I tried. I really did. I tried to watch this one. A friend got it right when he asked, “Why did you wait until the end to watch this one?” To which I answer, “I HAVE NO IDEA!!” This three-hour silent movie is known as an epic film, but I just couldn’t get into it at all. I got through about 45 minutes and I was confused and lost. I just couldn’t do it. This hasn’t happened too many times out of the 100 AFI movies so I’m pretty proud of my efforts.

This concludes my AFI 100 challenge! In the coming week, I’ll be looking back on the AFI 100 adventure.

AFI 100 total=100

It’s coming to an end of an era; I watched The Gold Rush. This was a cute movie and with the AFI 100 endeavor, I have come to appreciate the contribution of Charlie Chaplin to the film industry.

This was a cute little film about the gold rush period. Chaplin’s character finds himself without much means, trapped in this mining town. He gets in a few scraps and a woman catches his eye. He of course spends the entire time trying to please her.

This movie is also where the famous dancing ballet with rolls happens.

Then there’s the scene with the little cabin on the cliff.

It was very cute all around.

AFI 100 total=99, remaining=1!!!!

This week’s AFI 100 watch was The Wild Bunch. This was your classic western; not my favorite genre. I have to say that this film didn’t hold my interest at all, which was unfortunate considering I’m almost down to the wire on the AFI list. I really can’t say anything other than at least I watched the whole movie. Other than that, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you really like old westerns.

AFI 100 total=98, remaining=2

The 1951 classic The African Queen, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, is not my favorite Hepburn film but had its endearing moments. Hepburn plays a reverend’s sister serving as a missionary in Africa when war breaks out in Europe in 1914. Although it’s thought they are far from Germany’s touch, the German troops move in and “recruit” the natives by kidnapping them and burning their homes. Hepburn’s brother perishes in the struggle and she teams up with a loan miner and riverboat owner played by Bogart. They set out to travel down the dangerous Ulanga river on a plot to torpedo the German’s gun ship.

The characters play off each other, at first in annoyance and then later with mutual admiration, as the plot carries them into battle. Hepburn and Bogart are older at this point and have both successful careers. Bogart won an Oscar for his role, his only in his career, and I’d have to agree with the nomination and win. His portrayal of this set-in-his-ways boat captain was goofy, wild and scruffy, yet endearing and strong while playing off of Hepburn’s more structured character.

This film was Hepburn’s first color film, and a movie in which she was ill through most of the filming. I think that this film is really interesting. Considering the difficulty of blending scenes from Africa from the main filming in Turkey and London, that took a lot ingenuity for the time in multiple film locations. As #65 of the AFI 100, I’m not sure I would agree on the placement on the list at all. My favorite Hepburn movie, The Desk Set with Spencer Tracy is a better Kate movie and it isn’t even on the list at all. I liked the film, glad I saw it, but not AFI worthy.

AFI 100 total=97, remaining=3

Tonight I watched A Clockwork Orange for the first time. I have been apprehensive about watching this since I’m not a Stanley Kubrick fan and the last time I watched his movie, I was very unsettled afterward. Thanks to some helpful prodding, I was encouraged to try it and wasn’t AS horrified as I guess I could’ve been. Obviously I was prepared but the fanciful nature of which the film was shot helped placate some of the horrific scenes. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never watch this again. Definitely not my kind of film, but it’s definitely unique on the film landscape. Part action, part horror, part psychological thriller, it pushes all the boundaries—and all of your buttons—to challenge your expectations of movies.

Still, it wasn’t very pleasant to watch at all. I watched a silly romance flick afterward to distract myself.

Only a few more films to go before I wrap up the AFI 100 challenge!

AFI 100 total=96, Remaining=4

Just look at them dancing! That’s right, it’s Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the infamous 1936 romance Swing Time. I don’t know why it took me so long to watch this movie considering that this movie is the epitome of the old classic I like.

The dancing was truly amazing—they just don’t dance like that anymore. I was reminded of Holiday Inn and White Christmas, as well as Christmas in Connecticut because Frank Jenks made an appearance. You can check out their first dance on YouTube.

I wish I could dance like that … or maybe I could just dance with Fred Astaire!

I also was taken aback by the gorgeous dresses that Rogers wears. This one has rhinestones and a cape. A cape, people! It’s just so elegant, and of course Rogers is beautiful.

All in all this movie is probably one of my favorite on the list. I’d really like to get a copy of the DVD; it might get added to the Christmas wishlist.

AFI 100 total=95, Remaining=5

This 1970s flick starred some soon-to-be heavy hitters: Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd, Randy Quaid. This was very 1970s-esque in its film style. Although filmed in black and white, the plot explores teenage hormones and sex, growing up and the complexity of friendship. Although I can’t say that I particularly liked the film, I thought that the acting was really well executed. I’ll probably never watch this movie again, but it was better than some on the AFI 100 list.

AFI 100 total=94, Remaining=6