This list is near and dear to my heart, as I am a true fantasy genre freak. From my childhood till now, there are a very large number of fantasy films in my top 25, even my top 10 films of all time. With that being said, below is my list of the top 10 fantasy films ever!

10 – Willow – I know I’m going to get picked on about this one, but it is what it is. Willow is still one of my favorite films. Something about Willow is charming, fun, adventurous and simple; I love it!  Maybe it’s because Ron Howard was involved, or maybe it’s just because it’s a great, yet cute story. Who knows, but this movie has a special place on my DVD shelf that will remain as a constant in my fantasy collection.

9 – The Princess Bride – The Princess Bride, what can be said about this awesomely funny fantasy movie? Anyone who knows movies can quote way too many lines from this movie. From Andre the Giant to the ever beautiful Robin Write Penn, this movie stands tall amongst the best of the genre. This movie puts together all the ridiculous clichés of the fantasy genre all the while giving you a cast containing a mixed bag of fantastic actors. Classic and timeless – can you blame me for this pick?

8 – E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial – Spielberg. I could stop there but I am not that big of a Spielberg fanboy! This simple story of the bond between an average kid and a very lost (and ugly) alien wowed us all.  The storytelling is both personal and heartbreaking, to this day it can make me cry at the end. Spielberg takes a simple storyline, one created in his mind after his parents broke up, into one of the best movies of all time. Period.

7 – The Wizard of Oz – It’s the original. A wizard, a couple of witches, lots of freaky flying monkeys, what more do you want in a movie? A classic story and a classic film, this movie is beyond classic, it’s part of us all. Growing up close to where Frank Oz grew up, I have been on the actual yellow brick road! This is a must for all collections not matter what format!

6 – Pan’s Labyrinth – This film was such a surprise for me. The idea that this was more along the lines of an adult fantasy world really peaked my interest. The extreme violence I must say I was not expecting from the movie; it may of swayed people in the opposite direction but I truly enjoy this movie, rewatch after rewatch.

5 – The Labyrinth – This great film from the 80′s has a strong cult following, and I am glad to say I am part of that following. David Bowie as the villain, strange puppets, a gorgeous world, an interesting plot, and a very young Jennifer Connelly. Do you ask for more? I also will drop the ever awesome name of Jim Henson, what a master in all he did.

4 – Legend – Ridley Scott, yes that Ridley Scott, created such an enormous universe for this film that it surprises me how long ago it was made. He was able to bring to the screen something huge.  This is a film that many people have forgotten but if it’s on TV or if I am in the mood – I watch it. Such a great tale of deception, love and much more.  It’s an adventure/fantasy that will linger with you long after the film has ended. Enjoy it!

3 – The Dark Crystal – A lot of people know that I love this movie, and I am sad that there is an even larger number of people who have never heard of this film. This film stars lots and lots of Muppets and is actually a really incredible fantasy story that will draw you in as you watch it. If you liked Labyrinth but missed this one, then you need to watch it right away! It’s the classic hero trying to save a nearly doomed world, and you’ll be surprised by how good it is. The Muppets, the man behind them, Jim Henson, and the team bring such a gorgeous story to life in a world that is all too familiar. GRAB this one now!

2 – The LOTR trilogy – You could argue how I could put three movies into one spot on the top ten list, I honestly don’t care. These movies are separate for one reason: the length, and that only. These movies are one very large story and an amazing one at that. Sit down and watch these amazing stories unfold before your eyes and allow yourself to be drawn into the world that has been built before you.  These movies are gorgeous interpretations drawn from the pages of books that are world renown, and bring you into the world of Middle Earth. The acting, the story, the effects all bring so much to the screen, it is hard to doubt anything about these movies. They are second for a reason. Below is that reason!

1 – The Neverending Story – This is one of my top 5 films of all time. A true classic in the realm of fantasy. The story of a boy locked in a room in his school reading a book that he shouldn’t be reading. So simple, yet an awesome starting point for something that is amazing. He controls the fate of a far away world all along finding himself. I remember as a kid (and an adult) watching this over and over again, following Atreyu, along with Falkor, one of my favorite creatures ever, through their journeys. I never get sick of this movie, and it’s one of those rare gems that is worth watching again and again.

That is my list – hope you enjoyed it. Please leave some comments on movies I may of left out or any issues or questions you may have. I do own all of these in one format or another, as should you!

This morning I woke up to find out that my long awaited iPhone 3.0 software will have to wait a few more hours before I can get it on my new iPhone. That wasn’t the end of the world. The drive into work went well for a change so I can’t complain on that front. But I can complain on one front….

Last night an Atomic Popcorn reader sent me his youtube video about ruining a kids past with remakes of sacred films. Amongst the video, located here, are Pyscho, Transformers, and the latest, The NeverEnding Story. WHAT THE F^%$???

This news really has gotten me pissed at the engine so called Tinseltown.  The NeverEnding Story was a large part of my childhood and still sits on my shelf along with the terrible sequels. Wolfgang Peterson is my hero for bringing the world of The NeverEnding Story and the story of Bastian to my old TV. With that said, I am super pissed off right now that producer Frank Marshall is thinking about remaking, rebooting, touching this sacred film. This is sacred territory folks!! Along with Goonies and other 80′s films, it is a piece you do NOT touch.

