My Own Subjective Top 10 Movies of 2013

Hello, faithful readers.

I told you I'd be back.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I still plan on occasionally posting. I've just given up on regular posting for now. So I've decided to reappear, momentarily, to present to you my top ten list of movies I saw this past year. Remember, these films on this list don't need to have been made in 2013 to qualify, that just has to be the year that I watched them for the first time. Make sense? If not, you can check out past years' lists from 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Truth be told, I thought it was going to be hard to populate my list with ten exceptional movies this year. For a while there in 2013, I went through a string of movies that disappointed me, movies that I was completely indifferent about, movies I disliked and movies I absolutely hated, and yet I still found more than 10 movies to which I gave a rating of four stars or more. And here they are, in a very particular order:





10. Strangers on a Train (1951) - The reason that Strangers on a Train succeeds is because of its antagonist. Robert Walker plays a character that is both charming and terrifying. Plus, Hitchcock does an excellent job of creating suspense and making the viewer feel anxious for the protagonist as well as the antagonist. The climax is a little silly, but this film, overall, is another example of why the name of Alfred Hitchcock will always be remembered.







 



9. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) - Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon brings a fresh feel and a fresh face to the slasher genre. It's quite entertaining how this film points out how much planning, how much preparation and how much luck would be needed for the murders in those types of horror movies. It also lets us enjoy a full-fledged slasher movie after showing everything that is going on behind the scenes. I was pleasantly surprised by this film. 





 



8. Life of Pi (2012) - Life of Pi is a beautiful movie, both visually and thematically. This film reminded me of how much I enjoyed the book. Also, I was impressed with Suraj Sharma, who carried his first movie mostly on his own. The CGI is cartoony at parts, but it's easy to get lost in the story and forget that most of what you're seeing is nothing more than visual effects. This is a wonderful adaptation of an excellent novel.






 



7. Looper (2012) - Looper is a clever film. Time travel is always a sticky issue, but this movie embraces the impossibilities and invites the audience to just enjoy the ride. Whatever flaws this movie may have, it makes up for it with its creativity. Plus, Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes a great Bruce Willis. We need more movies like Looper -- creative and smart movies.







 




6. The Impossible (2012) - If you're not sure if your tear ducts are working, watch The Impossible. This movie will inspire terror, despair and, perhaps most of all, hope. However, this movie doesn't feel sappy or emotionally manipulative. The acting is superb - even the child actors give amazingly realistic performances - and the special effects are horrifying. This is an amazing true story brought to life on the big screen, and it is a good reminder of what truly matters in this world.









5. The World's End (2013) - The World's End isn't as comedic as Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, but it's still a solid action flick. It's interesting to see Nick Frost play the sensible character and Simon Pegg play the screw-up. Plus, it features a good ensemble cast. The plot is simple, yet fun, and the special effects are spectacular. It's not a perfect movie, but it's an entertaining movie and a suitable end to the Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy.













4. Argo (2012) - Argo is a well-made movie based on a fascinating true story. No, it's not 100-percent historically accurate, but it presents the plot in a way that works on the big screen. This drama is also subtly comedic, and it features excellent acting by the entire cast. I'll be interested to see if this one holds up as well on subsequent viewings.









 

3. Wreck-it Ralph (2012) - I enjoyed Wreck-It Ralph more than I thought I would. Even though the trailer spoiled most of the funny stuff, this movie features a heart-warming story about accepting who you are. The animation is literally full of eye candy, and it features enough nerdy video game references to keep me happy. Yes, Wreck-It Ralph has some flaws (e.g. Sarah Silverman); however, as I learned from this movie, we should try to look past the flaws and see the good. I've seen this film multiple times and it holds up quite well.











2. Silver Linings Playbook (2012) - Silver Linings Playbook is technically a romantic comedy, but I hesitate to lump it in with all of the other cookie-cutter rom-coms out there. It is one of the most unique romantic comedies I've ever seen. Plus, it doesn't have that pretentious "quirky for quirky's sake" feel that many independent films do. Bradley Cooper is surprisingly good in his role and Jennifer Lawrence is impressive as always. This is an intelligent movie with an entertaining story about broken people who are trying to help each other become whole.







