5. Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

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This movie is one that kind of straddles the line between a more serious film that’s not just entertainment, and one that’s a ton of goofy fun. It pokes fun at capitalism and Cold War hysteria, and uses names that lampoon things in a subtle way. I really like Stanley Kubrick’s work in general, and this is my favorite of his work, with The Fearless Vampire Killers as a close second. Dr. Strangelove has also spawned so many iconic moments, like riding the bomb down, that it’s hard not to appreciate what it’s done in culture as well and how it’ll still be referenced from time to time.

4. Sky Captain And the World of Tomorrow

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This one’s a controversial choice, but I really can sit down and watch Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow anytime, though I know of people who can’t stand this film. It was one of the first almost all-CG movies to come out, and I love the aesthetic of this film. They do a great job of making it feel like it is 1939, but a very alternative-timeline 1939. One of the reasons that I do like it so much is because of this concept, and the fact that it doesn’t become too dark with it. It stays generally quite light and fun, and the actors in it do a really good job. This movie is one of a few that I can just put in and watch at any time. I’d recommend that people give it a try, but understand that this movie is trying for the look and feel of an old-timey movie/radio play — I think it achieves this, but as a result, it isn’t as flashy as most movies now.

3. Dale and Tucker vs. Evil

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First, let me say that there is a reason I picked the Blu-Ray version that comes with Cabin in the Woods as the option to buy on Amazon — I’d finished most of a write-up on Cabin in the Woods when I realized that I like Dale and Tucker vs. Evil better as a critique on the horror genre. Because of this, I clearly realized that I love both of them, and I want to encourage people see both. However, I went with Dale and Tucker vs. Evil for my write-up because it’s more cliched, more satirical, and is funnier. While it doesn’t have the Easter eggs that Cabin in the Woods has, it’s easier to put in and watch over and over again. I will say, it does get gory at times. This might deter some people from watching it, but it works really well as a movie and is definitely worth checking out for a good laugh and a fun take on horror films.

2. Finding Neverland

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This one is my very serious one for the list. I love Finding Neverland even though I don’t watch it all that often. I love it because it has really helped inform my creativity and the concept of never growing up, or at least never losing my creativity. Without going into too much detail, I felt like I grew up quickly in my childhood (though not because of reasons like those portrayed in the film), and watching this movie allowed me to lean back into my creative side. It’s a lot of the reason I love writing, running D&D, and watching great (but not always serious) stories in TV and movies. This movie is also very well done, and has Johnny Depp in a very different role than you normally see him in — compared to so many of his roles now (where he’s basically just playing Jack Sparrow), this role has more depth to it.