99. Toy Story (1995)

So we watched #99 on the list, Toy Story, immediately after watching Ben Hur. As Kristen's previous post attests, we were distracted from our blogging. "Getting" to watch Toy Story was part of our motivation for getting through Ben Hur (which, as it turns out, we did not need to "get through"). So after enjoying four hours of gladiators vs. Romans vs. Jews we went right into the plight of Woody and crew.

I guess it goes without saying that we've seen this movie before, but it was the first time watching it in HD. I definitely noticed was how much technology has advanced. I was pulled out of my suspended disbelief a couple times by how computer generated things looked. Watch Wall-E and then Toy Story, and you'll see what I mean. I do realize that it's unfair to judge yesterday's cutting edge CGI on the basis of today's CGI, but ultimately the GCI is not the driving force behind the movie. The characters and story are so strong, it pulls you right back in. If you watch the bonus features, you get an idea of just how much work Pixar puts into the story, before even starting animation: they hone their product for months, and you can tell. This might be one of the most recent movies on the list, but it definitely belongs there.

Where have we been?

If you are wondering where we have been....

We discovered Downton Abbey and have been doing nothing but watching it.  Luckily for our poor resolution, the series (the British call seasons "series') 2 finale was last weekend.  Look forward to some new posts soon!

100. Ben-Hur

I have to admit, I had NO idea what this movie was about going into it.  I was vaguely aware that Charlton Heston was in it and that it is known for having the tire tracks from the camera truck in the chariot scene (they are not in the picture on the right, but you get the idea). 

I was pleasantly surprised and rewarded by the almost 5 hours we invested (counting bathroom and drink refill breaks).  The acting was engaging, the story line kept changing and the endless supply of greasy men and women with leprosy made for an epic story line.  

All in all, I recommend the movie for a lazy Saturday.  Don't be intimidated by the epic-ness (the DVD was 2 discs).  Enjoy a story reminiscent of Forrest Gump (if Forrest lived in the time of Jesus).  Watch for the Sermon on the Mount, Pontius Pilate, and the crucifixion of Jesus to provide landmarks in Judah Ben-Hur's life.

100. Ben Hur (1959)

Ben Hur: The First Movie on the List. I have to admit I was pretty intimidated by the prospect of watching Ben Hur. It's one of those movies that everyone knows about, but very few people I know have actually seen. It's also nearly four hours long. Epic. As part of this project, we had decided that we would not divide up watching any movie, so we had to dedicate last Sunday to the cause.

I was dreading slow pacing, drawn out and over the top acting, silly special effects, etc. There was none of this to be found. It more than held my interest: constantly moving forward, from one adventure to the next. Although the special effects and sets were typical old Hollywood and the sets, props and actors were lacking "the grime of reality" typical of most movies today, it didn't distract from the experience. Make up was another thing that I noticed that has changed over time, wounds looked fake and blood was almost definitely red house paint. They made up for the make up by actually doing many of the most epic parts of the movie: chariot races, sea battles, crucifying Jesus, etc. CGI definitely takes away some of the wonder of movies. I also see why Charleston Heston won his Oscar for best lead actor (another surprise, as I'm used to him in Planet of the Apes, which is, sadly, not on the list). Ben Hur won eleven Oscars. Won. Not nominated: won. I would say it deserved them: I really liked this movie.

Frustration...

Netflix...not instantly gratifying enough.

Which means that since we forgot to put our movies in the mail on Saturday morning, we have to wait until tomorrow to get the first two. Sigh. 

Mike is soothing himself by engaging in the action packed world of Modern Warfare while I try to tune it out. 

In the meantime, get excited!  We will have the first one watched by the weekend!

Prologue

"Let's watch all of the AFI Top 100 Movies."

The idea sounds good when you are on a two week break from work.

A New Year's Resolution that will be easy to keep?  We'll see.

We have resolved to watch and debate the American Film Institute's Top 100 movies.

http://www.afi.com/100years/movies10.aspx

An effort to make us movie buffs?  A way to force us to watch Citizen Kane?  Sticking it to Netflix?  To see whether or not To Kill a Mockingbird is a birdy snuff film?  

Coming soon:  The answer to these questions and more!