1) Lord Of The Rings
The greatest fantasy epics of all time. The Lord Of The Rings is technically a trilogy of films (Fellowship Of The Ring, Two Towers, Return Of The King) but truthfully it is one movie. One glorious film that if watched in extended edition tops out at about twelve hours. Now that is epic filmmaking. Of course it's quality over length when it comes to films and Lord Of The Rings never falters. The most consistent of all film trilogies with each release topping the previous in excitement and granduer. While one can make a case as to which of the films they enjoyed the most, they are easily all magnificent in their own right. The Star Wars of a new generation would be an appropriate way of describing the films' cultural impact. However beyond being immensely successful they are also immensely respected with Oscar totals most likely near the twenties. All hail Peter Jackson for bringing the books to life.
2) The Godfather Trilogy

Edged out only recently by Lord Of The Rings the Godfather films have long been my favorites. It really is an experience to see the original for the first time. Arguably the greatest film of all time. There is a level of story telling and filmmaking in these films that are rarely found anywhere else. The story by Mario Puzo is rich with details and characters and thus this richness translates into the screen version. Credit Coppola for bringing it all together. Almost more amazing is the fact that the second Godfather was equally worthy of being the best picture of it's time as the original. A startling accomplishment. While the third is the weakest I find it to be unfairly denounced in terms of carrying on the trilogies quality. The Godfather films are the best Mafia movies ever made. Intimate and tragic.
3) Taxi Driver

The best performance of all time lies within Taxi Driver. This sleeper masterpiece is the finest example of a psychological thriller. Not in the conventional sense of course, for Taxi Driver is not big on action, plot twists, or mystery. What it is is a slow buildup to an explosion. A claustrophobic probe into the mind of a mentally disturbed man who's lifes trappings and warped sense of chivalry cause him to lash out violently. It's a stunning performance by Robert DeNiro in what I believe is his best film of all time. The creeping sense of a slow agonizing buildup makes the film unbelievably tense even during many of the ordinary conversational scenes. Mean Streets put Martin Scorsese on the map and Taxi Driver rocketed him to the moon. This is easily the most unique and powerful film of it's genre.
4) Fight Club
One of the more controversial films of the nineties, Fight Club, certainly is a visceral experience. The result of mixing one of the most darkly humorous, yet intelligent stories of all time with two of the greatest actors of our era. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton give phenomal performances in this film thats as scary and unnerving as it is funny. Effectively a jaded social commentary on the world and society today. Mainly focusing on the male aspect of it. Most impressive in the film is Brad Pitt's performance which is as psychotic as it is likable. His portrayal of Tyler Durden is incredibly complex and layered. And how could I ever forget David Fincher. An amazing director who's stylish skills make Fight Club one of the best looking movies shotwise and cinematography wise.
5) Memento
The most original film of the new century, Memento, will etch it's way into your mind and stay there. Guy Pearce is one of the best australian actors of all time, right there with big time star Russel Crowe. In Memento with bleached blonde hair he gives his best performance, and most complex I might add, as a man with no short term memory looking for his wife's killer. This alone adds an incredible amount of interest to the film for the ways that he's able to remind himself of things are brilliant and so are his interactions with the other character. However there's more, for the film starts at the end and goes entirely in reverse till it reaches the beginning. An idea that would seem like a gimmick but never feels exploited and works unbelievably well.
6) Platoon
All hail Oliver Stone for creating the greatest war film of all time, Platoon. There are countless numbers of war films. Many that seem to make it look like an adventure others that cheaply exploit patriotism and pride in the country at the expense of realism. However Platoon does none of this. It's depiction of the Vietnam war is that of one's own personal hell. It's soldiers are not flag waving, cliche spouting american boys. They are frightened, and some times frightening individuals who came from the depths of society to this godforsaken battle. They fight with each other as often as they do with the enemy and they murder their peers without remorse. Those who cry for death recieve it and those that survive the days firefights only move on to the next eventually their lives ending, all the same. It's powerful on a level that can't be explained and exceeds realism in every frame.
7) Se7en
My favorite crime/myster film ever. This is really an excellent example of all around great acting paired with an excellent script and of course the great David Fincher. The concept of the film revolving around a serial killer who chooses his victims according to the seven deadly sins that they commit is entirely intriguing. On top of that are the excellent characters Pitt and Morgan Freeman play. Complete opposite of each other. Youth vs. age, intellect vs. brashness. It's an excellent relationship to watch played out on film. And the actor of the serial killer truly does an excellent job in one of the creepiest roles that I've ever seen him play. His lines in the film made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Top that with an incredibly blindsiding, emotionally charged ending and you have Se7en.
8) Schindler's List
Schindler's List is as good a film as Steven Spielberg has made and he has made many great films. It's as interesting to watch as it is saddening. Such a disturbing subject matter as the Holocaust always guarantees to effect you in some way or form. And Spielberg's passion for the film is evident through his direction. All black in white, many hand held cameras, and distinguishing camera work overall brings the film to a new level for Spielberg. Of course the story of Oscar Schindler, played excellently by Liam Neeson is a heartbreaking one. A member of the nazi party who comes to respect those peoples that would be killed by his fellow germans. And he does all in his power to save them. The horrors of this film are matched only by the beauty of it's ending and the mastery of it's making.
9) Collateral
Collateral is the newest film on my list. Released only months ago it made enough of a lasting impression on me to make my list. It's one of my favorite character driven movies and this is because of the great actor Tom Cruise. Known for playing all american heroes he takes a turn for the dark side in this film. A role few actors of his type would've been able to handle. Yet he delivers an amazing performance as an uncaring hitman named only Vincent. The story itself is simple. A hitman takes control of a cab driver and his taxi for one night to make five stops (hits). However it becomes complicated because of the driver Max. Played well by Jamie Foxx. The two characters develop a strange relationship that is the heart of this film and propels it to greatness. That and amazing directing from Michael Mann.
10) Apocalypse Now
Platoon may be the greatest war movie but Apocalypse Now is the greatest war movie thats true focus isn't the war at all. Confused? Don't be. Apocalypse Now tells the story of a young soldier, played by Martin Sheen, who is sent into the jungles to kill a psychotic Colonel by the name of Kurtz (Marlon Brando). While the backdrop for the film may by Vietnam at it's core the film as about the darkness within human beings and how such circumstances bring it out. Not unlike Platoon in some respects. However Apocalypse Now is much more of a surreal experience, playing out like some nightmarish delusion. Martin Sheen's character slowly descends deeper and deeper becoming ever closer like the man he is trying to kill. That is the beauty of the film, the madness of it all. One of Coppola's truly great films. And who can forget the opening scene of napalm falling to the Door's hypnotic "The End." Brilliant.