One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!***

140. Airplane! (1980) (Directed by Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams and David Zucker)

The Movie: Ted Striker (Robert Hayes) is a war veteran and washed-out pilot. He’s afraid of flying and also has a “drinking problem”. You see every time he tries to take a drink of something he missies his mouth.

Striker’s girlfriend Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty) breaks things off with Striker as she prepares to board her flight as a flight attendant. Although Striker has a fear of flying, he abandons his taxi and gets a ticket for Eliane’s flight in an effort to win her back.

When Striker sits down, he tells his seat neighbor about how Elaine keeps breaking up with him, this drives them and several others to kill themselves rather then listen to him tell his stories.

The flight crew is served fish and become ill and unable to perform their duties. Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen), is a doctor onboard and informs Elaine that the prognosis of the flight crew is dire. Elaine contacts the control tower in Chicago where Supervisor Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges) instructs Elaine to activate the autopilot. The autopilot is an inflatable dummy named “Otto”, which will fly the plane but will not be able to land it.

Striker is convinced by Dr. Rumack and Elaine to land the plane when they approach Chicago. But when Striker’s old commanding Officer, Rex Kramer (Robert Stack) attempts to help Striker land the plane, Striker has battlefield flashbacks and panics. Striker, with the help of Dr. Rumack and Elaine regains his confidence and takes the controls once again.

Striker and Elaine are able to safely land the plane, with no injuries (minus the people that killed themselves from Striker’s stories) and embrace and kiss.

Why I Love Airplane! (1980): A lot of my favorite movies have a reoccurring theme. I fell in love with them spending my weekends at Blockbuster Video with my friend Branden, renting movies and eating pizza. Airplane! was one of those movies.

I can still remember Branden and I not being able to breathe from laughing so hard when the PA announcer’s argue over what color represents where people can park. Or when Dr. Rumack has this exchange with Elaine;

Dr. Rumack: “What was it we had for dinner tonight?”

Elaine: “Well, we had a choice of steak or fish.”

Dr. Rumack: “Yes, yes, I remember, I had the lasagna.”

Airplane! was my first exposure to the amazing world of Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker films. I mentioned when I was talking about Weird: The Al Yankovic Story how much I love silly, stupid dialogue delivered serious. Airplane! is so clever and funny it begs to be rewatched countless times.

It is also the first film I remember loving the credits. As they scroll at the end there are funny lines abound, my favorite, Worst Boy… Adolf Hitler.

From beginning to end, Airplane! rewards its viewers with funny dialogue, outlandish characters and a bunch of monks getting beat up by Robert Stack.