AFI's top 10 inspirational movies

[atxrocker]

1 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 1946
2 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 1962
3 SCHINDLER'S LIST 1993
4 ROCKY 1976
5 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON 1939
6 E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982
7 THE GRAPES OF WRATH 1940
8 BREAKING AWAY 1979
9 MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET 1947
10 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN 1998

http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/cheers.aspx

was ET really that inspirational?

[Das Texan]

ET inspired me to therapy.

[atxrocker]

ET inspired me to therapy.

:lmao :lmao

[leemajors]

saving private ryan wasn't very good. ikiru was way more inspiring than anything on that list.

[jman3000]

Kindergarten Cop

"Don't talk to strangers"

[Trainwreck2100]

Ikiru would defeat the purpose of the A in AFI

[ShoogarBear]

How did Requiem for a Dream not make this list?

[atxrocker]

^i saw that movie again just the other day. am i the only one who thinks jennifer connelly is friggin hot?

[leemajors]

Ikiru would defeat the purpose of the A in AFI

true, but how is rudy all the way back in the 50s?!?

[Trainwreck2100]

He comes off as a little pussy in the movie

[atxrocker]

forrest gump and braveheart shoulda been ranked higher. lol @ karate kid ranked before Ray.

[leemajors]

did you have the karate kid headband when you were a kid?

[Trainwreck2100]

^i saw that movie again just the other day. am i the only one who thinks jennifer connelly is friggin hot?


if you like requiem you'll love this

http://www.break.com/index/toystoryrequiem.html

[T Park]

braveheart was a fantastic movie.

[atxrocker]

if you like requiem you'll love this

http://www.break.com/index/toystoryrequiem.html

thanks, train. that was awesome.

[shyne]

Cinderalla Man should have been there.

[atxrocker]

^great mention. that was a very good movie. i would imagine it inspired more than Karate Kid did... though pt II did have elizabeth shue who is hot

[johngateswhiteley]

...i love that they have Breaking Away on that list, and absolute classic! Prefontane, though not as good, was also inspiring. and of course whomever listed Braveheart.....i just love that movie. i know there are some facts off and it is not the most inspiring....but damn i loved it.

[T Park]

1 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 1946
2 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 1962
3 SCHINDLER'S LIST 1993
4 ROCKY 1976
5 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON 1939
6 E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982
7 THE GRAPES OF WRATH 1940
8 BREAKING AWAY 1979
9 MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET 1947
10 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN 1998

If you didnt cry at "Its a wonderfull Life" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" you have no soul.

"Stand up scout, your father is passin"

omg...

Like Melissa Ethridge said,

"It teaches you what is right is right, and what is wrong is wrong, no matter if the whole town is against you."


The character of Atticus Finch, is one of the best, in the history of literary, or film wise, of all time.

[Trainwreck2100]

Did you just fucking quote Mellissa Ethridge.

[T Park]

She was commenting on the movies.

She was right.

and yes, I just did "Fucking" quote her.


Got a problem with gays do you?

[Jekka]

Chocolat inspired me to eat chocolate.

[Trainwreck2100]

She was commenting on the movies.

She was right.

and yes, I just did "Fucking" quote her.


Got a problem with gays do you?


I have nothing against gays that would apply to this conversation, but I'm pretty sure any male who quotes Mellisa Ethridge needs to have his manhood revoked.

[atxrocker]

I have nothing against gays that would apply to this conversation, but I'm pretty sure any male who quotes Mellisa Ethridge needs to have his manhood revoked.

:tu :tu

[T Park]

but I'm pretty sure any male who quotes Mellisa Ethridge needs to have his manhood revoked.

This coming from a guy that had Pokemon as his avatar.

She was on the show and said this.


Keep babbling though genius.

[Trainwreck2100]

This coming from a guy that had Pokemon as his avatar.

She was on the show and said this.


Keep babbling though genius.

That shows at most a lack of maturity, not a lack of manhood. Quoting Mellisa Ethridge is just not right if you're a guy.

[T Park]

Think what you want.

I just quoted what she said on the show.

Sorry that you have to try and pigeon hole me and say "Im less of a man" because I quoted someone off of a TV show.

[Trainwreck2100]

Think what you want.

I just quoted what she said on the show.

Sorry that you have to try and pigeon hole me and say "Im less of a man" because I quoted someone off of a TV show.

Coming from the guy that tried to pigeonhole me into a homophobe there is an errant hypocracy. And it makes you less of a man because you quoted Mellissa fucking Ethridge and she Mellissa fucking Ethridge.

[Jekka]

I don't think it makes T Park less of a man, just a man with poor taste in music.

[T Park]

wtf.

She was on the show, giving her opinion of the goddamn movies.


I don't listen to her freakin music.

Where did this come from :lol

[Jekka]

When you quote someone as part of your defense it implies that you like them.

[johngateswhiteley]

When you quote someone as part of your defense it implies that you like them.

...no, it does not...actually. and as for T Park, i know you guys are just having fun with him. but if i was T Park and was getting irritated....i would not even respond to this...moronic...assertation.

