Here is a list very personal to me. Your favorite movies say a lot about who you are as a person. If someone has even one Police Academy or Fast and Furious movie on their list, run, don’t walk, away 😉

12. Elf (2003) – The greatest Xmas movie of all time has to make this list, right? Will Ferrell has never been funnier (haters will say, “never been funny”, but they’re just angry elves) in the sweet, yet layered coming of age film.

11. A Few Good Men (1992) – If you don’t think this is one compelling as hell courtroom drama, then you can’t handle the truth (and I’m immediately sorry I typed that). But still, this is where Aaron Sorkin bum rushed Hollywood. His mondo quotable dialogue just sings.

10. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) – Come for the catchy tunes but stay for the social satire. Which, admittingly, I didn’t fully understand until a couple of weeks ago. Gene Wilder should have won an Oscar for playing a mesmerizing character who vacillates from possible serial killer to child’s favorite uncle in a flash.

9. Beauty and the Beast (1991) – This is not only the best Disney animated film, it’s simply one of the greatest movies of all time. The marvelous Ashman and Menken music, the eye-popping animation (prior to Skynet’s takeover of the cartoon industry), the wonderful voice cast, and the sharp script. This is the movie that elevated animation to its current level of esteem. Did I mention the music?

8. Casablanca (1942) – A classic old Hollywood movie, even with its problematic, um, let’s just say flaws. Humphrey Bogart exhales cool and is the template for the broken anti-hero. And yes, there’s a level of revisionism irony in its most famous (mis)quote, “play it again, Sam.”

7. Shakespeare in Love (1998) – Away put the pitchforks, this is a legit great movie. It’s only crime, rightfully beating out another great movie, Saving Private Ryan. Before you say, “the fanboy doth protest too much, methinks” ask yourself which movie can you watch on repeat? Mayhaps it was too clever for its own good, but so shines a good movie in a weary world.

6. The Exorcist (1973) – The greatest slow burn horror film bar none. Takes its sweet 70s time to build to a crescendo that would make Satan pee his pantalones, if he were real and wore pantalones. Also, probably the best acted, written, and directed horror flick.

5. Halloween (1978) – Back to back horror films you say? Damn Skippy! I know it didn’t technically create the slasher genre, but it damn sure perfected it. The simplest and most straightforward movie on the list is also the most atmospheric and visceral. It’s basically a remake of Jaws, with Michael playing the shark.

4. The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) – Okay, I’m cheating a little here. But like Corporate America, it’s my list, so I make the rules. And I say this is one long as hell movie. I mean, it was pretty much filmed back to back, and it’s one massively detailed story, so yeah, it gets fourth-best flick. For years, this was considered unfilmable until Peter Jackson said, “hold my miruvor.” And boy did he ever deliver an epic that is basically every nerd’s imagination come to life. My One Ring criticism, for an all powerful and obsessive piece of bling, no one seems to want it that badly. Gandalf, Aragorn, Galadriel, Faramir, Sam, and even Bilbo all either gave it up or said hard pass. Apparently, only Frodo, Boromir, and Gollum were ensnared by its magical lure.

3. The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Does what Star Wars does best; jaw-dropping action, interesting and engaging characters, cool romance, and more surprises than a clone gender reveal party. This movie probably fueled future geek storyteller’s creativity more than any other of its time.

2. Good Will Hunting (1997) – You like apples? Well, I got this at number two… how you like them apples? I connected with this movie like Ben Affleck connects with Jennifer Lopez (let’s hope this analogy holds up this time). This is a pitch-perfect movie that’s a poignant tale about loss, intelligence, love and friendship, and overcoming abuse.

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) – Here it is, the magnum opus of the two Gods of Geeks, Spielberg and Lucas. They combined their powers to create not only the best film, but also the greatest adventure ride of all time. So, I guess that makes this the Disney World of cinema, you don’t simply watch it, you experience it.