This is just a simple list of some of my favorite films of all time. Making this list was extremely difficult for me because I usually don't like ranking the various films I have seen in my lifetime. My favorite films fluctuate from day-to-day and it is hard to articulate why one film in one genre is objectively better than this other film in a different genre (I don't like playing favorites). That having been said, these are ten films that immediately popped into my head when thinking about films that have effected me in a meaningful way. These are films that I like to rewatch, analyze, and just be entertained by. These films matter to me because they help me see the world in a new light, help me through emotional pain, or just make me smile for a few minutes.

10. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

Captain America is one of my favorite superheroes of all time. He is a strong and dedicated soldier, but he is also a moral person. He is kind and does his best to do the right thing. I love this film because it's about Captain America's goodhearted nature coming into conflict with the modern world's morally grey sensibilities. This film really spoke to me because it deals with the struggle of maintaining a sense of morality and human kindness in a world that seems to have none (which has felt even truer over these last few months). This is one of my favorite MCU films due to its ability to balance crazy superhero action, character drama, and commentary on our modern political fears and anxieties. It's a film that tells us that doing the right thing is not easy, but you still have to do it because it's right.

9. "The Lego Movie"

"The Lego Movie" is just a joy to watch from beginning to end. The film is a delightful surrealist comedy that uses clever visual and audio gags throughout. The film is also a brilliant parody of the "Hero's Journey" plot device that has been used in various Hollywood blockbusters at nauseam since "Star Wars". The film is also a satire about rampant capitalism and how it can be used to control the population by supplying false comfort and assimilation. This movie is the rare kind of "children's film" that has an interesting and meaningful point to make while also being a comedy that relies on slapstick humor and clever sight gags. I dare someone to watch this and not crack a smile at least once through this film. I always find humor and comfort in this film. "The Lego Movie" acts as my personal antidepressant (which I have really needed lately).

8. "The Adventures of Robin Hood"

This is the oldest film on my list, but that doesn't harm it in any way. "The Adventures of Robin Hood" is a film from 1938 and features one of the greatest action stars of the time (Errol Flynn) as Robin Hood. This film is just a lot of fun to watch, mostly due to Errol playing a very charming, witty, and rogue-like Robin Hood. He steals the show in every scene he is in. He is also joined by Claude Rains who plays a flamboyant, hammy, and completely entertaining Prince John. The film is also one of the first films to use color and they knew how to use it to great effect. I recommend watching this film on Blu-ray just to get the optimal amount of color on screen. This film is a fun little adventure filled with personality and wit. It is also a great little time capsule that showcases the best elements from "The Golden Age" of Hollywood.

7. "Spider-Man 2"

Spider-Man is my favorite superhero. I always related to the problems he went through (especially in high school) and it was inspiring to see him struggle through his day-to-day problems. "Spider-Man 2" completely nails this aspect of the character. This film shows us how being Spider-Man has negatively affected Peter Parker's (Toby Maguire) personal life and he chooses to stop being Spider-Man. However, Peter eventually learns that he must put the welfare of others over his own. This is what makes Spider-Man a great character. I love this film for many of the same reasons I love "Captain America: The Winter Soldier". The film deals with a person who has to sacrifice what he/she wants in order to do the right thing. It also helps to have one of the best superhero fights in film history (you all know I'm talking about the train fight).

6. "Saving Private Ryan"

"Saving Private Ryan" serves as one of the most realistic portrayals of war and how war effects those who have fought in it that I have ever scene. We are shown warfare in all of its chaotic and bloody awfulness. We see men scream in pain and try desperately to get to cover. This is a far cry from the overly "heroic", overly macho, overly adventurous celebrations of warfare that were common in Hollywood's "Golden Age". This film is also does not depict a black and white, good verses evil conflict when it comes to the foot soldiers. We see the Germans do some horrible things, but (in a unique change) we also see some Americans commit war crimes as well. I like that the film does not shy away from war atrocities the Allies committed and acts as a reminder that both sides in a war have the capacity for terrible behavior. However, the film is about finding a level a decency in war. The film is also about honoring those who fought in war by showing them as flawed humans and empathizing with their situation and with them as people, rather than shallow and patronizing hero worship.