And the best movie that I saw in 2013 was...
















1. Gravity (2013) - Gravity isn't just a movie, it's an experience. It's an experience of sight, it's an experience of sound and it's an emotional experience, as well. This film makes you feel like you are drifting among the stars, instead of just showing you a story set in space. The visual effects are unique, awe-inspiring and terrifying, and while the plot is simple, there is beauty in its simplicity. I've never seen a movie quite like Gravity.

Also, as an honorable mention, this past year I enjoyed World War Z (2013), Jack Reacher (2012), Zero Dark Thirty (2012), Safety Not Guaranteed (2012), The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966) and The Dirty Dozen (1967), as well, but they weren't quite favorite enough to bump out anything in my top ten.

Let's hope 2014 brings about even more difficult choices as to what to include in my top ten list! Thanks for reading!

My Own Subjective Top 10 Movies of 2011

For the past couple of years, I have posted a list of my top 10 movies I've watched in the previous calendar year. 2011 is no exception. Below are movies that I saw for the first time this past year that made a big impression on me. This year seemed to be harder than most - I had a list of over 20 fantastic films that I had to whittle down to these top ten best:

10. Spirited Away (2001) - Spirited Away presents an imaginative new world with fantastic characters and creatures. It reminds me of movies such as Labyrinth and Alice and Wonderland, where the bizarre becomes acceptable and reality is easily suspended. This is the first film I had ever seen by Hayao Miyazaki, and I was blown away by his stylized animation and fantastic imagery. This film won't be enjoyable for some (it's very odd), but Miyazaki's folkloric fantasy is undeniably unique.

9. Tangled (2010) - Tangled is a cute, cute movie. The animation is brilliant, the characters are fun and the story is entertaining. I could easily see this being performed on Broadway and Mother Gothel being the coveted role for many an actress. I will admit that I liked the book Rapunzel's Revenge better than this movie, but Tangled still felt like the return of classic Disney animated movies.

8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011) - This isn't my favorite Harry Potter movie, but this film is a fitting finish to the Harry Potter series. It packs a powerful dramatic punch and shows how far our characters have come from the original movie. I was bothered by some changes they made from the book, but I understand (kind of) why they had to do it. I'm sad to see the Harry Potter films go, but it was a great ride.

7. Best Worst Movie (2009) - Best Worst Movie is surprisingly deep for a documentary about "Troll 2." For those of you that haven't seen Troll 2, please stop reading this post and do it now. It's one of those movies that is so bad that it's good. This documentary is very humorous at times, but it also delves into serious drama. It's probably better if you have seen Troll 2, but if you haven't seen it, this documentary will stir a desire in you to watch one of the best worst movies ever made.

6. Devil (2010) - Devil is the result of M. Night Shyamalan coming up with a story, and then letting other people write the screenplay and direct the film - and it works. This surprisingly clean horror movie has some well-done creepy moments and interesting twists. It reminded me of a Twilight Zone or X-files episode. Plus, it has a very faith-affirming message, despite the demonic title.

5. Catfish (2010) - The less you know about Catfish, the better. Just know that 1. It's a real documentary and 2. It's absolutely fascinating to watch the story unfold. I went into this movie expecting one thing and was completely taken off guard by where it ended up. Even if you know how it all ends, this movie is still worth a watch.

4. The Social Network (2010) - The Social Network presents a fascinating take on the origins of Facebook and the social media craze. David Fincher does a spectacular job of creating complex characters that go from despicable to likable and back in a matter of minutes. From the story to the acting to the soundtrack - this movie excelled. I was surprised by how much I liked this film, even with all the hype surrounding it.

