Top 10 Movies/Actors

Here's my all-time list for best movies and actors, which in a way may go hand in hand. I highly recommend seeing these movies if you haven't already.

10. The Departed (2006)
There will be a few common themes seen throughout list, and one is the use of a star-studded cast. Of course, a movie can have big names and still suck, but The Departed's resume speaks for itself. The film is directed by Martin Scorsese, stars Leo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin (to name a few), and has a list of producers that includes Brad Pitt. Add in the fact that it won 4 Academy Awards, including best picture, and you can be sure you're dealing with a gem. Oh yeah, the actual plot's not half bad either.

9. Superbad (2007)
I don't typically think of comedies when I consider my favorite all-time movies, but it's hard to overlook this hilariously absurd flick. The Seth Rogen/Jonah Hill/Michael Cera gang are at their finest and this was considered a break through movie for many. It also created a breakout of McLovin fake ids. Quote of the decade so far?... Becca: "I totally flirt with you in math class." Evan: "Yeah, me-- same'sies."

8. Oceans Eleven (2001)
The ensemble cast makes a reappearance in the list already. In terms of heist movies, none may have a better cast than this one. Clooney, Pitt, Damon, and Julia Roberts only scratch the surface. The two sequels are equally as entertaining, but since this is the original it makes the cut.

7. The Sting (1973)
Great segue... the number 1 heist movie in my opinion. Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and co. keep you on the edge of your seat for 124 of the 129 mins. The last 5 mins, you'll finally be on the floor. A great ending caps off a great movie.

6. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Near or at the top of most movie enthusiasts all-time lists, The Shawshank Redemption was originally not a gigantic hit with the critics. But it quickly became a cult classic and it is very possible that the "cult" has grown to now include everyone. Certainly an inspiring movie with a lot of elements.

5. Se7en (1995)
Another big factor for me is how good the ending of a movie is. I love shocks, twists, surprises, revelations, etc. Se7en's plot is building up its ending the entire time and you expect a good one. It does not disappoint... Morgan Freeman makes his second straight appearance in the list and Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey are phenomenal.

4. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
The only movie in the list in which the main selling point for me is one man's performance. That man is Al Pacino and his performance is exceptional. Both the movie and Pacino were nominated for academy awards but ultimately lost out to (in my opinion, a highly overrated) Jack Nicholson and (in my opinion, a highly overrated) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in both areas.

3. Fight Club (1998)
Another movie that was overlooked by critics but loved by most others. David Fincher brilliantly directed this drama/thriller/comedy and both Ed Norton and Brad Pitt absolutely killed their roles. This movie is awesome from the very start and the surprise ending isn't even the ending. If you have yet to see this one and you are contemplating it, maybe you should ask yourself "what would Tyler Durden do?"

2. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
My long-time number one that was only recently displaced. Obviously a classic but has a much deeper meaning than people think. L. Frank Baum is one clever guy. Possibly the first and certainly the best "was that a dream?" movie.

1. The Usual Suspects (1994)
The first 95% of this movie is simply very good. The ending takes it from being "very good" to being my all-time favorite. What is going on? Who the heck is Keyser Soze? All I know is that Kevin Spacey is his brilliant self and the plot kicks major ass. Or does it?


Honorable Mentions: Frequency, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Memento, The Prestige, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, and Team America


Top 10 Actors and the Roles That Put Them There

10. Seth Rogen (if he wasn't such a brilliant writer as well, he might not be here)
Officer Michaels in Superbad, Ben Stone in Knocked Up, Morton in Horton Hears a Who, and Cal in The 40 Year Old Virgin

9. Jim Caviezel
Jesus in The Passion of the Christ (talk about a role of a lifetime), John Sullivan in Frequency, and Carroll Oerstad in Deja Vu

8. Tom Hanks
Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump, Jim Lovell in Apollo 13, Paul Edgecomb in The Green Mile, Chuck Noland in Cast Away, Woody in Toy Story, Captain John H. Miller in Saving Private Ryan, and much more obviously

7. Jonah Hill (brand of comedy that is waaayyy too under appreciated)
Seth in Superbad, Matthew the Waiter in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Jonah in Knocked Up, and Sherman Schrader in Accepted

6. Drew Barrymore (that's right, girls are allowed in. from the age of 4 or whatever, she's been great)
Gertie in E.T., Julia Gulia in The Wedding Singer, Dylan in Charlie's Angels, Lindsey in Fever Pitch, and the girl from 50 First Dates... can't remember her name

5. Johnny Depp (I'm a big fan of guys who can play a wide variety of characters)
Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow

4. Al Pacino (not in a ton of movies I like, but the ones he is in are ridic)
Sonny Wortzik in Dog Day Afternoon and Michael Corleone in The Godfather 1, 2

3. Brad Pitt (actually surprised myself that this chick favorite was as high on the list as he is. but seeing that his name was included in 4 of my top 10 movies it seemed only right)
Tyler Durden in Fight Club, Detective Mills in Se7en, Rusty Ryan in Ocean's Nth, and that 90 year old kid in Benjamin Button

2. Ed Norton
The narrator in Fight Club (which alone is enough)... but I'll also mention Eisenheim in The Illusionist, Derek Vinyard in American History X, Lester "Worm" Murphy in Rounders, and Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk

1. Kevin Spacey
Verbal Kint in The Usual Suspects, an insane killer in Se7en, and award-winning Lester Burnham in the delightfully creepy American Beauty

Honorable Mentions: Robert Downey Jr., Dustin Hoffman, Bruce Willis, Winona Ryder, and Robert De Niro