Appreciating all that makes America special

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What’s the greatest American film of all time? Can’t decide? Well then, what’s your favorite movie? Do you love the classics, or ignore anything before 1980? Comedies, courtroom dramas, casts of thousands – we have them all at Great American Things.


Film: The Verdict

Posted by on Sep 18, 2009 in Film | Comments Off on Film: The Verdict

Movie fans, and Paul Newman fans in particular, can debate his most outstanding role. For me, it’s his portrayal of recovering...

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Film: The Sound of Music

Posted by on Sep 7, 2009 in Film | Comments Off on Film: The Sound of Music

There aren’t many good musicals made anymore, probably because they don’t typically involve explosions, aliens, or extensive...

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Book/Movie: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Posted by on Aug 26, 2009 in Film | 1 comment

For the first time, a listing covers both a book and a movie. Both are exceptionally good, and could be here separately. But that would be...

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Film: Young Frankenstein

Posted by on Aug 16, 2009 in Film | Comments Off on Film: Young Frankenstein

When Mel Brooks was good (Young Frankenstein) he was very, very good. When he was bad (Spaceballs), it was uncomfortable to watch. In 1974,...

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Film: Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Posted by on Aug 7, 2009 in Film | 1 comment

You’ve got to love a film in which a character sings “Danke Schoen” in the shower. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a...

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Film: Citizen Kane

Posted by on Jul 27, 2009 in Film | Comments Off on Film: Citizen Kane

It’s generally acknowledged to be the finest film ever made. And you’ll get no argument from me. If it were technically...

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Film: Fargo

Posted by on Jul 16, 2009 in Film | 2 comments

No one who’s seen this film will ever look at a wood chipper the same as before. You betcha. It’s a movie that begins by...

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Film: Animal House

Posted by on Jul 8, 2009 in Film | 3 comments

Let’s total up the number of Academy Award nominations Animal House accumulated. Hmm. None. Then surely it’s on the American...

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Film: The Shawshank Redemption

Posted by on Jun 29, 2009 in Film | 3 comments

Uplifting. That’s a word you don’t usually associate with the writings of Stephen King. And it’s not often you associate...

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Film: The Godfather

Posted by on Jun 21, 2009 in Film | 2 comments

Can you imagine anyone playing the part of Don Corleone other than Marlon Brando? Well, here are some of the people who wanted the part:...

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