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I could create a top ten list based on quality, craftsmanship and talent of the directors, writers and actors…but I prefer to be honest with my choices so lets see how “crazy” my views on good cinema are. What constitutes a movie to be labeled as a “favorite”? I think multiple viewings, quotable potential and ability to relate to the themes in it are reasons enough. All of these films I have picked are groundbreaking and have appeal that has potential to last for decades (at least in my opinion). I have seen every movie on this list more than a dozen time each, some a hundred times sadly to say.

Here they are:

#10 - “Hedwig & The Angry Inch”

So out of my favorite musicals of all time, this one wins. Beating out “Dancer In The Dark”, “Little Shop Of Horrors” & “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” this movie has the edge! Full of transsexual jokes, wonderful directing and a kick ass soundtrack this movie will stay with you long after viewing it just once! John Cameron Mitchell’s performance make this movie movie timeless and sweet! This is a tour de force in acting and filming!

#9 - “Secrets & Lies”

This movie is not for the lighthearted and weepy types. The storyline is emotionally crippling and rips your heart out. The out of this world acting by Brenda Blethyn makes this my favorite British film of all time. After watching it you will most likely get chills like I did when you find out how director Mike Leigh’s prefers to make his movies. He has his actors read the storyline, but improvise ALL of their dialog and staging…this has to be seen to be believed!

#8 - “The Secret Adventures Of Tom Thumb”

I was going to put more traditional animated fare here as my favorite animated movie, but this movie has made such an impression on me that I cannot shake. “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, “The Secret Of Nimh” and “Beauty & The Beast” may be more traditional and some of my other faves, but this movie wreaks of originality and was made for adults. The many, many variations of animation used to film this movie leave you wide eyed and slack jawed. The movie has little dialog but says so much with its allegorical story telling. Rent this today if you like weird, dark obscure art films with a kiddie vibe. I own it, that’s how much I love it.

#7 - “Night Of The Living Dead”

Horror movies and family films are my favorite genres, I know that is quite the polar opposite of likes. But they both make you give into the absurd, almost ridiculous subject matter they portray. This movie is the grandaddy of all horror movies. Made for almost nothing, this movie started a midnight movie revolution. Racially charged scenes, matricide and cannibalism make this movie an innovator of filmed controversial subject matter. Breaking down doors in Hollywood, this movie created the scariest movie monster ever to be filmed and paved the way for all independent films that followed.

#6 - “Muriel’s Wedding”

How can you not fall in love with the movie that gave us the talent power houses Rachel Griffiths and Toni Collette? This movie is so easy to relate to with it’s sincerity that it makes me tear up just thinking about it. Watching Muriel stumble through life to find her true self is a story we all can relate to. Add a fabulous soundtrack by ABBA and director PJ Hogans sweet look at “the ugly duckling” story makes this an instant classic in my book.

#5 - “Freeway”

For anyone who thinks that Reese Witherspoon is Hollywood’s sweetheart, they may want to check out this raunchy, over the top modern re-telling of the “Little Red Riding Hood” story. This movie is packed with quotable lines, deranged scenes of dark humor and hidden imagery. To say this movie is a camp classic is an understatement. I loved “Election” and “Legally Blonde” but this is her best comedic work. This movie delivers on all levels; laughs, drama, action, gore, comedy, slapstick and entertainment!

#4 - “Heavenly Creatures”

This is Peter Jackson’s first mainstream movie, and what a beautiful movie to look at it is! Full of breathtaking visuals and a gripping true to life plot, this movie is a roller coaster of cinematic emotions. Watching the two young actresses escape into a world of magic, terror and real to life issues you forget you are watching a fantasy thriller. Kate Winslet has to get the crown for BEST first feature ever by an actress! This role is that juicy and revealing. Watching this great flick you can see the brilliance of Peter Jackson start to emerge into the master of film he is today. This movie has the best screenplay out of the whole bunch listed here!

#3 - “Showgirls”

WHAT? “Showgirls”? Yes, I said “Showgirls”. This movie remains to be the most memorized, reviled, audacious and controversial of the movies I have listed. I like campy movies, but I also love blatant sexuality and crackling dialog. This movie offers up the best and worse that films have to give; bad acting, AWESOME one liners and nudity! This is my favorite “cult” film of all time. I may know almost every word of this admittedly terrible movie, but in my eyes, THAT is the mark of any “favorite” film….hands down.

#2 - “Welcome To The Dollhouse”

If I were to pick a movie that touched me and effected me emotionally, and made me reflect on life the most it would be this movie. Dawn Wiener is the sad, awkward, lonely pre-teen you would normally see as the punchline to many teen comedies. But here Dawn is a hero you relate to, with more personality and human qualities than most school teachers or bullies than I can remember. All of the sad life lessons and and harsh realities thrown at Dawn give us a painful perspective on the woe’s of growing up “different”. Your first love, fashion, sex and violence are touched on in this movie with a gentle, real feel. Dawn is truly one of the most inspiring characters to ever be filmed. The last 2 minutes of this movie are quietly moving and striking, it is the best one on this list! The honesty and raw performances by the young actors in this movie are something to be heralded!

#1 - “Hairspray”

Out of all of John Waters brilliant films, this one is not only my favorite, but it is my most watched film of all time. I remember watching this movie when I was twelve years old I couldn’t understand why I related to Traci Turnbladt’s over sized character so much. Now 18 years later, out of the closet and with a gaggle of plump fag hags under my belt, I know that this story is universal. This is a true under dog story. “Hairspray” is full of original zingers and eye catching scenery. The details that Waters uses to recreate the 50’s era in “Hairspray” give it a charming realism that is family friendly and cartoon like. The set design is eye popping and vibrant. The soundtrack is catchy, the writing comedic gold and Divine’s last performance before her death was sadly ignored by Oscar. This movie is colorful and timeless! Rikki Lake is fabulous as the bubbly Traci, in her first big screen role right role before slimming down. I am a bit skeptical about the big screen musical re-make…because this movie is so dear to my heart. But with the wealth of material provided and John Waters blessing there is no way it can go wrong! You know you have seen a movie too many times when you can even do all the dances, and yes I know each one featured in Hairspray.

Runners Up: “Flirting With Disaster”, “Best In Show”, “Babe”, “Existenz”, “Dead Alive”, “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof”, “Citizen Ruth”, “Dancer In The Dark”, “Donnie Darko”, “Strange Days”, “Go”, “Harold & Maude”, “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, “Ma Vie En Rose (My Life In Pink)”, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”, “Lucas”, “The Opposite Of Sex” and “Kids”.