Top Ten Action Movies

Posted on April 29, 2026 by erictaveren

Today’s category: Action. The genre where subtlety goes to die and bad one liners make or break a film.

Action movies are comfort food. Sometimes you want nuance and layered character arcs. Other times you want slow-motion punches, impossible stunts, and someone walking away from an explosion without looking back. If you’re lucky, you get both. This is the category that makes you want to work out, learn martial arts, or think, “yeah, I could totally do a roundhouse kick.”

As always, these are not ranked. Prepare for chaos, choreography, and questionable physics.

Gladiator
The Matrix
Casino Royale (Daniel Craig)
John Wick
Speed
Con Air
Unleashed
Shanghai Noon
300
True Lies

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

Gladiator

“Are you not entertained?” Yes. Yes, I am. This movie is epic in every sense of the word. The music, the performances, the revenge arc—it all works. It says something as to why this was the first movie that came to mind when I thought “action”. This rose above mindless spectacle and gave us a real reason to root for Maximus.

The Matrix

This movie changed everything. The action, the philosophy, the slow-motion bullet dodging—it rewired what audiences expected from the genre. It mainstreamed the idea of action and thought provocation going hand in hand. And I’ll never hate Joe Pantoliano whenever I see him.

Casino Royale (Daniel Craig)

This is the Bond reboot done right. Gritty, grounded, and emotionally layered. The parkour chase scene, the dramatic poker games, the actual emotional connection between Bond and Vespa. This is probably the best Bond film ever. Also, crying blood? If that doesn’t say “bad guy” I don’t know what does.

John Wick

Action choreography perfection. The simplicity of the premise is proves that you can make an action movie out of anything. One of the coolest part of the movie is the authenticity. Keanu Reeves did his research and it shows.

Speed

The third Keanu Reeves movie on the list, and somehow more absurd than living in a computer simulation. Not the situation, but perhaps the bus jumping that giant gap. Speed solidified Reeves as a leading action star, and it also put Sandra Bullock on the map. Plus, it will always feel satisfying as they unload the passengers all sneaky-like.

Con Air

This movie is ridiculous in the best way. Nicolas Cage with that accent. The stacked cast. The over-the-top villainy. It’s peak 90s action and I love it for exactly that. Is it a cinematic masterpiece? No. Is it wonderful action? Definitely.

Unleashed

Of all the movies on here, the is the one that comes the closest to emotional manipulation. Jet Li is known for his crazy action roles, but the drama that he manages to bring, especially with Morgan Freeman and Bob Hoskins as scene partners, elevates this to something more. Simply a wonderful movie.

Shanghai Noon

I knew I had to get Jackie Chan on here somewhere. He’s my childhood’s epitome of action. It’s hard to say where he perfected his martial arts comedy bit, but this is definitely up there. Martial arts in the Wild West is how you strike gold.

300

Stylized, hyper-violent, and visually striking. This movie, like the Matrix, showed up a new way to view action. It may have also contributed to a fair amount of masculine body dysmorphia, but dang was it awesome to watch.

True Lies

This movie is pure spectacle. Action, comedy, espionage, and one of the most memorable helicopter sequences ever. Arnold and action are pretty much synonymous, and the is the first movie I think of when I think of him. Well, after Jingle All the Way, but beating up Sinbad doesn’t make something an action movie. :)

What action movies would you add? Which ones do you think I committed a crime by leaving off? Let me know.

Top Ten Comedy Movies

Posted on April 26, 2026 by erictaveren

Today’s category: Comedy. The genre that easy to fill and hard to limit. There’s so much comedy, and so many different types of comedy, it’s hard to narrow it down. Are there a ton that I like that could easy be in this list? Of course (I’m looking at you, What We Do In the Shadows).

My comedy taste ranges from clever and satirical to deeply dumb and immature. I like wordplay, absurdity, physical comedy, and jokes that are ridiculous beyond reason.

As always, these are not ranked. Prepare for chaos.

Dodgeball
Zoolander
Movie 43
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Spy
History of the World, Part I
A Million Ways to Die in the West
Anchorman
Borat
The 40-Year-Old Virgin

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

Dodgeball

This movie is endlessly quotable. It’s ridiculous, over-the-top, and perfectly aware of what it is. Just the other day I heard a student say “Dodge, dip, duck dive, dodge,” as they navigated the hallway. So funny on so many levels.