3. 127 Hours (2010) - 127 Hours is Aron Ralston's amazing story, told beautifully by Danny Boyle and his filmmaking crew. James Franco gives a very believable performance as Ralston and it's hard not to get caught up in it all. This high-quality film is upbeat and uplifting, despite the grim subject matter. Danny Boyle has already impressed me with a number of his films already, and this one has firmly cemented him into one of my favorite directors of all time.

2. Kick-@$$ (2010) - I feel that Kick-@$$ would have been better as a PG-13 movie. Sure, this would have upset the comic book fan boys, but the strong, vulgar language and intense violence are distractions from the heart of this movie. At its core, this is an inspiring film about humanity rising to its full potential, and it's a fresh take on the superhero genre. The acting, plot, costume design, art direction, cinematography and soundtrack are all very well done, but I think the general public didn't embrace this movie because it is, simply, too much and I wouldn't recommend watching it unless you have a Clearplay DVD player, like me, or could find an edited version.












And my #1 favorite movie of 2011 is. . .

1. The Muppets (2011) - Watching The Muppets made me feel like a kid again. I honestly felt great after watching this movie. The humor in this loving tribute is quick and plentiful, plus, at its core, this movie has a heart. It's not a campy/cheesy reboot like many of the half-hearted attempts from studio executives today, vainly attempting to re-live their childhood. The Muppets is a well-made well-thought-out sequel to the other Muppet movies and should please both the Muppet lover as well as newcomers to the world of Jim Henson. I loved this movie and I gladly welcome it to the Muppet canon.



So there you have it, faithful readers, those are my top ten movies that I saw in 2011. I understand that all art is subjective, and that you may (and probably do) disagree with some of the choices on this list, but I would still recommend all of the movies on this list for your viewing enjoyment.

I'd also like to give honorable mentions to The King's Speech (2010) , Dear Frankie (2004), Rio (2011), Paper Moon (1973), Interview with the Vampire (1994), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994), (500) Days of Summer (2009), RED (2010), X-Men: First Class (2011), Super 8 (2011) and True Grit (2010). Overall, 2011 was a pretty good year for movies.

My Own Subjective Top 10 Movies of 2010

All you faithful readers out there know that I normally don't share personal information or stories on this blog, but this week I would like to share something with you that is near and dear to my heart: movies.

Last year I made a list of my favorite films that I saw during 2009. I'd like to do the same thing once again for 2010 because, well, I like countdown lists and I like looking back at the year gone by. So, once again, here are my favorite movies (in a very particular order) that I saw for the first time this year.

10. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
Pure creativity - that's how I describe this movie. It tells an original story in a very original manner. I will admit that the movie won me over almost immediately with the 8-bit Universal Studios logo and music at the very beginning. Classic! It's not for everyone, but if you're a fan of video games (which I am) then this film will probably appeal to you.

9. Trekkies (1997)
I will state, up front, that I am not a Star Trek fan. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a full episode of the series, but I was thoroughly entertained by this documentary. This movie shows respect for fans of Star Trek, but it also shows that Trekkies (or Trekkers) are able to laugh at themselves.

8. Up in the Air (2009)
George Clooney gives yet another spectacular performance as a man with commitment issues (he plays that character a lot, doesn't he?). In fact, practically every person in this film delivers a realistic and engaging performance. It's kind of stressful, though, so be prepared for that. This film also made me want to travel more, but that desire will quickly go away once I get to the security checkpoint line at the airport.





 





7. Moon (2009)
I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, but Moon definitely made an impression on me. Sam Rockwell carries the weight of this film on both of his shoulders and he carries it well. It's definitely a slower movie, but the conclusion is well worth the wait.





 




6. District 9 (2009)
Maybe I am a sci-fi fan. . .this is the third one on this list. Some of you are resisting watching this movie, but I will state again, this film features some of the best character development I've seen on the screen. This was director Neill Blomkamp's first feature film and it featured relatively unknown actors in the cast, yet it still managed to be successful at the box office and with critics. Let's hear it for South Africa!

