The Godfather

1972

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Netflix says… When organized-crime family patriarch Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son steps in to take care of the would-be killers, launching a campaign of bloody revenge in this Oscar-winning epic.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at the American Film Institute’s number two film of all time. Honestly, if it were me, I’d have kept it the way it was on the original list from the 90s, leaving Casablanca at #2 and The Godfather at #3. But, then again, if I was in charge, there’s no way Citizen Kane would be #1.

I digress. I like The Godfather. But I think I like the sequel better. I’m one of those guys. And I also think that the third one is worthless and should have never been made. Seriously, what did that movie accomplish?

Anyway, when I was growing up, I always felt like it would be a waste of my time to watch a mafia movie. Even this mafia movie. THE mafia movie. I thought they were boring. Then, one day, I watched it. And I thought it was great. In spite of Marlon Brando. I mean, I liked the second one better, but it’s still a great movie.

I don’t ascribe the same level of respect that Tom Hanks does in You’ve Got Mail. But it is an enjoyable film. Sure, it’s violent… but it’s the early 70s. So the blood is too red to be real. You should watch it.

Next week, we come to the end. And I’ll leave it to you whether or not you should watch Citizen Kane. I won’t suggest it. But I will… grudgingly.