Zoolander

There are so many lines from this movie that live in my brain permanently. It’s a masterclass in absurdity. From limited mobility to nut-wrenching dance offs to too small schools, this movie has all the laughs.

Movie 43

I know. I know. Most people hate this movie. Most people are dumb. I’m joking, I’m joking. But for serious, I don’t think a neck scrotum will ever not be funny. Or those messed-up home schooling parents. Or the supermarket conversation. Some of it is dumb. But then it goes so far dumb and comes back to amazing.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

A comedy classic. Absurd, clever, and endlessly quotable. Also, this movie is proves not everything that comes out of Britain is bland (read: their food). If you grew up loving fantasy and comedy, this was almost a rite of passage. It was also the first DVD I ever purchased.

Spy

Melissa McCarthy is fantastic in this. The balance between action and comedy works so well, and the supporting cast is incredible. Jason Statham being aggressively over-the-top is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Sometimes I’ll just put this on to watch that one scene of his. Classic.

History of the World, Part I

Mel Brooks at his most chaotic. It’s satire, it’s musical, it’s ridiculous. Some of the jokes land even harder now because they’re still painfully relevant. I probably think about that Oedipus joke once a week. Perfect delivery. FYI, you can skip the sequel show.

A Million Ways to Die in the West

This movie if way funnier than I thought it would be. It’s crude, silly, and surprisingly heartfelt at times. The scene with Neil Patrick Harris and the hat? I don’t think I’ve laughed/cried more at anything in my life.

Anchorman

This movie is pure nonsense in the best way. The escalation, the randomness, the commitment to the bit—it all works. Lamps, bears, diversity. And the cherry on top is the ridiculous music video at the end.

Borat

Uncomfortable humor is a hard thing to nail. Even The Office has moments that are just too much to watch. This movie blends scripted comedy with real-world reactions is incredible in such a perfect and balance way that it’s never too much and yet still shocking the whole way through.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin

This one balances humor and heart better than most. It’s crude, yes, but also sincere. The characters feel real, and the emotional payoff lands. And Ohhhhh Kelly Clarkson!

What comedies would you add? Which ones do you hate? And which ones have you watched so many times that your family begs you to pick something else? Let me know. I’m always ready to defend my comedy choices, even the questionable ones.

Top Ten Time Travel Movies

Posted on April 22, 2026 by erictaveren

Today’s category: Time Travel. The genre where the rules are made up, the paradoxes are everywhere, and the emotional damage is always worse because you know it could have been different.

I love time travel stories. Too many of my stories ideas revolve around time travel. They tend to raise the same question over and over: if you could go back and change something, would you? And more importantly, should you? Some of these movies lean into action, some into romance, and some into existential dread. All of them leave you thinking.

As always, these are not ranked.

About Time
Palm Springs
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Edge of Tomorrow
Extinct
Back to the Future
Interstellar
Looper
Safety Not Guaranteed
Déjà Vu

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

About Time

Already talked about this in romance, but it belongs here too. This movie is less about the function of time travel and more about how we choose to live our lives. It’s funny, heartbreaking, and one of the most meaningful movies I’ve ever seen. If you don’t tear up at least once, I assume you are a robot.

Palm Springs

This movie came out at the exact right time. When the pandemic hit there was something relatable about being stuck somewhere with no escape. It’s not just a loop, it’s life. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti are fantastic, and the movie balances absurdity with genuine emotional growth.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

One of the greatest action movies ever made and a fantastic time travel story. The emotional core between John and the Terminator still works decades later and the liquidator is one of the most terrifying bad guys ever. Relentless assault? No thanks.

Edge of Tomorrow

Another loop movie, but this one leans into action and growth. Watching Tom Cruise slowly go from incompetent to unstoppable is incredibly satisfying. Also, Emily Blunt is a legend in this movie. I mean, she always is, but particularly here.

Extinct

This is probably the one most people haven’t seen, but I really enjoyed it. The blend of humor, heart, and the twist on time travel kept me hooked. I don’t think I can emphasize the humor enough. There aren’t a ton of comedy time travel movies, and this one fills that hole. I like it better than Bill and Ted.

Back to the Future

A classic for a reason. It’s fun, tight, and endlessly rewatchable. It put Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd on the map and put a weird twist on the whole Oedipus thing. Also, the theme made it ridiculously epic.