...take all this energy and put it into getting rid of the baboons on ticket 760 (local guys)...thats of much higher importance.

[Jekka]

I’m glad your need to appear clever has blinded you to sarcasm. Next time I’ll type it in blue italics.

And I still maintain bad taste in music, even if Melissa Ethridge doesn't enter the equation :lol

Oh, Tpark, you're funny.

[T Park]

When you quote someone as part of your defense it implies that you like them.

I just quoted what she said on the show, and I agreed with it.


Thank you JohnGates, Im not irritated, im used to it.

Being the forum whipping boy has its perks too.

[SA Gunslinger]

1 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 1946 (Agree)
2 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 1962 (Strongly agree)
3 SCHINDLER'S LIST 1993 (Disagree. But it is one of my favorite films)
4 ROCKY 1976 (Strongly agree)
5 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON 1939 (Strongly agree)
6 E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982 (Strongly disagree)
7 THE GRAPES OF WRATH 1940 (I can't believe I still haven't watched it. Shame on me.)
8 BREAKING AWAY 1979 (Strongly agree)
9 MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET 1947 (Strongly agree)
10 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN 1998 (Disagree. Great opening scene but I think the Longest Day and Tora, Tora, Tora are better war films. Born on the 4th of July and Heaven and Earth are much more inspiring films than Saving Private Ryan, imo)

[Sonia_TX]

Of those top 10 I've only seen about 4 of the movies. I recorded that AFI show last night because I really do want to see all these movies to see what I've been missing. I haven't even seen Miracle On 34th Street! I need to get with it.

[turambar85]

Number 3 is high, but Schindlers list was still too low. I dont know it it beats It's a wonderful life, but I have to place it well above To kill a Mockingbird. The scene at the end where Oscar breaks down realizing that he could have saved one more life is pretty powerful stuff.

[leemajors]

^great mention. that was a very good movie. i would imagine it inspired more than Karate Kid did... though pt II did have elizabeth shue who is hot

she was in the first one too. the second one was in okinawa. lilies of the field is way too far back in the rankings. sidney poitier is the man.

[Spurminator]

Maybe I misunderstand the meaning of "inspirational"... I don't find movies like "Bridge on the River Kwai" (14) and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (17) to be inspiring. Moving, sure... but not exactly uplifting.

Oh and "12 Angry Men" only being at 42 is ridiculous. As is "Hotel Rwanda" at 90.

Also, flame if you like, but I'd put "A League of Their Own" (not on list) in the top 20 at LEAST.

[1Parker1]

Hotel Rwanda and Philadelphia were inspirational.

[leemajors]

Maybe I misunderstand the meaning of "inspirational"... I don't find movies like "Bridge on the River Kwai" (14) and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (17) to be inspiring. Moving, sure... but not exactly uplifting.

Oh and "12 Angry Men" only being at 42 is ridiculous. As is "Hotel Rwanda" at 90.

Also, flame if you like, but I'd put "A League of Their Own" (not on list) in the top 20 at LEAST.

yeah the inspiring part is very vague. inspiring you to do what?

[CosmicCowboy]

http://i.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/041012/16553__sheen_l.jpg

Can you believe that goober left us off the list?

[leemajors]

damn that movie was funny cc.

[pache100]

Kindergarten Cop

"Don't talk to strangers"

"It's not a toomah."

Side note: I think AFI's definition of "inspirational" must be very different from mine. GOOD movies are not necessarily inspirational just because they are good.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

No "Varsity Blues?" That movie was just as inspirational as "Rudy" and it had naked boobies in it.

[tlongII]

Hotel Rwanda and Philadelphia were inspirational.

I just knew you would bring up Philadelphia.

[tlongII]

How is Forrest Gump inspiring? It's a good movie, but not inspiring.

[ShoogarBear]

Sure it is. The dumber you, are the higher your potential. Isn't that inspiring?

And I'm surprised you didn't mention Drugstore Cowboy or My Own Private Idaho as examples of fine uplifting Portland movies.

[tlongII]

Sure it is. The dumber you, are the higher your potential. Isn't that inspiring?

And I'm surprised you didn't mention Drugstore Cowboy or My Own Private Idaho as examples of fine uplifting Portland movies.

I'm trying to determine if your placement of the comma was intentional or not.

[ShoogarBear]

Creating confusion is half the battle.

[T Park]

but I have to place it well above To kill a Mockingbird. The scene at the end where Oscar breaks down realizing that he could have saved one more life is pretty powerful stuff.


No way in hell.

To Kill a mockingbird like I said, is one of the greatest works of our time, COME ON.

[Jekka]

Hotel Rwanda and Philadelphia were inspirational.

Hotel Rwanda depressed me way too much for it to be inspirational to me - I cried the whole fucking way through. While he managed to save a lot of people, so many more died, and no one was there to save them.

That being said, I do think everyone needs to see Hotel Rwanda - it's a part of history that hasn't gotten the coverage it deserves, and the acting was amazing.

[1Parker1]

Hotel Rwanda depressed me way too much for it to be inspirational to me - I cried the whole fucking way through. While he managed to save a lot of people, so many more died, and no one was there to save them.

