Top 100 Movies, #20-11

20. Coraline

Coraline was my favorite book when I was a kid, so naturally, it was also my favorite movie for a short amount of time. Now, let me just say that they could have made a really scary film with this premise. In fact, they chose to leave out a lot of the really creepy things that made the book so marvelously chilling. But that said, this movie is unsettling enough on its own. I think it is due in part to the stop-motion, or the way the perspective is somewhat distorted to give a sense of uneasiness. I loved how everything in this film was crafted by hand, from the puppets to the sets to the tiny labels on the food. A brilliant piece of cinema, and a beautiful work of art that still holds up today.

19. Winter's Bone

I remember seeing this pop up in the Best Picture category during the Oscars the year after this movie came out, and everybody went, "Wait, what?" Hopefully, all of those people went to check out exactly what they had missed. And to be fair, those who haven't seen this movie have missed out quite a bit. Forget The Hunger Games; this is the film where Jennifer Lawrence truly establishes herself as an expert actress. Her performance is flawless in pretty much every scene, and she is a really strong force to drive the story along. But other than that, I thought the cinematography was excellent, and enjoyed how they incorporated the setting of the Ozarks into the various shots. Raw and bittersweet, this film is not one to miss.

18. My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding

I would have to put this at the top of the list of my favorite romantic comedies. It has everything that a good romantic comedy should have: the story is relatable, the pacing is on point, the characters are developed well, but most of all, they are absolutely hysterical. Every time I watch this movie, it only gets funnier. Maybe it's because I can relate to the concept of having a big family, which also happens to be the movie's strongpoint; the message. It is rare to see this type of "imperfect family" film work so well. Be sure to watch it, as the comedy and heart work together to knock it out of the park.

17. Jurassic Park

Ah, Jurassic Park, the one movie that everybody just seems to love. I actually think people obsess over this movie a lot more now, either because of nostalgia or because it was (needlessly) re-released in 3D. This movie is just a big ball of action-packed fun from start to finish. It is well-paced, and the effects are outstanding. I mean, the CGI really set the bar for other films to come, which makes it so unforgettable. I would tell you to go out and see it, but if you're smart, then you already have. 

16. The Secret Of Kells

Another wonderful film that barely anyone saw. There is one big thing that sets this film apart from other animated films: the animation itself. Not only is it hand-drawn, but good God is it breathtaking. It is just absolutely, flawlessly beautiful, from the movement to the coloration and everything in between. I feel like I am watching a moving painting by Gustav Klimt; the entire film is breathtaking. Underrated and underappreciated, this movie a brilliant and masterful work of artistic expression that will leave you wanting more. 

15. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

When I watched this film, it had been a while since I had experienced a film that was so raw and unforgiving. This movie is darkly sophisticated and dead serious. It knows who it is and isn't afraid in any way to show that. But that is what makes this movie so great. Intimidating as it may seem, it is also enticing through its attitude, cinematography, and characters. I actually believe that the tone isn't just a reflection of the overall story, but of Salander herself. Certainly not for the faint of heart, this film is one that will be hard for anyone to forget. 

14. The Harry Potter Films

The reason I lumped all of these films together instead of reviewing each one seperately is because it would kill me to try and put them in order from best to worst. There really isn't a film in this series that is considered bad, or even just "okay": all of them are great. The cinematography, the effects, the acting, all of it is just wonderfully executed. And yes, while the quality of all these things went up as the series progressed, the earlier films still have enough charm and wit to make for a good film. The memorable characters have stayed with us forever, and arguably influenced an entire generation. Overall a fantastic saga and one of the best series I have ever had the pleasure of watching.

13. Forrest Gump

Charming and full of heart, it is no wonder that this is the film no one can stop talking about, even over ten years later. The protagonist is probably one of the most memorable, if not the most memorable character of all time. Also, the storytelling is rich and compelling. It has a lot going on, but the progression feels natural and keeps us interested. The cultural references are entertaining, and the characters are unforgettable. To say this film will steal your heart is probably an understatement.

