Alex Lehmann

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Jaws

Single-handedly created the blockbuster while making generations of kids afraid to swim in a pool at night.

Force majeure

Dark, tense, hilarious and uncomfortable. It's not an inspiring ending, but it does make you feel seen. It's like Ostlund wanted to say, "the struggle is real, but why not laugh about it?"

Phantom Thread

Another entry in the key of "the struggle is real", this one less comedic but so insightful and honest while creatively portraying the challenges of love. PTA is the second greatest visual storyteller only behind Spielberg.

Stand by Me

A flawless coming-of-age movie that never feels saccharine. It puts its finger aptly on the nostalgia of childhood without smudging it.

The Breakfast Club

Amazingly simple and mostly genuine character study. This one was special for me because I learned how a movie could be enthralling even if nothing really happened in it.

E.T. The Extra-terrestrial

This is maybe the most perfect movie I've ever experienced. I cry three times (still) while laughing twice as much. E.T. is an alien, but he's also a cure for whatever that hole is in your heart. Sure at the end of the movie he leaves, but the hole isn't there anymore. That's one heck of a magic trick.

The Shawshank Redemption

The movie drags you through the mud before pulling you out of it. Truth and honesty and goodness reign against all odds, with one of the most beautiful and soulful platonic male friendships ever to exist. I still want to go to Zihuatanejo with my best friend.

The Matrix

Visual and tech innovation had a perfect intersection with storytelling as many of us were first introduced to the concept "everything you've learned so far is a lie". There is literally no reason it should hold up: a movie that old which relies on vfx and cultural zeitgeist should be a joke by now (see Hackers) but The Matrix is still fantastic.

Terminator 2 Judgment Day

An action-packed ride which gently asks us to consider being accountable for all of our actions and their unintended consequences. All the while telling a story about loving a robot step-dad who murdered your biological father. Schwarzenegger ends with a thumbs up and I'm a blubbering mess every damn time.

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a perfect movie, works every time.

Further remarks

This is literally an impossible task, I had to leave 20 or so films off the list and I promise you that on any given day my top 10 would be different. I asked myself which ten movies would I be most excited to re-watch right now. There are many more distinguished, intellectual movies that belong here but ultimately if I'm being honest, give me some popcorn to go with my feelings please.