Here are some of my brief thoughts
2001: A Space Odyssey – still in the running
Planet of the Apes – landmark concept, a top childhood memory, but too cheesy for top 10
Woodstock – perfectly captures the special-ness of the event, mesmerizing to watch; but just a chronicle, so not top 10
Apocalypse Now – still in the running
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – still in the running
Annie Hall – insightful, but too casual to be a top 10
Monty Python and the Holy Grail – too slapstick
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – still in the running
Sleeper – too slapstick
The Jerk – too slapstick
Logan’s Run – similar to Planet OTA, not top 10
The Shining – still in the running
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – a brilliant movie, still in the running
Airplane! – probably the best of the slapstick movies, but still not top 10
National Lampoon’s Vacation – so classic, but not up to top 10 level
This Is Spinal Tap – brilliant concept, well executed, but not strong enough as a movie
Wall Street – still in the running
Sophie’s Choice – will have to see again, still in the running
Terms of Endearment – a sappy, guilty pleasure, well done, maybe not top 10 material
Ordinary People – will have to see again, still in the running
The World According to Garp – similar to Terms of Endearment
Broadcast News – another sappy, guilty pleasure, equivalent to When Harry Met Sally and The Big Chill; let’s say they’re all below top 10 level
The Doors – have to see again, recall it was well made, well acted, but perhaps it was a mess
Goodfellas – still in the running
Fargo - a brilliant movie, still in the running
Silence of the Lambs – on repeated viewings, the over-dramatization becomes evident, maybe not top 10
A Beautiful Mind – totally pulled me in, still in the running
Memento – brilliant concept and execution, but is missing elements of a top 10 movie
The Departed – have to see again, not sure if the silly ending ruins it
Castaway – it should be a boring movie, but when I come across it, I can’t stop watching; in the running
Office Space – such a spot-on movie, still in the running
Shutter Island – saw this twice in a week at the theater, will have to see again to decide if it’s top 10
The Social Network – a really well done movie, not sure if it would hold up; need to see again
Inception – I was really sucked-in, and the reviews were great, I’d have to see again
Dallas Buyers Club – not sure if the whole movie holds-up, will have to see again
Defending Your Life – will have to see again, to judge the balance between silliness and brilliance
The Cider House Rules – I recall that I thought it was really good, but I’d have to watch again
Moscow on the Hudson – I’ve long championed this movie, still in the running