12. Black Swan

Chills, chills, chills! This film is a magnificiently disturbing piece of art. It's dark, it's terrifying, and disturbingly enticing and seductive. The cinematography alone earns this film a top grade, by the way it combines camera angles, movement, visuals, color, and lighting to bring us into Nina's head and make us feel uneasy. We are brought into her tortured mind with such brutality that it makes the film truly scary. Natalie Portman is excellent in this role, and I hope to see her do more films like this in the future. 

11. It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

This film is gigantic. It is just massive on every level, from the cast to the story to the locations. Even though it is almost three hours long, believe me, all of that time is necessary to include all of the elements that make this movie great. This movie succeeds with such a large and talented cast because it came out during a time where the big comedians could actually work together well, due to how they didn't have such massive egos like many comedy actors today. It helps us to look forward to seeing them play off of one another and showcase their individual personalities, rather than trying to one-up each other in terms of talent. And the story is just so rich and engaging in terms of humor and wit. Literally, everything in this movie showcases what Hollywood films are the best at. Hold on to your seatbelts, guys: you are in for one very entertaining ride. 

Top 100 Movies, #30-21

30. I Love You, Man

Usually when it comes to buddy comedies, I pass. For the most part, I find them to be raunchy, unfunny, crude, and somewhat misogynistic in some areas. But I do love this movie. It could be because of how the movie focuses a lot on the guys bonding over Rush (which, I'll admit, made me watch this film in the first place). However, the film does have a few other nice qualities. The humor isn't over-the-top in terms of sexual content. It's pretty smart, actually. I also liked how they gave Peter's fiancèe an actual character, along with her best friend, instead of just having them sit in the background.   Come to think of it, all of the characters are actually pretty well-rounded and relatable. It's interesting to watch them come together on screen, and doesn't feel awkward, like other male-type comedies I've seen. Certainly one to check out.

29. Sweeney Todd

I waited forever to see this movie. It came out when I was eleven, so I had to wait years before I was old enough. And when I finally saw it, I'll admit that it held up pretty well. Some of the singing is a bit rough in a few areas, but keep in mind that a lot of the cast members aren't used to singing a lot, so I give them credit. I love the visual style of this movie; because it really portrayed itself to be the essence of Burton's soul, I naturally felt right at home. Even though I haven't watched it in a while, I still find myself singing the songs from time to time. 

28. The Godfather Part II

I kind of debated whether or not I should even put a Godfather movie on this list, since it's assumed to be one of the movie greats and would obviously had been one of my unspoken top picks. But I decided to include it on the list anyway. The reason I enjoyed this movie more than the first was because I felt that it was more involved with telling the overall story instead of just focusing on the characters themselves. I appreciated seeing Vito's backstory because it gave a better context to who he was and why he was doing what he did. In fact, it helped to illustrate the whole family a little better, which was interesting. Actually, it might help to see this movie before you see the first one, however weird that might sound. This is still a movie I thoroughly enjoy watching anytime, especially with my family. 

27. The School Of Rock

Jack Black can sometimes be a hit-or-miss when it comes to his movies. This one is definitely a win. Being a classic rock fan, I love this film. I loved to see the references to the greatest rock musicians of our time, and laughed at how Black's character criticized current popular music. When I watch this movie, I totally feel like I can relate to his character by how he wants to encourage creativity among students who are in a strict world of high standards and rules. Sometimes, you just got to stick it to the man. 

26. Sleepy Hollow

This is my favorite movie to watch on Halloween. It literally has everything to love about a Tim Burton movie. It's creepy, but in a goofy way, and has a bunch of quirky characters and moments that make us laugh out loud, especially with Johnny Depp playing the scaredy-cat Ichabod Crane. The setting alone made me want to watch this movie, as here in the Hudson Valley we sometimes consider the Headless Horseman to be a sort of local claim to fame. Awesome and entertaining flick for anyone looking for a creep-tacular movie.