The fine folks over at io9 have literally ruined the last hour or so of my day. With news that Jurassic Park 4 is not coming, which is fine with me, but The Neverending Story coming is a killer. The below has been quoted of Marshall saying “We love the book. We’ve always thought there was an opportunity there because there are a lot of elements in the book that aren’t in the movie. It’s another one where we’re still working on the rights. It’s a huge thing to get it. And once we get that, we’ll bring on a writer. But that’s kind of off in the distance, but it’s a great story.” Now while he has some great points, and hopefully a great view of the book, DON’T TOUCH IT!

What do you guys think about this news? Do you care? Do you even know what this fabulous film is? What is your one “Don’t Touch” film?

Spread the word, lets turn this down!

The Thought Pot is here bringing you the latest and greatest in Tinseltown. From The Neverending Story to The Green Hornet, here it is!

The Story Is Still Neverending
Just a couple of days ago, yet another movie from a portion of our childhoods has risen back up…on the remake slab. Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way along with The Kennedy/Marshall Company are teaming up with Warner Brothers to spruce up their own version of 1984 film, The Neverending Story. With the initiative of making a more ‘modernized’ version of the eighties picture, we can only imagine what this new edition to the franchise will pan out.

My Thought: I absolutely adore The Neverending Story, so I was pretty upset when I first heard about a remake. Knowing how CGI-savvy the studios have been for the past decade, I don’t know if I’ll be too happy seeing Falkor being a computer animated image, as well as many other things. Well, lets see how it pans out on the upcoming months, even more so if it will happen at all. Mind you, its still in the development stages, thankfully nothing is set in stone yet.

Astro Boy Flies Into The Fall
Based off of the Japanese manga of the same name, Astro Boy will swiftly move into theatres on October 23rd of this year. Jumping back from a month long hiatus, the feature will be presented in theatres for 2D and 3D viewing.

My Thought: I’m not sure if many of you saw the teaser trailer they had for Astro Boy (strangely enough, the first time I saw it was before Zack & Miri) but I’m actually looking forward to it.

Buzz For Hornet
Micheal Gondry (Be Kind, Rewind) has signed up to helm The Green Hornet. Starring Seth Rogen, the film was originally in the hands of Stephen Chow who stepped out from director to co-star due to creative differences. The film is set to be released on June 25, 2010.

My Thought: I’m not sure exactly what to think about this film just yet. I really do enjoy Gondry’s work, don’t get me wrong, I’m just really curious to see how he spins this into his own thing. Apparently the heads were pretty impressed with his vision for this flick, and I also enjoy Rogen so for now, its a pretty neat combination.

Eclipse Over Barrymore?
Speculation is stirring about with more reports coming in faster than New Moon. Rumor has it that Drew Barrymore is being looked at to film the third installment of Twilight, Eclipse. Summit Entertainment, working at lightning speed, just little over a week ago announced the release date for Eclipse. With filming for New Moon about to get underway within March, all eyes are on Summit to see if this particular franchise can live up to the fangirl’s expectations.

My Thought: My goodness, the next thing you know they’re already going to be planning the DVD release for Breaking Dawn (the 4th and last book in the series). Don’t get me wrong, I am pretty intrigued with the possibility of Barrymore directing a Twilight movie, but at the rate it’s going I have no idea how this entire franchise can hold up after a very mediocre first movie. Then again, with the way the fangirls are over Pattinson and others, they’ll still reek in the bucks.

People Are Dying For More 13th
The latest horror remake to follow suit after Rob Zombie’s recreation of Halloween, Friday the 13th slashed his way into theatres. Now, after the recent success of the remake, the green light is lit up by New Line Cinema and Plantinum Dunes. The script at the moment is being penned by Damion Shannon and Mark Swift, the writers for the recent Friday the 13th.

My Thought: Even though this is one of many horror franchises that have been milked up to high heaven, I have to admit that I enjoyed the latest installment. Then again, I walked into the theatre expecting a very crappy film and I was pleasantly surprised by the end result. I don’t know, overall we’ll see, but I’m not expecting much.

Box Office Time!: Jonas vs Street Fighter

Blasting into theaters, much to the delight of pre-teen fans everywhere, The Jonas Brothers (The 3D Concert Experience) so far has been completely dominating Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li at the box office. With Street Fighter only reeking in a total of 1.7 million so far, they could possibly crack the top five by the end of the weekend.

My Thought: I highly doubt Street Fighter is going to make too much at all. I could honestly care less about that and the Jonas brothers concert/movie, they sound like girls who are suffering from cramps while singing at the same time. Looking forward to next weekend though, and you’ll quickly see why.

Daily Box Office (February 28)
1. Jonas Brothers……………………..$4.8 Million
2. Madea Goes To Jail…………………..$4.6 Million
3. Slumdog Millionaire………………….$3.2 Million
4. Taken………………………………$2.8 Million
5. He’s Just Not That Into You…………..$1.9 Million
6. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li….$1.7 Million
7. Confessions of a Shopaholic…………..$1.4 Million
8. Paul Blart: Mall Cop…………………$1.4 Million
9. Fired Up……………………………$1.3 Million
10. Coraline…………………………..$1.1 Million

Films Up To Bat On March 6th
-Watchmen
-All About Steve

That’s it for this week’s Thought Pot. Keep on reading this and more here at AtomicPopcorn.Net.