Interstellar

This is time travel as cosmic heartbreak. It’s big, ambitious, and emotionally devastating. The father-daughter relationship carries the movie, and the science makes it feel grounded enough that your brain goes, “Well… maybe?” Did it make perfect sense? No. Did it swing big enough to not matter? Yup.

Looper

Dark, gritty, and full of tough choices. I love how this movie focuses less on rules and more on consequences. It also has one of the most memorable sequences involving time travel I’ve ever seen.

Safety Not Guaranteed

I remember watching the trailer when it first came out and thinking, “what the hell is this?” It’s small, weird, and charming. This movie feels like it exists in its own space. It’s about hope, loneliness, and the idea that maybe—just maybe—there’s something bigger out there.

Déjà Vu

A thriller wrapped in a time travel story. It’s tense, emotional, and surprisingly clever. Also, Denzel Washington elevates everything he touches, because, you know, it’s Denzel.

What time travel movies would you add? Which ones did I miss? And which timeline are you currently living in where your favorite didn’t make the list? Let me know. I’m always ready to debate these with the confidence of someone who has absolutely tried to diagram time travel logic on a whiteboard and confused himself halfway through.

Top Ten Animated Movies

Posted on April 19, 2026 by erictaveren

Today’s category: Animated. A genre that people still occasionally dismiss as “for kids,” which is wild because some of the most emotionally devastating, visually creative, and flat-out hilarious movies ever made live here.

Animation is also one of the purest forms of storytelling. If you can imagine it, you can put it on screen. There are no limits except budget, time, and how much sleep the animators are willing to sacrifice. These movies shaped my sense of humor, my sense of wonder, and probably a good chunk of my personality. They also give me plenty of random break-into-song fodder. Which I do.

As always, these are not ranked.

Tangled
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
My Neighbor Totoro
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
The Emperor’s New Groove
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Kubo and the Two Strings
Onward
A Goofy Movie
Moana

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

Tangled

This is my favorite modern Disney movie. The humor lands, the romance is earned, and the characters feel real in a way that sneaks up on you. Also, the music is amazing. I’ve Got a Dream, I See the Light, When Will My Life Begin and Mother Knows Best? Hard to beat that. Plus, Maximus is one of the most entertaining animal companions ever.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

This one deserved better when it came out. It’s adventurous, different, and feels like a sci-fi fantasy hybrid in the best way. It also has one of the coolest visual styles Disney has ever done. I also appreciate how every character acts logically according to their own code, be it bad, good, or neutral. The characters are characters, not caricatures.

My Neighbor Totoro

This was my first introduction to Miyazaki. I won’t say anime, even though it’s Japanese animation. To me there’s a style different that is a clear separation. Totoro shows us there doesn’t need to be epic stakes. The stakes are epic for the kids, and that’s who they should be epic for. Side note: I still have my giant Totoro and Catbus plushies from when I was a kid.

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut

I never watched the show. I know some of the main jokes only because of memes. That doesn’t matter. This movie stands on its own, says what it wants to say, and does so in the most hilarious, raunchy, and musical way possible. I’m pretty sure I can still sing along with all the songs word for word. Oh. BARBARA STREISAND!

The Emperor’s New Groove

Perfect comedy. Every line lands. Every character is iconic. The pacing is absurdly tight. If I’d missed the DIsney logo at the beginning, I wouldn’t have thought it them. It’s just too witty and funny. And Kronk. Need I say more?

The Nightmare Before Christmas

A Halloween movie? A Christmas movie? Both. The stop-motion animation is gorgeous, the songs are unforgettable, and it manages to be spooky and heartfelt at the same time. I probably watched this once a week back in freshman year and both at Halloween and Christmas still.

Kubo and the Two Strings

Speaking of stop-motion, I didn’t realize this was as first. I remember thinking, dang, the CGI on this is super neat. That how fluid it is. Visually stunning and emotionally powerful. The storytelling, the themes of memory and family, and the sheer artistry of the animation make this one unforgettable.

Onward

This one got overshadowed, but it shouldn’t have. As someone who loves fantasy and father stories, this movie hits right in the emotional gut. The ending is one of the most quietly powerful things Pixar has done. Ugly crying powerful. Also, it feels like a D&D campaign, which automatically earns bonus points.

A Goofy Movie

This is a cult classic for a reason. It captures that awkward, complicated parent-child relationship in a way that feels real, while also giving us songs that still live in my head decades later. I still love singing After Today while doing all the voices.