25. Edward Scissorhands

Is there really anyone out there who is capable of hating this film? Everyone just seems to fall in love with it. The story is fresh and original, and truly showcases Burton's talent as an eccentric storyteller. I was also greatly amused by the somewhat anti-suburbia social commentary, considering that I actually plan to write a novel in the future that also satirizes this type of thematic element. Plus, the characters are the icing on the cake, and the tone is unforgettable. Really a wonderfully bittersweet film.

24. The Cabin In the Woods 

Talk about not judging a book by its cover! This film made everyone do a complete 180. I saw the trailer thinking, "Great, another generic horror film," but this genuinely took me by surprise. who knew that a horror film could completely satirize itself and actually succeed in doing so? This movie doesn't take itself too seriously, which makes it a complete blast to watch. You will love everything from the characters to the monsters (spoiler alert!). Get ready for one heck of a ride. 

23. Ed Wood

This is arguably Johnny Depp's best role other than Captain Jack Sparrow. It just seems tailor-made for him; who else would be able to pull off the wildly goofy and off-the-wall persona that was the worst director of all time, Ed Wood? I admired how this was shot in black-and-white; it pulls you into the story by making the viewer feel that we are actually in one of his movies. We feel more involved with the characters, who are one of the funniest group of oddballs I've ever had the pleasure of viewing on film. And with a cast as wonderful as the one in this movie, it is no wonder that people consider this to be among the very best of the Depp and Burton collaborations. 

22. Remember Me

Why does everyone hate this movie? Many of the reasons people give for hating it is either due to Robert Pattinson, or the ending. First off, give Pattinson a break; I understand Twilight was kind of campy, but even he hates it by now, so let's drop it. With regards to the ending, the writer wanted to model the story after hearing about families who lost loved ones in 9/11 (oops, spoiler!). So really, what's the issue? The story was interesting enough, I liked the characters, I liked how they interacted with each other...this wasn't a bad movie by any means. Seriously overlooked, and one that is still one of my favorites. 

21. The Descent

This is hands-down one of the most unexpectedly awesome films I have ever seen. It took a decent amount of time to grow on me, since I was absolutely terrified the first time I saw it. But after watching it a few more times, I really began to see why it was so good. The lighting, of course, is the most prominent factor of the film, and it is right on the money. I mean, it is probably the best lighting I have ever seen in a film. I love how it makes everything appear super-claustrophobic, which really helps us to be put in the perspective of the characters. Speaking of the characters, it was pleasant to finally see an all-female cast for a horror movie. All the scenes with them fighting off the cave crawlers was just too cool. Most certainly one of the best films I have seen in the last few years.

Top 100 Movies, #40-31

40. The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

Yet another rare instance where my favorite movie is the first in the series. I felt that this film was the one that really worked in captivating the audience. Now, Return Of The King seems to be the favorite for everyone, but Fellowship succeeded in having enough source material to work that the film did not appear to drag on forever. It was well-paced, to put it nicely, and this is something that these types of films often have issues with. The cinematography is outstanding; I have often heard jokes that these movies are New Zealand tourism commercials. The setting, characters, and story all work well together, which proves that sometimes even the most complex literary works can succeed as a film.

39. Steel Magnolias

This movie is kind of like Forrest Gump's younger sister. It has the same type of tone and cinematography, but the only difference is that while Forrest Gump was more focused on the protagonist alone, this film is focused on an entire group of eccentric female characters. They truly are the movie's strongpoint, pulled off in near flawless performances by women like Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, and others. But they aren't the only things to like about this movie. Many of the other characters are also well-rounded, and they have nice chemistry. But, like Beaches, let me give you a warning: if you are going to watch this, bring tissues. 