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
Yes, I am a Harry Potter fan, but even I got frustrated with J.K. Rowling as she kept our protagonists spinning their wheels in the forest for a HUGE chunk of the 7th book. However, this movie was very entertaining considering the material they had to deal with (spoiler alert: nothing happens). Plus, it got me really excited for Part 2 and the finale of the Harry Potter film series.

4. Toy Story 3 (2010)
My kids are in love with this film. It isn't as funny as the first movie (which, can you believe, came out over 15 years ago?) and not as quirky as the second movie, but Toy Story 3 packs the most powerful emotional punch of the three. If Pixar is smart (and I think they are) they'll put the series to rest after this film. It was an exceptionally good ending to the trilogy.

3. Inception (2010)
Inception was exercise for my brain. Christopher Nolan proves, once again, that he is one of the best directors of our time. He also wrote this movie, which makes it even more impressive. Nolan has directed seven feature films, out of which I've seen six and I've been seriously impressed by each one. Inception allows you to come to your own conclusions, yet it is thoroughly satisfying.

2. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
This movie was so much fun - I crack up each time I watch it. The humor is quick and witty and there are new funny things each time I see it. In addition, it is full of fun visuals, bright colors and clever animation. I wish I could have seen it in 3D. Plus, it's a movie where delicious free food falls from the sky - who doesn't love that?










And my #1 movie of 2010 is. . .









1. Zombieland (2009)

Is this really a surprise? I love zombies, I love comedy and I really appreciate clever stories. Zombieland has it all. I got to watch this one for the first time on my birthday and it's also one of the few movies on this list that I now own - my wife even likes it. This is my favorite movie that I saw this past year and, if you haven't been, I highly recommend taking a trip to Zombieland yourself - edited, of course. :)


This year was filled with a lot of mediocre movies, so I'd also like to give an honorable mention to Sherlock Holmes, Resident Evil, Troll 2, Inglourious Basterds, My Date with Drew, The Blind Side and Fantastic Mr. Fox who all came very close to making my top ten.

I'm excited to see what movies 2011 brings!

My 100th Post - A Celebration in D Flat

Wow! 100 Posts! I really need to get a life. . .or a bigger audience - one of the two.

I started Slice of Fried Gold to share some (slices) of the funny, stupid and interesting articles/videos (fried gold) that I found on the internet. I would then write the articles with a bunch of random embedded links (a la Dave Barry) so that you can enjoy your read on multiple levels. And now, 100 posts later my posts are in AMAZING 3-D and HD with SPECIAL GUEST STARS - all at a special low monthly rate!!!

Ok, so they're pretty much the same. But isn't a little consistency nice sometimes?

So I've decided in honor of my 100th post, I'd like to countdown my top ten favorite Slice of Fried Gold posts. Some of you faithful readers joined late in the game, so this will be a good chance to catch up on earlier reading.

Now, some of the posts on here were really cool finds, but this top ten list was made to honor those articles that required a little more effort and showed off some writing skills. Yes, some of them are doubled up, but that's because it's my blog and it's my prerogative. Deal with it!

Here they are, in a particular order:

10. It's Not Just You and Mein Fuhr-osting! - These were two stories that I had a hard time believing actually happened, but I really enjoyed researching them and writing about them. I hope they make you think twice about the roommates you choose, and what you name your children.

9. Literal TV Titles - This is one of my articles that made it to the IMDb Hit List. It was a way for me to vent about the shows that I didn't like, and even make fun of the ones I did like. It's funny how defensive people get when you mock their favorite TV show - even if they deserve it *COUGH*TYRA*COUGH*.

8. Breaking Down the Term "Chick Flick" and Essential Ingredients of a Romantic Comedy - Yes, these two were a little similar, but these have been ideas that have been bouncing around in my head since I began watching romantic comedies and I was glad to finally get them down on paper. . .er. . .get them down in binary code on an LCD screen.

