AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies 10th Anniversary

Is Citizen Kane really the Greatest Film Ever? Is it really better than Kubrick's 2001? Or Scorsese's Raging Bull? Or 2 Godfather masterpieces? Or Jackson's Lord of the Rings? It isn't easy naming the Greatest Film Ever because there are several great films that are on the same level of greatness. It's subjective. In my opinion Kane isn't better than any of the aforementioned films, but I can't argue that it is a masterpiece. The AFI twice named Kane as The Greatest, and that reflects that this film, which is over 60 years old, has held up well over time. It deserves its place in movie history as a great film. It's about the story of the life and times of a millionaire tycoon. The great thing about the film is the cinematography, using clever camera-shots necessary for respective situations, and sequences that show how much time has passed. The crossover between the current investigation and the flashbacks to the past are clever also. Welles' directorial debut is forever fascinating. It has a beautiful ending.

One of the most iconic movies ever, tells the story of the youngest son of a mafia overlord whose initial refusal to become apart of the family's business of crime changes as he is thrown into it after his father is wounded in an attempted assassination. He slowly loses his innocence as he climbs the ranks to become the new leader of the family. This great story is shown in operatic fashion. The haunting music score drives this notion as does Coppola's direction, giving the film a mythical feel, somewhat Shakespearean. The cast is magnificent. Marlon Brando's Vito and Al Pacino's Michael were the two who stood out, but everybody gives career best performances, from James Caan to Dianne Keaton. While the sequel even surpasses this movie's brilliance, I will never forget the greatness of the original and the impact it had on me the first time I watched it. Cinematic royalty.

An extremely quotable 1940s classic that has stood the test of time. Bogart and Bergman are magnificent in this tale of broken love.

Raging Bull follows the career and domestic life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose paranoia leads to his self-destruction. Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese once again leave audiences shocked and amazed. This is both savage and majestic, a true masterpiece by the world's best director/actor collaboration.

The dance moves are gobsmacking. The way these people move look almost physically impossible but also brilliant. Very fast too. The humour was top notch and the characters were like caricatures of real Hollywood celebrities. The story involves the evolution of movie-making, from silent film to movies with sound. The movie within a movie is also brilliant.

A movie like this will always arouse attention, whether it be controversy, inspiration or sadness. It illustrates one of history's most notorious events with great direction and camera-work. The direction in particular is amazing and Spielberg shows the world that he is one of the greatest story-tellers ever.

A magnificent, complex, chilling, confusing film by the master of suspense. Like 'Chinatown' there are many twists which you can get lost in but it all makes sense in the end. Great performances by Stewart and Novak with terrific camera work that adds to the suspense, and a great score like 'Psycho'.

No childhood should go without this movie

The one that started it all. A great story with fun characters and a thrilling adventure.

Even today this sends chills down the spine so back then it must have been absolutely terrifying. Some horrifying scenes have gone down in film history along with an even more scary music score.

This is one of the most uniquely fascinating films I've seen. The plot-structure is incredible, the special effects are mindblowing, and the story is almost incomprehensible. The themes explored are of life and humanity. Stanley Kubrickhas here created an absolute masterpiece and leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions. A brilliant psychedelic sci-fi odyssey.

(Great music too).

A brilliant satire on Hollywood, directed by Billy Wilder (Some Like it Hot). A former movie queen who's not-all-there and a man who's down on his luck as a screenwriter, meet in an unsual circumstance and she traps him in her web. William Holden and Gloria Swanson are terrific and Wilder's direction creates a dark themed movie with compelling visuals.

Magnificent film which demonstrates the value of human life and love. James Stewart's performance is outstanding and shows what a great actor he is with great range. It's touching and gets me teary-eyed.

It's funny how the greatest example of film-noir comes from the 70s rather than the 40s or 50s. 'Chinatown' has a fantastic multi-layered script involving love, investigation, corruption, and incest. The film is packed with twists and turns that keep on surprising you. The film's hero, Jake Gittes, is played perfectly by Jack Nicholson. He doesn't simply repeat the typical private eye roles of the past (Bogart), but brings his own mannerisms in the performance. It's the best I've seen from him, even better than 'Cuckoo's Nest'. It's a great psychological thriller, beautifully shot by Polanski and written by Towne. It also has a brilliant ending.

A classic comedy that is heads-and-shoulders above any other film where men dress in drag.

Spielberg shows he is the king when it comes to films of wonder. A heart-warming movie for all ages.

This inspiring adaptation has a meaningful message and is driven by some magnificent acting from Peck and Badham as the young Scout.

Before Capra and Stewart teamed up to make the masterpiece 'Wonderful Life' they came up with this inspiring tale of justice and integrity vs. corruption in politics. Capra's directing and Stewart's wonderful acting drive the movie.

Music and movement. If done correctly it creates a wonderful piece of imagery for cinema. 'GoodFellas' for example accomplished this, and so has this movie. When you see the opening of this movie you just know you are in for something special. The use of 'The End' by The Doors is just the beginning of several pieces of music and movement which look wonderful. Also, the movie is a masterpiece thanks to its director who decided on a 'Nam film which doesn't focus on the war as much as the main character's mission. Like Scorsese, Coppola achieved 3 masterpieces worthy of being titled the greatest films ever with this and the two Godfathers.

Bogart is the perfect actor for Private Eye roles, so it's no wonder that his portrayal of Sam Spade, like Phillip Marlow, can entertain audiences for decades. Director Huston presents a grave mood that is now common in film-noir, thanks to some great camera work and a haunting score.

The best sequel ever made. Part I was about a man's inner struggle and change, how he attains power. In Part II he is a ruthless leader who rules with an iron fist. Pacino's portrayal as the tortured Michael is the best acting performance ever, while De Niro as young Vito is also compelling. Coppola's artistic direction excels that of Part I as he is able to weave two stories together in comparison with one-another. The film has a dark and sinister feel which is grimmer than Part I. It's a masterpiece.

Makes me sad, but it's great

The first full-length animated feature is a triumph of film making. It's visually breathtaking and beautiful. And the villainous Queen is pure evil.

A witty and intelligent romantic-comedy in which Woody succeeds in using clever techniques to create classic humour. A cross between 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'Seinfeld', and has influenced many other comedies.

John Huston and Humphrey Bogart re-team to make this classic film. Like 'Wall Street' and especially the recent 'There Will be Blood', the film demonstrates the evils of greed. Bogart gives his most unsettling portrayal as a descent man gone mad from greed. He befriends two men who are down on their luck like he is and make a pact to go gold prospecting in the mountains in an attempt to strike it rich. But as the months pass Bogart develops a bad case of paranoia and believes that his partners are after his cut of the gold findings. Huston creates a dark and disturbing mood with his visuals of Bogart's developing insanity. Bogart is similar to how Frodo is in 'The Lord of the Rings' when the ring takes over him and he urges to keep it instead of destroy it. He is also like Jack Torrence in the Shining, how he starts off as a descent man but slowly goes insane.

Peter Sellers plays three different roles in this ingenious comedy by Stanley Kubrick. Sellers and Kubrick were two geniuses when it came to film making and so when they are together we have Dr. Strangelove, a brilliant masterpiece.

Loved it when I was in primary school, still do. It's timeless.

I think the reason this film is so famous is because of how frankly violent it was for its time. For today's standards it actually isn't that violent but it was when it first came out. This film is also highly influential. If we didn't have 'Bonnie and Clyde' would we have 'Thelma and Louise'? or 'Bandits'?

Brilliant cast! Grant Hepburn and Stewart all shine in this classic screwball comedy.