Category: Lists

“Goodfellas” tops greatest movies list
LONDON (Reuters) – Mobsters in the 1990 film “Goodfellas” have beaten a fear of heights in “Vertigo” and the great white shark of “Jaws” to help the Martin Scorsese film clench the mantle of greatest movie of all time in a survey of UK film experts.
Goodfellas, which featured Ray Liotta, Robert de Niro and an Oscar winning supporting role from Joe Pesci, topped the list of 100 movies in a survey of film critics by Total Film.
“Goodfellas has everything, in terms of its technical brilliance, its huge influence on modern film-making and its spikiness and rewatchability,” Total Film features editor Jamie Graham told Reuters.
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 classic “Vertigo” took second place, while third went to Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic “Jaws,” the tale of a coastal town terrorised by a great white shark.
Goodfellas, which was based on the story of real-life mobster Henry Hill, also beat Citizen Kane, the 1941 Orson Welles film that tops many critics lists but which finished in sixth position in the Total Film poll.
The 10 ten films in the list included two made in the last decade, the 1999 film “Fight Club,” starring Brad Pitt, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson.
Fight Club took fourth position ahead of other classics such as “Tokyo Story” and “Taxi Driver.”
“By no means were we trying to be perverse, but we were setting out to make a list that was a bit more modern,” Graham said.

AFI Ranks Top Movie Quotes
Frankly, my dear, even those who have never seen Gone with the Wind can still identify Rhett Butler’s final words to Scarlett O’Hara.
The level of instantaneous recognition inspired by Clark Gable’s final line to Vivien Leigh–“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”–led the American Film Institute to deem it number one on its list of the top 100 movie quotes.
The listmakers extraordinaire over at the AFI revealed the latest compilation in their 100 Years series–100 Movie Quotes: America’s Greatest Quips, Comebacks and Catchphrases–in a three-hour CBS television special Tuesday hosted by Pierce Brosnan.
The winning lines were selected by 1,500 jurors from a list of 400 nominees. Voting criteria included a nominated quote’s cultural impact on the national lexicon and whether it was used to invoke the legacy of the film in which it appeared.
In close contention for the top spot on the list were two of Marlon Brando’s most famous lines–“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse,” from 1972’s The Godfather and “You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am,” from 1954’s On the Waterfront–which finished second and third, respectively.
In fourth place was Judy Garland’s naive proclamation to her loyal canine in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz: “Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
Humphrey Bogart’s remark to Ingrid Bergman in 1942’s Casablanca, “Here’s looking at you, kid,” was looking at fifth place on the list, but was one of six quotes overall chosen from the film. Others included Bogart’s “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship” (20th), “We’ll always have Paris” (43rd), “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine” (67), and Bergman’s “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By’ ” (28th).
Gone with the Wind also had multiple entries in the top 100. Leigh’s “After all, tomorrow is another day” made the list at number 31, and her “As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again” was number 59.
The earliest quote was Al Jolson’s “Wait a minute, wait a minute. You ain’t heard nothin’ yet,” (71st) from 1927’s The Jazz Singer. The most recent was Andy Serkis’ “My precious,” (85th) from 2002’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
Numerous sci-fi films inspired list-making quotes, including Harrison Ford’s “May the Force be with you” (8th) from 1977’s Star Wars, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “I’ll be back” (37) from The Terminator and a certain friendly alien’s insistence that “E.T. phone home,” (15th) from 1982’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
On the lighter side, John Belushi’s exclamations of “Toga! Toga!” from 1978’s Animal House made the list at number 82, while Cuba Gooding Jr.’s rallying cry of “Show me the money!” from 1996’s Jerry Maguire placed 25th on the list.
Then there were the lines that inspired fear in the hearts of all but the most intrepid moviegoers, such as Jack Nicholson’s “Here’s Johnny!” (68th) from 1980’s The Shining, and Haley Joel Osment’s “I see dead people,” from 1999’s The Sixth Sense (44th).
Patrick Swayze’s solemn declaration that “Nobody puts Baby in a corner,” from 1987’s Dirty Dancing squeaked onto the list at number 98 and Margaret Hamilton’s witchy vow, “I”ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!” from The Wizard of Oz came in at number 99.
Rounding out the top 100 was Leonardo DiCaprio’s passionate shout-out from 1997’s Titanic: “I’m king of the world!” (And, please, let that be the last we hear of it.)
The complete list of 100 Movie Quotes: America’s Greatest Quips, Comebacks and Catchphrases can be viewed at www.afi.com.
Here’s a rundown of the top 25 most memorable movie quotes as determined by the AFI:
1. “Frankly, my dear, I don√≠t give a damn.” Gone with the Wind, 1939
2. “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” The Godfather, 1972
3. “You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.” On the Waterfront, 1954
4. “Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” The Wizard of Oz, 1939
5. “Here’s looking at you, kid.” Casablanca, 1942
6. “Go ahead, make my day.” Sudden Impact, 1983
7. “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.” Sunset Boulevard., 1950
8. “May the Force be with you.” Star Wars, 1977
9. “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.” All About Eve, 1950
10. “You talking to me?” Taxi Driver, 1976
11. “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” Cool Hand Luke, 1967
12. “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” Apocalypse Now, 1979
13. “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Love Story, 1970
14. “The stuff that dreams are made of.” The Maltese Falcon, 1941
15. “E.T. phone home.” E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, 1982
16. “They call me Mister Tibbs!” In the Heat of the Night, 1967
17. “Rosebud.” Citizen Kane, 1941
18. “Made it, Ma! Top of the world!” White Heat, 1949
19. “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” Network, 1976
20. “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Casablanca, 1942
21. “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.” The Silence of the Lambs, 1991
22. “Bond. James Bond.” Dr. No, 1962
23. “There’s no place like home.” The Wizard of Oz, 1939
24. “I am big! It’s the pictures that got small.” Sunset Boulevard, 1950
25. “Show me the money!” Jerry Maguire, 1996

