I love movies.

I've decided that today is the day. I will attempt to count down my top 10 favorite movies of all-time (in no particular order).

1. The Departed

I can honestly say that this is my favorite movie of all-time. Martin Scorsese is a genius, the cast is stacked, and the story is brilliant. The acting is incredible and I love every single person in it. Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen. I also love gangster/mafia movies and this is the quintessential modern mob movie. It's drama, comedy, and action all in one. Plus, I love the whole Irish-Boston feel to it. It makes me want to go there. Badly.

2. American Beauty

If I could have written any screenplay, I would have wanted it to be this. Somehow, the story is both hilarious and haunting. Although I was only 12 when I first saw it, I was forever changed by it. Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening are phenomenal. In many ways, it is a parody of stereotypical suburban life. The music is perfect for it, too.

3. Forrest Gump

I think everyone loves this movie. It is responsible for Tom Hanks becoming my favorite actor. I love how it intricately weaves throughout the decades, touching on so many important events throughout American history. Elvis, Bear Bryant and Alabama football, desegregation of schools, Vietnam, John Lennon, Watergate, etc. It's so simple, yet so complex.

4. Fight Club

Do I even have to rationalize this? I love Chuck Palahniuk. Although Fight Club isn't my favorite Chuck book, it is one of my favorite movies. Edward Norton and Brad Pitt portray the character(s) perfectly and Helena Bonham Carter is creepy as always. The movie leaves me with this empty feeling (that isn't necessarily a good one), but I love movies that have that power over me. I could go on forever about this movie, but I almost forgot...The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. That may actually be the second rule, too.

5. Moulin Rouge

Ever since I was a child, I have loved musicals. In fact, I can't think of a single musical I don't like. I could easily fill a top 10 musical list. Still, I have to be selective, so I will choose Moulin Rouge to represent all of my musical loves. It does pain me not to include A Chorus Line. The music in this movie is amazing. Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman are perfect together and I love the bizarre directing style of Baz Luhrman.

6. Boondock Saints

A high school favorite. Another Boston action flick. I don't know what it is with the Irish/Boston feel, but I love it. The movie has such an awesome concept and it's one of my absolute cult favorites. Not to brag, but I think I saw this movie about 3 years before it became insanely popular. Throughout high school, we probably watched it at my house every other weekend.

7. Swingers

Speaking of cult classics, Swingers is just a beautiful film. It is so simple and so true. Everyone can relate to this movie. Jon Favreau's writing is so spot-on. The whole script is based on his life and his real-life friendship with Vince Vaughn. Vince, of course, is flawless. You can see the early signs of his quick-talking, hilarious spitfire. This was the beginning of our life-long love affair.

8. Friday Night Lights

Commence cry fest. This movie perfectly embodies the intensity and passion of high school football. Although I'm not from Texas, I feel like Ohio is close in its obsession with football. It almost seems like a documentary to me...mostly because it's based on an incredible true story of Odessa, Texas. Plus, Explosions in the Sky is perfect football music.

9. 300

Aside from my intense crush on Gerard Butler, this movie is awesome. I'm a huge history buff and although the director took some creative liberties with the story, there are key parts that hold true to the real battle of Thermopylae. I'm endlessly interested in the Spartans and let's be honest - there are some badass one-liners. Finally, the cinematography is out of this world.

10. The Sandlot

Oh, come on. You knew this was coming. My childhood favorite. When asked what my favorite movie is, I always say The Sandlot in an effort to avoid controversy and get away without really answering the question. It's such a wonderful children's story with such a cute plot. Oh yeah - I also had a huge crush on Yeah Yeah.

...and there you have it.