It’s been awhile since we reviewed an AFI top 100 film, but this time, we have three new ones to share with you. You can find each of our his and hers reviews here, but for those of you who aren’t familiar with the project, Keegan and I are working our way through the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time list. Sometimes, we agree. Others, we couldn’t be further apart.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Lane: I absolutely loved this one. Jack Nicholson is well known for his performance in this (and rightfully so), but I was equally impressed by all the other actors and actresses as well. Each carefully crafted character was believable and three-dimensional. The ending has a big twist, which for me, was unexpected, and it left me with a lot of questions about insane asylums, Jack Nicholson’s character and Nurse Rachett. Two, enthusiastic thumbs up.

Keegan: I had seen this once before in college, but liked it better this time than I remembered. Nicholson is awesome throughout the entire film, and I don’t remember hating Nurse Rachett as much the first time as I did this round. It has a tragic ending that seems to be consistent with the other films of this era. It’s one of my top 10 films.

Annie Hall*
Lane: Annie Hall is a quintessential Woody Allen movie, so I was sort of bracing myself to watch it. I’m not a big fan of his films and still get creeped out by his relationship with Soon Yi. However, as is often the case with the list, I ended up liking the movie. It was a little slow at times, but his character’s relationship with Diane Keaton in the movie is funny, flawed and real. Also, the fashion is really good. Overall, I would say I liked this one, but please don’t make me watch Scoop ever again.

Keegan:  I liked this one so much I had to ask what the plot was for this movie before writing this, and we watched it about 2 weeks ago. It had moments of entertainment, and I can kind of see why people like Woody Allen, but I’m out.

The Bridge on the River Kwai
Lane: I liked this one too, though it was long……………lots of walking around in a jungle here. I felt like huge parts of the film could have been whittled down. That being said this movie says a lot of important things about free will, following rules blindly, the follies that come with honor and WWII. I would recommend watching it, but drink a little coffee first, okay?

Keegan: I was really excited about this film and really enjoyed about 4/5’s of it. The other 20% (as mentioned above) is a lot of walking, still shots, and close ups on stressed faces. It is a really good movie, and as much as you think you can predict the ending, you won’t get it right. I recommend watching this one and catching a nap from about the 2:00-2:20 mark.

*Editor’s Note: Snow White is supposed to come between Annie Hall and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Keegan hasn’t seen it, so we will watch it. Unfortunately, getting our hands on a copy is next to impossible.