One week from tonight, on the CBS network (not just cable, so this is a big deal!), the American Film Institute is naming its “Top Ten” movies—one from each genre—as part of its “100 Years, 100 Movies” campaign. The genres are as follows: Animation, Fantasy, Romanic Comedy, Sci-Fi, Western, Gangster, Sports, Courtroom Drama, Mystery, Epic. Movies have an ability to inspire, especially if we attend a flick from a genre that we love.
Today and over each of the next several days, I’ll examine a genre or two per day, make note of the contenders and give you my favorites and my pick both for which film will win and which one I’d vote for. I doubt they’ll ever be the same. Then it’ll be your turn to post something here and tell us your favs!

In the Animated Film category, everyone’s got a favorite. The “Shrek” series has been super-popular lately. The original Disney mainstays (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Fantasia,” “Peter Pan”) were the first and most enduring. The Pixar pix have had the most momentum lately. The ballot is available for viewing here . In the meantime…
I’ve loved the first fifteen minutes of “Aladdin” (1992), most of “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), and all of “Cars” (2006). “The Lion King” (1994) made the deepest impression on me among all animated films of all time, due to its ability to compare the purpose for which we’re born with the life we often settle for. I appreciated “Mulan” (1998) for its inspiration of young women to never compromise, “Tarzan” (1999) for Phil Collins’ soundtrack which played like a near-two-hour music video, and “Toy Story” (1995) for its innovation. All were enough to cause my kids (and my wife and I) to live better tomorrow than we did yesterday. All are good DVD purchases.
Most Inspiring to Me: “The Lion King”
What should win: “Fantasia”
What will win: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”