Blackwell Says Sheridan Worst Dressed
NEW YORK – Nicollette Sheridan of TV’s “Desperate Housewives” is the worst of the worst when it comes to wardrobe, according to Mr. Blackwell’s annual list of fashion winners and losers.
“In barely-there bombs, she’s a taste-free pain. Let’s crown her the Tacky Temptress of Wisteria Lane,” he wrote in a statement released Tuesday.
Lindsay Lohan was the next target of the acid-tongued critic, who called the starlet “over-hyped and under-dressed.”
However, Blackwell gave kudos to “fabulous fashion independents” Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Barbara Walters, Kate Winslet, Annette Bening, Oprah Winfrey, Scarlett Johansson, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Garner and Sheridan’s on-screen nemesis Teri Hatcher.
This is the 45th year that Blackwell, a former fashion designer, has offered his best- and worst-dressed women lists.
Last year’s worst-dressed star, hotel heiress Paris Hilton, dropped to No. 5. “This is one Hilton that should be closed for renovation!” according to Blackwell.
Other fashion losers include Courtney Love, Serena Williams, Britney Spears, Paula Abdul, Meryl Streep and Anna Nicole Smith.
Sisters Jessica and Ashlee Simpson tied for third place. “These two prove that bad taste is positively genetic!” Blackwell said.
Blackwell said he couldn’t wait to bid farewell to 2004, the year of many “wardrobe malfunctions.”
He added: “Here’s hoping 2005 takes the ultra-feminine look to new heights. Elegance, classicism and restraint are never out of style. Neither is a good 3-way mirror.”

Michael Moore Tops List of Least-Intriguing Stars
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Director Michael Moore, whose anti-Iraq war film “Fahrenheit 9/11” sparked a firestorm of controversy before becoming a post-election footnote, topped an annual list on Monday of Hollywood’s “coldest” celebrities.
The outspoken documentarian, who seemed to be everywhere during the 2004 U.S. presidential campaign, urging defeat of President Bush, ranks No. 1 on this year’s “Frigid 50” roster of lackluster stars published by online movie magazine FilmThreat.com.
The Web site, known for an anti-establishment take on the entertainment industry, said its list names the stars it found to be the “the polar opposite of the hottest celebrities: these are the least powerful, least-inspiring, least-intriguing people in Hollywood.”
Ranked No. 2 was actress Halle Berry, who followed up her Oscar-winning turn in “Monster’s Ball” with less critically lauded roles in such films as “Gothica” and “Catwoman.”
“The Frigid 50 ice pack have left audiences cold with their overbearing personalities, poor career choices and chronic inability to stop making fools of themselves,” the site said.
Moore qualified because of what the editors saw as an oversized ego. “Message to Michael: Remember, it’s not always about you. Lose the chip on your shoulder,” the editors said.
“Fahrenheit 9/11,” hailed by Democrats for its scathing critique of Bush and the U.S.-led war in Iraq but condemned by Republicans as a distorted piece of propaganda, grossed nearly $120 million at the U.S. box office, a record for a political documentary. Moore has said he plans to make a sequel before the next election.
Walt Disney Co. chief executive Michael Eisner was ranked No. 3 on the list, which cited this year’s revolt by dissident shareholders, a hostile takeover bid by Comcast, public spats with Pixar and Miramax and a string of such flops as “Home on the Range, “The Alamo” and “Hidalgo.”
He was followed at No. 4 by director M. Night Shyamalan whose latest thriller, “The Village” and its “surprise ending” were widely seen as falling far short of the pre-release hype.
Comic actors and frequent co-stars Ben Stiller & Owen Wilson were jointly listed at No. 5 for their appearances in a recent string of “mass-produced mediocrity.”
Rounding out the top 10 were: Reese Witherspoon (a “Little Miss Cutesy-Wutesy” whose recent “Vanity Fair” role offered a “disastrous full view of her limitations as an actress”); Jimmy Fallon (“The guy most notorious for blowing his lines on ‘Saturday Night Live’ crossed over to the big screen in ‘Taxi’ — and nobody cared”); Paris Hilton (“She’s like a computer virus out of control and she must be stopped”) and Ben Affleck (“He’s been cursed with the incredible shrinking career”).

