Welcome to the Weekly Movie Thread, your place on the Avocado to discuss films with your fellow commenters. Want to make a recommendation? Looking for recommendations? Want to share your opinions of movies, both new and classic?

This year, it’s the 50th anniversary of the sequel that’s often cited as being as good or better than the first movie, The Godfather, Part II.

Part II expands on the first movie’s tale about immigrant families by splitting the story between two timelines. The first follows Michael Corleone as he strives to follow the American dream and take his family business legit, but ends up destroying his family in the process.

The second follows Vito Corleone as he ascends from an unwanted orphan to the head of the Mafia. It is, in a way, a similar story to Michael’s. Instead of destroying his family, though, everything he does is to protect them. His journey builds a community and respect among his peers, while Michael’s is to gain power.

The movie ends with Vito Corleone’s family gathered for a family dinner in one timeline. While in the other timeline, Michael sits alone after ordering a hit on his brother, Fredo.

After all, family has no place in a world of ambition.

Bonus prompt: what movie best portrays the pitfalls of the “American dream”?