Alright, so along with my International Studies and Spanish double majors, I am also pursuing a minor in Cinema. So, I have to watch a lot of movies. I still haven’t seen as many movies as I should (sorry, Dad), but I’m getting there!

I have loved movies since the beginning of my time on this Earth, and I thought that since I couldn’t really think of much to write today, I would do a nice list of my top 10 favorite movies. By no way am I saying these are the best movies of all time. These are the movies I could watch over and over again and never be tired of them.

Here we go!

1. The Wizard of Oz

There’s no place like home

I have loved this movie practically since I was born and have seen it almost over 200 times. It was such a major part of my childhood that I was Dorothy for Halloween three years in a row and was Dorothy in my dance studio’s Spring Performance of the show my senior year of high school. I love this movie because of it’s simple message: There’s no place like home. I want to travel and see the world. But, I know that I will always have great family and great friends waiting for me, no matter how far over the rainbow I go.

2. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Moon river…

I remember first seeing this movie and thinking, “It’s not much, but I love it.” I love the character of Holly Golightly because in so many ways, I identify with her. Unlike her, I don’t believe in running away from my problems, but I know that there is much more out there than a farm. Also, the theme song is beautiful and New York City is just as much of a character as any physical person.

3. Big Fish

Daffodils…they’re you’re favorite flower

This movie is my favorite Tim Burton movie of all time. It’s also the one and only time I will say that I actually prefer the movie to the book. Ewan McGregor steals everyone’s hearts in this film as Edward Bloom, the happy-go-lucky Alabama boy who’s tales are larger than life. It’s a good film about family and the power of story telling. I love stories, so this really struck a chord with me. And the music alone is brilliant.

4. Blood Diamond

First of all, Leonardo DiCaprio. Second of all, Leonardo DiCaprio speaking in a Rhodesian accent. Also, it’s a well-written, wonderfully executed story. Everyone does so well in this. It’s a little off the wall, especially compared to some of the other films on this list, but I have been in love with it for a long time. The music is great, the writing is great, and the best part is that I can actually connect with the characters and feel for them. That’s a big thing for me.

5. The Breakfast Club

Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club

This is to be expected on the top ten films list of an adolescent girl, and that’s okay. Why do I love this movie? Probably the same reason as everyone else. It speaks a great truth about young people. We are at a time in our lives where we are trying to figure ourselves out and sometimes life, and/or other people get in the way. We don’t want to be defined by just perceptions. We want to be ourselves. And the end song just makes me feel powerful.

6. The Birdcage

“I’m like a combination of Lucy and Ricky”

I first watched this movie with my mother in an Atlanta hotel after Ole Miss had been annihilated by TCU in the Peach Bowl on New Years Eve. It cheered me up immensely. And I have watched it several times since. It is hilarious and is another one of those movies about family that really hits home. And it is probably one of the movies I quote the most every day.

7. Mulan

Mulan is my favorite Disney movie of all time. Why? The quotablility, the kick ass music and the fact that for once the princess/movie damsel actually sticks up for herself. Yes, she has to disguise herself as a man to do so, but hey this is Ancient China we’re talking about here. I honestly don’t think that it will ever get old for me. It is also ten times more hilarious in Spanish.

8. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Pick one up off the floor, you dummy.

It was hard for me to pick which one of the Harry Potter films to include on this list, because I love them all so much. I mean, hello, they are essentially my childhood.  However, I have to go with the first film because it is what started it all. It is also, in my opinion, the film that is the most true to its book. The majority of the lines spoken were pulled directly from the first in the series, and I love it. I will never forget seeing it for the first time and falling in love, silently wishing every day that I’d get my Hogwarts letter some day. #huffleswag

9. Return of the Jedi

Same.

I prefer the original trilogy to the prequels and Return of the Jedi is my favorite of those three, although it is in close competition with A New Hope. However, I love this movie because it is literally the moment all movie-watchers are waiting for. It’s so cliche, it’s perfect. The good guys win, the bad guys fall, families are reunited, and two swag-tactic characters fall in love. How could I not include a Star Wars film on this list? Like Harry Potter, it was a major part of my childhood. I am stoked for the new one.

10. Pulp Fiction

Last, but most certainly not least, I love this film. It is ridiculous and hilarious and everything one could ever want out of a Tarantino movie. Fun fact: he’s one of my favorite directors because he has a flair for the ridiculous and pulls it off in such clever ways. I love Pulp Fiction because of its quotability, humor and simplicity. I love the fact that the actors just act silly and pull it off by being so damn cool. I just love it.

Like I said, these aren’t necessarily what I consider to be the best films of all time, however they are the ones I will probably never tire of. And picking just ten was very hard!