I have been watching a lot of list shows lately – 100 best Movies Of All Time, top 50 Soft Rock Songs, 100 Most metal Moments – the list just rolls on and on. There seems to be no end to a list of someone else’s idea of the best whatever of all time. It got me thinking, though. Who comes up with these lists? I mean, why couldn’t I come up with a list? Each of you reading this has opinions, and can create your own list. This gave birth to this writing. I have come up with a list of movies I think everyone should watch at least once in their lifetime.

Let me explain that this list was a lot more difficult to do than I had first anticipated. I am a movie lover to the extreme and narrowing favorite movies, much less ones everyone should see, was excruciating for me. There are so many movies I think everyone should watch, but these are a must. Agree or disagree with my list, as you will. These are after all just my opinion, and my intention is to create a conversation starter, not a shoe throwing argument.

So here it is with all the fanfare and enthusiasm I can muster; Michelle’s Ten Movies Everyone Should See Before They Die. Remember there is not importance to the placement on the list. All of these films are equally worthy of being a one.

The Godfather

Yes, I know that for the most part that this is a guy flick, but come on, it is a great movie. Put aside the violence and all the crime references, this movies lives and dies by good well-written scripts and the interpersonal relationships of the characters. You either love them or hate them, but you want to know what happens next. Not to mention that the cinematography is outstanding and that the acting is second to none with a top cast.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

This is such a brilliant children’s opera that entertains everyone equally. From the original plot to all the painstaking attention to the smallest of details this is a blend of old fashioned stop motion camera work and digital photography. It is simply a work of art.

Scream

This movie revived and heightened the teen horror genre. With, intelligence, originality, and the fact that it poked fun at all of us horror movie experts this movie will have you guessing who did it the whole way. Now how often does that happen? Scary, but not a gross out, the writing on this flick will keep you glued.