Ok here we go. This was very hard for me, much like picking your favorite children. With that said let me emphasize that this is not my list of "Best" movies ever made, just my favorites.
1. Chasing Amy - As above
2. Kicking & Screaming -Although neither my friendsnor I are anything like the people in this movie I really identified with some of themes and emotions running though this movie. Plus it has some of the best dialog I've heard outside a Kevin Smith movie ("Oh I've been to Prague! Well, I haven’t been to Prague, been to Prague, but I know that thing....)
3. Annie Hall - If you don't like Woody Allen, I can't blame you, but I just love his films and this is his best.
4. Diner- I didn't get what the big deal with this film was the first time I saw it. I mean, nothing happens. After a few more views I picked up on the key: nothing happens. Cool.
5.Clerks - A movie that more or less brought independent filmmaking into the mainstream. Also one of the funniest movies ever made. (37?!?!)
6. Pulp Fiction - Yeah, I know it cliché but damn that's a cool movie!
7. Manhattan- Before 9/11 this movie was the only thing in the world that ever evoked good will towards NYC from me. If you're a city geek, you simply have to love this movie. (if you're not a W.A. fan just mute the volume and take in how beautifully the city is shot)
8. Swingers - Guys. Talking to each other. About stuff. Girls, if you want insight into the male psyche, watch this movie. (Oh and read High Fidelity, but that's another topic)
9. The Breakfast Club - I have this thing for 80's teen movies. I love them. John Hughes is my God. This movie is the king of 80's teen flicks.
10 Life of Brian- Much funnier than Holy Grail (and that's hard to do!) The humor was so much more subversive.
Honorable mentions:
Blues Bros. - For the longest time my #1 movie.
The Jerk - Makes Dumb & Dumber seem kinda, well, dumb.
The Princess Bride: Really hard to keep this off my top ten.
80's teen movies:
Better off Dead -"I want my two dollars!!"
Say Anything - It was tough keeping this one out of my top 10. Probably still the most romantic movie I've ever seen.
Pump Up The Volume- "So be it!" A good shot of suburban hell.
---
Memento - Just "wow".
Trainspotting
Run Lola Run- I think Europeans make some of the best films.
Amelie
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead- Stoppard is a genius. I have to see this as a play before I die.
Shakespeare in Love - see above
The Usual Suspects - I had no idea.....
Holy Grail -'nuff said
Almost Famous
The Nightmare Before Christmas -Almost a top ten pick
Toy Story I & II
Sweet & Lowdown- in my top five Woody films along with Bullets Over Broadway and Mighty Aphrodite.
The Hell with it -everybloodything by Woody Allen,
While we're at it:
Everything by:
Kevin Smith (Mallrats had its moments!)
Quentin Tarantino ( incl. Dusk till Dawn & Four Rooms)
And of course:
Manos: Hands of Fate
Whew---
Ok last two movies I promise:
Schindler's List
&
Kids
The only two movies that had a profound emotional effect on me. I was completely speechless after both those movies. They (to me) are the two most powerful pieces of film ever made. I'll probably never watch either one again. I was physically ill after watching Kids. I've never had a movie do that to me before. It felt like someone kept repeatedly hitting me in the stomach throughout the whole film. Very powerful stuff.
Sorry this was so long.....