Max Rissman
The wisest, most insightful movie I have ever seen. Platinum standard for a screenplay, not to mention impeccable acting and direction. I watch it every Valentines Day as I cry into my whiskey.
Eternal Sunshine
of the Spotless Mind
01
The Matrix
I’m not huge on action movies, but this one has it all. A premise that makes you question the very nature of reality. The scariest villain in the history of cinema, in my humble opinion. Breathtaking kung fu. The invention of bullet time. Iconic, quotable lines that will live in the culture forever. And hey, it even made four different kinds of sunglasses famous. Plus, it was one of the first R rated movies I was ever allowed to watch, so it has a special place in my heart.
02
I thought this was the funniest movie on the planet in middle school, and I still do. So what if it’s juvenile, I have never laughed harder at anything and I will cherish this movie for the rest of my days.
Kung Pow!
Enter the Fist
03
One of my childhood favorites, and it still holds up. The animation style is so unique, it’s a visual feast, and the story is extraordinarily poignant for a kids movie. Plus, it has a great soundtrack. I can still recite most of the songs by heart.
The Nightmare
Before Christmas
04
05
Adaptation
Okay, I cheated and did a tie. Although both of these are Spike Jones movies, so it’s only half cheating. Both are great films that I have a personal connection to. I love ADAPTATION for its spot on depiction of a neurotic screenwriter and HER stars my doppelgänger, so I get to see what I would look like with a mustache without actually having to grow one.