These movies are my favorite in different genres, so it would be unfair to rank them. I love all of these movies and could watch them over and over everyday. And just like most things you love, you love to share them with those you care about. It takes a lot to make my favorites list so they deserve something special.
So without further adieu my favorite movies are as follows:
Memento (2000)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Writer(s): Johnathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan
Language: English
Runtime: 113 mins
Cast
Leonard: Guy Pearce
Natalie: Carrie-Anne Moss
Teddy Gammell: Joe Pantoliano
Awards: Nominated for 2 Oscars
42 wins, 32 nominations
Leonard is an ex-insurance investigator who can no longer build new memories. The last thing he remembers is his wife's murder and through the movie he attempts to find the one who did the deed. Memento is filmed from the conclusion backwards slowly revealing more and more. It is also filmed partially in black & white and partially in color which brings you into the mind of Leonard; the facts are black & white but life is in color. The constant mystery and intrigue captivates you until the very satisfying conclusion of the film. Whether you care about the deep psychological discussions that can grow from this movie or you're just looking for a good mystery; this movie delivers.
Favorite Quote
Leonard: Memory can change the shape of a room; it can change the color of a car. And memories can be distorted. They're just an interpretation, they're not a record, and they're irrelevant if you have the facts.

Genre: Action, Biography
Writer(s): Edmond Wong (screenplay)
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese
Runtime: 106 mins
Cast
Ip Man: Donnie Yen
Zhou Qing Quan: Simon Yam
Jin Shan Zhao: Siu-Wong Fan
Li Zhao: Ka Tung Lam
Master Zealot Lin: Yu Xing
Awards: 12 wins, 10 nominations
Ip Man (Yip Man) is a semi-biographical account of former Kung Fu master of Bruce Lee, Ip Man. He is well known as the first martial arts master to teach the "ladies" Chinese martial art of Wing Chun. Although I do not know the exact history of Ip Man, the fact that this movie is based on his life, however loosely, is awesome. I love the fact that this movie shows a fighting style created by a woman to simply kick ass in the most graceful way. The fighting choreography in this film is super entertaining to watch. It makes you want to jump out your seat and kick some Kung Fu dummies! The story not only touches your heart but displays the honor and courage carried by most Chinese and Japanese warriors.
Favorite Quote
Ip Man: I want to fight ten people!

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Writer(s): Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell (screenplay)
Language: English, Nyanja, Afrikaans
Runtime: 112 mins
Cast
Wikus Van De Merwe: Sharlto Copley
Grey Bradnam - UKNR Chief Correspondent: Jason Cope
Sarah Livingstone: Nathalie Boltt
Dr. Katrina McKenzie: Sylvaine Strike
Awards: Nominated for 4 Oscars
9 wins, 29 nominations
An alien population has developed in a refugee camp labeled "District 9", Johannesburg, South Africa. The Multi-National United enters District 9 twenty-eight years after the "Prawns", the degrading nickname given to the aliens, arrival to evict and relocate the aliens to a pretty crappy looking "District 10". It is during this eviction process that Wikus discovers an alien chemical in one of the Prawns homes. District 9 is a breath of fresh air as the typical relationship portrayed between aliens and humans is quite different (aliens invading earth and attempt to blow everything up until our human heroes save the day). I found myself routing for the aliens and hating humans for once! After this movie you will find yourself talking to your friends wondering what will come next. District 9 leaves us wanting more, but all being well that's the way it will remain.
Favorite Quote
Christopher Johnson's Son: How many moons does our planet have?
Christopher Johnson: Seven.
Christopher Johnson's Son: This planet only has one. I can't wait to see our planet again... it's bigger than this one, isn't it?
Christopher Johnson: [turns off holographic atlas of what seems to be the Alien home planet] Enough.
Christopher Johnson's Son: We go home now?
Christopher Johnson: Not home, no. This is where we must go.
[shows his son an MNU brochure outlining "Sanctuary Park Alien Relocation Camp" aka District 10]
Christopher Johnson: See that tent there? That might be ours.
