Quinn's Top 10 Favorite Films

I think it's pretty obvious that whatever your favorite movie is, it’s probably the movie that got you into cinema in the first place. Considering how much my number one pick played with my mind when I first saw it, I can definitely say that it’s responsible for me having the love and passion for cinema that I have today. Once you’ve found that one film, you find many others that get you to love the world of cinema even more, and Lord knows if I love something I can’t and won’t shut up about its praises!
So with that said, here are what I consider to be my favorite movies of all time:

10. The Dark Knight (2008)
This is the film that got me to love superhero films. The Dark Knight is also the film that proved for a lot of people, myself included, that superhero films can be serious and even tackle certain aspects of everyday life on par with other genres. I did get sick and tired when everyone decided to make every other superhero film dark and edgy, but as the original, The Dark Knight still ranks as one of the best.

9. The Avengers (2012)
But then of course you have the superhero movie that proved that even if a movie embraces the wackier side, it can still become a great film. Yes, The Dark Knight might have the better, gripping story, but The Avengers is just so much fun and knows what it's trying to be. 

8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Did I mention I love superhero films? Because Guardians of the Galaxy made me cement it in my head that yes, this is a genre I love and want to stay. The cast and characters (barring Ronan) were great and got a laugh out of me. Not only that, it managed to take a stupid concept and make it funny AND emotional. I didn’t go in thinking I would tear up at certain moments, but the film was done so well that I could easily buy the more dramatic elements.

7. History of the World Pt. 1 (1981)
Out of all the Mel Brooks movies I’ve seen (which sadly I still have quite a few to go) History of the World Pt. 1 was my first and definitely one of my favorites. It helps that I’m into history and just appreciate how much Brooks messes with historical figures, events and places. The jokes are always spot-on, the timing is great, and honestly, The Inquisition scene is probably one of my favorite scenes in cinema. Taking an event like that, turning it into a giant musical number and making it hysterical takes talent.

6. Blazing Saddles (1974)
Blazing Saddles is without question probably the best film Mel Brooks ever made. The jokes and characters in this film are just so laugh-out-loud hysterical that I couldn’t help but laugh at almost every scene. Not only that, but the fact that Mel Brooks decided to break from Western conventions and actually cast a black actor as the main hero, something we’d never see again until a couple decades later is remarkable, especially given the time period it was made in.

5. Pacific Rim (2012) 
Guillermo del Toro’s foray into Kaiju movies is not only a great love letter to the genre, but also films in general. The cast and characters were all fantastic (especially Ron Perlman and Idris Elba), and the Jaeger vs. Kaiju fights were some of the best action scenes I’ve seen in film. Plus, it’s the film that introduced me to Mako Mori, a character I love dearly! Here’s a character who in almost any other film would’ve been a love interest or side character, but instead she got to be one of the big focus points of the film. Not only that, but she has her own great personality, gets to have scenes of badassery AND has her own great character arc. She’s what I consider the bar for great female characters in film, and I hope more films can try and pass the Mako Mori test in the future.

4. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Are the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films campy as all get out? Yes, yes they are. Does that make them any less of films? No, no it doesn’t. Compared to some of the newer superhero films it’s not the best when it comes to story (and even sometimes acting) but it definitely still holds up in other regards. The characters start to develop more, Doc Ock is a very tragic and reluctant villain, and the fight scenes and choreography were great.

3. True Grit (2010) 
If there’s one thing I love about this movie, it’s that it takes the Western genre and flips it on its head. The brave renegade hero is a stumbling drunk, the lawful protector an in-over-his-head goof and the star of the film Maddie is just so deliciously cynical and vengeful. The theme of revenge in this film is so well done that you can’t help but feel for Maddie and all involved once it’s over. It’s the perfect combination of cynicism and slapdash.

2. Django Unchained (2012)
Tarantino has always been my favorite director. I consider him to be the person that got me to love cinema and all that it can be. And it comes as no surprise that when Django Unchained came out that not only was I going to see it, but also love it. The acting was great from all involved, the comedy/drama/suspense/thrills/etc. were fantastic and memorable and the action scenes were brutal but exciting.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Not only is Tarantino my favorite director, but he’s also responsible for making my favorite film of all time. Every performance is great, the jokes and drama get me every time, the dialogue is some of the best I’ve heard in a film, and the philosophy and teachings of the film stick with me to this day.

Aaron's Top 10 Favorite Films

Movies have been a large and critical part of my life. I have these to thank for my passion and devotion toward trying to become a writer in that land out West. So without further ado, here are my top ten favorite movies:

10. Nightcrawler (2014)

The most recent film in my top ten, Nightcrawler features a brilliant script, a memorable performance by Jake Gyllenhaal and the gorgeous, neon color scheme of Los Angeles.   Nothing is unforgettable in this dark thriller.

