Favorite Films

I’ve always loved movies, all genres but especially sci-fi, and although a graduate student, I still make time to see a few a week. I’ve subscribed to  movie magazines since I was 14 and have long enjoyed reading and learning about old films, upcoming films, and the stories behind their production. Many films have been an integral part of my education (Michael Collins, Battle of Algiers, Malcolm X) and some biopics continue to inspire me (Rudy and October Sky). Below is an ever expanding list of my favorite films categorized into groupings particular to my interests. I hope you find this page useful in expanding your selection in film and please feel free to recommend any movies by commenting below. The links of the actors and directors lead to their profiles on Wikipedia and the listings of the films link to the film’s trailer – if available.

Favorite Films (to name a few):

1. The Matrix Saga (1999 – 2003)
2. Avatar (2009)
3. The Dark Knight Trilogy (’05-’12)
4. Braveheart (1995)
5. The Motorcycle Diaries (2003)
6. The Deer Hunter (1977)
7. Rudy (1993)
8. The Battle of Algiers (1966)
9. Malcolm X (1991)
10. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
11. Gandhi (1982)
12. Fight Club (1999)

Favorite Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio

1. Inception (2010)
2. The Basketball Diaries (1995)
3. Gangs of New York (2002)
4. The Beach (2000)
5. Blood Diamond (2006)
6. The Aviator (2004)
7. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
8. The Departed (2006)
9. Titanic (1997)
10. Shutter Island (2010)
11. Revolutionary Road (2008)
12. Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Favorite Actor: Michael Fassbender

1. X-Men: First Class (2011)
2. Prometheus (2012)
3. Hunger (2008)
4. Shame (2011)
5. A Dangerous Method (2011)
6. Fish Tank (2009)

Favorite Actor: Christian Bale

1. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
3. Batman Begins (2005)
4. The Fighter (2010)
5. The Prestige (2006)
6. Empire of the Sun (1987)
7. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Favorite Director: James Cameron

1. Avatar (2009)
2. Terminator (1984)
3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
4. Aliens (1986)
5. Titanic (1997)
6. The Abyss (1989)

Favorite Direction: Christopher Nolan

1. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
3. Batman Begins (2005)
4. Inception (2010)
5. The Prestige (2006)
6. Memento (2000)

Favorite Director: Steven Spielberg

1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
2. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)
3. The Indian Jones Trilogy (1981)
4. Empire of the Sun (1987)
5. Jurassic Park (1993)
6. Schindler’s List (1993)
7. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
8. Munich (2005)
9. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
10. War of the Worlds (2005)
11. Hook (1991)

Favorite Director: Stanley Kubrick

1. Spartacus (1960)
2. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
3. The Shining (1980)
4. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
5. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
6. Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Favorite Genre: Sci Fi:

1. The Matrix Saga (1999 – 2003)
2. Avatar (2009)
3. Inception (2010)
4. Terminator (1984)
5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
6. Aliens (1986)
7. The Abyss (1989)
8. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)
9. Jurassic Park (1993)
10. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
11. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
12. War of the Worlds (2005)
13. Back to the Future (1985-1990)
14. Contact (1997)
15. District 9 (2009)
16. The Island (2005)
17. Predator (1987)
18. Prometheus (2012)
19. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
20. Star Wars (1977-2005)
21. Super 8 (2011)
22. Total Recall (1990)
23. Transformers (2007)
24. Waterworld (1995)
25. The Postman (1997)
26. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Favorite War Films:

1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
2. Deer Hunter (1978)
3. Platoon (1986)
4. Apocalypse Now (1979)
5. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
6. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
7. Glory (1989)
8. First Blood (1982)

Favorite Gangster Films:

1. The Godfather (1972)
2. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
3. Goodfellas (1990)
4. Casino (1995)
5. Scarface (1983)
6. The Untouchables (1987)
7. A Bronx Tale (1993)

Favorite Crime Films:

1. Heat (1995)
2. Point Break (1991)
3. The Town (2010)
4. Drive (2011)
5. The Departed (2006)
6. Blow (2001)
7. City of God (2002)
8. Pulp Fiction (1994)
9. Carlito’s Way (1993)
10. The Usual Suspects (1995)
11. The Sting (1973)
12. Ocean’s 11 (2001)

Favorite Sports Films:

1. Rudy (1993)
2. The Rocky Saga (1976)
3. Friday Night Lights (2004)
4. Coach Carter (2005)
5. Cinderella Man (2005)
6. Any Given Sunday (1999)
7. Remember the Titans (2000)
8. Glory Road (2006)

Favorite Cult Classics:

1. The Goonies (1985)
2. The Warriors (1979)
3. Pulp Fiction (1994)
4. Rounders (1998)
5. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
6. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
7. Domino (2005)

Favorite Computer Animated Films:

1. Toy Story 3 (2010)
2. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
3. Shrek 2 (2004)

Foreign Films:

1. Paradise Now (2005)
2. Battle of Algiers (1966)
3. City of God (2002)
4. Lives of Others (2006)
5. Amelie (2001)
6. Persepolis (2007)

Iranian Films:

1. A Time for Drunken Horses (2000)
2. Children of Heaven (1997)

Favorite Documentaries:

1. Exit through the Gift Shop (2010)
2. Occupation 101 (2006)