The American Film Institute just released it's top movies by genre, and Wizard of Oz took number 1 in fantasy, followed by LOTR: Fellowship of the Rings. Not that I argue with their standings, but I find it interesting that in a category that houses some big budget new movies, Oz is still number one. I am a little partial to it because I spent 4 years studying under an Baum scholar who even taught an entire class that was only about Oz, but when I ask my students how many have seen the 1939 movie (I'm not surprised that many haven't read the book), the numbers seem to be dwindling.
Other interesting winners (to me) included:
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (animation): The order of this category was odd to me. Beauty and the Beast came in above both Shrek and Cinderella, for example, and nearly everything is Disney.
- To Kill a Mockingbird (courtroom drama): one of my favorite movies and books of all time, but I had never thought of it as courtroom drama, which in my mind is more Law and Order.
- The Godfather (gangster): Fitting since it made the genre popular.
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I wonder how they defined "genre." Some of the great films (Citizen Cane, etc) aren't there, and I have to assume that this list is meant to glorify "genre films." That, of course, calls into question what a genre film is. And the typical classifications (Comedy, Drama, Action, Horror, etc.) aren't there.
@M there are some interesting genre distinctions there. Animation might more accurately be labeled kids animation. I wish they would have explained their conceptions of genre. Although I'm guessing that they weren't really aimed at people getting PhD in English and debating the constructive nature of the term :)
You both make some good points about glaring omissions and how the genres get carved up. Animation is a great example — many people I know (me included) would be horrified that not a single Miyazaki film, for example, made it into that list.
I was really puzzled by a lot of the AFI's choices. Fellowship of the Ring is a great example. If you're going to pick a LOTR movie, why not pick the one that won the best picture Oscar (and the only one Steph will voluntarily watch)? :)
I think the thing that bugged me the most was their Science Fiction list. Clearly, the AFI seems to fall into that contingent who believes that aliens, spaceships, or the mention of time travel is all that's required for "science" fiction. Never mind actual science being involved... I guess that's where "hard" science fiction comes in.
With notable exceptions, these lists overall remind me of the Oscars — having more to do with what's fashionable than what really innovates and drives the art forward. They certainly spark conversation among movie fans, though, and that's lots of fun. :)
IMDB has its own list that gets me cheering the public wisdom in some cases, and baffled at our collective folly in others. :)
@zog Are you sure that you don't want to go back and get an English degree and focus on science fiction. Or at least come up to visit and chat about science fiction?
Either or both of those sound like a blast. :) I often contemplate whether I might have chosen the wrong career path...
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