I love movies. Anyone who knows me can tell you so. I have conversations on a regular basis of the merits and set backs of movies on a whole different basis. I love movies of all genres and all times. However since I am only twenty I have more of a rapport with newer movies. And so I'd like to present to you my thoughts on the ten best films of the past 20 years.

1. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2003)- This has got to be my favorite movie of all time. The concept is so original and inventive that you're both surprised, flabbergasted, and enthralled at the same time that you stay invested. Another reason for your investment is that the acting is INCREDIBLE. Jim Carey is amazing in his first turn in a dramatic role and the beautiful Kate Winslet is fantastic as always. With a fantastic supporting cast, a compelling love story and brilliant directing by Michel Gondry, It is a movie that I reccomend EVERYONE see.

2. Fargo (1996)- Talk about a movie that completely got jipped for Best Picture. The English Patient was supremely inferior to this landmark of a movie. The Coen Brothers are among the greatest film makers of all time and truly showed it in this completely original thriller. With bang up performances from the entire cast, especially Frances Mcdormand as the lovable Marge and William H. Macy as the lovable clutz Jerry, and a brilliant script that was supposedly based on a true story, you can't get much better than this for thrillers.

3. Pulp Fiction (1994)- 1994 was a good year for movies. We were graced with the likes of The Shawshank Redemption, which is probably the best movie based upon a Stephen King story/book to date, Forrest Gump, The Lion King, probably the greatest animated movie of all time, and many many others But this movie, in my mind at least, beats them all. Written and Directed by the always brilliant Quentin Tarantino and blessed with an A list cast is one of the most brutal and well told gangster stories of all time. Brilliant acting and an incomporable script make for movie magic.

4. The Usual Suspects (1994)- Right alongside Pulp Fiction came the ASTOUNDING directorial debut of Bryan Singer. This crime film has one of the most engaging stories and probably the best twist ending of all time (All of you Saw fans need to see this movie because this one is mind blowing) Kevin Spacey owns his role like no one else could and Gabrielle Byrne is fantastic as the lead. What really makes this movie is the Noir-ish feel that you get along with fantastic acting and a well directed screenplay. I wish there were more movies like it.

5. American Beauty (1999)- Speaking of Kevin Spacey, this beautiful movie is one of the greatest of all time. In fact it probably ranks in my top 10 of all time. The story of a man who hates his "mundane little life" and grows to live for something and love it. The entire cast is exceptional especially the leads. Kevin Spacey owns his role. Annette Bening is fabulous, Wes Bentley steals every scene he's in, and the young Thora Birch is fantastic as well. With a beautifully written story and fine direction by Sam Mendes, It is one of America's seminal films.

6. Schindler's List (1993)- Steven Spielberg is the man. He has never done a movie that can be deemed bad. His direction of this three hour drama is some of the best ever done. The story revolves around a concentration camp and the morals of one man, Mr. Oscar Schindler. The fact that is story is based on True Events makes for a compelling movie. The violence is brutal and rightfully so when showing the plight of Jewish people during the Holocaust. The acting is something of beauty. Liam Neeson as Mr. Schindler is compelling and gives a powerful performance. Ben Kingsley also gives a touching performance as the man who helps Schindler free the jews. With an epic story and truely moving performances from an A-list cast this movie is one of the best of all time.

7. Goodfellas (1990)- This might be the seminal mobster flick right behind The Godfather in it's greatness. The movie is the tale of Henry Hill who works through three generations of mob life. The story is something of tragedy, brutality, and hope. Although Henry is something of an anti-hero you root for him the entire time. The life of a mobster is brutal and this movie does not hold back. Bloodshed and violence is all in this movie as well as other gangster mainstays such as drugs and sex. And none of that matters because you are so involved with Henry and his life that you almost block everything else out. Powerhouse performances by Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, and Robert De Niro along with a fantastic script make this a must see.

8. The Dark Knight (2008)- The most perfect comic book movie ever made. An original take on classic characters is all it takes to make a movie into a legend. First Christopher Nolan did the amazing Batman Begins and set up the mythos of this batman. With The Dark Knight, Nolan expanded his universe and made matters even worse. This movie is DARK. I watched the three hour epic and was chilled to the very core. The entire cast is fabulously acted, Heath Ledger gave the performance of a life time (no pun intended to all of you guys who are gonna send me hate mail) and the direction is beautiful. You've never seen a comic movie with this much heart, hurt, and hope. A fantastic epic that deserves a place to hold a place in time.

9. Fight Club (1999)- Most of the time you can not find a movie that is better than the book. Most of the time you can't find one that is even close to the book BUT there are a few exceptions and this is one. Chuck Pahlaniuk's novel is a thing of brilliance and David Fincher's take on it is just as good. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton are just on fire with their performances. The comedy is a little dark but the movie (and book) is suppossed to be satirical so the humor is as such. The script is fantastic (personally I like the ending of the movie better) and has one of the most awe inspiring twists in movie history. With a doubt a bonafide classic.

10. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)- There are thousands of movies that everyone should see and fall in love with. This is one of them. With a very funny and touching script, Michael Arndt struck gold. The movie is directed so well  that you feel as if you are a part of the disfuntional family and you are on this road trip with them. The cast is astounding as well. Steve Carrell's performance as Uncle Frank is touching, funny, and saddening (not a real word but whatever, sue me). Tony Collette is beautiful in her portrayal of the mother, Abigail Breslin is the perfect little girl, Paul Dano (who is also amazing in There Will Be Blood) is just brilliant, Greg Kinnear is a fantastic father, and Alan Arkin is funny and touching as the grandfather, giving probably the performance of his career. The story is beautiful as well and deserves every bit of praise that it gets. A truly wonderful film.

So there it is. It is hard making top ten lists or really top anything lists because of the many many considerations but I feel that the merits of the above films put them in a league of their own. And since I only put some in I'd also like to add an honorable mentions list for those who didn't quite cut it. Here's my 20 honorable mentions.

1. The Darjeeling Limited

2. Edward Scissorhands

3. Trainspotting

4. 28 Days Later

5. Munich

6. The Aviator

7. The Departed

8. The Royal Tenenbaums

9. The Lord Of The Rings (I'll count the trilogy as one)

10. The Silence Of The Lambs

11. The Matrix

12. Memento

13. Se7en

14. American History X

15. Forrest Gump

16. The Shawshank Redemption

17. Saving Private Ryan

18. Terminator 2: Judgement Day

19. The Pianist

20. Brick

So there you have it. Any comments on the list let me know by comment ing BELOW!!!!!