Christopher Johnson's Son: I want to go home!
Christopher Johnson: We can't go home. Not anymore.
WALL-E (2008)
Genre: Animation, Adventure
Director: Andrew Stanton
Writer(s): Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter (original story)
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon (screenplay)
Language: English
Runtime: 98 mins
Cast
WALL-E (voice): Ben Burtt
EVE (voice): Elissa Knight
Captain McCrea (voice): Jeff Garlin
Shelby Forthright: Fred Willard
Awards: Nominated for 1 Oscar
44 wins, 40 nominations
WALL-E is a garbage collecting robot left on earth to clean up the trash from products sold by the Buy N Large Corporation. WALL-E, the only surviving robot, excavates the "garbage" daily between his cleaning duties with his cockroach friend when one day EVE lands on earth in search of proof that life is sustainable once again. "He" falls head-over-heels for EVE, unfortunately she finds the proof needed and is taken to the giant cruise-ship-like spaceship where the drama ensues. The dialogue between the main characters is limited, however the "facial expressions" and "body language" expressed speaks mounds. WALL-E succeeded in giving emotion to an emotionless machine and melts my heart every time. This film brings to life mankind's over indulgence, consumerism and ultimately or "I don't give a *$%@ about the environment, the next generation can deal with it" attitude. We are one messed up species and if we don't get our act together, who knows, we might end out evolving into fat useless beings floating in space... think about it.
Favorite Quote
EVE: WALL-E!
Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Writer(s): Guy Ritchie
Language: English
Runtime: 107 mins
Cast
Tom: Jason Flemyng
Soap: Dexter Fletcher
Eddy: Nick Moran
Bacon: Jason Statham
Winston: Steven Mackintosh
Awards: 13 wins, 7 nominations
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels has so many twists, turns and utter confusion that I'm not going to get into a summary. I don't know what it is about the British accent but it certainly adds to the humor of this movie. Their colorful use of curse words is quite charming. The characters are laughably clumsy and yet can evoke unexpected emotion. Big Chris and Little Chris' relationship is a paradox and I love it. That is the type of relationship I would like to have with my father if he was a murderous thug. Bacon is as cool as you would expect from Jason Statham. Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels is the kind of crime flick that will keep you guessing while cracking you up.
Favorite Quote
Big Chris: It's been emotional.

Genre: Comedy
Writer(s): Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
Language: English
Runtime: 100 mins
Cast
Phil Wenneck: Bradley Cooper
Stu Price: Ed Helms
Alan Garner: Zach Galifianakis
Doug Billings: Justin Bartha
Jade: Heather Graham
Awards: 3 wins, 11 nominations
In the Hangover, Doug heads off to Las Vegas two days before his wedding with two of his friends and his brother-in-law to be for his bachelor party. Unfortunately, they have way too much fun and for some reason Doug is missing. The guys freak out (naturally) and attempt to retrace their steps in an attempt to find Doug and get him to his wedding on time. Talk about the definition of "whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". These guys get into situations that only could happen on a wasted Vegas bachelor party mess-of-a-trip. Getting married, cops, missing teeth, animals in your suite, random baby, lost bachelor, Mike Tyson wtf?! Not to mention the characters. Alan is a hairy, awkward, weird-ass guy who you really don't want to be around but his role in the group is so utterly hilarious that you can't help but enjoy his presence. That Asian guy! (that's all I will say about him). The Hangover is priceless.
Favorite Quote
Phil: You're not really wearing that are you?
Alan: Wearing what?
Phil: The man purse. You're actually gonna wear that or are you just f***in' with me?
Alan: It's where I keep all my things. Get a lot of compliments on this. Plus it's not a purse, it's called a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one.
Phil: So does Joy Bahar.
