The incomparable Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, ranks highly in the Top 100 list. Source: Supplied
NEED a guaranteed conversation starter?
Ask anyone what's their favourite movie.
Some people know straight away, others can't narrow it down to less than 10.
The actors and directors News Ltd surveyed found it just as difficult as News Ltd movie reviewer Leigh Paatsch, who had 100 choices to play with for his '100 Must See Movies' list.
See Leigh's 100 movies in the interactive below - if you are using a mobile click here for the best experience - and then tell us which of the movies you like best by taking our MOVIE SURVEY. Keep reading below and send us your comments.
But that didn't make his task any easier.
''These selections took an age to decide. They're not exactly the 100 best movies of all-time. No-one could ever nail a list like that with total confidence,'' Paatsch said.
''But there is a good balance of the classic and the modern, as well as the highbrow and the lowbrow, that capture the endless possibilities of the movie medium.''
Top of his list was the ''simply untouchable'' Godfather (parts 1 and 2).
''The first two instalments of Coppola's Godfather trilogy make the film fan an offer that should never be refused,'' he wrote.
Other undisputed classics on the list included Citizen Kane, Casablanca and Schindler's List, but there was also room for some undisputed silliness.
Dumb & Dumber made the cut for being the movie that kick started the ''gross out'' genre.
Aussie films on the list include Gallipoli, Don's Party and Ten Canoes.
A quick survey of actors and directors revealed being in the industry didn't make it any easier to choose a favourite film.
Ewan McGregor just wouldn't commit.
''The list is so long I just can't pin it down to one. I can't choose,'' he said, although he did point out his own hit Moulin Rouge ''is a visual feast for the eyes. It's so rich and full of colour and life''.
Nepotism was also a characteristic of Matt Damon's choice.
''Am I allowed to say Argo?'' he said, of his best mate Ben Affleck's Oscar winner.
And young Jaden Smith, star of The Karate Kid and son of Will Smith chose one of his dad's blockbusters.
''I Am Legend, that movie is great, it's awesome. It's scary and it's very quiet. I love all the crazy things in it, all the animals, how they work ... It's a very thought-out movie,'' he said.
Aussie singer/actor Jessica Mauboy kept it local.
''My favourite films are all Australian films, including Mabo, Wish You Were Here and, of course, The Sapphires, but Strictly Ballroom is my all time favourite,'' she said.
Ridley Scott's sci-fi classic Alien was top of the list for directors Greg McLean (Wolf Creek) and Neill Blomkamp (District 9).
''It's a perfect movie; simple, beautifully designed and incredibly effective in creating an unforgettable cinematic experience,'' McLean said, while putting the finishing touches to Wolf Creek 2.
Fellow horror director Leigh Whannell (writer and actor in Saw) cites Trainspotting as his favourite.
''Some people may think that film is a product of its time - the nineties, Britpop etc - but I think it's timeless. The characters are so rich and the film is hilarious as well as tragic. The character of Begbie makes me laugh and is very quotable, but he's also terrifying. It's one of those films I can watch again and again because you feel like you know the characters,'' he said.
