I would like to say starting off that I’m basically just putting the first ten movies that pop up in my head that I feel like I could talk about somewhat intelligently . My favorites tend to change order and even get replaced depending on the mood I’m in . Also I’ve done my best not to put more than one movie per franchise in here to keep a decent variety . That being said , I think these are pretty great and y’all should check them out sometime if you get the chance !

1. Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

Every actor feels like they are pouring their hearts and souls into their performances . The cinematography of the movie does a great job of communicating to the audience the pressure each character is under throughout . Also it’s the best damn soundtrack to a movie I’ve ever heard . Each time I watch the film I feel myself getting drawn in . If I had to choose my favorite scene from this movie , I would probably choose the scene when the lepers crawl around and overwhelm Jesus . It’s not the scene with the best song ( that would either be Gethsemane or Heaven on their Minds) but it’s the scene with the most haunting visual I believe .

2. Signs (2002)

This is by far the best M. Night Shymalan film and I’d even argue that it’s the best alien invasion film . Mel Gibson is great as the preacher whom lost his faith , Joaquin Pheonix is the most likable he’s ever been , and you’ve got some of the best child acting ever put to film . The story is tragic but hopeful , the cinematography is creepy as hell , and the family dynamics feel real given the situation they are in . If I had to choose a favorite scene , it would have to be the iconic scene when we are watching the news and we briefly get to see one of the aliens passing by . Still gives me chills .

3. Star Wars Episode 3 : Return of the Sith

I hear that this is controversial to say but for me the best Star Wars movie has got to be episode 3 . The soundtrack is amazing (duh !) , it has most of the best action scenes in the series , and the tragedy of the story is played well . You can feel the brotherly love turned into betrayal between Obi wan and Anakin , the fear Anakin is experiencing over potentially losing his wife and child , and the dark tendrils of manipulation by Darth Sidious . Picking a favorite scene is always difficult but if I had to pick , it would be the scene when Anakin is waiting in the council room and Padme is waiting for Anakin at her place , and they both look out . I think the level of emotion displayed in that scene is staggering and I don’t think it gets the love it should .

4. Evil Dead 2 Dead By Dawn

Quite simply this is the best horror comedy I’ve ever watched . The slapstick comedy is well placed and manages to not take away from the impact of the horror of the situation . This is the movie that starts to turn Ash into a slightly more heroic figure and gets his signature chainsaw hand . The practical effects still hold up well to this day . If I had to pick a favorite scene , it would have to be the scene when Ash finally cuts off his possessed hand and you get that close up of his face . Just leaves me wondering if I could ever work up the nerve to do that .

5. The Mummy (1999)

This most likely the movie that kickstarted my interest in ancient Egyptian mythology . Imhotep was one of the most powerful villains I’ve seen , Rick O’Connell is one of the most badass protagonists , and this movie has got some of the most interesting side characters in a film . A lot of the visuals are great , the action was well shot , and the dialogue was witty in all the right ways . Also the soundtrack is topnotch . If I was choosing a favorite scene , I think it would have to be the final scene with Benny as the scarabs surround him and the lights go off . I can feel the bugs crawling now just thinking about it .

6. The Crow (1996)

This is the only comic book movie on the list . Was not intentional as I like them but I think recent years has sorta burned me out of them mostly for the moment . The Crow is the exception , in fact this movie has grown stronger in my mind recently . Combining the alt rock soundtrack , a gothic atmosphere , a tragic story , and great action scenes , I can’t think of too many flaws with this movie outside of the avoidable death of Brandon Lee . It manages to carry the spirit of the original graphic novel despite the limitations that were placed on them . Picking a favorite scene … it’s gotta be the scene when Eric forces the morphine out of a woman’s arms and tells her to go to her child . It’s such an oddly sweet scene .

7. Dracula (1931)

Woohoo ! The classic vampire movie that everyone else has taken a page or two out of . Picking just one of the classic Universal Horror monster movies was hard but ultimately I just had to pick this . I mean the sheer magnatism of Bela Lugosi exudes as Dracula still has not been matched to this day . Also think that no one who has played Reinfeld since Dwight Fry has been able to do the role justice . The visuals of the movie still inspire the mind today . If I was going to pick a favorite scene , it’d have to be the one where Dracula is walking down the stairs holding a candle . The pure aura of that scene is indescribable .

8. Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

This is a beautifully dark film . I don’t think I’ve watched a movie that has handled the theme of dealing with one’s own death in such a unique manner . The visuals are mind melting at times , the acting is fantastic , and the story is a wild trip . Also the fact that it so clearly inspired the Silent Hill video game franchise gets the movie some extra brownie points . My favorite scene would probably be when they are pulling the protagonist through the hospital on a gurney and all those creepy hallucinations pop up . Every now and then I’ll still get nightmares featuring that stuff .

9. Enter The Dragon (1973)

One part family tragedy , one part spy thriller , and one part martial arts philosophy seminar all wrapped up in a fun package . The charisma of the main stars ( Bruce Lee , Jim Kelly , and John Saxon ) is off the charts . The music fits the mood well and the fight choreography is tough to beat . I remember watching this a lot with my brother and my dad so nostalgia is playing a factor here but it’s my list anyways . My favorite scene has to be the fight between Bruce Lee and Bolo Yeung .

10 . The Highlander (1986)

Okay , first off , if you’ve got a soundtrack by Queen you instantly score huge cool points . Second , the casting of Sean Connery , Christopher Lambert , and Clancy Brown was excellent . Third , the sword fight choreography is pretty damn good ( especially considering the fact that Christopher Lambert is legally blind ) , Fourth , the story is epic and romantic . The scene when Conner MacLeod stabs himself in the stomach to show his love interest is my favorite scene here , Way to send a message .