Birthday Bash for AFI's 40th

In celebration of their 40th anniversary, the American Film Institute is throwing a celebration that will surely have classic movie buffs everywhere wishing they all lived in LA. I know I do.

On October 3 at the ArcLight Hollywood cinema, AFI will screen not one, not two, but eleven classic films. And that's not all: each of the films will be introduced by the star and/or director of that film:

• Julie Andrews for The Sound of Music
• Warren Beatty for Bonnie and Clyde
• Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner for When Harry Met Sally ...
• Kirk Douglas for Spartacus
• Clint Eastwood for Unforgiven
• Morgan Freeman for The Shawshank Redemption
• Tippi Hedren for The Birds
• Angela Lansbury for Beauty and the Beast
• George Lucas for Star Wars
• Jack Nicholson for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
• Sylvester Stallone for Rocky

Or maybe it's all for the best I don't live in Los Angeles. All of the films will be screened at the same time, so you can only see one! Talk about your Sophie's choice!

I'd probably see Beauty and the Beast, because I would love to see Angela. Plus, it's the shortest one, so then I could sneak into another theater to catch a glimpse of Julie, or maybe Tippi. Which one would you choose?

Tickets for the event go on sale today at AFI.com.

UPDATE: Wow, I'm not sure when it happened, but according to AFI's website today (Sunday, September 23), this event is now completely SOLD OUT.

Links via AFI.com.

AFI's 100 Movies: Facts & Figures

The AFI Top 10, circa 1998

"Can we ever get enough lists? Lists are the mix tapes of film buffs. Compilations of our favorites, presented to others in the hopes they'll love the selections as much as we do. Building a bond by finding mutual favorites. Showing what we love, and sharing it."

I love that quote (from "Rollerboy" over at AwardsDaily.com). It is such a fitting analogy for why movie lovers make so many lists of the best, worst, most, et cetera. It is also a great way to introduce this, the first of my "Facts & Figures" look at the best of the list makers, the American Film Institute.

The AFI began their annual countdown back in 1998 with this one, the ultimate "best of": AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Movies. It proved controversial then and, when they redid the poll earlier this year, it was controversial again.

However, whatever the critical pundits said pales in comparison to the exposure this list, and all the AFI lists for that matter, have given to classic films. In my opinion, there is no better starting point for someone interested in American film to use as a reference tool.

Sure, there are many great movies not included (not to mention foreign films and documentaries), but surely this is not the be-all/end-all of anyone's movie watching, nor was it ever intended to be; for example, if someone watches Gone With the Wind, and then moves on to other Clark Gable movies or other historical epics or other romantic dramas and so on, then the AFI -- and these lists -- did the job right.

Facts & Figures:

AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Movies was presented in 1998. 100 films were selected from a nomination list of 400, and films released in 1996 and prior were eligible.

By the Year:

• The oldest movie on the list: The Birth of a Nation (1915).
• The newest movie on the list: Fargo (1996).
• Most represented decade: The 1950's, with 20 movies total.
• Most represented year: 1939, with 5 movies total.

Sight & Sound:

• Total number of color films: 59 (including The Wizard of Oz, which has some black and white sequences).
• Total number of black and white films: 41 (including The Birth of a Nation, which has some color-tinted sequences).
• Total number of silent films: 5 (including The Jazz Singer, which has some sound sequences, and City Lights and Modern Times, which had soundtracks but no dialogue).

By Genre:

• Most represented genre is drama, with 46 films.
• Comedies come in next with 20 films.

And the Winner Is:

• 98 films on the list were eligible for the Academy Awards (The Birth of a Nation and The Gold Rush were released prior to the Oscars' first year, 1927).
• Total number of Best Picture winners: 33.
• Total number of Best Picture nominees: 41.

The Stars:

• Robert Duvall appears in the most movies, 6.
• James Stewart is the star of the most movies, with 5.
• Other actors who appear in 5 movies are Ward Bond, Robert De Niro and Thomas Mitchell.
• Katharine Hepburn is the most represented actress, with 4 movies.
• Actors who appear in 4 movies include Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, William Holden and Dennis Hopper.
• Note: these totals do not include uncredited bit roles.

The Directors:

• The most represented director is Steven Spielberg, with 5 movies.
• Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Wilder come in second with 4 movies each.

Studio Call:

• United Artist has the most films on the list, with a total of 17.
• Warner Brothers follows with 15.

Miscellanea:

• There are 2 animated films on the list (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Fantasia).
• Only 1 sequel made the cut: The Godfather Part II.
• The longest title, with 68 letters, symbols and spaces, is Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
• Shortest title: Jaws.

For the full list of 100 movies, see the comments section below (and for the record, I've seen them all!).

Links via AwardsDaily.com and AFI.com.

To Remake or Not to Remake

Would you remake these movies?

I am often befuddled by the knee-jerk reactions of most people when they hear about a movie being remade (or given a sequel, or turned into a stage play or TV show). They are often up in arms about the mere thought of such "blasphemy" ("I can't believe they are remaking such-and such!"), as if they themselves have a stake in the property. Granted, they have an emotional interest in the original movie, but another version of it is not (or, at least, should not) "ruin" the first film. It will still exist no matter how the remake (or sequel or stage play or TV show) turns out.

