It seems like everyone now has to do a top “some number” list. Some are strictly done by making mathematical calculations, like each week's top box office films, or the weekly TV ratings. Others are done strictly for fun, such as David Letterman's nightly top ten lists. Then, there are those that are done by “experts” who profess to know what the best things in a particular category are. Generally, there are criteria that they are supposed to use to judge the items, but ultimately, it comes down to what the people selected to judge like and dislike. Just like the Oscars and similar awards, there will always be those who disagree with the selections.

This week, the American Film Institute (AFI) aired what has become an annual event, the announcement of 100 films chosen as outstanding in a given category. This year the list was a bit different - “America's 10 Greatest Films in 10 Classic Genres”. The jury making the decisions included over 1,500 film artists (including actors, directors, and writers), critics, and historians. The categories were animation, courtroom drama, epic, fantasy, gangster, mystery, romantic comedy, sci-fi, sports, and westerns. Each category had a host, someone particularly known for their work in that genre. Also, there were guest appearances by many of the creative folks behind the selected movies and others in the industry honoring those movies.

Overall, I enjoyed the show. Seeing the clips from the movies was nice, and hearing some of the stories was interesting. Those making this show used good hosts and got very appropriate people to discuss the movies. I have enjoyed all of the AFI lists, and think the organization does good work. (Visit www.afi.com to learn more about AFI and see all of their famous lists.)

Here's my problem...as with any lists such as this, some of the selections I agree with, some I don't, and some I wonder if the people making the selections were insane. Heck, I'm not even entirely sure about the selection of the ten categories. What about action, horror, and musicals? I guess they cannot cover every possible genre, but I do think that there were some top films left out because they did not fit properly into one of the categories.

So, if others can have a top ten list, I can also. Two of them in fact. Now, just as I said above, not everyone will agree my lists, and I applaud that. If we all liked all the same films that would be rather boring. I encourage everyone to post about this in the forums and get discussion going. And, without further ado...

The Top Ten Things Wrong About AFI's 10 Top 10

10. Two categories simply don't belong – gangsters and courtroom dramas. I simply don't feel there are enough movies in those genres to warrant separate categories. Also, what makes these categories better than action, horror, or musicals?

 9. The newest movie on any of the lists was released in 2001. Not even one movie since then would qualify for inclusion somewhere?

 8. Two of the categories, romantic comedy and mystery, seemed to be almost entirely older movies. For romantic comedy, what about more contemporary movies like Pretty Woman, and for mystery, perhaps The Sixth Sense.

 7.  The list for westerns seemed to be very hit and miss to me. The Alamo, How the West Was Won and Tombstone come to mind as better than some of the ones listed. Also, while John Wayne was a wonderful actor, this list is a bit heavy on his movies, and not even necessarily his best ones, such as The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, or True Grit.

 6.  The sci-fi list was good overall, but I have to say I think The Matrix belongs on the list.

 5.  On the fantasy list, is Groundhog Day really one of the top ten? I enjoyed it, but I can think of several better fantasy movies, most notably any of the Harry Potter movies, which I think were overlooked.

 4.  Jessica Alba as the host for romantic comedy? I'm thinking there were better choices, better known for that genre.

 3.  At different points in the show music was used from movies that were not included on the list. I think that was a creative mistake by makers of the show.

 2.  Last year, AFI gave us the top 100 movies of the last 100 years. Of the top five from that list, three did not appear in the 10 Top 10 – Singin' In The Rain (#5), Casablanca (#3), and Citizen Kane, the #1 movie. I find it hard to believe that the new list can really be the 10 Top 10 if what the same organization says is the best film ever is omitted.

 1.  Caddyshack as one of the top 10 sports movies of all time? I mean really...it's funny and all that, but it simply does not belong on this list. Especially when the likes of Chariots of Fire and Rudy don't make the cut.

The Top Ten Things Right About AFI's 10 Top 10

10. James Woods hosting the courtroom drama portion. Too bad Shark was canceled.

 9. While I was unhappy that more newer films were not included, I do like that they included films dating all the way back to the 1930s.

 8. Blade Runner made the sci-fi list. After that movie's recent inclusion on a list of bad sci-fi movies, it's nice to see it get honored properly.

 7. Jimmy Stewart appearing twice in the fantasy list and Harrison Ford appearing twice in the sci-fi list. I feel these two actors helped make those genres what they are.

 6. Unforgiven appearing in the westerns list. That reminds us that the genre may have suffered a slow down since it's heyday, but it's not dead yet.

 5. The show had great special interviews. I especially enjoyed hearing from Harrison Ford, Michael J. Fox, Harold Ramis, and Rob Reiner.

 4. The lists were not overloaded with Oscar winners. The jurists remembered that sometimes quality films don't always win.

 3. I think three of the lists were very solid – animation, courtroom drama, and epic. Perhaps I didn't agree with the order, I do think all of the films on those lists were worthy of inclusion.

 2. Best choice of all the #1 movies – The Godfather.

 1. Star Trek was NOT included! Some will ask how dare I say this, on this website of all sites. But, I have to call it the way I see it. While I do consider Star Trek extremely important to sci-fi, and I enjoy many of the movies, I cannot honestly say that any of them belong on a list of top ten sci-fi movies.

Ok, there's my lists. Just my opinion, and I'm not an expert. I'm just someone who enjoys movies. I hope that people out there don't agree with everything I've said here...makes life more interesting.

Photos:  AFI 

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