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A list of best movies is so very subjective. And such a list almost always suffers from the biases and lack of knowledge of the author. For instance, in the first case, I know Gone with the Wind and The Sound of Music are great movies, but as a guy, the testosterone coursing through my veins will not allow me to nominate either one. In the second case, I know that Citizen Cane is the greatest movie ever made. But I don't really care about Orson Welles' innovative method acting, his use of low angles, deep focus, his use of miniatures. Intellectually, I'll admit it's a great movie, but I don't want it cluttering up MY list of the top five movies of all time. So, given that this list is biased and contaminated with my ignorance or apathy, here's my list for the best movies of all time.

1) The Empire Strikes Back. I'm not going to cop out and select the entire trilogy. Empire is the best of a great series of films. A New Hope amazed us with special effects and a re-telling of the archaic Buck Rodgers movie serials that was fresh and clean. The Empire Strikes Back rocked us on our heals by showing us depth of characterization, the tension of a fantastic love interest, the mythic qualities of heroic training by the super wise little green sock puppet, Yoda, and plot turns worthy of Sophocles and Pinter.

2) The Two Towers. The Two Towers is the best of the great Lord of the Ring trilogy for several reasons. The resurrection of Gandalf is treated with respect and honor worthy of Tolkien's creation. It should be epic and archetypical. The Helm's Deep battle scene is the best in the trilogy, effectively melding superior action and humor. Only the orc captain's dodging of a catapulted boulder in The Return of the Kind, is equivalent. Golem's performance, a combination of talented acting and amazing CGI, is incredible, especially the schizophrenic Gollum/Smeagol scene.

3) Braveheart. Mel Gibson is brooding below a cloud of bad publicity, Apocalyto and substance abuse, but his vision of Braveheart is staggering. It's story of the mad desire for freedom at all costs, the rebelling against tyrrany, the sacrifice for a noble cause, the passionate desire for vengeance, the need for love's redemption are all so deftly handled and beautifully executed that Gibson's performance takes a back seat to his direction. Although it is historically flawed, no one should fault its quality. The film, though, is ultra-violent, and should be viewed accordingly.

4) Saving Private Ryan. I admit

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