I like going to the movies. Not for any old movie, though. A movie needs to have a certain appeal to me for me to hike across town to the theater and plunk down $20 for a ticket and snacks. For one thing, it needs to be epic, bigger than life. Everyday life I can see around me all day for free.

A good movie, for me, is one that emphasises the points that the media is good at: stunning visuals, backed up with a strong sound track. If I want dialogue, I'll visit a play and if I want a complicated, intricate plot with deep character development, I'll read a book.

It's not that I don't enjoy watching other types of movies, but the ones that I want to see on the big screen are action-adventures, with large explosions, scoundrel heroes, evil overlords and worlds to be saved. Many of these tend to be animated features because there the director isn't limited by such little things as the laws of physics.

Star Wars (1977)

Once, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away..

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

More fantasy science fiction fairy tale. And boy, was it successful.

Return of the Jedi (1983)

The final installment of the trilogy.

Blade Runner (1982) (Director's Cut)

Science fiction noir at its best. Low on action (especially compared to Star Wars and Indiana Jones) but a masterpiece. Like Dune, (1984) best if you also read the book.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The Man With The Hat. 'Nuff said.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

The Man With The Hat is Back.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

The Man With The Hat returns for the final time. (Yeah, right.)

Willow (1988)

Val Kilmer as Madmartigan, The Greatest Swordsman That Ever Lived.

Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

So I'm a nerd. And I liked the book.

Toy Story (1995)

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as toys. Targeted at children but plenty of adult humor, too. Also, Pixar owns.

Toy Story 2 (1999)

The toys are back. One of those rare occasions where a sequel ascends the original. Rich plot, great humor and unbelievable animation.

Dragonheart (1996)

Sean Connery as the dragon, doing a great job as usual.

Mulan (1998)

Not quite Disney Disney. It's more action-oriented and original than their usual stuff and quite well animated.

Matrix (1999)

The Future Will Not Be User Friendly. This basically is a live-action comic book. And it's goooood.

X-Men (2000)

Whoa, a comic book adaptation that doesn't suck! Very good and remarkably true to the original.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2001)

Glad to see there's still action movies made somewhere that have an actual story.