Nevertheless, some recent announcements have cinephiles scratching their heads (if not forcibly tearing their hair from them). Take the news that India is remaking Casablanca. Sounds a bit odd, sure, but what was left unsaid from all the headlines was how often this actually happens, as this list attests (yes, there were Indian remakes of such movies as Kramer vs. Kramer and The Silence of the Lambs). And that's not even mentioning the most (in)famous example, the so-called Turkish Star Wars. And why should we be surprised? American studios do it all the time.

The Wizard of Oz is another all-time classic that will soon be remade -- or should I say, re-imagined -- as both a feature film and a TV mini-series. Again, nothing new here: from The Wiz to Wicked to the Muppets, filmmakers can't stay away from that yellow-brick road. And yet, none have (or will) tarnish the original (itself technically a remake as well).

Then there is the curious case of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Like Dorothy and friends, Snow and company have had their tale told and retold several times, yet two future films are taking a crack at it again. Disney itself is retooling its own classic as a martial arts epic, titled Snow and the Seven. Meanwhile, teen queen Amanda Bynes has seven nerds instead of dwarfs in Sydney White, which seems to owe as much to Ball of Fire (itself a "reimagining" of the fairy tale) as the original story.

Oz and Snow White aren't the only oft-told tales having another go. In addition to Robert Zemeckis' animated version, Dickens' A Christmas Carol will get a romantic comedy twist with Matthew McConaughey of all people. And Kipling's The Jungle Book will get another live action attempt.

Science fiction and horror movies are particularly ripe pickings for remakers of late, especially those from the 70's and 80's. This is likely due to two reasons: the advancements of special effects technologies, and most of today's younger directors were weaned on such films (suckled at the teat of Spielberg and Lucas, as it were).

In addition to Rob Zombie's Halloween redux (opening this Friday), such other haunts from the past that will be revisited in the future include Friday the 13th, The Changeling and even another Wicker Man (lord help us all). Reaching even further back into the vaults, RKO will update its own Isle of the Dead, and there will even be a modern take on The Tingler (really, who could do it better then William Castle?).

As for sci fi, the remakes in the works range from such certified classics as Fantastic Voyage and Logan's Run to cult favorites like Death Race 2000, Escape from New York and even Barbarella. And that's not even mentioning the sword and sorcery fantasies Clash of the Titans and Conan the Barbarian.

Speaking of which, it will be interesting to see who they get for Conan; whoever is cast will have big ... furry briefs? ... to fill. Which brings up another challenge remakers have: finding actors talented enough and willing enough to take on iconic screen characters. For example, who could make us forget Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon?

On the other hand, some films have subject matter that provide compelling avenues for a remake regardless of the film's original star power. For example, Sean Connery and Dustin Hoffman starred in, respectively, The Anderson Tapes and Straw Dogs, both in the process of being remade. The former had technological aspects while the latter deals with themes of societal brutality that not only still resonate in today's world, but are probably even more prevalent.

Of course, there are also remakes that are merely being made to cash-in on a current trend (Howard Stern, who wants to remake Porky's of all things, must be really happy with the box office of Superbad).

Then there are the special cases. Footloose, like this summer's Hairspray, is being remade via the Broadway stage. Documentaries are another option, such as the recently announced fictionalized remake of Murderball. Then there is the always fertile ground of television, with Dallas being a current example.

And finally, there are the "remakes that aren't really remakes" like Seventeen, a remake by any other name of Big, only in reverse.

Naturally, there is no way one can foresee how well any of these remakes will turn out. They could be good, or they could join the ranks of the worst of all-time. However, fear not, for it looks like at least one studio is taking steps to prove wrong the old adage that there is "no original ideas in Hollywood". So there is some hope for the future. Oh, and one more thing ...

I can't believe they are remaking Valley of the Dolls!

Links via HollywoodReporter.com, Amazon.com, Imdb.com, Variety.com, Cinematical.com, AfterEllen.com, MoviesBlog.MTV.com, Bloody-Disgusting.com, ObsessedWithFilm.com, ZombieDirector.blogspot.com, SlashFilm.com, TVGuide.com, EW.com and Movies.AOL.com.

CGI Will Always Love You

When it comes to making lists, Entertainment Weekly is not known for a vast knowledge in film history. In fact, it seems to go back only as far as the birth days of their interns.

So, you would think that a top 10 list of computer-generated characters would be more up their alley, considering the first use of the technology was only back in the 80's. No such luck. Not only is the oldest film on the list (Jurassic Park) dated 1993, but they actually placed not one, but two movies that are barely months old (Spider-Man 3, Transformers).

In addition to this shortsightedness, such impressive creations as the "water aliens" from The Abyss, the hippogriff in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Sonny from I, Robot are MIA. These were truly 'pixilized' performances that made you go "wow", as opposed to ... Casper? And that's not even delving into the vast Pixar oeuvre.

