1. The Wizard of Oz (1939). Yes, it’s cheezy and melodramatic and kitchy, but I still watch it at least once a year. A few years ago, I saw it at Cinecenta — the first time I had watched it in a darkened theatre on a full-size screen and the tornado sequence was so much more frightening! If you’ve never seen it on the big screen, I highly recommend tracking it down at a repertoire theatre.

2. The Apartment (1960). This film was full of surprises for me and, while it is very dated now, it’s somehow still relevant. I think this was the first Billy Wilder film I saw and certainly the first time I had seen Fred MacMurray in a darker role (I was used to seeing him on My Three Sons and in Disney films). I also finally understood why Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine were stars.

3. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Sure, Gort looks pretty non-threatening to today’s viewers, but the brilliance in this film is the script. It’s solid sci-fi and serves as a great overview of Cold War paranoia.

4. The Italian Job (1969). OK, so this was technically released the year I was born, but I’m confident that it was made before I was born and there’s no way I would have seen it in the theatre. There is so much brilliance in this film — Michael Caine is in fine form, the sequence with the Minis was brilliantly coordinated, and the ending? That’s just movie gold. The “remake” from 2003 is a pathetic shadow of this movie and should be avoided at all costs.

5. The Odd Couple (1968). I never watched the TV show so I only begrudgingly bothered to watch this film the first time around. Turns out, it’s hilarious and I frequently quote the characters. Full credit has to be given to Neil Simon’s screenplay at the core of this film but also to the great performances by the lead and supporting cast.

6. Pillow Talk (1959). Possibly the finest example of a screwball romantic comedy with Rock Hudson and Doris Day giving some of their best performances. If you liked Down With Love, this movie is required viewing — several scenes are almost shot-for-shot in homage; the reverse is also true!

7. The Desk Set (1957) Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn spar when a computer is introduced into the fact-checking department at a newspaper. Librarians are still facing off against Google and this movie still makes me giggle for that reason.

8. Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House (1948). Every time we consider building a house, this movie runs through my head. Cary Grant has an intense job with an ad agency and an apartment full of women so they decide to buy a house in the country. Turns out the house is falling down so they decide to build-to-suit. Despite the laughably low prices for real estate and construction and the rather offensive caricature that is Gussie, the family housekeeper, this movie is very watchable and very funny.

9. Singing in the Rain (1952). I don’t consider myself a fan of musicals, but this is the second one on my list. Debbie Reynolds sparkles and Donald O’Connor cracks me up every time plus it contains some of the most recognizable Hollywood musical songs.

10. Rope (1948). Really tough call between this one and Rear Window (1954); both feature James Stewart in strong Hitchcock films but Rope is just that much darker and that much more masterful. Actually, they make a good double feature if you can handle the tension!

The Italian Job (1969) — Michael Caine leads a crew of Brits through the streets of Turin to pull off a heist during the World Cup celebrations. Don’t be hoodwinked into renting the re-make; it’s a pale imitation that lacks all the imagination and cool of the original.

Shallow Grave (1994) — Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston and Kerry Fox are roommates who share a very dark sense of humour. When they find a dead body and a lot of money their friendship may be at risk. This film is very dark, and more than a little violent but also very funny.

The Prestige (2006) — Michael Caine again, here with Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman in a tale about two rival magicians. Before I saw this film, someone told me to pay close attention to a certain scene because it would reveal the ending. I paid attention and still gasped as the ending played out screen.

The Spanish Prisoner (1997) — Campbell Scott and Steve Martin headline this clever con film. Maybe my favourite David Mamet film, the script is filled with sharp dialog and plot twists right to the last lines.

Knowing (2009) — Strange things start to happen after a time capsule is opened; Nicholas Cage leads. Probably the cheeziest movie on this list but I really appreciated the follow-through.

War of the Roses (1989) — When Michael Douglas and and Kathleen Turner decide to get a divorce, it gets ugly, fast. Another black comedy, the details in the final scene paint it even darker.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) — Matt Damon finds that he is skilled in impersonation while on a trip to Italy to retrieve a playboy living in luxury. At once dreamlike and creepy, this film will stick in your mind.

NOTE: this post originally appeared at The Medianook, by Cheryl DeWolfe, and is reprinted with permission.