Rocky

1976.
#78 / #57
Winner of 3 Academy Awards.

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) trains for his title fight against Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). But really, he's falling in love with the pet store girl, Adrian (Talia Shire).

Sarah: Eddie insisted we watch this movie together, even though I told him I've already seen it. I ended up being glad to re-watch it because I had forgotten a few details (spoiler: I had forgotten that Rocky loses the fight). One thing I had blocked out was how stressed this movie makes me feel. Stallone manages to make Rocky so vulnerable and helpless, which is why this movie made it to the list. It's not just a sports movie. However, there were two things I didn't understand:

1. Apollo Creed's evil plan.
2. Boxing in general. (There are judges? What?)

All in all I was glad this was on the list, it's fun, simple, and sweet.

Eddie: Lately, Sarah and I have been watching a lot of movies that are good, but don't deserve to be on the list (or don't deserve to be listed as high as they are). ROCKY is just the opposite. Not only does it belong on the list, it should be much, much higher. ROCKY is more than a boxing movie. It's a love story. And it's a story of redemption. The Rocky-Adrian love story dominates the first hour of the movie, with only cursory scenes about boxing. Both Stallone and Shire turn in such brilliant performances - he as the hulking oaf and she as the shy pet store girl - that you are rooting for them to get together.

And the redemption story is palpable throughout. The good ROCKY movies (I, II, V, and VI) are all about the Italian Stallion redeeming himself. Rocko is a guy from the gutter of Philadelphia. He gets a shot at the title, and he makes the most of it. "No one's ever gone the distance with Creed," he tells Adrian. And then he does. Pure inspiration.

My only guff with the AFI is their omission of ROCKY II from the list. I think that the sequel raises the stakes of the love story and the quest for redemption (without going over the top like ROCKY III and IV do).

Why You Should See It: Rocky and Adrian's first date ice-skating. So uncomfortable, yet so charming.

The Godfather Part II

1974.

#32 / #32

Winner of 6 Academy Awards.

THE GODFATHER PART II follows Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) roughly a decade after the events of the first film. Michael has consolidated the Corleone crime family and moved its headquarters to Nevada. After an attempt on his life, he maneuvers U.S. politics and international business while dealing with a traitor in his own family. The film also chronicles Don Vito Corleone's (Robert De Niro) childhood in Sicily and immigration to New York, where he quickly establishes himself as the godfather.

Eddie: This is the highest ranked sequel on the AFI list, and it easily deserves the honor. THE GODFATHER PART II is just as good as the first one, although this one is far, far darker than its predecessor. While the first film is a movie about family, this one is about power. Michael has made a Faustian bargain, selling his soul for the American dream. Al Pacino turns in the best performance of his career, and Robert De Niro brilliantly balances Brando's portrayal of the Don with his own take on the iconic role.

The performance that steals the show, though, is that of John Cazale, who reprises his role as Fredo Corleone. Cazale plays Fredo with honesty and vulnerability, making him the complete antithesis to his younger brother, Michael. If THE GODFATHER PART II were King Lear, then Cazale's Fredo is Cordelia. (Oops. Spoiler alert.)

Sarah: I don't like this movie as much as the first one. I mean, it is great, and Eddie is right about it, but to me the focus should always be on the family. (My Italian heritage is showing.) The family dynamic is what makes the movie great, and when these parts do come up, I am totally engaged. The rest just reminds me of things I wasn't allowed to ask about when I was younger, for fear of being hit by a wooden spoon.

Why You Should See It: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners..." Bang.

The Godfather

1972.

#3 / #2

Winner of 3 Academy Awards.

THE GODFATHER tells the story of the Corleone crime family, focusing on the third oldest son's rise to take his father's place as Don. The film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, and Abe Vigoda.

Eddie: THE GODFATHER is one of my favorite movies. I've probably seen it twenty times, and each time, I find something new that enhances my enjoyment of the movie. The performances are all perfection. You can't find a single moment that you'd change.

But the real beauty of the film is its story, based on the bestselling novel of the same name. The story's not about mafia or crime: It's about family. It's inconsequential how you feel about gangster movies. This flick is universal because everyone can relate to having a family, to struggling to live up to the example that your parents have set. (Of course, for most of us, that doesn't involve becoming a mafia boss.) Underscoring the importance of family are the two events that bookend the movie - a wedding and a baptism. Too good. Too solid of a movie to skip. Too great.

Sarah: My family watches this film every year on Thanksgiving. And being Italian, I can relate to the focus on family and food. Eddie already said everything, so I will only add that there are so many life lessons to be learned from THE GODFATHER.

Why You Should See It: Michael (Pacino) tells Fredo (John Cazale), "Don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again." It's a great moment where mafia and family collide.