The Matrix (1999)
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Writer(s): Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Language: English
Runtime: 136 mins
Cast
Neo: Keanu Reeves
Morpheus: Laurence Fishburne
Trinity: Carrie-Anne Moss
Agent Smith: Hugo Weaving
Awards: 32 wins, 36 nominations
Thomas Anderson, also known as Neo, is a computer hacker who is contacted by Morpheus who tries to show Neo the real world vs. the Matrix in which he currently resides. In this world, machines have taken control and thrive off humans' energy. The Matrix is a conspiracy on unimagined levels, everything we think is real has been programmed in our minds. The nerds of the world must have freaked as their superhero, Neo arrived. The imagery plays homage to computers, not only through the obvious binary coding but by the film's green overlay, very cool. This film is so great that it inspired dance moves! How many movies have that kind of effect? Lastly, there is only one Matrix. Despite the fact that the "Matrix Trilogy" started this whole trilogy of movies trend, the Matrix became watered down, stomped and spat on. The Wachowshi brothers should hang their heads in shame and never speak of those other two movies that came after the Matrix again.
Favorite Quote
Morpheus: Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.

Genre: Animation, Action
Writer(s): Kazunori Ito (writer), Masamune Shirow (comic)
Language: Japanese
Runtime: 82 mins
Cast
Major Motoko Kusanagi (voice): Atsuko Tanaka
Bateau (voice): Richard Epcar
Batô (voice): Akio Ôtsuka
Project 2501 aka "The Puppet Master" (voice): Iemasa Kayumi
Awards: 5 wins, 2 nominations
In the year 2029 the world has become something to behold as humans have become literally a well-connected network. As a result, crime has also advanced to hacking this network. Cyborgs are developed in an attempt to cut these crimes down to size. The philosophy behind this film runs deep. What makes us human? What is it to be a living being? What separates these cyborgs from humans. The title alone "Ghost in the Shell" speaks volumes. Is this "ghost" a cyborgs soul? And if they have a soul are they living? Is it possible that with all the advancements in technology we have seen now, will this "Ghost in the Shell" world become real? It's not too far-fetched is it? This film would fit right in a college course, Philosophy in Film 101 perhaps (I actually took this class in college, great stuff) or even Religion 101, think about it.
Favorite Quote
Section 6 Dept Cheif Nakamura: Nonsense! There's no proof at all that you are a living, thinking form!
Puppet Master: And can you offer me proof of your existence? How can you, when neither modern science nor philosophy can explain what life is?
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Genre: Animation, Adventure
Writer(s): Cressida Cowell (novel), Dean DeBlois (screenplay)
Language: English
Runtime: 98 mins
Cast
Hiccup (voice): Jay BaruchelStoick (voice): Gerard Butler
Gobber (voice): Craig Ferguson
Astrid (voice): America Ferrera
Snotlout (voice): Jonah Hill
Ruffnut (voice): Kristen Wiig
Awards: Nominated for 2 Oscars
8 wins, 28 nominations
Where to begin. This movie blew me away. Went in with no expectations at all and was taken for a ride I will never forget. This film is one emotional roller-coaster. Happy, sad, angry, nervous, surprised, hopeful, etc. This is the first "kids" flick in a while that really threw me for a loop; it was unpredictable. The character developments and relationships throughout the film were not only heartwarming but relatable. Looking deeper, How to Train Your Dragon digs into one of humanities greatest faults, making assumptions... He looked into its eyes and saw himself. Now the only thing that they could have done in this movie to make it the greatest animation ever is to have Stoick kick a dragon down a pit and yell "This is Berk!" Love it.
Favorite Quote
Stoick: Your mother would have wanted you to have it.... It's half her breastplate.
The Cove (2009)
Writer: Mark Monroe
Language: English
Runtime: 92 mins
Cast
Richard O'Barry
Louie Psihoyos
Hardy Jones
Awards
Oscar - Best DocumentaryDGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary
Motion Picture Producer of the Year Award - Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures
Another 22 wins and 5 nominations
Yes, this movie is about dolphins BUT there is so much more. Not only does this film shed light on the blind world we have been living but it also brings to the table many issues with human beings. These activists are not only passionate but they seem to be cool people, and pretty bad-ass. This is one film that should be seen by the masses not only for entertainment as the world should bare witness to the truth.
Favorite Quote
Richard O'Barry: If you aren't an activist, you're an inactivist.
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