My Top Ten Favorite Movies

Of course, all of these movies I give a 10-star rating to, so I don't feel the need to list the ratings individually.

10. Where the Wild Things Are

2009

D: Spike Jonze

An insightful, funny and poignant look at the confused, and sometimes vicious, nature of childhood with amazing visuals on the monsters and their environments.

 

9. Children of Men

2006

D: Alfonso Cuaron

This movie was amazingly dark and poignant, yet hopeful.  The violence was executed in an extremely effective fashion, and the movie has some of the best single-take scenes ever.  I liked the vulnerability and humanity of the hero as well.

 

8. The Third Man

1949

D: Carol Reed

Although most people cite Citizen Kane as the best Orson Welles movie ever made, I prefer this one.  Great cinematography, some good humor and a classic villain.

7. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

2001

D: Peter Jackson

Not much I can say; this is a near-perfect fantasy film.

6. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

1983

D: Richard Marquand

This movie does drag on sometimes with the Ewoks (I still think they’re cute), and it does make the mistake of splitting the movie into three simultaneous action scenes, but it’s still great.  Most threequels try to be this movie, attempting to end the series with the best amount of opulence and emotionality, but most of them fail miserably.  Also, I’d like to point out that I believe this movie actually has the best cinematography of the whole series.

 

5. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

1977

D: George Lucas

While some view it as rehash of Flash Gordon and other serials, but this movie’s genius was that it took all those tropes and added well-written characterization, proving that genre movies were equal to all others.  It effectively ended the 70’s era of cinema and made it for the people, and we haven’t looked back since.  

4. The Big Lebowski

1998

D: The Coen Bros.

Great characters and sharp dialogue make this my favorite funny movie of all time.

3. Equilbrium

2002

D: Kurt Wimmer

Don’t listen to what the critics and the online wannabe critics (despite my being one) say.  This movie is awesome.

2. Blade Runner

1982

D: Ridley Scott

With its dark, complex storytelling and amazing visuals, this is one of the best sci-fi movies ever made.  The ultimate cyberpunk movie. 

1. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

1980

D: Irvin Kershner

Enough has already been said about this movie’s greatness.  All I have to add is that if you somehow do not know the movie’s twist, drop what you’re doing and watch the Star Wars Trilogy.  Your ignorance is worth preserving until you actually watch these movies