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.