Reel Change

    The latest issue of Australia’s Empire magazine has an interesting cover story. It’s another list of 100 movies; but instead of discussing which is greater, they’re focusing on the movies’ impact on culture or on the industry itself: “100 Movies That Changed the World̶.
    So far I’ve only been able to find the top ten, as shared by The Age.com (by way of The One Ring.net):

1:   Jaws
2:   Citizen Kane
3:   Easy Rider
4:   The Fellowship of the Ring
5:   Star Wars
6:   Singin’ in the Rain
7:   Casablanca
8:   Rashomon
9:   Annie Hall
10:   Gone With the Wind

    I like the idea behind the list, but as usual the choices don’t necessarily jibe with mine. I think some Star Wars backlash has needlessly given it a lower score than warranted; same with the flurry of interest around The Lord of the Rings. Obviously, it’s extremely well made and has been well received, but I think we need a few years’ distance to allow us to put it in perspective of its lasting impact.
    I’m not sure Singin’ in the Rain should rank so high either. Yes, it’s a great movie and I like it very much, but since it came at the end of the movie musicals era I’m not sure what great importance it had. And as usual, there’s a great bias against older movies. I’d suggest The Great Train Robbery (1903) or The Jazz Singer (1927) were bigger sensations than some of the above, but nobody rents those.
    Those reservations aside, I’m looking forward to read the rest of the list.