was one of the best and most innovative American directors of the 60’s and “The Manchurian Candidate” was his best. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

95. All About Eve (1950) dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz
“All About Eve” was nominated for all the majors Oscars in 1951. It won 6 including Best Picture. And remember Bette Davis’ memorable line, “Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night". Placement on the AFI List #28.

96. Being John Malkovich (1999) dir. Spike Jonze
It looks like 1999 is one of the most popular years for film fans. Already “Fight Club”, “The Matrix, “The Sixth Sense” and “American Beauty” make the list. That’s 2 more than the storied year of 1939. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

97. Titanic (1997) dir. James Cameron
Though it’s still monumentally ‘uncool’ to like this film, it still gets some closeted love from the fans. Fanboys definitely aren’t cynical. Placement on the AFI List – #83.

98. West Side Story (1960) dir. Robert Wise
I personally prefer this film to “The Sound of Music”, but I’m not complaining. “West Side Story” has so many wonderful and energetic cinematic moments. My personal favourite is the underground dance sequence. Placement on the AFI List – #51

99. Airplane (1980) dir. Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker
No surprise the fans love “Airplane”. It’s no doubt one of the funniest films of all time. AFI voters didn’t have the courage to vote for this one. Watch for it's similiaries to the Marx Bros films. Placement on the AFI List – nil.

100. It Happened One Night (1934) dir. Frank Capra
And last but not least, Frank Capra's third film on this list - a classic romantic comedy infamous in it's day for Clark Gable taking off his shirt. Placement on the AFI List #46.