I can be dumber than a bag of hammers. But there’s one thing I seem to know about and appreciate – movies!

I love movies. I have been entertained, informed and enriched throughout my life by many a motion picture. Having studied the medium since childhood, and I mean pictures from every decade and genre, then having worked in the entertainment industry for over twenty-five years, I’ve come to the conclusion that film is the essence of all the other art forms. The most endearing films, like biblical parables, nourish the spirit as well as entertain. And the best of them contain the ultimate expressions of joy and sadness, of nobility and fear, of love and hate, of passion and romance, and of hope and faith. They are modern man’s medium for relating tales of morality and mortality to the masses. Certainly, there is a plethora of films containing little or no redeeming value, but let’s not discount the cinematic treasures that overflow with spiritually rewarding messages, or simply make merry the heart.

Within these hollowed columns I’ve compiled some essential films that have influenced other filmmakers throughout the years, along with some newer releases that will doubtless do the same for up-and-coming auteurs. Is it a complete list? No. I suspect I could have come up with double the suggestions. But, if you’ll view these films, you will have seen some of the most influential movies ever made.

Attached links have been included to many of the recommendations so you can get the complete review and, more importantly, the reasons for their ratings. I have also included the Use TVG warning. This suggests that despite the film’s qualities, it does contain some objectionable language. If you’re offended by abusive language, you may prefer watching these films with a TVGUARDIAN box, which silences the offensive words.