Spent so long trying to write what my definitive list would currently be, hoping not to miss anything out, that I thought I might as well go through them in a bit of detail.
1)
Terminator 2: Judgement Day - This is the film above all others that I rank 1st every single time! What Neal? Above The Lion King?! Surely not? I hear you ask. Well yes, Arnie's only entry into my list sits right at the top with a sci-fi fantasy action wonderpiece that even today stands up visually (unlike its also half-decent prequel).
2)
The Lion King - The best children's film of all time and a faultless, timeless classic. End of discussion.
3)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Most despise this instalment of the highly acclaimed LotR trilogy, but to me, the scene setting and the plotline is the most impressive. Sure there's no big battles, but as far as a film goes, it's number 1. Much more playful than its sequels with a lighter tone. Obviously the others are fantastic...
4)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - As we can see here! The conclusion of Peter Jackson's trilogy is also fantastic. Just, not as good as Fellowship.
5)
The Shawshank Redemption - Anyone who makes a "top film list" without this featuring near the summit is, quite frankly, an idiot. I don't quite understand why it's so bloody brilliant myself, but it sure as hell is!
6)
How to Train Your Dragon - Dreamworks really pulled out all of the stops for this one, filming in 3D (and making Avatar look flat), going for a grand score to rumble along in the background, as well as FINALLY capturing that "Disney-like" heart-warming feeling that all of their films (bar El Dorado) had been so massively lacking. Plus: DRAGONS!
7)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - How on earth did they create such an amazing film out of a theme park filler-ride? Well they did. And wow, what a film?! The sequels are decent enough too, but this is the only stand-out one.
8)
Schindler's List - "One of my favourites" is a bit off the mark when describing this film, because I don't really "enjoy" this film. But it is a great insight into a tiny portion of the terrible events of mid-20th century Europe.
9)
Jaws - Another one of those staple top film list entries. There's nothing really special, as such, about this film. It's just really, really good.
10)
V for Vendetta - The only "comic book" film worth mentioning for a list of my favourite films. Hits the mark that the Nolan Batman trilogy (whilst good) just missed by being a tad too serious and detached as a result.
11)
Die Hard - Best Christmas film of all time. Rickman at his absolute finest.
12)
The Neverending Story - As well as being fantastic fantasy, a personal childhood favourite that I still find holds up against other fantastic films even today.
13)
Les Miserables - I was skeptical of this being a great film, but boy how wrong was I? <3
14)
Gladiator - I like history. I like ancient history. I like Gladiator. A lot.
15)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Still a fantastic film, just "the awkward middle child" that (apart from the Battle of Helm's Deep) doesn't really do much at all. So whilst by no means terrible, as a film it doesn't stack up against the other two (all 3 of which make the top 15).
16)
Inglorious Basterds - History again..... Only this time all **** up. It's so good it hurts. Waltz especially! Some well received David Bowie appropriately turning up towards the end too!
17)
Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street - For an actor I rate as highly as Mr Depp, to only have two of his films in the top 25, to me, seemed odd. But there you go. Great musical (was my favourite before Les Mis turned up)!
18)
Sherlock Holmes - Downey Jr. owns a role that has otherwise been impossible to fill well. The tv series sucks balls, the older films are dull. This creates the PERFECT Holmes, with the combination of wit and decorum.
19)
The Green Mile - Great (albeit lengthy) entertainment. Can't fault anything in this film, great human interest story from the pages of Mr King. (Fun Fact: I purchased my copy of this from none other than Ian from CoasterForce!)
20)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail - Such silly silly fun. Need a historically inaccurate giggle? Watch this.
21)
Cars - By far Pixar's best! Glad it got made, but I understand why it's massively panned. SUCH a niche film. If you get it, it's AMAZING. If you don't, it's turd. Everyone should accept that.
22)
Jurassic Park - Yay Dinosaurs! Good bit of mindless entertainment that I keep going back to.
23)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Not as good as the LotR trilogy, and it's naturally suffered because of it. But it's still a BRILLIANT film. It's just unfortunate that it followed, pretty much, perfection.
24)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - The Philosopher's Stone fell down because the child acting in it was terrible, Chamber of Secrets turns up with added Kenneth Branagh to the amazing adult ensemble and the same bunch of children who've (as if by magic) discovered how to act. After this, the series goes far too Hollywood and it loses that special "Potter-magic" feeling. Shame.
25)
Beauty and the Beast - The best Disney film of all time by a country mile... for three years. With the exception of The Lion King, this gem of a film is not only visually stunning and filled with superb songs, it also has the distinction of being one of (if not the only) princess film that is popular with boys too!
That was fun!
