Jack’s Top 10 Favorite Movies

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When it comes to choosing your favorite movies, some people have a hard time picking even one. “I don’t have a favorite movie” is often the response I hear when someone is asked that question. However, I feel that I have the opposite problem: I have too many movies that I might call my favorite. In my spreadsheet, I have 45 movies that rank at a 95/100 or higher.

When I sat down to make this list, I thought that I would just go down the line. I’d give every movie that was ranked 100/100, then 99, and so on. However, reading through my rankings, I came to understand the difference between a very good movie and a favorite movie. While not all of these movies are the highest ranked in my eyes, I would turn them on more often given the choice over another.

Note: I did my best to avoid any spoilers in my summaries, but I’ve seen these movies so many times that there might be one or two plot points that I don’t think of as spoilers anymore.

1. Ocean’s Eleven — 100/100

Danny Ocean has just been released from prison on parole, and now he has the plan for the perfect heist: knock off three Las Vegas casinos in one night. After Danny finds Rusty, his friend and criminal partner, the two form their team and get to work. Ocean’s Eleven stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and Andy Garcia.

This movie sits comfortably at the top of my list because it combines the calm with the thrill. The beauty of a heist movie is that it keeps you on the edge of your seat without all the high octane action (which I also love). With excellent character chemistry and driven dialogue, Ocean’s Eleven is a masterpiece. The plot, the cinematography, the score, the pacing, it all comes together in a simple perfection that will keep Ocean’s Eleven at the top of my list for the foreseeable future.

2. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — 100/100

Ferris Bueller is like any other high school senior: he wants out. Ferris is different, however, because he is able to get out. After faking sick, he wants to spend one awesome day with his best friend Cameron and his girlfriend Sloan before he resigns himself to the rest of his semester. Ed Rooney, the dean, isn’t having it though. He is sick of Ferris playing hooky, and sets out on a mission to find him so that he can hold Ferris back. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off stars Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck and Mia Sara.

A Chicago classic, Ferris and crew go all over the city that I grew up so close too. So, of course, I was instantly captivated by the movie. More than that, the movie is able to present real stakes in a relatively low-stakes scenario. Additionally, the audience sees actual character growth in a movie that takes place over a single day in nearly all of the main characters. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a great feel-good movie that never disappoints.

3. Avengers: Endgame — 100/100

Following the events of Avengers: Infinity War, the world is in chaos. The Avengers are scattered and the death toll is innumerable. Our heroes are presented with one final opportunity to save what they had lost but are unsuccessful. After five years in the waste that Thanos left behind, the remnants of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes find a last vessel of help in Scott Lang (Ant-Man). Now, with Tony Stark’s discovery of time travel, the Avengers must go back to some of the MCU’s key events to recover the Infinity Stones in an attempt to recover what they lost while preserving what they found.

Endgame is the greatest movie theater experience I have had in my 19 years of life. For years I had followed this franchise with every step, loving it all. The culmination of 11 years of movies had so much hype and anticipation behind it, that I had fears that it might not live up to it all. Those fears were quelled within the first five minutes in the theater. Opening night, the earliest showing I could get, sitting down with a room full of fans that had the same excitement I had, is something I will never forget. The movie brought me to tears more than once, out of sadness, but also out of true unbridled joy at some of the most cinematic moments I’ve ever seen.

4. Guardians of the Galaxy — 100/100

Peter Quill is a human who was abducted by space pirates at a young age after the death of his mother. Brought up by the pirates, known as Ravagers, Quill grew up to become Star-Lord, (not) legendary space outlaw. After a deal gets him tangled up in some serious shit, he finds himself in prison where he befriends a group of misfits in order to escape. After a little more “self-interest above all else,” this team must overcome their flaws to save the galaxy. Guardians of the Galaxy stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel.

I never read comics growing up, but I knew all the household names: Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Batman, the Flash, Superman. When I went to see Guardians with my family in 2014, I had no idea who these characters were, nor did many of the biggest comic fans. I went because of Chris Pratt, who I loved in Parks and Recreation. This year, I was Star-Lord for Halloween. Marvel Studios transformed a virtually unknown property into a household name. The movie’s found family theme, throwback soundtrack and light, goofy comedy made it something so different from Marvel’s Phase 1 staples. In the end, thought, its ability to bounce from comedic to dramatic to action-packed is what really earns Guardians of the Galaxy the fourth spot on this list.