38. The Help

Wow, did this movie sneak up on everyone! Like Steel Magnolias, this movie has an incredibly strong female cast, but aside from that, they are actually faced with individual, constructive problems. While they do work nicely as a group, it was smart for the film to focus on them one-by-one to better illustrate their motivations and develop them fully as characters. I believe that if you made any one of these women the protagonist, it still could have worked. Really an amazing, poignant movie.

37. The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus

I am just going to put this out there: you either get this movie, or you don't. It is so weird and eccentric and dark that even people who watched A Clockwork Orange still may not get this. (Just as a sidenote, I saw this film way before Clockwork). The concept itself is pretty hard to grasp: I mean, an immortal man who can create an entire fantasy world based on the imagination of one person? Some people may view it as ridiculous. I, however, think it's brilliant. I adored the visuals in this film. They were kooky, they were imaginative, and just flat-out impressive. I also admired how the film focused on the concept of the traveling circus act instead of just having it be on the side, which you see with a lot of other stories. Truly an underrated piece of art, and definitely a must-see for the artsy crowd. 

36. Evil Dead (2010)

While certainly one of the more revolting films of our time, I can honestly say this film was a blast to watch. The fact that the director was able to pull this off with minimal CGI gave the film a lot of integrity. I also liked how the film had a bit of silliness to it (though evident through a darker sense of humor than one would imagine), and seemed to pay homage to a lot of ultra-gory horror films. Certainly one of the best horror movies of the decade, and one I will continue to watch many more times. 

35. The Nightmare Before Christmas

I always had a soft spot for this film. I really felt like I could relate to the tone of it, considering that most people would back away at the sight of skeletons and monsters and ghosts. But having lived in that world since childhood, I always appreciated how this film put a new face on all things ghoulish and creepy. It was eccentric enough to not be a routine animated film, yet had enough heart and humor to make it enjoyable for most people. Plus, the detail is wonderful, and the stop-motion animation gives a wonderfully hand-crafted feel to the whole film. 

34. Orphan

Out of all the horror films with a creepy little kid, this is one of the best. I genuinely enjoyed this movie from the beginning to the end. It had a new, contemporary type of feel to it, unlike most horror films, and it felt like the story kept trying to sneak up on you. (And boy, with that ending, it certainly did!) Esther really puts a chill down your spine with her smile, and the performance by Isabelle Fuhrman will certainly ensure nightmares for years to come. 

33. Public Enemies

This movie is a bit of landmark for me in that it was the first R-rated film I watched in the theater. And suffice to say, it delivered well. It was nicely paced, it had good cinematography, and the characters all have decent chemistry. I thought it was interesting to kind of paint Dillinger as an antihero while almost portraying the police as the real bad guys. Not many films can pull this off with such subtlety and wit. Depp's performance is delightfully suave and acted with expertise. Plus, the funny little bits that show up from time to time help us to really enjoy his performance. 

32. Howl's Moving Castle

Oh, Miyazaki, have you ever made a bad film? This movie was as dark as Spirited Away but had a slightly extra dosage of humor to it. I outright adored the visuals in this film. They were brilliantly designed and executed, and the color pops out in every scene. And like all of Miyazaki's films, it is wonderfully imaginative and bright. Really a refreshing take on kids movies and one that is sure to please. 

31. Mulan 

I want to set the record straight here: despite of what people tend to believe, Mulan is not a princess. Seriously, people, there is no chance I am going to put a Disney princess movie above The Nightmare Before Christmas. But anyway, let's get down to what I love about this movie. The animation is superb, and the comedy is the strongpoint of the film. I liked how they showed satirical gender roles from both the male and female perspective, kind of alternating between Shang and Mulan. Also enjoyable was the underlying theme of perception and strength, which I thought was a nice transition from simply relying on the overdone "female-character-who-doesn't-want-to-get-married-pouts-for-everyone-to-see" type of Disney trope. Overall an enjoyable film and a pleasant Disney experience. 

