Here's a "Top Twenty" list (films)

[Worf101]

As for my list. Not ranked in order of greatness or significance just as they came to my cranium.

1. Godfather Pts. I and II (1972 & 1974): They changed the American and film lexicon forever. All film dramas must be judged against them for all time.

2. Star Wars (1977): Science Fiction and Fantasy made real! The first true inkling that Film could now take us to worlds never seen before and we would actually believe it.

3. Red River (1948): Howard Hawks masterpiece and the greatest western ever made in my opinion. The best bit of acting John Wayne's ever done cept for maybe "The Cowboys".

4. Ben Hur (1959): "We keep you alive to serve this ship, so row well and live." The only sand and sandles epic that ever spoke to me. A wronged man's thirst for vengeance only to find that vengeance, even when attained, does not always bring peace.

5. King Kong (1933): "He was a king in his world, but we'll teach him fear. A great film featuring special effects so real as to have people fainting in thetatres. It wasn't until many years of veiwing (and growing) that I saw the film true underlying story and warning.

6. Jaws (1975): Never has a popular film kept so many people out of the water for so long.

7. Metropolis (1927): Groundbreaking in every way imaginable. You cannot believe this film was made in the late 20's.

8. Glory (1989): Before this excellent movie was made most of the world thought Blacks had never fought to free themselves from Slavery's yoke. One of those rare instances when film both educates and entertains. The scene of the campfire meeting on the eve of battle is heartrending for those of us who know what a "frontal assault" means.

9. Alexander Nefsky (1938): Whoa, forget DeMille if you truly want to see a "cast of thousands" you have to see this film. Propaganda yes, a bold warning to the Germans to stay out of Russia, yes... a great film... YES!!!!

10. Air Force (1943): Racist.... yes, "jap bashing"... yes , fictionalization of an entire battle... yes, great film... yes. I've seen this film about a thousand times and despite it's short comings I still love it so.

11. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946): The first real long look at what happens to the warriors when the war is done. Oh yeah and few punches pulled along the way either.

12: The Thing from Another World (1951): Nyby's name is on the credits for directing this gem but it has Howard Hawks written all over it. My fave pre-Star Wars Science fiction film of all time. Best dialogue ever.

13. They Were Expendable (1945): If you truly want to know how close the US was to defeat in WWII, watch this film. Exceptional performances and proof Positive that John Ford knew his onions when directing movies he cared about.

14. The Quiet Man (1952): Ford and Wayne, at it again, this time in Ireland. Stereotypic, sure... pro IRA yeah (like I even knew who they were back when I was watching this as a kid), but pure movie magic if you ask me. Ireland as we wish it were but perhaps never truly was.

15. The Seven Samurai (1954): Kurosawa epic beginning marking the beginning of his dymythification of the Samurai. First three hour movie I'd ever seen and never bored one single minute, amazing film making. Amazing film.

17. The Outlaw, Josey Wales (1976): I consider this film to be the last, truly great western to date. No, not "The Unforgiven" but this film is the one that stirs my blood. I love it I truly do. Whoops, scratch the above, forgot about "Tombstone".

18. Caligula (1979): Unh, no matter how you look at it, film making was never the same after that one. I still don't believe what I know I just saw... Nope, don't believe it.

19. In the Realm of the Senses (1976): Amazing film that is as beautiful as it is repulsive (see Caligula above) but in a way that's inoffensive. Rent it and judge for yourselves.

20. The Exorcist (1973): And film, particularly horror, was never the same again. I know I was never the same....

Well that's 20 off the top of me head...

Da Worfster

[Troy]

Right now, not in order:

Harold and Maude
Pulp Fiction
Forbidden Planet
Raising Arizona
To Have and Have Not
Godfather 1 and 2
Bringing Up Baby
Blade Runner
You can't take it With You
Fight Club
Outlaw Josey Wales
Touch of Evil
The Player
Monty Python Meaning or Lifew and Holy Grail
The Road Warrior
The Thin Man
Larry the Arab
The Party
5th Element
Casino

There's just SO MUCH stuff I left off. I tried to keep it fairly well rounded (altho I notice a marked lack of foreign titles in my list).

Great stuff on others lists like:

Crumb
Odd Couple
Dr Strangelove
Fargo (watched it last night as a matter of fact)
Roger and Me
Sunset Blvd

I left off Schindlers, LOTR, Casablanca intentionally. Overrated to a one.