I almost feel ashamed to rank Star Wars (Episode III - A New Hope, just so we are clear) so low as fourth on my list, but I have to do so. Do I need to elaborate on why it's on my list? That could take up a lot of space. I'll just skip over the in-depth deconstsruction of the film and move on to more personal reasons for listing it here.
It's here mainly because it's the first movie I ever loved. Awe, isn't that special?
The first time I saw it as a kid was at the drive-in with my family. After seeing it, every time we would play outside, we would play Star Wars. Everyone always wanted me to play the role of Princess Leia. There weren't any girls in my neighborhood, or at least, there weren't any girls that I liked to play with. But I always wanted to be Luke Skywalker. In psychoanalytic terms, this is referred to as Narcissistic scopophilia. We usually compromised and I got to be Princess Leia and carry a light saber and my blaster. Essentially, Star Wars makes it here on my list because of all of those things that people talk about (archetypes, blending of genres, etc.) and because of nostalgia.
Oh, and of course, my two favorite movie quotes of all time:
Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.
-Han Solo
Somebody has to save our skins!
-Princess Leia
Mos Isly (sp?) space port. the most wretched hive of scum and villinary. we must use caution.
(probably not an exact quote, but you know what i mean) - Obi Wan