Top 100 Movies, #50-41

50. The Hunger Games

This movie was built up big time! I remember the frenzy that surrounded this film from the time the first teaser was released. And while it does have a few flaws here and there, it is a largely entertaining film. The acting is good, the story is well-paced, and the elements all fit together nicely. I like this one a lot better than Catching Fire, which is weird, considering I do not usually find the first film in a series to always be the best. But unless Mockingjay changes my mind, this shall remain my favorite of the series.

49. Life Is Beautiful 

A Holocaust movie that's funny and heartfelt instead of being needlessly horrific and violent? Preposterous! Actually, I'm kidding. This movie has a unique charm to it that makes the viewer instantly fall in love. What is amazing is that it is able to maintain a level of being lighthearted and uplifting, considering the subject matter. Kudos to the director for wanting to take a depressing part of human history and make it instead about a tale of redemption and love.

48. Chocolat

I may actually be considering making a list of my favorite Bohemian-oriented films, because there seem to be quite a few on here and I am not sure if it was intentional or not. Think of this film as Bohemianism coming to life in a way that isn't blatantly in-your-face the whole time. The cinematography is pleasantly inviting, the characters are likeable, and the story, while familiar, was executed in a way that didn't feel recycled. Mostly, I enjoyed seeing a lot of strong female leads in this film, and having Johnny Depp doesn't hurt either. 

47. Sinister

Out of all the recent horror films that have debuted, this is definitely one of the best. Nobody really knew what to think when they saw the trailer, except that it kind of seemed like a generic spooky slasher film. But that is not what it is at all. Everything about this film is smartly done: the villain, the backstory, even the music. And I did genuinely appreciate the ending, even if (spoiler) it wasn't exactly happy. 

46. The Blair Witch Project

Next to The Descent, this is a film that legitimately scared the absolute crap out of me. But while I have learned to enjoy The Descent, this movie still packs a terrifying punch. While its method of delivery apparently affects whether or not certain people will be scared by it, those who were convinced were completely petrified. And even though this film is fake, in the moment you are viewing it, it all feels very real and makes you feel at your most vulnerable. I still have nightmares to this day as a result of this movie, which makes it pretty amazing.

45. Blue Is The Warmest Color

I went into this movie thinking that it was going to be a bunch of lesbian porn. Come to think of it, that is probably what either made people avoid it or watch it immediately. But of course I ended up being pleasantly surprised. The acting, the cinematography, the pacing, the characters...all of it is well done. While definitely not a film for everyone, in the end it is an enjoyable romance movie that will most likely appeal to those willing to give it a chance. 

44. Goodfellas

I am putting this movie on the list because I enjoyed it a lot more than The Godfather but hold it to a slightly lower standard than The Godfather: Part II. Don't get me wrong, I love this movie. I just believe that The Godfather: Part II was able to take itself a little more seriously, but we'll get to that later. This movie kind of snuck up on me, as I did not expect to be as interested as I was. The characters are the true stars of the show, especially Tommy (Joe Pesci), and they all provide an impressive and sometimes humorous cinematic experience.

43. Monty Python And The Holy Grail 

People had been trying to get me to see this film for years, and when I finally watched it, I immediately saw what they had been going on about. This film is comedy genius the whole way through. It's got all types of jokes, from black humor to blue humor to slapstick and everything else, and weirdly enough, they fit together seamlessly. Kooky and low-budget, this film will have you rolling on the floor in no time.

42. The Book Thief

Having adored the book on which this film is based on, I was eager to check out the film. And of course, I was not disappointed. Wonderfully executed by a truly talented cast, this film was bursting with heartfelt moments, mixed in with just the right amound of realism and wartime brutality. The story is so compelling it feels relatable, as if we could very well find ourselves in Liesel's position one day.

41. Corpse Bride

This film was pretty much my favorite movie for the latter part of middle school, until Coraline came along. I felt that this film appealed to me (and a whole crop of older goth kids) because it was a slighter darker, more mature version of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Sure, it is funny in a lot of places, but in a morbid way, not really as goofy as Nightmare. The cinematography and animation is what gets me for this film: it pulls you in and takes your breath away. (But at least, according to Emily, you should be thankful that you have any, right?)

