My Top 10 Movies (Which Is Apparently 15)

I don't think I've posted a Top 10 movie list like this since MySpace.

I started making the list, got to 15 and decided I wasn't cutting any of them. So here are my Top 10 movies, which are apparently 15, in no particular order.

Love Actually

I know it's not perfect, but I don't care. It's funny, warm, a little ridiculous and still an easy movie to put on every Christmas.

Definitely, Maybe

Just a smart, genuinely good romantic comedy. I like the way it tells the story and keeps you guessing without trying too hard.

That Thing You Do!

Great music, a great cast and just a fun movie from beginning to end. It also perfectly captures how quickly a band can come together, take off and fall apart.

Garden State

This one hit at the right time in my life. Great soundtrack, a little strange and a movie I still associate with a very specific era.

Best in Show

One of the funniest ensemble casts ever assembled. I've seen it countless times and still catch little lines and reactions I missed before.

Galaxy Quest

Funny, clever and much better than it had any reason to be. It makes fun of science fiction, actors and obsessive fans while clearly loving all three.

Glory

I spent many a day at DeMatha Catholic High School skipping class and hiding in the library watching Glory over and over.

An incredible story, cast and score, and still one of the most powerful endings of any movie I've seen.

Spotlight

Journalism, the Catholic Church and great acting. I was an altar boy, so the subject matter also hits close to home.

I love how understated it is. It simply follows good reporters doing the work and uncovering something enormous.

Jerry Maguire

Funny, quotable and as much about work, loyalty and figuring out who you are as it is about romance. It has held up surprisingly well.

Almost Famous

Of course this is on the list. Music, journalism, writing and getting a look inside a world you've always wanted to be part of. What's not to love?

High Fidelity

A movie about music, relationships and compulsively making Top 5 lists. That alone pretty much guarantees it a place here.

Say Anything...

One of the best coming-of-age movies and one of the few genuinely great romantic comedies. Lloyd Dobler is an all-time character, and yes, the boombox scene still works.

Ocean's Eleven

Who doesn't love a good caper and a great ensemble? It's smart, stylish, funny and ridiculously rewatchable.

The Social Network

For obvious reasons. Technology, entrepreneurship, ambition, friendship and the mess that can come with building something big.

The writing, direction and score are all nearly perfect.

American Gangster

Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in a great, old-school crime movie. It's smart, complicated and another one I can watch anytime it's on.

The Common Thread

Looking at the list, I clearly like great ensemble casts, good writing, music, journalism, people building things and characters trying to figure out what really matters.

I also apparently like lists, and have no ability to stop at 10.