Norman Geras is doing another "list." Last time it was a favorite books list, this time it's a top-ten movies list.

Damn, this is difficult. 10 simply isn't enough. I've finally settled on 10, although several of the honorable mentions could easily have made my top list, and even as I write this I can think of some films I maybe should have included.

Criterion for inclusion included that the film affect me in some way - got me excited, emotional, motivated - and had the ability to do it on more than one viewing. [Update: For instance, I'm aware that Citizen Kane is considered one of the greatest American Films, but it just didn't "do it" for me as a piece of entertainment. Might bare another watching, though.] I also tried to include a mix of genres in the top list.

First, the top list, in no particular order:

It's a Wonderful Life
Shane
Star Wars
The Adventures of Robin Hood (Erol Flynn)
Saving Private Ryan
Dr. Strangelove
Henry V (Branagh)
Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail
An American in Paris
Field of Dreams

Next, the honorable mentions:

Spartacus
Billy Jack
The Maltese Falcon
Revenge of the Nerds (Part 1 only)
Platoon
Ran
Seven Samurai
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
On the Waterfront
Enter the Dragon
Cyrano de Bergerac (Jose Ferer)
To Kill a Mockingbird
Patton
Rebel Without A Cause
The Wizard of Oz
Taxi Driver
Shoah

OK, what did I miss?