To qualify as an American, see these movies (Part 3)

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Mark Metcalf offers his list of films you must see to “seriously qualify yourself as an American.”

MASTER’S DEGREE

Magnolia (1999): When it rains frogs and you even think Tom Cruise is good, the film must be wonderful.

Any five Laurel and Hardy shorts: Start with Night Owls (1930), Way Out West (1937), and Pardon Us (1937), then find some more you like.

Fail-Safe (1964): The melodrama of “The Bomb.” It ruled us all for decades.

The Pride of the Yankees (1942): The Iron Man, the natural, baseball, a good wife, and summer.

White Heat (1949): Cagney, “top of the world, Ma!”

Hail the Conquering Hero (1944): We’ll throw a party for any old thing; we’ll find a hero where ever we can.

Goodfellas (1990): Martin Scorsese has done Italian gangsters many different ways. This is the best; Mean Streets is the original.

Do the Right Thing (1989): Ann Coulter may think there are only a handful or racists in America, but we know better, and Spike Lee knows best.

To visit the full list, start here with Part 1 (Introduction & High School Diploma), or click here for Part 2 (Bachelor’s).

Doctorate Degree: Coming soon!

For more of TCD’s film coverage, including Mark Metcalf’s “Moving Pictures” reviews, visit our Film Page.