Note: This list is not in any particular order.
1. Fury
With some of the most phenomenal acting I’ve ever seen, Fury holds a special place inside my heart. It’s tense, it’s dramatic, and it holds characters accountable as they form an unbreakable bond with one another.
2. Ford v Ferrari
Ford v Ferrari captivated me with the sheer amount of devotion Ken Miles and Carroll Shelby possess for their shared passion, no matter who or what may try to get in their way. The beautiful friendship between the two, along with the emotional rollercoaster it brings, make this one of my favorite movies of all time.
3. Django Unchained
I think you’ll start noticing a pattern in my list, and that’s the highest possible quality of acting, as well as an intriguing story. Christopher Waltz, Jamie Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson are all amazing here, and I don’t think I need to mention Leonardo DiCaprio’s improvised scene at the dinner table, now do I? (For those who don’t know, Leo accidentally stabs his hand on the spur of the moment, yet he keeps going as if it was all part of the script.)
4. Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame
This was the end of the Marvel era for me. Iron-Man has always been my and many others’ favorite superhero, which left me shocked at the fact that only one other woman and I were applauding in the cinema towards the end — to my friends who felt embarrassed, sorry, I’m not sorry. I don’t think the people who were there that night knew how much weight the movie truly carried.
5. Unstoppable, Flight
I’ve grouped these two together because they are kind of similar: a disaster breaks out and Denzel Washington is forced to find a solution quick, although the latter focuses more on the repercussions of his actions. Expect superb acting and amazing storytelling in both.
6. Ocean’s Eleven
Ocean’s Eleven is a classy heist thriller with a very lovable cast. The opening scene hooked me in an instant and I especially enjoyed the charming interactions between the characters.
7. Pirates of the Caribbean (entire series)
Johnny Depp is an absolute joy to watch, as is Keira Knightley.
8. Real Steel
If anyone out there tells me they didn’t cry watching that last fight, then they are surely lying. Real Steel carefully unveils a motivational story with an ending that’s guaranteed to touch your heart.
9. Prisoners
What sets Prisoners apart from the other entries on this list is the much more frightening plot, where two little girls disappear and are believed to have been kidnapped. The intensity it builds and the outstanding performances of Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
10. Sebastian Maniscalco: Why Would You Do That?, Sebastian Maniscalco: Stay Hungry
Okay, I know this isn’t technically a movie, but these two shows are both on Netflix at the time of writing this and they still make me laugh just as much as they did the first time, and I have never laughed so much.
11. The Proposal
Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds make up the only rom-com on this list, and maybe I should call it my guilty pleasure, but it’s such a fun movie that I think more people should watch.
12. Tangled
As far as animated movies go, I’ve picked Tangled for I’ve watched it multiple times and loved it so, so much. From the brilliant voice acting to the stunning visuals, the beautiful story and the jokes, I consider it to be a masterpiece.
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