The only Great Films I have ever turned off because the mood just wasn’t right were Dreams, Russian Ark, and Diary of a Country Priest (though I hope to return to them someday). I don’t mind slow, non-narrative, or otherwise challenging movies, though a few have bested me. I’ve seen all of Andrei Tarkovsky’s seven films, a few Bergmans. In the meantime, I’ve delved as much as time and interest allow into foreign films.

Nevertheless, I’ve kept to the tortoise approach and kept watching AFI films. I watch movies as they come out, in theater or on video, and go with what interests me or what friends and Rotten Tomatoes declare is a Must See. I’ve read a lot more books than seen movies: I average 40 books a year. The last 14 years have been a winding, wandering journey as far as media consumption. But I’ll keep you posted if and when I finish. Or watching one a month, I can finish by the end of 2018. Watching one a week I can finish by Christmas. Of those I will see, the remaining films are: Rank The goal is not really completion in some neurotic sense, although I do love checking off lists.įor example, there are only 2 or 3 films on the list I’ve elected never to watch because recommendations have convinced me that the content is slimy and repulsive enough to be a waste of time (Clockwork Orange) or because I have sworn off a particular director (I’ve seen enough Tarantino in my life and will never voluntarily watch Pulp Fiction, no matter how great people say it is.) Status Even through marriage, a doctoral program, and now kids and a full-time career in classical education, I’ve averaged one AFI film every two months for the past 14 years. Many of them were, for a time, “the best film I’ve ever seen”… until I watched the next one.

It was not only for self-education about film – though who doesn’t want to learn more about film? – but for entertainment.Įach film is unique, interesting, surprising, fascinating, and delightful. Though it started casual, the project became more of a commitment. While I have written some screenplays now, my professional career is not headed in that direction. I originally started the list to become a more informed film viewer and because I wanted to maybe write screenplays. In 2003, living with Biola University film students, I learned of the AFI list.Īt that time, I resolved to watch them all. “Why would you watch 100 movies?” you say… “Why would you use this list?” I am almost done watching all 100 of the American Film Institute’s best American films.

Afi best movies 2017