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!***

137. The Phantom of the Opera (1925) (Directed by Rupert Julian)

The Movie: It’s a new season at the Paris Opera House, and the cast is preparing for their production of Faust. The sudden rise of Christine Daae (Mary Philbin) from chorus to the understudy of the talented and difficult Carlotta (Virginia Pearson) has everyone talking. In attendance is Vicomte Raoul de Chagny (Norman Kerry), Christine’s beau. During a break in the performance, Raoul meets with Christine, wanting to marry her and have her resign from the Opera. Christine refuses, she won’t let anything get in the way of her career, especially a man.

The Opera is enjoying their most profitable season ever, but the management for the theater resign, not before they warn the new owners of the “Opera Ghost”, the phantom of Box Number 5! The new management laugh it off as just a silly story.

Carlotta receives a letter from “The Phantom”. He demands that she step aside and let Christine be the lead in the opera, threatening her if she does not meet his demands. Christine can hear in her dressing room a mysterious voice that tells her that on Wednesday she must take Carlotta’s place.

Raoul meets Christine the next morning and begs her to reconsider his offer of marriage. Christine again refuses, stating that it is impossible for her to stop as she has been tutored by the “Spirit of Music”.

That night Christine is Marguerite in Faust and both the managers and Carlotta receive another warning from The Phantom, Christine must be Marguerite again, or there will be dire consequences!

Carlotta defiantly takes the stage the next night. The Phantom true to his word, has a giant chandelier fall from the ceiling, crushing and killing audience members!

Later that evening, Christine finds a secret door that leads to the depths of the opera. There she meets The Phantom, who introduces himself as Erik. Christine faints in shock, and Erik carries her to an unground suite.

When Christine awakes, she finds a note telling her she is free to go as she pleases but must never look behind his mask.

The Phantom is preoccupied with playing the organ and does not notice Christine sneaking up behind him. She pulls of his mask revealing a hideously disfigured face underneath it! Enraged The Phantom tells Christine she is now a prisoner. Christine begs The Phantom to let her sing again, he relents. She may return one more time, but she must not see Raoul.

At the masked ball, Christine finds Raoul. The Phantom is also there, disguised as “Red Death”. Raoul and Christine go to the roof, believing they are safe from The Phantom, but he listens from atop a statue. Raoul tells Christine that after her performance the following night, he will take her to London.

During her performance, Christine is kidnapped by The Phantom. Raoul meets Inspector Ledoux (Arthur Edmund Carewe) who informs Raoul that he has been chasing The Phantom since he escaped Devil’s Island. They find The Phantom’s secret door and attempt to find and rescue Christine. They fall into a trap set by The Phantom. Raoul’s brother Philippe makes his way to the crypt of The Phantom as well, where he is promptly drowned by The Phantom.

The Phantom tortures Raoul and Ledoux by intense heat, they escape but are locked into a chamber with gunpowder and causes the room to flood. Christine begs The Phantom to let them go and promises him she will marry him if he spares the lives of Raoul and Ledoux. The Phantom opens another trap door which Raoul and Ledoux go through and live.

A mob soon enters The Phantom’s liar and The Phantom attempts to flee with Christine. He never makes it as the mob beats him to death and throws his corpse into a river.

Why I Love The Phantom of the Opera (1925): Although a silent film, The Phantom of the Opera is suspenseful, scary and beautiful to see. Easily one of the most iconic scenes in movie history is the unmasking of The Phantom. The film is nearly 100 years old and it still packs quite the fright.

The makeup was created by Lon Chaney and it is legendary, with the actor giving an all time performance. And a sense of Colorado pride he was born in my home state. Also of note is the incredible sets that are throughout the picture. From the grandeur of the Paris Opera House to the depths of The Phantoms catacombs, each location is a character unto itself.

The film is a master class in suspense and horror. The Phantom just wants to love Christine, but his obsession with her is terrifying. And the lengths he will go to make Christine his is unrelentingly. Chaney is so good as The Phantom he will elicit fear, sorrow and terror many times in the same scene.

The film also boasts some color that stands out in a silent film, maybe no more so then when The Phantom appears dressed in red at the Masked Ball.

Don’t let the fact that it is a silent film scare you away from watching one of the most haunting films of all time.