Top 100 of all time - # 46-50

My next 5 films start to show some of my personal tastes that might seem out of place on a top 100 list, but this is after all my list and one of the criteria I mentioned is the effect that the film had on me upon first viewing. That's something that is vastly underrated in the critical arena. Many reviewers look for something that will stand the test of time, but in fact, a film's first viewing is often magical beyond the quality of the acting, directing, etc.

#50 - Stand By Me, 1986.

The Stephen King coming of age story that introduced me to leeches, and forever turned me off of pie eating contests. The casual banter between the friends was the stuff that kid movies are made of. Unfortunately, this isn't entirely a kid movie. River Phoenix, whose life was cut tragically short, makes you wonder, "what if?" Probably he would have a statue or two on his mantle by now. The rest of the cast, including a fat and unrecognizable Jerry O'Connell, Corey Feldman, and Wil Wheaton are great. I was 8 at the time it came out, but it was very influential in my life.

#49 - Forrest Gump, 1994.

Tom Hanks becomes the 2nd Actor ever to win consecutive Best Actor Oscars (Spencer Tracy) with his wonderful character portrayal of the simple man with a heart of gold and a wild and incredible adventure that is his life. Robert Zemeckis' best film to date (check out this Fall's Flight), and just a fun film that is a metaphor for living your life to the fullest and doing good things.

#48 - Se7en, 1995.

David Fincher's coming out party was a surprise hit, and blew me away in the theatre. Dark and gritty, the surprise ending is built with such delicate tension that once the climax is reached, you find yourself on the edge of your seat, heart racing, breathless. It's a masterpiece of the genre, and is worth a second view if it's been awhile. If you haven't seen it, brace yourself and put it on your Netflix for a dark Saturday night.

#47 - Bonnie and Clyde, 1967.

The tragic love story received multiple Oscar nominations, but was overshadowed by a great list of entries: The Graduate, In the Heat of the Night, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Cool Hand Luke, In Cold Blood, The Dirty Dozen, etc. It was a fantastic year for film. I digress. The chemistry of a young, cocky Warren Beatty and an even younger and beautiful Faye Dunaway evokes classic cinema at its purest. A great story with a wonderful Gene Wilder cameo (although he wasn't famous yet, so technically not a cameo).

#46 - Alien, 1979.

Arguably the genre-defining film, Ridley Scott blew away everything we knew about sci-fi horror, and gave me more than a few nightmares in the process. Thanks, Ridley. Alien also revolutionized the idea that a woman can be a strong action hero, which was a refreshing change. The music, creature effects, claustrophobic story, and direction make this one of the best, well... alien films of all time.