Parton’s ‘Always Love You’ Tops CMT List
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the teen movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” one character advises his buddy, “When it comes down to making out, whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV.” Country Music Television has come up with its own list of can’t-miss love songs, but it doesn’t include Zeppelin.
Topping the 100 greatest love songs is Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” a song she took to No. 1 on the country chart in 1974. The tune got a rebirth 18 years later when Whitney Houston made it a No. 1 pop hit and it was featured in the movie “The Bodyguard.”
Parton wasn’t immediately available for comment, but in 1998 she told CMT about a woman who stopped her in an airport and thanked her for writing the lyrics.
“The lady’s father was dying of cancer, and he had never been able to tell his family how much he loved them,” Parton said. “When he heard the song, he went out and bought the cassette and brought each of his children in individually and played the song for them. He said, `These are the words I want you to know are in my heart.'”
Parton called the encounter “one of the proudest moments of my life.”
Rounding out the top 12 love songs: Willie Nelson’s “You Were Always On My Mind”; Patsy Cline’s “Sweet Dreams”; Randy Travis’ “Forever and Ever, Amen”; Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin'”; Garth Brooks’ “Unanswered Prayers”; Lonestar’s “Amazed”; Kenny Rogers’ “She Believes in Me”; George Strait’s “I Cross My Heart”; George Jones and Tammy Wynette’s “Golden Ring”; Merle Haggard’s “That’s The Way Love Goes”; and “When You Say Nothing At All,” a hit for Keith Whitley and later Alison Krauss & Union Station.
CMT released the list Wednesday in a concert in which the top 12 were performed.
Parton was scheduled to be there, as were Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Lee Ann Womack, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley with the Del McCoury Band, Sara Evans, Joe Nichols, Michael McDonald, Lonestar, Josh Turner, Julie Roberts, Buddy Jewell and Raul Malo of The Mavericks.
McDonald, a pop and rock singer with a deep, soulful voice, was to perform Nelson’s song.
“It’s a beautiful song,” McDonald said. “It expresses one of those great sentiments. There’s no one out there who hasn’t experienced that.”
Rogers recalled how “She Believes in Me” stood out when he first heard it and how he knew right away that he wanted to record it.
“I thought it was the ultimate musician’s song,” Rogers said. “In the song it talks about the old guitar in the corner and he’s out trying to hustle and make a living for himself. He comes home and when it really gets tough it’s nice to know she believes in me.”
The two-hour concert will air Sunday on CMT at 8 p.m. and will be preceded by a four-hour documentary about the songs.
The selection process was loose. A team at CMT came up with the list, trying to capture “the full breadth and scope of country music’s rich history of love songs ó in their many aspects,” a spokeswoman said.
Performing someone else’s signature song is both an honor and a challenge, said Nichols, who co-hosted the concert with Evans and teamed with Womack for the duet “Golden Ring.”
“It’s hard not to try to sing like that person, not to do their same mannerisms,” Nichols said.
Nichols added that with the possible exception of drinking, there is no more common theme in country music than love.
Love songs resonate with listeners in all genres, McDonald said, because “nothing permeates everything we do more than that. It’s kind of what drives us, really. There is so much about it. You can never exhaust the subject.”

Zagat: Springsteen Tops Beatles for Popular Album
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Bruce Springsteen is indeed the boss, beating the Beatles and all others for making the most popular album of all time, according to Zagat Survey’s “Music Guide,” which hit stores on Tuesday.
Zagat’s new 332-page guide lists the top 1,000 albums of all time, according to ratings from more than 10,500 music aficionados. Topping the guide’s most popular list is Springsteen’s “Born to Run,” with the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” taking second and third places, respectively.
An original list of 2,500 albums, compiled for guidebook publisher Zagat by music industry specialists, was whittled down to the final 1,000 by respondents, who listed their five favorite albums and then rated other albums they were familiar with on a 30-point scale.
Survey participants applauded Springsteen’s 1975 breakthrough album for its “cinematic vision of American teen-age romanticism” and its “promise of the endless Saturday night.”
“Abbey Road,” on the other hand, was praised by one participant as “the Sistine Chapel of rock ‘n’ roll.”
Rounding out the “most popular” top 10 list are U2’s “The Joshua Tree,” the Beatles’ “The White Album,” Miles Davis’s “Kind of Blue,” Springsteen’s “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” The Beatles’ “Revolver,” Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and U2’s “Achtung Baby.”
The survey’s publisher, Tim Zagat, said he hopes the rankings will spark a lively debate among readers.
“I hope there is some controversy,” Zagat said in an interview. “People can argue until the cows come home over whether Mozart was a better songwriter than Bob Dylan, but just that you are juxtaposing Dylan and Mozart catches you by surprise and makes you think.”
Zagat, best known for restaurant guides based on customer surveys, also publishes books on travel, shopping and most recently, wireless Internet hotspots.
The music guide, which sells for $14.95, also ranks the top 12 albums in 22 genres ranging from blues to classical to hip-hop. It also lists music recommended for specific occasions.
The “make-out” list includes Marvin Gaye’s “Anthology” and Prince’s “Purple Rain,” while the soundtrack to “Flashdance” and ABBA’s “Gold/Greatest Hits” top the “work-out” list.