7. Marathon Throne Time - One of my first articles and probably my favorite story I got to write about hands down! I'm still amazed this actually happened. It's a bit wordy, but I really couldn't use a lot of pictures on this one. :)

6. A Cinematic World Without World War II - I got the idea for this post while having a discussion with my good friend, Jeff Tromphlin. I think it turned out alright, even though I submitted it to IMDb a number of times and they never used it. Feel free to use this one as a conversation starter - chicks dig historians.

5. Send in the Zombies - My very first post about one of my true loves - zombies. Zombies have made their way into a number of posts on here, but this was where it all started. I don't have as many embedded links in this article, but that may be a good thing, because sometimes the site I link to disappears and I have to go back and fix it.

4. Totally Subjective Horror Film List and Totally Subjective Film Lists - As my profile states, I like films. So it's actually kind of hard for me to pick favorites or put them in any order (notice how this "top ten" is actually 14) . I was proud that I could "set in stone" what I consider to be the greatest films and some of my favorite films. Plus, with the horror film list, I like the formatting of "The Plot," "The Pitch," "Content" and "Best Viewed." I thought it added an original flavor.

3. Ho-Ho-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! and Ho-Ho-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGAIN! - I really, really enjoyed doing these two articles. I searched (and laughed my way) through hundreds of different pictures of kids and Santa Claus and picked out these select "few" that I liked best. Yes, those captions came from my own sick mind and yes, I used the actual names of the kids. One of my favorite things about this article was when I had a relative tell me that she had a really bad night and ended up reading the first article and it helped her laugh and feel better. That's what it's all about.

2. The Curse of the Number 3 - This was the first article of mine that made it on the IMDb Hit List. It was quite an honor for me. This was also one of the theories that I have had for a while, and I finally wrote it down and made it official. It also holds the record for most comments. That's because a bunch of people I didn't know read the post and didn't quite agree with me that the number 3 in a movie series title is the sign of a bad movie. I also found that others had posted this article on their site - that was quite flattering.

1. Breaking Silence - Articles about how much I dislike Twilight are almost as abundant on this blog as articles about movies and zombies, but this article is the powerhouse of Anti-Twilighters. This is an informed article that weighs the pros and cons and exposes the stupidity of Stephenie Meyer's books. Also, this post may only be the runner-up in number of comments, but it was created over a year ago and it STILL is getting comments. I don't know how people are still finding it, but I hope it continues - THE MOCKERY MUST CONTINUE!

So there you go. In case you ever get bored at home, at school or at work, this would be a great post to come back to and read an article here and there. Hopefully this introduced some of you to fun new posts that you hadn't seen before, and reminded others (me) of ones that you enjoyed in the past.

Here's to another 100 posts!

My Own Subjective Top 10 Movies of 2009

Yes, I know, there are a TON of these types of lists out there, but this list has something that the other lists don't - my opinion.

Disclaimer #1 - The list below isn't strictly a list of movies that were released in 2009, this is a list of movies that I saw for the first time in 2009. You can click on any of the names of the movies to see a trailer if you'd like.

Disclaimer #2 - I own a Clearplay DVD Player (which, with Netflix, is the best combination in the world next to chocolate and mint), so some of the movies below were edited when I saw them and that is what my review/rating reflects (Alliteration! Woo!).

Disclaimer #3 - Since we have two kids and a small budget, I don't get out to the movie theater a lot, so I haven't seen many movies that actually did come out this year yet. I have to wait for them on DVD.

Disclaimer #4 - This list is meant for educational purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental or intentional - you decide. Apply only to affected area. May be too intense for some viewers. For recreational use only. If condition persists, consult your physician. Freshest if eaten before date on posting. Subject to change without notice. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during shipment. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not read while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Please remain seated until the ride has come to a complete stop. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of agreement. As seen on TV. The Former 786 and Slice of Fried Gold cannot be held liable for any discomfort, disagreement or rage while reading this list. One size fits all.

So here goes. . .