Top 100 Movies, #60-51

60. The Prince Of Egypt

This is one of the movies where Dreamworks really got it right. Having grown up Catholic, I have seen this film roughly three thousand times, but that doesn't make it any less breathtaking. The animation is so artistically crafted, it as if you are watching an oil painting in motion. Plus, the soundtrack by Hans Zimmer adds a tremendous amount of depth and focus to the Exodus story. 

59. Star Wars, Episode 4: A New Hope

While The Phantom Menace is remembered for its pretty shoddy quality, A New Hope is remembered as arguably the best film in the saga. It set the bar for the rest of the sequels and secured a legacy for the entire trilogy. The movie is an absolute blast to watch from beginning to end, and remains as one of the great film epics of our time. 

58. Beaches

I am not usually one for tearjerker-type movies, but Beaches changed my mind for once. I have been watching this film for a long time. I love the story, I love the characters, I love the chemistry between them. Definitely don't watch this film alone; it's usually meant to be enjoyed between two girlfriends. But if you do watch it, bring tissues. 

57. Breakfast At Tiffany's

I had been hearing about this film long before I saw it. And, like most people, I adored it. Audrey Hepburn always brings such a lovable aspect to every character she plays. The bright and quirky Holly Golightly is no exception, almost bouncing off the walls with vibrancy and delight in nearly every scene. And I so want to live within her walls; seriously, who wouldn't want an apartment that has a bathtub couch and a beautifully flamboyant bedroom complete with an adorable sleepmask?

56. The Goonies

This is one of those movies that you either love or hate. Personally, I love it. It has everything we love about eighties movies: interesting characters, pop culture references, sharp humor, and classic cinematography styles. Definitely one of Spielberg's best films, and one of the great comedy adventures of our time. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to do so at some point.

55. Chicken Run

Next to a bunch of Disney films and The Grinch, this was a movie that I watched over and over for years as a kid. Who would have thought that a plotline as ridiculous as chickens trying to liberate themselves would end up working so well? I suppose it's really the genius of Peter Lord and Nick Park.  Every movie of theirs (well, okay, almost every movie) has been top-notch, full of hilarious moments and brought together with enticing claymation. This is most certainly one of the greatest films they have ever done. 

54. Poltergeist

From the outside, this movie looked pretty innocent. But once you watch it, you are in for one heck of a ride. If I had seen this when it had first come out, it probably would have scared the crap out of me. the visuals do not hold back at all, from having a person rip their face apart to a giant tree attempting to eat a small child. If you want a smart horror film, this is one to check out. But for me, this is one thrilling experience to stay with you long after the credits roll. 

53. Funny Face 

While this is one of Audrey's somewhat lesser-known classics, I actually enjoyed this one a bit more than Breakfast At Tiffany's. I believe it was because the pacing is a bit quicker, and the story is slightly more interesting. I also love the references to the beatniks and French Bohemia that exists in the film. I put this gem right up with Auntie Mame. 

52. A Town Called Panic

What is great about this movie is that it can appeal to almost anyone. It is clean and interesting enough for kids to enjoy, yet quirky and amusing enough to entertain adults. It does not try to be this really compelling, artistically moving film: when it comes down to it, the film is just trying to have a lot of fun, and it succeeds. I mean, you can't really take this movie seriously when it's a bunch of action figures speaking to each other in French, but that's the beauty of it. 

51. Man Of Tai Chi

This movie took me by surprise. I was really expecting a cheesy, over-the-top martial arts film, but as a first-time director, Keanu Reeves actually did pretty well. I appreciate how the movie is modest; it is not constantly pushing the idea of "this-is-a-super-awesome-action-movie" in your face, which allows for more breathing room and focus. It is well-paced, and takes itself seriously enough to be largely enjoyable. The camerawork is also something to admire, especially with the action sequences.