1. North By Northwest (1959)
I was always obliged to include at least Hitchcock film on this list, and what better one to choose than the one described by the man who wrote it, Ernest Lehman as the Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures. Its a dizzying film, arguably an early precursor for the 60s James Bond movies, involving all the double crossing, sexy women, spies and conspiracies that those films would be known for. Its ludicrously entertaining even today, like most of Hitchcocks films, but this one is lent credence by its containing arguably Hitchcocks most defining image; the hero, Cary Grants Roger O. Thornhill, escaping the crop duster in the middle of the desert. The scene may not make much sense (why not just have a man shoot him?), and itll probably always be in competition with Psychos shower scene in terms of fame, but these mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. This film is an awesome ride, and its one you should take if you havent already- and take again if you have.