My List of Favorite Movies of 2009:

10. Pan's Labyrinth





Guillermo Del Toro creates a darkly mythical and magical world in this visually stunning film. Aside from the special effects, sets and costumes, I loved how the whole movie mixes reality with fantasy and you're never quite sure whether it is all real, or if it's all in our young protagonist's mind.








 

9. Man on Wire

If you're not a fan of documentaries, this may be the one that turns you. Man on Wire is a true story that plays out like a heist film. Sure Phillipe Petit, the man who decided to do a tightrope walk across the Twin Towers, is completely insane (as is the team who helped him), but you can't help but get caught up in his insanity.



 







8. Up





Yes I did see Wall-E for the first time this year, and I did see Kung Fu Panda this year as well, but Up was the animated feature that I felt deserved to be on this list. The whole balloon house adventure is unrealistic, yes, but the relationships between the characters (especially the married couple) felt more real than many live action movies. It's a touching story that doesn't feel heavy-handed.





 




7 . Let the Right One In

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Take note, Stephenie Meyer, THIS is what a story about teenage vampires SHOULD be! This is a dark and horrifying movie that manages to hit some sympathetic notes as well. I've heard rumors that they're going to make an American version, but, based on my experience with most American remakes, I'd recommend seeing the original first.









6. Grizzly Man




One word can describe this film: Haunting. This is a documentary about a man who lived among the grizzly bears in Alaska for a number of seasons, with an obvious and heartbreaking outcome. This movie does a good job of not mocking Timothy Treadwell, but not condoning his actions, either. It simply presents what Timothy did and leaves it up to the viewer to make their own judgments. Grizzly Man stayed with me long after I returned the DVD.




 





5. I Love You, Man

This is actually a clever and original comedy - although it was quite choppy on the old Clearplay. Paul Rudd is an awesomely awkward groom-to-be looking for a best man and Jason Segel plays a uniquely energetic friend who helps Paul's character come out of his shell. The well-written story balances ridiculous situations with realistic interactions and presents a new kind of "romantic comedy." My brothers and I still laugh about some of the lines in this one.








4. Drag Me to Hell




Fun, fun, fun. Drag Me To Hell should not be taken seriously - just hold on tight and enjoy the ride. Sam Raimi does an excellent job of mixing humor and horror and deals with the demonic without ever becoming satanic. This movie plays out like an an old episode of The Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt. I'm excited to watch this film again.







 





3. Watchmen



Having never read the graphic novel, I didn't know what to expect when sitting down to watch the Watchmen. This is a high-quality film that used its budget wisely. Watchmen is a dark and brooding look at an alternate world filled with Batman-like superheroes and it's surprisingly deep. It's a pessimistic and corrupt reality with imperfect heroes and moral villains, yet it manages to instill a feeling of hope, as well.









2. The Fall






If your eyes are feeling bored, WATCH THIS MOVIE! The makers of this film traveled to 20 different countries to find the most exotic and beautiful locations for the various scenes and storylines. What I thought were elaborate sets are actual landmarks around the world. The scenery, colors and movements in The Fall are breathtaking! However, this movie is not just eye candy, it also tells a moving story with powerful performances by a 6-year-old girl and Lee Pace (the Piemaker from the television show Pushing Daisies). I disagree with the rating, though. This movie should only be PG-13. I highly recommend this film.






And my #1 movie that I watched in 2009 is. . .

1. Slumdog Millionaire

Yes, the Academy actually got this one right by awarding it the Oscar for Best Picture. Slumdog Millionaire is a stunning and uplifting film. From the performances, to the story, to even the soundtrack - this film is amazing! I've seen this movie more than any other on this list (plus, it's the only one on this list that I actually own) and it still evokes the same emotions it did the first time I saw it. Even the story behind this film is inspiring. It's a very intense film, but, once again, I don't feel that this movie deserved an R rating. I don't want to talk Slumdog Millionaire up too much, but I feel like everyone in the world should see it at least once.

