1. Citizen Kane
On the top of the many "best movie of all time" lists, and with good reason. While it may seem boring to people in my generation, it shows how movies used to be original and ambitious, without a 500 million dollar budget. Only a great actor/director could make a word such as "rosebud" a staple in cinematic vocabulary. It should be watched just to say that you watched it.
2. The Godfather
Also one of those films that top the "best of" lists. Considered the greatest mobster movie of all time, and how could you argue with that, with a group of actors such as Brando, Pacino, Duvall, and Caan at the helm. It's an all-star cast, like The Expendables without all the corny middle-aged action.
3. The Shawshank Redemption
Just a really good film. A great story, and great acting by the leads. Not to mention a wonderful score, and the fact that Stephen King wrote it makes it even more compelling. Another Stephen King novel turned film up for consideration: The Green Mile.
4. Rocky
The ultimate underdog film. Can you believe Sylvester Stallone actually wrote this story? He didn't just write it, he won an oscar for it!
5. The Empire Strikes Back
The movie Clerks said it best: "Empire had the better ending. I mean, Luke gets his hand cut off, finds out Vader's his father, Han gets frozen and taken away by Boba Fett. It ends on such a down note. I mean, that's what life is, a series of down endings. All "Jedi" had was a bunch of Muppets." Although my personal favorite was Return of the Jedi, most fans of Star Wars would say that Empire was the better film.
6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
This film made over one billion dollars worldwide, and with good reason. Peter Jackson truly created a detailed universe that rivaled the likes of the Star Wars and Harry Potter.
7. Airplane!
Most modern comedies have taken a page from this very movie. This is the one comedy on the list. I considered Dumb & Dumber for the sheer hilarity, but Airplane! is a classic, and Dumb & Dumber probably considers Airplane! their inspiration.
8. The Dark Knight
My superhero movie on the list, however I do not really consider it a superhero movie. It's more of a movie about the human psyche, and the power of choice and consequences of those choices. Up for consideration would be Christopher Nolan's other films: Memento and Inception.
9. Indiana Jones & The Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones was a staple in my childhood growing up. He was everything I wanted to be, the ultimate adventurer. I even wanted to pursue a career in archeology until I found out archeology is the last thing Indy did. In fact, he was a horrible professor, but if I was a college student, that would be the class I'd want to take because I would never have to worry about showing up.
10. Big Fish
This one is my dark horse in this list. In my personal opinion, it's Tim Burton's best film, and I think the reason I believe that is because it's the one movie that Tim does that is bright and colorful as opposed to dark and gothic. The story is great as well, with an amazing ending.
I want to hear from you. Obviously I didn't list off independent films. Let me know what you think.
