The Birth of a "Notion"

In June 1998, the American Film Institute (AFI) compiled a list of the top 100 films of all time. AFI issued a press release and then aired a television special, unveiling the list along with clips from all of the movies. AFI's list launched discussions and memories of movies old and new at dinner tables and inside barber shops across the nation. Everyone was a critic, and everyone seemed interested in voicing their opinion.

The Searchers

Soon after the AFI special aired, Blockbuster Movies put gold stickers on video rentals picked as one of the top 100 films. We thought, as well rounded individuals, it was only right to become more movie literate in what were considered the best films ever made. We began working our way through AFI's list.

As we viewed more of the top 100 flicks, our curiosity grew about what others were thinking about AFI’s list. We hit the Web, looking for AFI companion sites and came up with a surprisingly few number of hits. The ones we found, we devoured. We examined how our fellow novice, and sometimes not-so-novice, movie buffs rated the films.

We became re-inspired to critique and decided to create a Web site. Our first attempt at a Web site was a bit clumsy. For His and Her Movies Picks version 1.0, we avoided talking about the movie or reading the other's review before writing our own review. That way, we reasoned, it would keep our reviews as fresh and unique as possible, uninfluenced by each other's opinions.

Unfortunately, we also found that style of review rather boring. We weren't professional movie critics. Why should we try to emulate them?

We retooled the site. The reviews got a facelift, using a more conversational "He-said/She-said" approach. After all, we're a married couple, so we know a thing or two about creatively disagreeing.

Ordinary People

As you peruse our site, keep this caveat in mind: We are neither film experts nor professional movie critics. If you want to read an elitist opinion on why the camerawork in The Third Man smacked of French Revivalism, open the New York Times. We'll just tell you why the movie pretty much sucked.

We're simply a married couple giving you what we felt was lacking in the realm of movie reviews — the voice of the average film buff. Simply put, we give you everyman's and everywoman's opinion on the cinema classics.

Sometimes you will notice stark differences in our opinions of a movie. Such sharp contrariety can be developed only through years of marriage.

From Here to Eternity

Please understand that this site is an ongoing project. At this point, we have seen about 90 percent of AFI’s list, but we are still transferring and rewriting the reviews from our old site. We'll try to add a couple of new reviews every month.

Our "His" and "Her" lists will also undoubtedly change as we see more movies and our tastes evolve. So please stop by our site regularly, as it will be in constant flux.

We also encourage you to take a look at The Readers' Top 100 and, if you haven't done so, rank your Top 10 movies. Enjoy!