:lol That's cuz you're Ms. Glass half empty.

[Jekka]

At least if you expect the worse, you're prepared for it.

[1Parker1]

At least if you expect the worse, you're prepared for it.


:lol

[Darrin]

1 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 1946
2 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 1962
3 SCHINDLER'S LIST 1993
4 ROCKY 1976
5 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON 1939
6 E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982
7 THE GRAPES OF WRATH 1940
8 BREAKING AWAY 1979
9 MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET 1947
10 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN 1998

http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/cheers.aspx

was ET really that inspirational?

Frank Capra - 2 movies (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It's a Wonderful Life).
Steven Spielberg - 3 movies (Saving Private Ryan, ET, and Schnidler's List).

[Jules]

1 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 1946
2 TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD 1962
3 SCHINDLER'S LIST 1993
4 ROCKY 1976
5 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON 1939
6 E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982
7 THE GRAPES OF WRATH 1940
8 BREAKING AWAY 1979
9 MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET 1947
10 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN 1998

http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/cheers.aspx

was ET really that inspirational?
Wow, I've only seen ET from this list of Top 10 and I was about 8 at the time. I must say, from a childhood perspective, Pippi Goes on Board & Pippi in the South Seas inspired me much more!

[Darrin]

A couple of movies that changed the way I look at film, for better or worse, coincidently, both star Henry Fonda - The Grapes of Wrath and 12 Angry Men. I was glad to see Wrath make it, even though the ending of the book is a lot darker, and the sentimental ending of the story, what makes it so inspirational, has long been considered a piece of propganda or an answer to charges that Wrath held too many Communist ideals.

Of all the movies on that list, that's probably the one I would recommend.






I can mutter my way through the lines of It's A Wonderful Life with the best of them.

[Darrin]

Wow, I've only seen ET from this list of Top 10 and I was about 8 at the time. I must say, from a childhood perspective, Pippi Goes on Board & Pippi in the South Seas inspired me much more!

Wow. Films like the Grapes of Wrath, Schnidler's List, To Kill A Mockingbird, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Saving Private Ryan - I saw in School, whether I had seen them before or not. It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street are on every single Christmas. One of the Turner Networks (if you have cable) runs a Rocky marathon every 4-6 months or so.

I really stunned you've only seen one of those movies. My only questions is: what are the movies that inspire you?

[Spurminator]

Amazingly, I've still never seen It's a Wonderful Life...

[ShoogarBear]

I didn't see IAWL until relatively late in life and thought it was was waaaaaay overrated.

[Spurminator]

That's my fear too...

I'm not a big Jimmy Stewart fan anyway. Except for Mr. Smith.

[leemajors]

i would put seconds by john frankenheimer in my top 10. that is one crazy movie, and rock hudson does an incredible job in it.

[Jules]

Wow. Films like the Grapes of Wrath, Schnidler's List, To Kill A Mockingbird, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Saving Private Ryan - I saw in School, whether I had seen them before or not. It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street are on every single Christmas. One of the Turner Networks (if you have cable) runs a Rocky marathon every 4-6 months or so.

I really stunned you've only seen one of those movies. My only questions is: what are the movies that inspire you?

I’ve read to Kill a Mocking Bird & The Grapes of Wrath.

I suppose I'm not much of a cinema enthusiast. I don’t look to the big screen for inspiration… I find it all around me.

Malcolm X was well done; I was quite impressed with Denzel Washington's performance. Freida and The Motorcycle Diaries lived up to my expectations as well.

[Jules]

A couple of movies that changed the way I look at film, for better or worse, coincidently, both star Henry Fonda - The Grapes of Wrath and 12 Angry Men. I was glad to see Wrath make it, even though the ending of the book is a lot darker, and the sentimental ending of the story, what makes it so inspirational, has long been considered a piece of propganda or an answer to charges that Wrath held too many Communist ideals.

Of all the movies on that list, that's probably the one I would recommend.






I can mutter my way through the lines of It's A Wonderful Life with the best of them.

I watched 12 Angry Men (coincidently when I was about 12). It was superb!

[ALVAREZ6]

"Inspirational" can go both ways.



I'm sure Scarface has inspired a bunch of people to try coke

[Smokey]

"Inspirational" can go both ways.



I'm sure Scarface has inspired a bunch of people to try coke

You can say that again. [runs off to do a line]

[spurschick]

Two movies that make my list, but didn't make theirs:

Pleasantville
Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (the original)

[Guru of Nothing]

In The Company of Men.

[leemajors]

I’ve read to Kill a Mocking Bird & The Grapes of Wrath.

I suppose I'm not much of a cinema enthusiast. I don’t look to the big screen for inspiration… I find it all around me.

Malcolm X was well done; I was quite impressed with Denzel Washington's performance. Freida and The Motorcycle Diaries lived up to my expectations as well.

motorcycle diaries was pretty good until the very end when it turned into propaganda. i would prefer a pure biography myself.

[atxrocker]

^i liked motorcycle diaries.

[leemajors]

i liked it, but the last few minutes ruined it for me. if i watch it again i will just stop it before the very end.