The IMDB Top 100 - #3 The Godfather II

I started writing a short history for each of the Top 100 films on the American Film Institutes list, and then I realized that the AFI list is problematic for a few different reasons. It only represents the opinions of film critics, it stays within the boundaries of Hollywood and American born films, and it tends to pander towards the classics with films that were extremely important but don't necessarily represent the opinions of those that watch them, the movie going public.

So, I present the exact same project with the Top 100 movies from The Internet Movie Database's Top 250 list. The IMDB list is a much greater tool, and one I've used in the past because it's dynamic. Over the course of the years it has changed substantially adding new films, removing old films and generally reflecting the opinions of those that watch the films.

You may have read my short summary and history of the number one film on IMDB, The Godfather, so it's probably no surprise to see at number three, the 1974 sequel, The Godfather II. It takes a truly epic franchise for the sequel to any film to ever surpass its origins. Star Wars pulled it off. So did The Lord of the Rings and a very small handful of others, but the original masterpiece sequel was The Godfather II. Made very shortly after the first film won a slew of awards and took home a decent chunk of change at the box office, The Godfather II takes off in telling the story of events immediately following the first film, while also delving deeper into the past of Vito Corleone and his rise to power.

The motives for Vito's life in America, from the roots of his family's history in Sicily and the ruthlessness of the mafia toward his father, to the emigration and subsequently finding his way hard in America as well due to organized crime. In the end, his solution is to join the procession, committing his first crime with Clemenza, stealing a rug.