So there you go, it wasn't easy to limit myself to ten, so I'd like to give honorable mention to Kung Fu Panda, Thank You For Smoking, Shaolin Soccer, Spanglish, In Bruges, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Joyeux Noel and Wall-E.

In case you're in the mood for more countdown lists (that have nothing to do with my opinion), click here for some more random ones from TV Guide.

Here's to a 2010 full of good movies!

Totally Subjective Film Lists

While reading a blog of a friend I saw some lists of great films that he threw down. It inspired me. I realized that most of my posts lately have been about things I dislike and I thought I should spend some time on things I do like.

So I present to you the following lists. Yes, this is copying Jeff's post, but it is not a rebuttal to, nor in competition with Jeff's post. I just thought it would be fun to do.

The Ten Greatest Silent Films
(yes, I modified this one a bit, Jeff, but only because I can't get enough of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin)

1. Metropolis - This film is intense every time I see it.

2. The General - My first real experience watching a full-length silent film.

3. Sunrise - A beautiful and emotional film about the struggles of an average married couple.

4. City Lights - One of Charlie Chaplin's best.

5. Phantom of the Opera - A horrifying and much darker version than the popular musical.

6. Sherlock Jr. - The jumping through the window scene is utterly awesome!

7. The Kid - My wife loved this one when I showed it to her - and I don't blame her.

8. Steamboat Bill Jr. - Buster almost gets flattened by a house in an iconic storm scene.

9. The Gold Rush - I always wonder if I'd ever be hungry enough to eat my shoe.

10. Nosferatu - Sure, it's slow in parts, but that creature is terrifying!


The Ten Greatest Films
(These are not my favorite films, per se, but ones that tell amazing stories in amazing ways. I tried to base it on the quality of the film as well as its impact on our culture.)

1. The Wizard of Oz - Beautiful visuals, memorable music and a story for all ages.

2. Gone with the Wind - It's long, it's epic, it's beautiful and it's emotional.

3. Star Wars - A phenomenal film that started a phenomenon.

4. Casablanca - Yes, it's a cliche to have this on the list, but it's also a very good film.

5. The Matrix - A mind-blowing story with special effects that have been copied ever since.

6. 2001: A Space Odyssey - It's hard to believe this complex film was made in 1968.

7. Psycho - Alfred Hitchcock's best film - pure suspense!

8. Metropolis - This film was far beyond it's time - a masterpiece.

9. Dr. Strangelove - A memorable comedy that takes on big issues.

10. Raiders of the Lost Ark - It's amazing when you think that NONE of that was CGI.

Honorable Mention: M, Groundhog Day, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Sixth Sense, It's a Wonderful Life and Jaws


My Personal Top 10 Films
(These are movies that I can watch over and over again without getting sick of them. This list is subject to change at any time.)

1. Shaun of the Dead - It's a romantic comedy with zombies! What's not to love?

2. Raising Arizona - The Coen Brothers' finest work, in my opinion.

3. Psycho - Love this film! It's practically perfect.

4. Shawshank Redemption - Everytime I see this on TV I sit down and watch it - even though I own it.

5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Still makes me laugh. Always will make me laugh.

6. Beetlejuice - A bizarre horror/comedy that is a lot of fun.

7. The Hudsucker Proxy - A fast-talking film about an extruded plastic dingus.

8. Moulin Rouge - A crazy and dramatic film that is visually breathtaking!

9. Three Amigos - One of the funniest films of all time.

10. Waking Ned Devine - This movie just makes me feel good every time I watch it.

Honorable Mention: Fletch, Love Actually, Maverick and Serendipity


Wow. That wasn't easy. It's hard to narrow down favorites into a list of ten and try to put them in some kind of arbitrary order.

Did I miss any that you thought should be on here? Did I put any in that you don't agree with? Even if you don't agree with some of these films being on these lists, I'd recommend ALL of them for viewing - at least once.

Feel free to comment and/or make a list of your own - it's fun for the whole family!