***SPOILER ALERT, not too too bad except for my number one. That one will completely ruin the movie for you if you read my comments on it***
5. Southland Tales
I already know what most people will say but I think this movie is fantastic. I can understand why people wouldn't like it, the way the plot is almost schizophrenic and wanders all over the place, it can be hard to follow at times. But that's also what's so great about it; how complex the movie is, how hard it pushes to get its message across despite the great leaps and bounds it takes. This is probably the most unique film I've ever seen and I love how it creates a USA Patriot Act extension and portrays its evil totalitarian ways. I really enjoyed Dwayne Johnson's performance, partially because some of his acting is so bad it's good. When his character gets nervous and twiddles his fingers, I feel like no one in the world does that out of stress but it makes his character so unique, little mannerisms like that. But most people also aren't willing to watch it more than once and that's why they never figure out what it's about. Richard Kelly is a genius but this is hardly his best work...
4. Men in Black
By far my favorite Will Smith performance, and with Tommy Lee Jones co-piloting the helm, this is one for the ages. Smith and Jones are stellar as Agents J and K facing an alien threat to destroy the planet. The plot is so clever, especially how "the galaxy is on Orion's belt"- forcing the heroes to search in places no one would suspect to look and the technology used to create the aliens is impressive, especially by 1997 standards. The very ending is so touching and sad, something I wasn't expecting at all- I'm just glad it wasn't truly the last duo's adventure, although it was certainly the best.
3. What Dreams May Come
This movie extremely surprised me by how compelling and well done it was. Robin Williams plays the lead in by far the most tragic and heartbreaking movie (besides maybe part of my #1) on this list. I normally don't like movies like this where the movie is wrapped in distraught experiences and emotional scars and was strongly tempted to stop watching at parts but its so moving and life affirming its something everyone should see. One of my favorite things is how this movie challenges the traditional concept of the afterlife, portraying it in ways I never heard of nor imagined my entire life. It gives non-religious explanations for most things that happen as well while using Heaven and Hell, something I found very original and inspiring. The idea of soulmates is a constant theme, pervading Williams' character everywhere he goes and though I don't believe in them nor even true love, it's a passionate characterization that brings the movie's two mainstays to life. The plot twists here are completely unexpected and very effective as well.
2. Good Will Hunting
Affleck, Damon, and Williams put on a stunning performance in this coming-of-age (mentally, not physically) drama where a young man played by Damon struggles with scars from the past, a pathological liar unwilling to let anyone in, working as a janitor in the prestigious M.I.T. "Do you like apples? Well how do you like THEM apples" is one of the best lines and though I often find people/characters with Boston accents really annoying, Damon's acting especially transcends above and beyond the usual performance to something special, his portrayal of the lead character as isolated, stubborn, internally damaged, propping a facade personality for the world to see is so effective. Ben Affleck's character Chuckie speaks to me the finest example of a true friend, preferring to never see Will again knowing the potential he has to become a successful adult with a blessed intellectual ability. Stellan Skarsgard plays an insufferable Professor who I love to hate and Williams as the therapist is the perfect counterpart for Damon, a man afraid of taking chances and moving just like Will. The open-ended conclusion of the film leaves the viewer to decided what happens afterwards, something that works well.
1. Donnie Darko
Ever since I saw this the first time there was never a doubt in my mind; this was by far the best film I've ever seen. I was so overcome with the all the ideas and implications of everything that happened, what Kelly was trying to say, I couldn't stop thinking about this film for two months after I first saw it. There's so many things to love about this movie it's hard to even begin. For starters, the authenticity of the characters- the way the father played by Osbourne laughs at his young child, how he laughs what Donnie says to his teacher and covers it up with a cough- it's so genuine, my Dad would act the same way. With Mary McDonnell portraying Ms. Darko, she too is so natural as the mother- Scolding Donnie for his nickname for Roberta Sparrow, I love that. And Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie- the confused adolescent- Kelly's script gives him such dimensions- struggling with the possibility of a permanent death, unknowing whether not a God exists- so relatable because I think most go through that, I know I have. There's so many fantastic lines in the movie as well, including "I guess some people are just born with tragedy in the blood", and my personal favorite "What if you could go back in time and take all those hours of pain and darkness, and replace them with something better?"- it's the ultimate foreshadowing. The air Kelly creates too of such foreboding and impending doom is almost magical, it still grips my emotions even after seeing it five times now. Every time I see the ending I can't help but cry, the first two times I sat there bawling for an hour and a half after because Donnie is such a moral agent and incredible person he's like an idol to me. He makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his mother's, girlfriend's, and even Frank's life, while keeping his teacher's from being ruined and his therapist's from immeasurable stress. This movie also has hands down the best soundtrack I've ever seen, with gems like Head over Heels by Tears for Fears, Under the Milky Way by the Church, and The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen supplementing the already fabulous feel of the film. The plot itself is not too complex but not simple by any means either and I love how all the loose ends are tired together at the end, everything makes sense if you're willing to think about it hard enough. And I share Donnie's same sense of insecurity and hopefulness that is betrayed at the end of the film, another one of the best quotes in any movie I've ever seen: "I can only hope that the answers will come to me in my sleep. I hope that when the world comes to an end, I can breathe a sigh of relief, because there will be so much to look forward to."
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They're great. 
