AFI's 100 Years, 100 Movies; AFI's 100 Years, 100 Stars

Ah, the Joy of Lists: the close of the 20th century saw a bit of a flurry in the arts as several august institutions proffered their "best" lists in areas ranging from literature to cinema (more often than not setting off a brouhaha over the choices). The American Film Institute's selection of the 100 best films (all available--detractors pointed out--from the major studios, with scant independent film representation) proved no exception. AFI's 100 Years, 100 Movies, a nearly 8 hour (minus the commercials) commemorative retrospective that originally aired on TV, loosely arranges those 100 titles in 10 thematic episodes, such as "Against the Grain," "War and Peace," "Love Crazy," and "Fantastic Flights." Hosted by Jodie Foster, Sally Field and Richard Gere, and narrated by James Woods, the series is bolstered by a long roster of star talent, including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Julia Roberts and Woody Allen. A loving, hypnotically watchable tribute (warning: endings are revealed on some films), this is warmly recommended. Aud: H, C, P.Speaking of stars, AFI's 100 Years,100 Stars cranks up the luminosity considerably in its examination of America's greatest screen legends (nominees had to appear in a film prior to 1950 to qualify). Elizabeth Taylor, Clark Gable, Henry Fonda, Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire, Greta Garbo, Marlon Brando, Ingrid Bergman, James Stewart, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, these are just the upper echelons of the list of 100 male and female stars. 50 more contemporary stars comment on their peers, including Jim Carrey, Cher, Richard Dreyfus, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Goldie Hawn, Dustin Hoffman, Shirley Maclaine, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Sylvester Stallone, and Rod Steiger, and while the comments are predictably adulatory, occasionally the kudos are particularly well-phrased (Whoopi Goldberg on Cary Grant in Arsenic and Old Lace: "truly one of the great wet-your-seat movies"). Hosted by Shirley Temple Black (#18), this wonderful tribute, which initially aired on CBS, is loverly indeed. Enthusiastically recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)