This was one of the hardest lists to put together. It was so difficult, I have actually split it into multiple parts to accommodate my movie list. I’m a bit of an action movie junkie. It was tough to not fill it completely with nothing but action movies, and believe me, I could have. For a boy growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, action movies were the best. Movie creators have tried to replicate the nostalgia that came with those movies over the years to no avail. There was something more raw and real about them back in the day.
Okay, enough of my blabbing. Let’s get to the list. Unlike other lists where they are random and in no particular order, these are ranked starting with 10 and moving to my number 1 favorite. Without further ado, in order, my Top 10 Movies – Episode One.
10. Demolition Man (1993)
Demolition Man is my guiltiest of guilty pleasure movies. It has some of the cheesiest lines and is a completely ridiculous movie. There is something about it that keeps me coming back time and time again.
9. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan gets me in the feels every time. I think about the stories my grandfathers shared with me and the atrocities they witnessed. I am grateful for those who have paid the ultimate price.
8. Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard is where my affinity for Bruce Willis really took off. To this day, Bruce Willis has remained my favorite actor. There are a few close seconds (Schwarzenegger, Stalone, Hanks), but none are Bruce.
7. The Sting (1973)
The Sting is one of those “once you see it, you will love it” movies. It is not a particularly fast-paced movie, but the sleight of hand makes it a fun, quick movie that has a packed out all-star cast.
6. Blazing Saddles (1974)
Oh, Blazing Saddles, what can I say. This movie is both incredibly funny and crosses every line of political correctness. Everyone is sure to be offended in the best possible way. Mel Brooks at his best.
5. Comando (1985)
Commando is another guilty pleasure movie. It is the epitome of action hero movie where the bad guys lose, Schwartenneger wins, and there are never-ending bullets without having to reload … ever. Amazing.
4. Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Emperor’s New Groove is by far my favorite animated movie. I can quote just about every line. My kids quote it with me. It’s is quick-witted, hilarious, and a ton of fun for the whole family.
3. James Bond (1962 – present)
Bond, James Bond. This was impossible to narrow down to a single film, and I would need to do a completely separate ranking list for Bond alone. There is, however, one I will not watch: “Never Say Never Again” … nope, never.
2. Return of the Jedi (1983)
The “Ewok movie” as I referred to ROTJ when I was a kid. While this is not most people’s #1 Star Wars movie, it is mine. It’s the ultimate triumph of good-vs-evil and the epic conclusion to the original trilogy.
1. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix is my number one favorite movie of all time. This movie changed movie filming forever. I was only 15 when it came out so you can imagine that it would be a lot to take in. This is the first movie that I really had to sit in it for a long time to fully grasp it. I have memorized this movie from start to finish and still, I find new stuff every time I watch it.
