The 100 Greatest Movies
We love lists. That's why "clickbait" articles suck us in with promises of lists.
I like the lists of the 100 greatest movies. Google has lots of these lists.
Maybe I should compile a list of the 100 best lists of the 100 best movies. I would start here:
A standard list is published by the American Film Institute. It is representative. "Citizen Kane" is at the top. It usually is #1 or #2 on these lists.
I think the movie was good, but it begins and ends with totally preposterous scenarios. The whole movie hinges on the word "Rosebud." It begins in his mansion when Kane in his bed whispers "Rosebud" just before he dies. A nurse immediately comes in. She covers his face with the sheet. The obvious question: Who heard him say it?
It ends with the famous scene of the chimney smoke of his burning junk, including Rosebud. But just before this, professionals are cataloguing everything he owned, putting price tags on everything, no matter how cheap.
There had to be a final accounting. So, why would low-paid workers be allowed to burn any of his things?
In my course on Western literature, 1492-today, and my course on American literature, I cover only movies after 1914. Movies are America's greatest literary contribution to the world. They are highly condensed: plot, dialogue, music, and visual effects.
We can rent classic films on Amazon for $3.99. We can rent them on Google Play for $2.99. Search for a title. Our time is valuable. Why not spend a few dollars to watch a classic film rather than free reruns of mediocre TV shows and movies?