Schindler's List (22)

I really shouldn't even have to say why Schindler's List is on the top 100, it's so obvious. Liam Neeson, once again, just blows me away! He's such an incredible actor.

Schindler's List is the story of Oskar Schindler, a Nazi who saved more than 1200 Jews from their most certain death at concentration camps by having them work for him instead. It's a true story, and an incredible one at that. I strongly encourage anyone who sees this movie to learn more about Oskar Schindler himself: http://www.oskarschindler.com/

Of course the movie is a tear jerker, how can it not be when you know that this REALLY did happen. Steven Spielberg is a genius, truly he is. The whole part with the little girl in the red coat just kills me. Well, really most parts kill me.

While I'm not Jewish, I really do hope to someday make my way to Jerusalem to pay my respects to Mr. Schindler for being such a selfless hero. His story touches my heart.

Again, it is absolutely no wonder why this movie is a top 100, it really is a remarkable piece of work in every way: acting, directing, writing, historical representation, etc.

If you haven't seen this movie, please do.

The Graduate (21)

To be honest, when I got this movie in the mail I had no idea what it was about. I'd never heard of it before and it sounded boring. However, The Graduate surprised me and made me a fan.

Just like the Godfather movies, The Graduate has been spoofed time and time again so I actually recognized many of the scenes. I've never been a big Dustin Hoffman fan from the few movies I've seen him in, but I've got to admit...he was not bad looking in his younger days!

This movie is the classic "M.I.L.F." movie. For those who don't know what that is, it basically means "a really hot mom!" I've heard the quote "Hellllloooooooo Mrs. Robinson!" before but never knew that was from something, and now I know it's from this movie.

While I just could NOT do what MISS Robinson ends up doing (eww) I think it's a wonderful love story, in it's own perverted way.

I think this movie earns it's place on the top 100 just for the fact that it was bold enough to show the American "Cougar" in all her glory. Well done. This is a must see.

A Clockwork Orange (20)

Oh boy. A lot of people told me not to watch A Clockwork Orange because I would be offended by it and not "get it." Well, to some degree they were right. While I didn't love it and I feel odd saying I liked it, I'm glad I saw it. I didn't hate it. I was un-comfortable a good deal of the time, but really, I've seen as bad, if not worse, in other movies. I did easily pick up on the "slang" that the original author of the book created. It only took me a few minutes to understand most of it. The overall movie itself left me scratching my head thinking, "Ok....?" The title itself I don't even get. Was something orange? Was there a clock? Or did something happen like clockwork?

While at first I really loathed the main character, I had a warm spot for him in my heart by the end of the movie, but maybe I shouldn't have. It was extremely difficult to watch his eyes being held open, that made me a bit squeamish.

Why is this a top 100? Honestly I think the only reason it can be is because it is so oddly disturbing and psychotic that it captures your attention in ways that most movies can't. For it's time, I'm sure that the direction it took was completely un-seen before. It's one of those movies you WANT to watch again, even though you were disturbed by it the first time, just so that you can try to make some sense of it.

Would I see it again...probably. Would I own it...no.

The Godfather Part II (19)

Naturally after the first movie, I had to see The Godfather Part II to finish the story.

My review of the first part is much the same for this movie since I watched them back to back. It was very good and did a bit more to keep my attention. By Part II I was more attached to the characters and was sad when they were being "taken out."

I was horrified by Diane Keaton's character in the end, and I realized that I never really liked her character. However, whatever grief I felt for the new "godfather" was quickly taken away at the end of the movie. I can't help but think that The Don would have been terribly disappointed in him :(

I haven't watched Part III yet, it didn't make the top 100. I will someday though, as it may be a good close and help tie up some loose ends.

If you see part 1, you have to see part 2. No question about it.

The Godfather (18)

It's about time I finally saw this movie. The Godfather is a timeless classic that will always be considered one of the key stepping stones to our cinematic history and culture.

Watching The Godfather was interesting for a few reasons. First, it was fun to realize all of the scenes that inspired so many "spoof" scenes in other movies. Listening to lines being quoted that I knew were from this movie, but having never actually seen it, they didn't mean much. Now I understand. Second, it is a much more involved movie than you may think. While watching it, my head started hurting just because there were so many messages and "things" that I was picking up on that I knew were more than what they seemed. Maybe to men, this is just obvious and is easy to follow. But speaking for the fairer of the sexes, looking at the meanings behind the blood bathes was a bit of a challenge. Or maybe I'm reading too much into it and they were just blood bathes, no meaning behind them. I doubt that though, otherwise this wouldn't be one of the top 100s. And thirdly, it was interesting to watch because the actors were absolutely phenomenal. I truly believed that they WERE their roles. I don't say that about too many actors because I really am very sensitive to acting and can tell when the actor is not really into their role. I can only imagine that after the movie was filmed, it was hard for these actors to return to their normal way of living.

I have to really go back to basics in order to understand why this is a top 100, only because I've seen so many spoofs of the movie that it's hard for me to differentiate what's being made fun of and what's just GOOD acting. Does that make sense? Hmm...probably not. I think that this was a great movie, and I can see why everyone loves it. However, I'm not entirely sure it's one of those movies that will stick with me like some top 100s.

Overall, it is a classic and I encourage everyone to see it simply because it has made such a profound impact in Hollywood History that everyone should know why and be in on it.