2) Star Wars (1977)
It was a tough choice. For most of my life I have always claimed Star Wars as my favorite movie. I was in awe when my Grandma took me to see it at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in 1977. I remember wishing we had more time to look at the footprints outside, but we just had time for a quick look. I doubt it has diminished at all over the years, it's just that now I have seen American Graffiti. For quite awhile now I've claimed them to be a tie, but I wanted to make a choice and American Graffiti has won out. I'm sure I will always mention in the same breath that Star Wars is an extremely close second.

3) The Godfather (1972)
A lot of critics lump Godfather II with the original. I don't understand this. We don't lump Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back together. I see no difference. They are both part of a series that drops off after the second. Many often claim the second movie to be better. I give all 4 movies my highest ratings, but only the originals show up in my top ten. I think it's just a chicken shit cop out by critics and I've never understood it.

4) The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Il Buono, il brutto, il cattivo) (1966)
I was really happy to find out this movie is critically acclaimed. I've been watching it since I was a little kid(usually with my Dad) and it's always been a favorite. When I first started really looking into reviews in college, I was pleasantly surprised to see all the favorable reviews of my favorite childhood western.

5) Rear Window (1954)
Another thing that frustrated me with critics' top tens. They are only willing to list one Hitchcock movie, claiming that several could be in the top ten. You'll notice that I only have one Hitchcock movie here. And I give 7 of his movies the ranking of 4 stars. But I can honestly say, only Rear Window belongs in my top ten. Though when choosing my #10 movie, North by Northwest was in the running, but I didn't avoid it because I already had a Hitchcock movie. I chose Stand by Me because when comparing them in my head, I honestly preferred it.

6) Jaws (1975)
Just like The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, I was pleasantly surprised at the critical acclaim that Jaws receives. I still probably rank it higher than most. I know the shark isn't very realistic. But the best moments are when you don't see the shark...you know he's there! I still remember the first time I saw this movie in the Drive-In and I like it just as much today!

7) Platoon (1986)
I didn't see this movie until it was on video and boy was I surprised. I have seen a lot of good war movies, but this one stands out among them all. Like most of these movies, I've watched it many times and every time it envokes the same emotions just as strongly as the first time I watched it.

8) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
I guess this movie has fallen the farthest over the years. Not that number 8 is bad or that I like it any less than I did when I first saw it in 1981. Just that I remember when I first started making lists, I think I had it ranked #2. It's been a long time since I've seen it, so maybe it has a chance to climb back up if it ever comes out on DVD! I never seem to break out my old laserdiscs any more.

9) The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
This is the movie I have seen the least on this list, only twice. Now that it's finally been released on DVD, I plan on watching it more frequently. I have never been disappointed by a Bogart movie and this one tops the list of greats. There are two others on my 4 star list and several others that are close.

10) Stand by Me (1986)
This is probably the most contraversial movie on my list. I realize that I may very well be the number one fan of this movie. Most people seem to like well enough, but a top ten of all time...c'mon! Well, here it is...in my top ten! To be fair, there were 3-4 others that I seemingly liked as much and had a tough time choosing my #10 movie.

So there they are...the best of the best! Movies that I've enjoyed the most and have had the biggest affect on me.
Feel free to comment, criticize, or share your list with me...Andrew Nixon