(98) Unforgiven - 1992

First of all, why is it called "Unforgiven"?

Who is unforgiven? I would imagine it's the lead character, William Munny (played by Clint Eastwood). But the idea of forgiveness isn't directly dealt with in the movie that I can tell. I feel a bit weird about writing about a movie where I don't understand the title, but without Googling it, or asking others who might know, I'm left with no real answer.

As I watch and count down the original AFI 100 list, this is the first movie I encounter that is from my lifetime, that I know I saw way back when, when it was new. Chances are, I watched it on a VHS tape I rented at the video store and had to return within 24 hours for fear of getting a late fee. That all seems so long ago, and at the same time, not so long ago.

(99) Look Who's Coming To Dinner - 1967

The first thing I need to say is: there are 98 movies BETTER than Look Who's Coming To Dinner?

I suspect I will have similar reactions many times as I watch or re-watch the rest of the movies on the Top 100 list. I am very glad I didn't have to compile it. Thank you, AFI!

I've been jotting notes down while watching the movies, often pausing to scribble something down. With Yankee Doodle Dandy, I wrote three pages. For Look Who's, I wrote six. That doesn't really mean a whole lot, as I know that depending on the day, I will allow these blog posts to flow more from memory, or less. The goal is to capture as much of my reaction as I can at the time, in case I can't type it up right away.

(100) Yankee Doodle Dandy - 1942

"Yankee Doodle went to town,

Riding on a pony.

Stuck a feather in his cap

And called it macaroni."

I think the above is how it goes. Been a long time since I heard that old nursery rhyme. That's the impression in my mind when I'd come across a reference to the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy. There is a loose association there, as it turns out, but only a loose one. And it's all I had until today.

If you think of that title, through the eyes of a present-day boy or male viewer, or any modern viewer for that matter, I'm not sure it's very enticing. It was never on my radar, I can tell you that. In this case, it was well worth looking under the hood. I was pleasantly surprised.

Danny Collins - 2015

Although Danny Collins is not listed on the AFI Top 100 Films of All-Time, I watched it today, and feel moved to talk about it a little bit. I intend to get to the Top 100 very shortly.

In this time of social distancing, things like movies become even more important. Not nearly so important as staying healthy, providing for our families and helping to prevent the spread of that nasty virus going around, but it does play a role. Luckily, I love movies. I'm betting if you read this, you do, too.

This morning, I quite innocently came across this movie. After finishing it, I felt like it was very much on purpose that I saw it. I had been looking for movies and not wanting to pay for them, so Amazon Prime to the rescue. The movie stars Al Pacino, which is usually a good bet, though as he ages, maybe not as much a sure thing as in the past.