A town Marshal, despite the disagreements of his newlywed bride and the townspeople around him, must face a gang of deadly killers alone at high noon when the gang leader, an outlaw he sent up years ago, arrives on the noon train. By now we should all know my stance on Westerns and how I feel about so many of them being on the AFI … Continue reading 27. High Noon (1952)
An insurance representative lets himself be talked by a seductive housewife into a murder/insurance fraud scheme that arouses the suspicion of an insurance investigator. To me, Double Indemnity is the quintessential film noir. Although, this film was made before that term had ever even been used. It has everything that a film noir should have: narration, a femme fatale, an air of mystery, dramatic lighting, fast dialogue, … Continue reading 29. Double Indemnity (1944)
A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette. I wonder if John Huston had any idea how much of a classic his directorial debut would be? The Maltese Falcon stars Humphrey Bogart as Private Investigator Sam Spade, Mary Astor as the femme fatale Brigid O’Shaughnessy, Gladys George as Iva Archer, Peter … Continue reading 31. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate. Many have argued that The Godfather Part II is better than The Godfather, but I think that Part II helps us to have a better appreciation for the first film. The Godfather Part II follows both a young Vito Corleone, … Continue reading 32. The Godfather Part II (1974)
A criminal pleads insanity and is admitted to a mental institution, where he rebels against the oppressive nurse and rallies up the scared patients. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is considered, by many, to be one of the greatest films ever made. Directed by Milos Forman, the film stars Jack Nicholson as R.P. McMurphy, Louise Fletcher as the infamous Nurse Ratched, and Will Sampson … Continue reading 33. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Exiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household. If you know anything about me, you know that Disney films are ingrained on my heart and have been since I was a small child, which you can thank my father for. But, I’ve never particularly had a love for this … Continue reading 34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer falls in love with the ditzy Annie Hall. Annie Hall is one of those films that always has me torn. On one hand, the film stars Woody Allen, who also wrote and directed the film, and we all know how I feel about him. On the other hand, it’s a film that I loved the first time I saw … Continue reading 35. Annie Hall (1977)
British POWs are forced to build a railway bridge across the river Kwai for their Japanese captors, not knowing that the allied forces are planning to destroy it. You know, I think the one thing that this film made me realize, more than anything, is that I have no grasp on how plastic explosives work. Directed by David Lean and written by Carl Foreman and … Continue reading 36. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Three World War II veterans return home to small-town America to discover that they and their families have been irreparably changed. I so wish this film dove deeper than it does. The Best Years of Our Lives, directed by William Wyler and written by Robert E. Sherwood, only scratches the surface of what life for returning veterans. All three veterans in the film are dealing with … Continue reading 37. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Two Americans searching for work in Mexico convince an old prospector to help them mine for gold in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Written and directed by John Huston, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre stars Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, and Tim Holt as three men looking to strike gold in Mexico. But, the film easily becomes about the corrupting influence of greed. Bogart plays Fred C. … Continue reading 38. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
