Here we go – I jotted this down the other night and thought I would start the fire…

Here are my favorite movies… the ones I enjoy the most.  I think they are all great movies, too…

Here is how I define the term “great” for a movie…

1. They have great themes and messages.
2. They are well acted – you rarely, if ever, lose the illusion (unless it’s part of the value.)
3. The are well-directed – excellent with few actual errors.
4. They end brilliantly – you should feel a little breathless when it is over… and even better…want to watch it again immediately.
5. There is nothing outstandingly annoying or distracting from the movie.
6. At their best, they are truly literature – and your life is different because you spent time in them.
7. They are entertaining.

What am I leaving out?

I put this together pretty fast and I think I am leaving some out – what are they?

1. Searching for Bobby Fischer
2. Dead Poet’s Society
3. The Matrix
4. Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back
5. The Truman Show
6. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
7. The Princess Bride
8. The Count of Monte Cristo (new version)
9. Tombstone
10. Untouchables
11. The Last of the Mohicans
12. Groundhog Day
13. Gladiator
14. Superman
15. Awakenings
16. Open Range
17. Mary Poppins
18. The Two Towers
19. Star Wars Episode 4
20. The Half-Blood Prince

Best Westerns of All time, not necessarily in this order:
1. Tombstone
2. Open Range
3. Magnificent Seven
4. Quigley Down Under
5. Silverado
6. The Pale Rider
7. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
8. Dances with Wolves