Finally... The Top Ten

10. Gladiator

"Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back."

9. A Christmas Story

Although "A Christmas Story" is now over 20 years old, it hasn't aged a bit. Every year I'm ready for another dose of magic Christmas mayhem. From the yellow-eyed, redheaded neighborhood bully to the Chinese restaurant Christmas dinner, this movie is 90 glorious minutes of every kid's best, worst, and weirdest childhood memories. On the surface the film may appear to be no more than a holiday classic, but many scenes are so universally human, they cannot be denied.

One particularly special moment happens on Christmas morning, after Ralphie, surrounded by wrapping paper and mediocre gifts, has given up on getting a Red Ryder B.B. Gun, only to discover that there is one last gift to open. Scenes like this one have proven year in, year out that wishes really do come true. On a less heartwarming note, the kid getting his tongue stuck to the pole is particularly memorable. "A Christmas Story" is the perfect movie for anyone who wants to re-live the weird and wonderful experience of childhood. 8. Crash

"It's a really good cloak."

7. Fight Club

"Fight Club" combines the ideas of anti-consumerism and anti-self-actualization with uncompromising dialogue, highly stylized cinematography and an ending so good, it could make M. Night Shyamalan cry. Though credit for the ideas must be given to the book and its author, Chuck Paluhniuk, the unique pacing and noir film style are trademarks of director David Fincher ("Seven," "The Game"). The acting as well cannot go unmentioned: no one else could have played the character Tyler Durden like Brad Pitt. Chain-smoking, wearing lounge lizard outfits with aviator shades, and ranting about the downfalls of mankind, Pitt doesn't just play Durden, he is Durden. With its hidden messages, bizarre humor, and undeniable presence, this movie has endless re-play value and you're bound to find something new every time.

6. Jerry Maguire

"You are the ambassador of Quan." "Jerry Maguire" more than deserves to be in the top ten movie choices. It's a great movie that follows a man out to change his career for the better, and along the way he learns a lot about himself and love. There are also great actors like Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jonathan Lipnicki, and Renee Zellweger. Besides the stellar plot and cast, the film is filled with many memorable quotes. Who doesn't like to scream out movie quotes with their friends? "You had me at hello" or "I love him for the man he wants to be and I love him for the man that he almost is…" are both great quotes that not only touch the heart but make a lot girls put them in their AIM profile dreaming of their own Jerry Maguire. If you haven't seen this movie, you are going to have to check it out!

5. Almost Famous

I can't think of a better film for someone who loves music, movies, and writing. "Almost Famous" is a semi-autographical, breathtaking view of rock and roll in the 1970s. The story follows aspiring rock journalist William Miller (Patrick Fugit) who goes on tour with the fictitious band Stillwater. Though, his naivity isn't quite prepared for the sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle of the road. He manages to fall in love with groupie dejour Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) and befriend the rockstars (Billy Crudup and Jason Lee) despite warnings from his mentor Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman) against doing so. The acting is amazing. Frances McDormand is brilliant as William's overbearing, yet well-meaning mother. And then there was Hudson as my favorite film character of all time: Penny Lane. She is so good that she adds depth to a character that could have been limited.

The writing is amazing as well, full of great lines of dialouge. What makes Crowe so wonderful at writing is that he acknowledges his characters faults but the audience still loves the characters no matter what. From the sing along of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" to everyone singing "On the Cover of the Rolling Stone" at the club to the shockingly beautiful way "My Sharie Amore" is used, every song and its placement couldn't be more perfect.

It's an honest, true depiction of what life was like in a more carefree, free-spirited time without being too over the top or cheesy. The casting of the film was perfect. The choice of each song was perfect. The writing was perfect. The direction was perfect. There is no movie that I love more than "Almost Famous." 4. Monty Python & the Holy Grail

3. Forrest Gump

If you are into love stories, if you get a kick out of watching slow people, if you're a History Channel buff, and if you jam out to music that ranges from Elvis Presley to Lyndyrd Skynard, "Forrest Gump" is your kind of movie. It honestly has everything you could ask for. Following the life of mentally slow Forrest (Tom Hanks), we catch a glimpse of an ordinary fellow trying to be with the love of his life: Jenny (Robin Wright Penn). However, this southern-touched boy is far from ordinary. We watch him fight in the Vietnam War with Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinise), win the world championship in Ping-Pong, meet the rock-n-roll King himself, run the entire USA a half-a-dozen times, and even show his bare ass to President Johnson. Though the film is not a documentary or considered factual, it is a fable of American history in the 20th century.

Cast and Crew: Tom Hanks - Forrest Gump Robin Wright Penn - Jenny Curran Gary Sinise - Lt. Dan Taylor Mykelti Williamson - Bubba Sally Field - Mrs. Gump Haley Joel Osmont - Forrest Junior Peter Dobson - Elvis Presley Kevin Davis - Black Panther Dick Clark - Himself John F. Kennedy - Himself Robert Zemeckis - Director Eric Roth - Screenwriter Susan Schuler-Page - Hair Stylist Erwin H. Kupitz - Facial Hair Maker

2. The Notebook

There's the stereotypical "chick-flick." And then there's "The Notebook." "The Notebook" is a romantic favorite because it is the theatrical embodiment of the fairy-tale love that so may of us hope to find. Noah and Allie, despite challenges, spend "a summer beneath the trees, learning and growingfrom each other in love." Just as fate brings them together, however, it eventually tears them apart. Noah is heartbroken when he learns that Allie has agreed to marry another man. Not even an epic struggle with Allzheimer's Disease, however, can make Allie forget her first love.