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Here are some of my favorite films.

This Is Spinal Tap

Directed by Rob Reiner, created by Reiner and Christopher Guest. Reiner travels with and interviews the pseudo rock group Spinal Tap and captures all of the stereotypical and gut-splitingly hilarious conceits of rock musicians; such as band members throwing fits over backstage catering (mini-bread that's too small for the cold cuts), a lead singer's girlfriend who joins the tour and inspires jealousies, displaced managers, and band breakups, and the inevitable slide of a band long past its prime toward performing at military bases. Spinal Tap includes an amazing cast of cameos (Anjelica Huston, Paul Schafer, et al) and early appearances by comic actors such as Billy Crystal. Guest would go on to create such instant classic "mocumentaries" as "Waiting For Guffman," "Best In Show" and "A Mighty Wind." A true masterpiece!
Bowling For Columbine
Michael Moore's poignant and entertaining expose on the source of violent nature and the proliferation of firearms in the United States. Moore's subversive and inspired interview of Charleton Heston (honorary leader of the National Rifle Assoc.) is worth the price of admission. Moore deservedly won an Oscar for this film.

Raising Arizona

The film that put the Coen Brothers on the map (I think!), and my first introduction to the acting brilliance of Nicholas Cage. Cage's girlfriend (Holly Hunter) wants a baby, so he finds a big family with an extra child and kidnaps him. Other great Coen brother films are "O Brother Where Art Thou" and "Fargo."
The Life of Brian
My favorite Monty Python film. How much better can it get than to envision the three Wise Men (Kings, Prophets, etc.) going to the wrong manger upon hearing of Jesus' birth and setting off the bumbling parallel existence of the innocent and somewhat dimwitted Brian as the story of Jesus unfolds. I die of laughter during the Sermon on the Mount scene every time I watch this film as if I'm seeing it for the first time.

Lawrence of Arabia

The true-life epic tale of British army officer T.E. Lawrence (brilliant performance by Peter O'Toole) and his exploits in Arabia during W.W.I. The story is remarkable and the scenic landscape and cinematography is breathtaking. The forces that were unleashed during this place and time in history are of paramount importance on the contemporary world stage; this film is a great history lesson and very entertaining.
The King of Comedy
An creepy psychodrama involving the star-struck wanna-be comedians Robert De Niro and deranged fan Sandra Bernhard kidnapping their late-night TV host hero Jerry Lewis (played by himself) in order to get their fifteen minutes of primetime TV on Lewis' show. Directed by Martin Scorsese.

The King of Hearts

The classic 1967 allegory about a Scottish soldier (Alan Bates) who is sent to a small French town to plant bombs in anticipation of the advancing Germans during W.W.I, and who discovers that the local inhabitants forgot to release those locked in the insane asylum before they themselves fled. The soldier develops a relationship with the "insane" people and he quickly realizes that it is he and the rest of the soldiers who are the truly insane people. This film is for the ages.
The Wizard of Oz
There's no place like home! One of the only musicals that I've ever loved (along with Cabaret). Pure magic.

Gone With The Wind

This classic film starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh captures the rich southern landscape and social powder-keg that set the stage for the US Civil War. Based on Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer Prize winning (and only) novel "Gone With The Wind."

Harold and Maude
The heartwarming tale of the beautifully disturbed rich boy Harold (Bud Cort), and his inspiration and eventual lover Maude (Ruth Gordon), who not coincidentally is old enough to be Harold's grandmother. The excellent soundtrack is by Cat Stevens.
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