5. The Lion King – 100/100

Simba the lion is next to the throne for domain over the savanna, much to the chagrin of his uncle, Scar. His father, Mufasa, takes him through the duties of a king and the circle of life that allows the savanna to flourish, but Simba has no interest; he wants to run free and do as he pleases. Then, Mufasa is killed saving Simba from a stampede. After Scar convinces Simba that he is responsible for causing the stampede, and consequentially his father’s death, Simba runs away for fear of how the rest of the lion pride will react. He then encounters Timon and Pumba, a quirky duo of a meerkat and warthog. Simba grows up running around care-free with the two, until one day he runs into Nala, his best friend from childhood. She pleads with him to return to the savanna and take his rightful place on the throne; Scar’s decisions as ruler have turned the savanna to a barren waste. Now, Simba must usurp his treacherous uncle and restore the savanna to its former bounty. The Lion King stars Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons and Nathan Lane.

The Lion King is not only the greatest movie from Disney’s Renaissance Era, but possibly the best movie to ever come from the studio. The dichotomy with Simba finally finding that desired freedom after his father’s death, but now carrying the guilt from it as well is something that is presented so subtly that it could be overlooked all together. The greatest tool of a movie is to show, not tell the audience what it is trying to say and The Lion King does so to perfection.

6. Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse — 100/100

Miles Morales is just trying to get through high school, awkward enough for the average teenager, more so with an overbearing cop for a father. When spray painting a wall under the subway with his uncle, Miles gets bit by a radioactive spider. After he begins to develop powers, he returns to the scene of the bite to investigate. This leads to him stumbling across Spider-Man in the midst of stopping Kingpin’s latest scheme. After the heroics go awry, Spider-Man is dead and Miles is on the run. However, due to Kingpin’s plot, Spider-People from alternate universes have been pulled into this one. Now, these heroes are Miles’ chance to learn the ropes and save all their universes before they get torn apart by Kingpin’s machine. Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse stars Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Nicholas Cage, John Mulaney and Kimiko Glenn.

The animation style of this movie reflects the comic style as an homage to the source material. The soundtrack is chock-full of playlist worthy bops. The character’s interactions, motivations and flaws all mesh together in a perfect harmony. The “What’s Up Danger” scene might be my favorite shot in any movie. In all of that, what makes this movie so perfect is the subtleties. In the climatic scenes, Miles has come into his own as hero, which is beautifully demonstrated by his reflection in the display case. We see the skills of his mentors and peers imprinted on him as he swings through the battle; Miles is now fluid as Spider-Man. In fact, his frame rate is increased throughout the movie to make him look less choppy. This movie perfectly captures the true essence of Spider-Man: anyone can wear the mask.

7. A Few Good Men — 98/100

Lt. Daniel Kaffee is a young hotshot Navy lawyer. He has an infamous record of settling every case before it can see a courtroom. When Lance Corporal Harold Dawson and Private Louden Downey, two Marines stationed at Guantanamo Bay, are charged with killing a member of their unit, Kaffee is assigned to their case. Lt. JoAnne Galloway, however, fears that Kaffee isn’t cut out for this case. Galloway believes that the Marines are innocent and insists on being involved with the case. Kaffee now must take charge of the case, with help of friend and colleague Lt. Sam Weinberg, and do what he can to get to the bottom of what happened in Guantanamo Bay. A Few Good Men stars Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Kevin Pollak, Jack Nicholson and Kevin Bacon.

The tension, adrenaline and stakes of the climatic scene in the courtroom are astounding. While A Few Good Men can seem slow initially, the movie continually finds ways to keep you invested in the story and characters. The first time I turned it on, I wasn’t sure this was the movie for me, but I was cheering, literally jumping up and down, at that final courtroom scene. Tom Cruise delivers a powerful performance that is captivating without needing the noise of an action film. Courtroom dramas may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think that everybody should see this movie at least once.

8. The Fast and the Furious — 96/100

Brian O’Conner is an undercover cop infiltrating the world of street-racing. He’s on the hunt for a crew of elite drivers who have been stealing valuable merchandise from moving trucks on the highway. O’Conner get tangled up with Dom Toretto’s crew and begins to connect with them as he works to earn their respect. His superiors begin to believe that he’s in too deep after he develops feelings for Mia, Toretto’s sister. Now, O’Conner is on the clock to find out who is getting away with highway robbery before he gets pulled from the case or the truck drivers decide to fight back. The Fast and the Furious stars Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, and Matt Schulze.

