...courtesy of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay:

http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/07/ferrell-mckay-movies-to-see-before-you-die.html

Of course, everyone's taste is different, and the inclusion of Tron by Mr. Ferrell appears more as a "I can't believe such a film was ever made" type inclusion (I'm not quite as harsh, although I'm far from a big fan of the film).

It got me to thinking about what 14 films I would urge everyone to see.  So, in no particular order (except for the first 3, which are my all time favorite three films):

1) Metropolis (1927) - Director Fritz Lang's absolute masterpiece of science fiction was so inspirational that elements of it can be found in many of today's films.  Ever wonder where C3PO's design came from?  Or where the inspiration for the world of Blade Runner (and every sci-fi dystopia) first appeared?  It's all here, along with a breathless, pulpy plot.  And the most astonishing thing: Until last year, the complete movie was thought lost forever.  A complete print (although one that is in pretty bad shape) was found in South America and, hopefully very soon, we'll all be able to see the film as it was originally intended.

2) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - Some of today's audiences might find the film's pace too slow, but I was absolutely mesmerized by this film, and all the very deep and provocative messages it makes about what it is to be human.

3) Orphee (1950, otherwise known as Orpheus) - French film that was likely a big inspiration to Neil Gaiman and his works.  A magical (then) modern take on the Orpheus legend, with references to the just finished second world war.

4) Bullitt (1968) - Steve McQueen's absolutely best film, and one that I can watch over and over and over again.  The plot: Cop McQueen is told to keep a mob witness safe, but things go bad very quickly.  McQueen equally quickly realizes he's been hired to this job to take the fall, but those manipulating things behind the scenes underestimated him.  Bonus: Probably the all time best car chase ever filmed.

5) Airplane! (1980) - My all time favorite comedy, one that features clever banter as well as plenty of physical comedy and sight gags.  And remember, don't call me Shirley.

6) Duel (1971) - As a youngster back in about 1971, this film, whose plot involved a simple man being menaced by a very big truck, was the first I saw and understood from start to end.  It wouldn't be until years later, when I saw it again, that I realized why: In spite of some dialogue here and there, this is essentially a silent film, and a superb one at that.  Steven Spielberg was the director, and this was his first step toward superstardom.  Jaws, which he made in 1975, is essentially a thematic remake of this film.

7) The Maltese Falcon (1941) - Third, and best, adaptation of Dashiell Hammet's mystery.  Director John Huston and actor Humphrey Bogart shine in this tale of low lifes who are attempting to double cross each other and gain possession of "the stuff dreams are made out of".  The dialogue is brisk and witty, and the movie moves.

8) Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922) - First (unauthorized) filmed version of Dracula remains, to me, the best, despite some heavy competition that followed.  Eerie and somber, with a villain that genuinely makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

9) Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) - John Carpenter's first really successful film, to me, remains his best.  Do not confuse this with the very weak 2005 remake!  A great example of a very successful low budget filmmaking.  The tension ramps up with every minute that passes as a skeleton crew in a to-be-closed police station is assaulted by waves of gang members, intent on killing everyone within!

10) Diamond Are Forever (1971) - I may get grief for this choice (of all the James Bond films, this is the one you recommend?!), but I really, really enjoy this tongue in cheek Bond film.  Granted, Sean Connery looks much older than he should, and any pretense of seriousness is thrown out the window early on, but I really enjoyed this film.  From the effeminate killers to the stereotypical mobsters in Vegas, to the death defying feats, this is the definition of a "popcorn" movie.  At least to me!

11) Superman (1978) - To this day, my favorite superhero movie ever.  Pure magic from the first minutes on, and one of those rare films that gives me goosebumps just by listening to the theme music.  There are detractors out there, those who think the Krypton scenes went on too long or that Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor was too campy.  I couldn't disagree more.  To paraphrase Roger Ebert: I love, love, love this film.

12) The Wicker Man (1973) - Please, please, please ignore the Nicholas Cage remake.  The original Wicker Man is one of the more fascinating films you'll ever find: A horror story that doesn't feature all that many scares (until the end, that is) but does feature musical numbers (!) and a fascinating look at a fictional Pagan society, as viewed through the eyes of a devout Catholic.  The ending is haunting in more ways that one, and brutal with regard to religions of all types.

13) Dirty Harry (1971) - If there's one Clint Eastwood film you should see, this is it.  Clint Eastwood was already a star thanks to the "spaghetti westerns" he made a few years before (and are very much worth seeing as well), but this film made him a superstar, and rightfully so.  A brutal cat and mouse game develops between a crazed serial killer and an at times brutal cop.  The ending is terrific, and should have shut the door on any sequels.

14) Mad Max 2 (1981, aka The Road Warrior) - Well, we've reached the end.  There are sooo many more films I could mention (Vanishing Point, The Killers (both versions), Out of the Past, etc. etc.), but I'm going to end this list with my favorite "car crash" type action movie.  Back before Mel Gibson became...odd, he first attained stardom with his role in this film.  The plot: In the near future oil is gone and society has disintegrated.  Now, a lone survivor with a painful back history (presented in the original Mad Max film) roams the desert waste, scavenging whatever gasoline he can.  He stumbles upon a small village encircled and protected with high fences.  They have an oil pump, something a group of very unsavory characters outside the perimeter is very aware of.  What follows is pure, adrenaline pumping chaos.