9. American Psycho (2000)

American Psycho is my favorite dark comedy and features Christian Bale’s best performance as Patrick Bateman. Jumping between funny and psychotic, the film never lets up until the ambiguous ending.

8. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

This was the first Edgar Wright film that I ever saw. Everything in this film is creative fun. One of my absolute favorite zombie, comedy films.

7. Psycho (1960)

A true classic with a remarkable twist. This is Hitchcock’s most impressive film, which is really saying something.

6. Anchorman (2004)

My favorite comedy ever made. This movie is a quotable monster that never fails to make me laugh with its random and ingeniously idiotic humor.

5. No Country for Old Men (2007)

A movie that is responsible for my fingernail biting habit. This Coen Brothers' epic should be retitled, "Tension: The Movie".

4. Aliens (1986)

How do you top Alien, a sci-fi, horror classic? You bring in James Cameron and turn it into an action thrill ride. Also, big points to the movie for providing more Xenomorphs, my favorite horror monster.

3. Terminator 2 (1991)

How to make a badass, sci-fi classic cocktail: grab one of my favorite actors (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a strong female character, fantastic chase scenes, timeless effects, an interesting plot, an intimidating villain and mix well for over two hours. This is the epitome of what an action movie should look like.

2. The Dark Knight (2008)

While this is my favorite comic book movie, it is not focused on superheroes. This is a philosophical, detective film that is the magnum opus of Christopher Nolan’s work. It’s iconic, deep, intelligent and unforgettable.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)

This thing… Oh, boy… Where do I even start? I try to be fancy and somewhat vague with why I love some of these films, but I’ll be specific with my number one. This movie is a [insert Quentin Tarantino's favorite word here] masterpiece in every way possible. Not only does it tell multiple stories in a new-at-the-time, non-linear style, but it also provides some of the best dialogue of any movie ever. It’s one of the films that inspired me to be a scriptwriter. I will never get tired of watching this gem.

While those are my top ten movies, here are some honorable mentions: Hot Fuzz (2007), The Shining (1980), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Godzilla (2014), Dawn of the Dead (2004), Die Hard (1988), The Room (2003).

Megan's Top 10 Favorite Films

I wasn't always such a big movie lover. Sure, I liked movies just about as much as any other person, but I didn't start to really love them until about high school. I can't pinpoint the exact moment it happened, but I think I just started to search out different types of movies, started to pay attention a little bit more, and that's when I grew a true appreciation for film.

I'm a huge list person. I don't particularly consider myself type A, but I'm really into lists. If you ask me for one movie recommendation, I'll give you eleven. If you ask for a specific genre, I'll give you a few in that genre and ten more outside of it. I just really like movies, and when I find one that I absolutely love I feel compelled to make sure everyone I know sees it as well.

That being said, I have a list of my top 10 favorite films. I keep it on my phone in case it comes up in casual conversation and I forget one. I update this list a couple of times a year. Sometimes the order changes, but here it goes:

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

This is about as cliche as a #1 pick can get considering it's rated #1 on IMDb, but I can't help it. I love everything about this movie. It may also help that it's adapted from a Stephen King short story and Stephen King is my favorite, but regardless, it leaves me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside that just makes me incredibly satisfied every time I watch it.

2. Fargo (1996)

I think Fargo is the first movie I ever watched that had the dry and dark humor that has quickly turned into my favorite type of movie. I remember watching this as a kid and thinking about how the comedy was so different than what I'd seen before. The Coen brothers are two of my favorite directors because of this.

3. Sling Blade (1996)

Bill Bob Thornton. Enough said. The guy is absolutely phenomenal in this. Sling Blade is incredibly touching and pretty much everything I never expected from Thornton.

4. American Beauty (1999)

First of all, I am in love with Kevin Spacey. He's just so cool. Second of all, this movie is awesome. It's weird and touching and violent, and all of the characters have these really interesting story lines that I really appreciated.

5. Good Willing Hunting (1997)

You can't go wrong with Matt Damon and especially Robin Williams. I even really like Ben Affleck when most people don't. Super quotable, super heartfelt. Again, I get that warm fuzzy feeling when I watch it. 

6. The Birdcage (1996)

My sister made me watch this after Robin Williams died and I fell in love. Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman and drag queens. It's just a really fun movie.

7. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

This was the first Wes Anderson film I'd ever seen and I was instantly a fan. It's quirky, heartfelt and has a killer cast.

8. The Princess Bride (1987)

It's a classic, guys. This is the first movie I suggest to people who haven't seen it when they ask for a recommendation. There's comedy, romance, fighting and I think I bring it up in conversation at least once a day.

9. Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

I just think this movie is insanely cool. Michael Keaton made a total acting comeback, and the ending was perfect.

10. Rain Man (1988)

I really only watched this because I felt like I should, but the story was awesome. I loved watching Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman interact with each other and watching them both grow throughout the story. Total heartwarming movie and even a little sad.

And that's my list! If you didn't notice, 1996 was apparently a really good year for movies in my opinion.