Moana

Deciding on a tenth pick was hard. There were a ton of options. I opted for the one that was most fun to sing along with. It has adventure, heart, incredible music, and one of the strongest protagonists Disney has ever written.

What animated movies would you add? Which ones did I leave off that you’ll never forgive me for? Let me know. I’m always ready to defend my choices with the energy of someone who absolutely watches cartoons on purpose.

Top Ten Fantasy Movies

Posted on April 15, 2026 by erictaveren

Today’s category: Fantasy. Possibly my favorite genre across all media. The stakes are usually world-ending, and the stories live on metaphor and cultural commentary.

Fantasy has always been my comfort zone. Books, movies, games, D&D, Magic: The Gathering… if there are dragons, magic, or morally questionable wizards, I’m in. This is also the genre that probably shaped my writing the most. Somewhere in my brain, a dark elf detective is constantly making poor life choices because I grew up on this stuff.

As always, these aren’t ranked. They’re just the ones that stuck with me.

Prepare for swords, spells, and at least one extremely questionable comedy.

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Pan’s Labyrinth
Your Highness
Reign of Fire
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
The Brothers Grimm
Willow
DragonHeart
Enchanted

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

I already talked about this in adaptations, but it deserves to be here too. This movie reignited mainstream fantasy in a way we’re still benefiting from. It’s cozy, it’s epic, and it perfectly captures the feeling of leaving home for the first time. Of all the movies I’m waiting for my kid to be old enough to watch, this might be at the top of the list.

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

One of the most satisfying endings in movie history. It somehow balances massive battles with deeply personal moments. And yes, it has a lot of endings. That was a criticism I had after my first watch. But there’s just so much going on. Give me the endings. I’ve invested eight hours (extended editions) already. I want closure and it gives me closure. Also, the “you bow to no one” line? Chokes me up every time.

Pan’s Labyrinth

This is fantasy as art. Dark, beautiful, terrifying, and layered. It’s a fairy tale that refuses to be comforting. The creatures, the symbolism, the emotional weight—it’s unforgettable. There are two movies I’ve seen a the theatre where I was literally on the edge of my seat. This is one. Utterly fantastic.

Your Highness

I will defend this movie forever. Is it ridiculous? Yes. Is it immature? Absolutely. Did I laugh harder than I expected? Also yes. It’s a perfect parody of fantasy tropes, and sometimes you just need a movie that knows exactly how dumb it is. It probably didn’t hurt that at the time of release I had huge crushes on both Natalie and Zooey.

Reign of Fire

Dragons versus modern military. That’s the pitch. That’s the movie. And it works. Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey being absolutely unhinged, and a world that feels gritty and lived in. This is one of those movies I will stop and watch anytime it’s on. This is a dragon movie that works.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

After all the bad D&D movies that preceded this, I didn’t want to get my hopes up. But holy crap did it deliver. It’s funny, heartfelt, and feels like an actual D&D campaign. The tone, the party dynamics, the chaos—it all lands. Also, it captures the spirit of collaborative storytelling, which is probably why I loved it so much.

The Brothers Grimm

Weird. Very weird. But I love the idea of folklore coming to life and the blurred line between tricksters and heroes. It feels like a story someone would tell by candlelight in a tavern while the storm rages outside. Also, there were so many times I forgot it was Matt Damon and Heath Ledger. They weren’t famous actors, they were the Brothers Grimm.

Willow

Pure adventure. This movie is messy and charming and full of heart. I also had the benefit of watching it for the first time at such a young age that I didn’t know any of the actors. Now when I watch it, I don’t see Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer. I see Willow and Madmartigan.

DragonHeart

If you grew up in the 90s, this movie has a special place in your heart. Sean Connery as a dragon. A friendship story. A surprisingly emotional ending. And a good reminder that David Thewlis is rarely to be trusted.

Enchanted

This movie is so much smarter than it gets credit for. It’s a loving parody of Disney while also being a genuinely sweet romance. It’s funny, self-aware, and Amy Adams is perfect. And if you don’t have a perpetual crush on James Marsden, there’s something wrong with you. Plus, it proves that fantasy can exist in the real world without losing its magic.

What fantasy movies would you add? Which ones did I miss? And more importantly, which ones will you never forgive me for including? Let me know. I’m always ready to defend my choices like a wizard with too many spell slots and not enough common sense.