AFI's Top 100 Films of All Time
The American Film Institute proudly curates lists to celebrate excellence in the art form. Since its inception, American film has marginalized the diversity of voices that make our nation and its stories strong – and these lists reflect that intolerable truth. You can download the list here.
Each month I shall pick three movies that are on my list and where to find these wonderful watches for movie night.
Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark
Epic tale in which an intrepid archaeologist tries to beat a band of Nazis to a unique religious relic which is central to their plans for world domination. Battling against a snake phobia and a vengeful ex-girlfriend, Indiana Jones is in constant peril, making hair's-breadth escapes at every turn in this celebration of the innocent adventure movies of an earlier era.
Release date: June 12, 1981 (USA)
Adapted from: Secret of the Incas
Available on Amazon Prime, Paramount and Roku
The Silence of the Lambs
Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.
Release date: February 14, 1991 (USA)
Director: Jonathan Demme
Sequel: Hannibal
Adapted from: The Silence of the Lambs
Nominations: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Available on HBO/Max, Hulu and Prime Video
The African Queen (It's About a Boat)
After religious spinster's (Katharine Hepburn) missionary brother is killed in WWI Africa, the dissolute steamer captain (Humphrey Bogart) offers her safe passage. She's not satisfied so she persuades him to destroy a German gunboat. The two spend most of their time fighting with each other rather than the Germans. Time alone on the river leads to love.
Release date: February 20, 1952 (USA)
Director: John Huston
Screenplay: John Huston, James Agee, Peter Viertel, John Collier
Free on Pluto TV, Also Available on Prime Video