The Fast and the Furious is my favorite installment of the franchise, just edging out Fast Five. It has by far the most grounded, cohesive plot of all ten. Brian is well developed as a character and his growing to care about Toretto’s crew is done in a believable way. While its successors may be too high-octane to throw on anytime, the 2001 original finds the perfect balance between the street races and developed plot.

On a tangential note: Fast and Furious as a franchise and its fans is often laughed at as the stunts and action get more Ludacris ludicrous with each new movie. As an avid fan of the entire series, I’m just going to say that it’s okay to enjoy stupid things. Not every movie needs to be some introspective piece on the state of society; it’s fun to watch the F&F crew jump a car between three buildings. Check out for a couple of hours and enjoy some fast cars; I promise it won’t kill you.

9. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith — 98/100

Now a full-fledged Jedi Knight, Anakin Skywalker has been fighting in the Clone Wars for three years, alongside mentor and friend Obi-Wan Kenobi. During a rescue mission to save Emperor Palpatine, Anakin kills Separatist leader Count Dooku, but fails to apprehend General Grievous, commander of the droid army. After this mission, Palpatine, who has formed a bond with Anakin, installs him on the Jedi Council as his liaison. The Council allows this, despite their distrust for the Emperor, because they wish to use Anakin to spy on him. When Obi-Wan goes off to fight Grievous, Anakin is left in a prime position to be turned to the Dark Side. Revenge of the Sith stars Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Ian McDiarmid

While it is not the best Star Wars film (The Empire Strikes Back rates 100/100 for me), and it certainly has it’s flaws, the action is what elevates this movie to my favorite of the franchise. Every lightsaber fight is choreographed to perfection. Each step and swing is purposeful, quick and forceful. Additionally, Ewan McGregor delivers an excellent performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and while Hayden Christensen is often derided for his performance, his awkwardness and confused demeanor is what sells Anakin’s fall to the Dark Side. It is also fair to point out that I grew up on the prequel movies, being born in ’02, but that does nothing more than strengthen my connection to these movies.

10. Palm Springs — 98/100

Before you read this synopsis and review, know that I recommend that new viewers go into this movie knowing nothing about the movie. It makes the first 10 minutes so much more entertaining, and any questions you might have get answered promptly. You’ve been warned.

Nyles is kicking back in Palm Springs, CA. There isn’t much around, but he’s only there for a wedding, of which his girlfriend is in the bridal party. When the bride’s maid of honor and older sister, Sarah, attempts to give a toast and bombs, Nyles swoops in with his own toast. The two hit it off, but the night takes a left turn when Nyles gets attacked out of the blue. After Sarah follows him into a mysterious cave, she wakes up in her bed back at the rental house. She goes to find Nyles to confront him about last night and discovers herself reliving the same day as before. When Sarah followed Nyles into that cave, she got stuck in a time loop that he has been living in since… well, he’s lost track. Now trapped together, the two begin to form an unexpected romance as they try to make the best of their situation. Palm Springs stars Andy Samberg, Cristin Millioti, and J.K. Simmons.

Palm Springs is my favorite take on the time loop trope. The fun part for me is that we learn everything as Sarah does, and because Nyles is so jaded by this experience already, we don’t see a suicide montage or things like that. Nyles has already resigned himself to this prison and is doing his best to make the most of it. Meanwhile, Sarah is new to the situation and still has the hope that faded from Nyles long ago. She tries confessing her secrets, improving her moral character, and other classic escapes from time loop scenarios. Their different outlooks on the life they find themselves in really adds to their development as characters. Palm Springs is a great choice to throw on any time that will leaving you thinking about it long after the credits roll. Also, if you chose to read this summary, let the people you watch the movie with go into it without knowing because that makes it so much better.

So there’s my top ten list. I don’t think many other people would share many of my opinions here, but I’m good with that. There is no definitive list, and anyone who thinks that is kidding themselves. Everyone should make their own opinions about the movies they like or don’t like; while critics have their place, they shouldn’t decide if you like a movie or not, and neither should other people. If your favorite movie is Grown Ups, while it sure as hell isn’t mine, good for you. Not every movie is meant for every audience and there is something really cool in that.