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!!!***

92. WALL*E (2008) Directed by Andrew Stanton

The Movie: In the 29th Century, the Earth we know no longer exists. It now is a barren wasteland with no signs of life. And, the Earth could not support it.

There is one last robot on Earth. Waste Allocation Load Lifter: Earth Class or WALL*E. WALL*E has taken refuge in a truck with his only companion, a cockroach. WALL*E spends his days collecting and compacting the trash. Also, WALL*E collects anything he finds interesting to take back to his truck.

One day as WALL*E is out and about he observes a probe that is flying around, the probe named EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) is scanning Earth for signs of life. WALL*E falls for EVE and shows her his belongings, which includes a living plant.

By doing this, WALL*E inadvertently triggers EVE’s standby mode, which leads to a ship arriving to collect EVE and the plant. Desperate, WALL*E clings to EVE and is pulled onto the ship, which returns to its base, the mothership, Axiom.

On board we learn that humanity has left Earth centuries ago and now live onboard as morbidly obese people who are scooted around on hoverscooters and have robots do all “physical activity” for them. EVE is brought to the ship’s Captain, McCrea. McCrea learns that if life is found on Earth, the Axiom will return to Earth with the hopes of life starting there again. When McCrea checks EVE for the plant, it’s gone. McCrea believes that EVE must be broken and sends her to be checked.

When WALL*sees what might happen to EVE, he intervenes, saving her and releasing all the other “faulty” robots in the process. EVE grows frustrated with WALL*E and tries to send WALL*E back to Earth. EVE observes that the plant is in the possession of a robot that is attempting to destroy the plant in a self-destructing escape pod. WALL*E attempts to get the plant but is launched into space. EVE goes after WALL*E and the plant. EVE is shocked when the pod explodes, but WALL*E survives, he has the plant safe and sound. EVE realizing that WALL*E did not take the plant from her, starts to have feelings for WALL*E as well. The two robots dance outside the Axiom.

EVE returns to McCrea and gives him the plant. McCrea is excited to return to Earth, but AUTO, the AI auto-pilot, reveals to the Captain that, they will never return to Earth. The big corporation Buy N Large has programmed AUTO to override any attempt to return to Earth as the company wants everyone to be reliant on them for their greedy needs. McCrea, decides to override this order, which triggers AUTO and GO-4 to attack the Captain. The robots throw McCrea in his living quarters, electrocute WALL*E, put EVE in standby mode and throw the robots down a chute.

Almost thrown out of the Axiom, EVE was activated by a robot and both she and WALL*E were saved by a cleaning robot who was following WALL*E’s dirt trail.

With the humans and robots working together now to stop AUTO and Buy N Large from keeping them in space, WALL*E, EVE and McCrea confront AUTO and fight him to gain control of the ship. AUTO is able to smash WALL*E seemingly killing the robot. McCrea is able to overpower AUTO with EVE inserting the plant into the ship which triggers the ship to go into hyperspace and return to Earth.

On Earth, EVE is able to repair WALL*E but at a terrible cost. WALL*E does not have any memory of his time with EVE and his personality is gone. Devastated, EVE gives WALL*E one last kiss. This reverts WALL*E back to his former self.

Why I Love WALL*E (2008): The artistry of PIXAR has never been more perfectly captured than in WALL*E. The amount of emotion that WALL*E and EVE convey with minimal noises is nothing short of astonishing.

Not only is the film beautiful to look at, but it might be the most beautifully animated film, ever. The drab colors of an Earth long dead and the beauty of space are brought to vivid life by the artists at PIXAR. The fluidity of the robots gives the characters each a distinct look and feel.

I cried multiple times watching this film. From the beginning of EVE and WALL*E’s relationship, to the beautiful dance through the stars and finally to the sweet kiss at the end, WALL*E tugs at the heartstrings.

WALL*E is an achievement that few studios can accomplish. The film, to this day sets the standard of what a moving picture can do with no words, just incredible artists at the top of their game telling a story that not only touches on the longing for companionship and love, but also what happens when greed and over commercialism takes over.