HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Guess what, kids? Movievangelist turned 1 year old today! Hard to believe we'd make it this far. I'm sure all of your gifts are in the mail.

It's been a great ride, these first 365 days. Who would have thought a readership that started with just a few people would surge all the way into the teens? The revolution begins now.

To commemorate our first anniversary -- and because I'm in a bit of a movie dry spell -- I'm listing my Top 10 favorite movies. Not necessarily of all time, and not necessarily THE BEST MOVIES EVER MADE (as will become evident). Just what I think are really swell and what I could watch over and over again.

But you know what? Let's wait a day on the actual Top 10. To build the suspense, here are 10 honorable mentions, in no particular order:

Aliens (1986): A fantastic sci-fi shoot 'em up, with Sigourney Weaver defining the tough-gal role for a generation. And between this and "Weird Science," Bill Paxton was one of my favorite actors of the '80s.

Sideways (2004): The most recent movie on either list, but a very funny buddy/road picture that manages to be intelligent and insightful about relationships while still featuring juvenile antics (courtesy of the brilliant Thomas Haden Church).

This is Spinal Tap (1984): We all know theirs go to 11, but there are so many more scenes and lines -- a lot of them subtle -- that make this a riot. Not sure Rob Reiner has done better, and yes, I'm aware of "The Princess Bride."

Jaws (1975): I never saw it in the theater, but few movies build suspense while injecting a little humor here and there. It's such a simple concept -- a big shark attacks people -- yet the psychological aspect is handled perfectly.

Casablanca (1942): Usually near the top of "best ever" lists, this classic holds up well and presents Humphrey Bogart in his purest form: not good-looking, but a wisecracking tough guy who had some sort of undefinable appeal. Ingrid Bergman wasn't hard to look at, either.

Goldfinger (1964): Can't see any one James Bond movie making the Top 10, but this is the best between Connery's command of the role, fun villains in the title character and Oddjob, and, of course, a Bond girl named "Pussy Galore." How they got away with that 40 years ago is beyond me.

Dirty Harry (1970): Before Eastwood got wimpy, he created an iconic tough guy ... and the movie was pretty solid, too. Another great villain, as well as the classic Harry Callahan line. Tell me ... do you feel lucky, punk?

Sunset Boulevard (1950): Didn't see this until recently, but it's a fascinating character study and impressively dark film for 1950. Gloria Swanson gets all the pub, but William Holden had a tough role as her kept man, and he was great.

12 Angry Men (1957): I mentioned Henry Fonda's righteous demeanor in my recent "Fail-Safe" post, and it's in full bloom here. Even if this is really a play masquerading as a film, it's hard not to be captivated by Fonda turning a jury around in his quest to save an innocent man.

Star Wars (1977): Maybe the toughest omission from the Top 10, if only because it launched a trilogy -- oops, franchise -- that has captured so many fans. The best part: Han Solo as a true me-first rogue before the Rebel Alliance softened him up.

Tomorrow: the Top 10.