5. "Mad Max: Fury Road"

"Mad Max: Fury Road" is one of the greatest action films I have seen in my entire life. The film is an action packed adrenaline rush that should teach future film students how to edit, pace, shoot, and write an effective action film. The film features beautiful cinematography, sound editing, and subtle character and world building. The film also has surprisingly deep themes about objectification and how toxic masculinity perpetuates the objectification of people (mostly women). The film features a predominantly female cast (which is rare for action films) and allows most of the women to be multi-dimensional characters which is presented through their actions rather than dialog. The film does all of this while also being an awesome car chase movie using mostly practical effects. It's a film that's not afraid to be about the societal objectification, and guys strapped to cars with a wall of speakers and a flamethrowing electric guitar.

4. "Total Recall"

"Total Recall" (the original 1990 version, not the 2012 remake) is a beautiful blend of stupid and smart. Paul Verhoeven's style of science fiction really appeals to me. The man makes films that are cheesy and fun action films on the surface, but they often carry fascinating political or philosophical themes under the surface (such as "Robo Cop" being about the loss of humanity and satirizing the rampant "Reagan-Era" capitalism of the 80s). His films are also cartoonishly violent which is very fun to watch. "Total Recall" plays with our perception of what we consider real or not. What makes our real world more meaningful than one created in the computer? The film, like "Mad Max: Fury Road", asks interesting questions about philosophy and our relationship with the world, while still having people's eyes cartoonishly pop out of their heads on Mars.

3. "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back"

While I can say that I might have more fun watching "Return of the Jedi", "The Empire Strikes Back" is still my favorite "Star Wars" film. The film takes all the characters we love and develops their characters further. Luke (Mark Hamill) learns more about the force and how temptation could warp his view of good and evil. We see Han (Harrison Ford) and Leia (Carrie Fisher) develop their romance more. We are also treated to a darker film that depicts our heroes failing through out the film, but they never lose that spark of hope that something better is around the corner. This film is about struggling through the darkest times to achieve victory, which I and many others can relate to a lot. This was the "Star Wars" film that made me see the franchise I love today as something more than just cool ships and laser swords. I saw the story and character potential, as well as the vast scope and creativity of this universe.

2. "Toy Story"

If you've read some of my other work you should know why "Toy Story" is on this list. This was one of the first films I ever saw in theaters (I was three years old at the time) and it was one of the films that got me interested in film. This movie is the reason I am here today talking to you about movie, so how could I not have it on my list. The film, itself, is a fun and colorful adventure surrounding living toys who have to get home. However, the film truly shines when it reveals its thematic core. The film is ultimately about growing old and the fear of irrelevancy and mortality that that brings. It manages to do that while also being a cute and colorful film full of clever jokes and sight gags. "Toy Story" is a film that will have a special place in my heart until the day I die. It's a film I hope to show my kids (if I have any) one day, along with my next film.

1. "The Iron Giant"

Many film fluctuated while making this list, but the one that always stayed at number one was "The Iron Giant". This film is to me what "E.T." was to children of the 80s. It's a heartwarming film about a boy and his alien robot. We see them grow together and bond together. In the end, the Giant (Vin Diesel) learns to choose his own fate and decides to emulate the selfless heroics of his hero Superman in a really emotional moment that I don't want to spoil. This is a film that I watched multiply times as a kid. I love all the robot stuff, but as an adult I learned to appreciate the character development, animation, and the satire of America's Cold War paranoia during the 50s. The Giant represents the unknown and how humans react violently to it due to fear of the unknown. I currently own three copies of this film (my worn out original VHS, DVD, and a collectors edition Blu-ray set) which shows you how much I love this film. "The Iron Giant" showed me how fictional characters and drawings can still have the power to inspire us an move us to tears. This is why "The Iron Giant" is my favorite film.