My Favorite Movies

City Lights is absolutely my favorite film of all-time. A brilliant mix of comedy and pathos, with a bit of social commentary mixed in as well, although not as much as in some of Chaplin's other films, especially Modern Times. Although overused (specifically in Oscar montages), the last shot of the movie is one of the most heart-wrenching moments in film history. I have used that last shot as my profile picture, but to fully understand it you must see all that leads up to it. If you can tolerate silent films I can't recommend City Lights higher.

The concensus pick as the greatest film of all-time, it actually does live up to the hype. You must watch it multiple times to fully understand its greatness; I've seen it about 30 times and I still see something new every time I watch it. Remember that Orson Welles was only 25 years old when he co-wrote, directed, and starred in Citizen Kane, the only film he had complete control over.

My favorite Woody Allen film (and that's saying a lot). A mix of comedy and drama, with two separate stories: one a comedy with Woody, Mia Farrow, and Alan Alda, the other a heavy drama about conscience and faith with Martin Landau, tied together by a couple of common characters.

One of the more underappreciated movies of the last 10 years, if only because I don't think enough people have seen it. I don't think it is possible to see this movie and not like it. It is in my top 5 all-time, and not likely to drop anytime soon.

This is the original 1962 version, not the recent remake, which is a decent movie but made some significant and unnecessary changes that really leave it a poor film comparatively. Avoid that one and see this one, especially for the sequence involving the soldiers who have been reprogrammed, with the scene shifting between the women's auxiliary meeting (their perception) and the Communist doctor (the reality); that probably doesn't make sense, but if you've seen the movie you know what I'm talking about, and if you haven't you need to see it as soon as possible.

My favorite coming-of-age movie by far. If you like small, character-driven stories then you will definitely like this movie. Incidentally, this is Reese Witherspoon's first film.

My favorite John Ford movie, my favorite John Wayne movie, and my favorite Western (although that is sort of saying the same thing).

Not for all tastes, but those who can appreciate it tend to like it a lot. The twist that comes about 3/4 of the way through the movie defies logic and I know a lot of people are thrown off by it, but if you can accept it at face value then you will probably enjoy the movie. This has one of the absolute best endings in film history (and if it had been set to be released after Sept. 11, 2001, the ending almost certainly would have had to have been altered).

My favorite Hitchcock movie, ahead of North by Northwest and Psycho, and the only Hitchcock film that has a moment in it that truly scare me (but you'll probably never guess which moment it is; ask me about it).

One of the few movies geared toward children that adults can enjoy equally, if not more. Far superior to any other filmed version of Frances Hodgson Burnett's book.

My favorite non-Chaplin silent film, the themes are beyond anything that had been dealt with (especially in the U.S.) at the time. Still not available on DVD, but hopefully it won't be much longer.

My second-favorite Coen brothers movie (behind Barton Fink) and possibly the funniest movie ever made.

My favorite Coen brothers movie. This one is not for everyone, as it takes a rather surreal, symbolic turn toward the end (although that is not uncommon in their movies) that many people will find confusing.

My favorite documentary. It may not be as important as An Inconvenient Truth, but its cast of compelling characters (who are far more interesting than the characters in virtually any fictional film) puts it on top for me.

My favorite sports movie, and one of the rare ones in which the underdog doesn't win at the end, although obviously that is not what's important at that point (I hope I didn't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it, but the movie's actually about having the heart of a champion, not necessarily being one).

The best movie of 2006, probably the best war picture AND fantasy film I've ever seen.