9. JAWS (1975)
(Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss)
Next to "Schindler's List" this is my favorite Steven Spielberg film ever made. The movie defined adventure movies and made people think twice about going into the seawater again. Also, it was one of the first big blockbusters ever made before Hollywood began spewing these cookie cutter movies at us. Spielberg is at his best in this. This forever traumatized audiences with its tale of a killer shark eating people around the coast of a beach. Spielberg unintentionally never showed the shark due to mechanical difficulties, but little did he know it would increase the chill factor as the shark became more of a presence of doom in the movie rather than just a beast. Listen for the classic score by John Williams that forever will remain a classic.

   8. AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999)
(Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Benning)
The entire movie is helped by corky performances by Kevin Spacey and Annette Benning who make this movie watchable as a quirky and very different married couple. I love the incredible directing by Sam Mendes who gives us a hilarious and dramatic story along with a great ending that will leave you sad and ultimately pleased. Kevin Spacey earned a place in my favorite actors list by this sole performance and forever showed people that he had the makings of an acting legend.

   7. THE GODFATHER (1972)
(Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan)
Who can forget the famous line: "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." This is the greatest mafia film ever made. It was either this or "Goodfellas" at number seven and ultimately, I think I made the right choice. The acting is phenomenal by Hollywood legends such as a young Al Pacino, Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone and James Caan as the hotheaded Sonny Corleone. The tension and drama is excellent as we get an excellent story about family, love, betrayal and loyalty. A must see for anyone who is a fan of mafia movies or movies in general.

   6. THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940)
(Starring: Henry Fonda)
When my love for movies were born, this movie was one of the first I've ever seen. Based on the classic novel by John Steinbeck, this is a heart-wrenching film starring the great Henry Fonda as a poor man Tom Joad and his family travel around the country looking for work during the great depression and trying to survive and stick together as their farm is taken away from them by the government. Henry Fonda became my favorite actor of all time after watching this and I found it hard to top until I saw the movie I put at number one on the list. This is an excellent film and timeless film that remains true to the spirit of family and poverty; watch for Fonda's famous "I'll be there" soliloquy to his mother Ma Joad . A must see.
 

   5. SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993)
(Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley)
This is my favorite Spielberg film of all time as he gives us excellent black and white cinematography that created a sort of pseudo - documentary style as we witness the horrors of the holocaust before our very eyes. Accompanied with an excellent story chronicling the holocaust as it is seen by true - life slave trader Oscar Schindler. The movie is helped by excellent performances by Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson who gives an excellent performance as Oscar Schindler. Watch for the dramatic finale that will surely leave you with a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes.

   4.  COOL HAND LUKE (1967)
(Starring: Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin)
Nearly making it to number three but barely passing it, "Cool Hand Luke" is all of what makes great guy movies, prison movies, action movies, comedies, and what attracted audiences to Paul Newman for so many decades. Who can forget the line, "What we got here is a failure to communicate" the famous catchphrase uttered by Strother Martin as he whips Luke behind the head for defying him? Newman represents the ultimate underdog hero as he displays enormous bravery and resistance towards authority in his attempts to escape the prison. You can truly know what his character is about in the scene where he and George Kennedy box in the field as Luke attacks relentlessly even though he's being beaten to a pulp. Kennedy won the Oscar for his role in the film and is a great sidekick to Luke. Truly a classic men will enjoy.

   3.  THE STING (1973)
(Starring: Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Robert Shaw)
One of all - time favorite comedies and thrillers starring the unforgettable team of Paul Newman and Robert Redford as two con men who attempt to pull off the ultimate con on ruthless mobster Doyle Lonnigan after he kills one of their best friends. The noir setting is very in tune with the delightful energy and rapid fire dialogue and in spite of the dramatic moments, it's never too stern to turn off the audience. The best thing about the movie is the incredible chemistry between Redford and Newman, not to mention the incredible plot twists throughout the movie that will leave your head spinning and questioning your gullibility. Also, watch for the breathtaking finale that will literally leave you stunned.

   2.  STAR WARS (1977)
(Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Alec Guiness)
I was struggling with myself as to whether this should be in number one and all things considered there's really no reason why it shouldn't. In spite of being a truly excellent piece of filmmaking I ultimately decided to put it at number two, even though it's technically a close second. This is wonderful fantasy film that challenges the creativity and imagination of all ages with an excellent story that starts off a massive epic story with young Luke Skywalker learning the origin of the Jedi, his ultimate destiny, and the battle that ensues with Darth Vader. Director George Lucas defined the term "Sleeper Hit" when this came to theaters with basically no publicity and became an instant classic. This brought about some famous characters such as Han Solo, Chewbacca, and the sinister Darth Vader who is attempting to seize plans that will ultimately help in his take over of the galaxy until a young man named Luke Skywalker helps to fight him. This is a must-see for all ages and a classic. Sure I like "Empire" a little more, but this got the ball rolling for me without a doubt.

   1.  12 ANGRY MEN (1957)
(Starring: Henry Fonda, Ed Begley, Martin Balsam)
"Sydney, it's wonderful," are the three words Henry Fonda was reported as saying to director Sydney Lumet after screening "12 Angry Men" subsequent its release and it's no recommendation worth dismissing by Fonda himself. I can't understand why I love "12 Angry Men" so much, but I love it so much that I rarely ever watch it. When I do it's still as fresh and new as ever. I don't have much of the lines memorized, but that's okay, because twice or three times a year should be the proper routine for a movie that is your favorite beyond other films ever released. Henry Fonda stars with an ensemble cast of heavyweights as jurors forced to decide the fate of a suspected killer.

Fonda plays Juror #8, a man who decides that the case may not be as open and shut as the jury is sure it is and stands up against insults and manipulation to attempt to prove the possibility that the case is much more complex and that the accused may just be a victim of foul play. Fonda truly shines as the every man who tells viewers to fight for something you believe and struggle against the odds even when certainty outweighs preconceived notions. The conflict, struggle, and tension between the men are dynamic, along with the wonderful direction from Sidney Lumet, and the taut claustrophobic tension that arises within the confines of the room the entire film takes place in. Henry Fonda is a great compliment to this movie giving a top-notch performance while folks like Ed Begley, Jack Klugman and the incredible Lee J. Cobb bring this down as a Juggernaut of filmmaking. I love it to death.