Sigh. At least they got some right (if not exactly in the right spots), as my top 5 from the list attests:

1. Woody and Buzz from Toy Story: Gotta give props to my boys from the first ever all-computer animated feature, which should have bumped them higher then EW's #7.
2. Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and ...
3. Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest: EW has them switched, but really, could Davy have existed without Gollum before him?
4. Yoda in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones: Freed of Muppetry, the Jedi Master kicked ass in this movie. Although he'll always sound like Grover to me.
5. The Tyrannosaurus rex in Jurassic Park: I'll let EW slide on this one, as a lot of the T-rex's scenes used a life-sized animatronic as well as CGI. Factor in all the other dinos from the film (especially the raptors) and I'll buy it.

Links via EW.com and LaughingPlace.com.

Jedis Invade Disney World and More

In the wake of their annual "Star Wars Weekends", Walt Disney World's Disney-MGM Studios will continue the popular Jedi Training Academy show this fall. (So expect a lot of Jake Lloyds running around with plastic light sabers.) This of course has sparked speculation on a whole new Star Wars themed area (including a jazzed-up new "Star Tours" ride), all the better to combat Universal Orlando's upcoming Harry Potter land.

In other Studios news, the long-rumored renaming of the park may just happen now that Pixar has become part of the Mouse House. Yep, it may become Disney-Pixar Studios. And I'll believe that when I see it.

Speaking of Pixar, the Ratatouille rats are on hand now (and even in the parade) and construction continues on the new "Toy Story Mania!" ride. Naturally, High School Musical is represented in a daily "pep rally" show. And the rumor mill is rumbling about a possible new Indiana Jones attraction to coincide with the upcoming fourth film.

Elsewhere around the world, The Three Caballeros have been added to the Mexican pavilion, while Finding Nemo has taken over the Living Seas, at Epcot. Nemo and friends can also be seen in the stage musical adaptation (from the Avenue Q composers) that plays daily at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Changes at Magic Kingdom may include at least a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed restaurant and possibly more Pirates stuff. And the new "Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club" has opened in Tomorrowland.

On the other side of the country, in Disneyland, Nemo (yeah, him again) has been added to the long-dry docked Submarine Ride. Plus, there a major plans to revitalize Disney's California Adventure, the Anaheim flagship park's much-derided second gate (they are already adding their own "Toy Story Mania!" as well). As that park has a "Hollywood" section (which recently added there own Monsters, Inc. themed-ride), it is safe to assume that we may see more movie-related rides there as well.

And finally, a new musical show based on Toy Story will be added to the Disney Cruise Line. Hmmm, that's an awful lot of Pixar ... maybe the Disney-MGM Studios should be renamed the Pixar-Disney Studios.

Links via OrlandoSentinel.com, UniversalOrlando.com, LaughingPlace.com, WDWNews.com, TheDisneyBlog.com and Disney.go.com.

My Top 100 ... For Now

To give you a taste for my tastes in movies, I have listed the 100 films that I voted for in the American Film Institute's most recent poll. You can find it in the sidebar under the heading "My Ballot: AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Movies - 10th Anniversary Edition".

As is my prerogative, this list is certainly subject to change. For example, in the six months since I voted I have seen Elia Kazan's A Face in the Crowd, an awesome movie that certainly would be included if I were making the list today. Oh well, at least they will be re-polling members once more in another ten years.

For the record, 64 of my choices made the final cut, announced about a month ago. They are indicated on the chronological list in the sidebar with a *, and the links will take you to their respective IMDB pages.

What is most fun about these things (for me anyway) is figuring out the statistics of it all. You know, the most this or the least that. I have compiled facts and figures for each of the AFI lists, which will appear in this section eventually. To give you an idea of what I am talking about, here is some interesting data for the 100 movies on my ballot:

• The oldest film is Harold Lloyd's Safety Last; the newest is Brokeback Mountain.
• The most represented decade is the 1950's, with 18 films.
• The most represented year is (naturally) 1939, with 5 films.
• There are 3 silents on the list (I know, I need to see more).
• Dramas account for 45 entries, the most represented genre. Musicals, one of my favorite genres (go figure), comes in second with 17.
• Steven Spielberg is the most represented director (5 times), followed by Alfred Hitchcock (4 times).
• The actors who appear the most are Humphrey Bogart, Dustin Hoffman and James Stewart, with 4 films each, while the actresses are Faye Dunaway (purely coincidental) and Judy Garland, with 3 films each.
• The Godfather Part II is the only sequel (isn't that always the case?).
• There are 6 animated films, 7 if you count Mary Poppins.
• There are only 4 films with overt gay themes: Midnight Cowboy, Cabaret, Dog Day Afternoon and Brokeback. This is a case where foreign fare does infinitely better.
• 24 films were Oscar-winning Best Pictures. 43 more were nominated for that prize as well. (For the record, Safety Last was released prior to the Academy's existence.)
• The film with the longest title is The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (49 letters, symbols and spaces); the shortest is Jaws (4 letters).
• 37 1/4 * films are in glorious black and white.

* This figure includes the Kansas sections of The Wizard of Oz.

UPDATE: The list has been removed from the sidebar and can now be found in the comments section below.

Links via Imdb.com and AFI.com.