A.V. Opinions: 10 years of Pantheon and my legacy as a council member

Looking back at 10 years of Pantheon, it is wild to see how much history, passion, and debate have gone into these nominations. Every council member brings something different to the table, and you can see the blood, sweat, and tears in every movie that gets put up for consideration. Movies are wrapped into our DNA. Some nominations come straight from the heart. Others are popcorn movies that gave us an escape when we needed it most. Some align with our belief systems, and others are just pure fun.

Since you only get one nomination a year, it is always interesting to look back and reflect on why certain movies were chosen. So I figured I would share my 10 years as a council member through the movies I have nominated and what they mean to me.

The Beginning: A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Before Pantheon even officially started, I set the stage with my first nomination. Star Wars. This was my way of explaining what Pantheon was and what I envisioned for it.

Lately, Star Wars under Disney has not been what I would like it to be, but the original trilogy remains one of the most creative and culturally influential film series of all time. Lightsabers, Jedi mind tricks, and space battles are the kind of cinematic magic that has shaped my love for movies. Star Wars is my escapism of choice. When life is not going the way I want it to, I like to imagine a galaxy far, far away. I am proud that Star Wars was the very first film to make it into Pantheon.

Season One: Fright Night

For my first official council nomination, I went with Fright Night, my all-time favorite movie. I have always believed that your favorite film should be deeply personal, something that speaks to you in a way that maybe others do not fully appreciate. Fright Night is exactly that for me.

It has everything I love. Fun horror, Chris Sarandon’s awesome performance, incredible practical effects, and an amazing score with a hypnotic 80s vibe. I was thrilled to see it make it into Pantheon because it is not the kind of movie that tops many greatest of all time lists, but it should.

Season Two: The Prince of Egypt

This was my first loss. I nominated The Prince of Egypt because I truly believe it is one of the greatest animated films ever made. The music rivals Disney’s best, the animation is breathtaking, and the voice acting is fantastic. But I remember this nomination getting beat up pretty badly.

I felt like if I had nominated a film about Greek mythology, it might have been received differently. But because The Prince of Egypt is rooted in biblical passages, people saw it through a different lens. Regardless of belief systems, I think it is an incredible adventure film, and it was a tough pill to swallow when it did not make the cut. It was my first loss as a council member.

Season Three: Amour

This was my second loss, and it hit hard. Amour is a French film about an elderly couple whose once vibrant home slowly becomes a tomb as the wife’s health declines. It is the scariest movie I have ever seen, not in a horror movie way, but in a real-life, existential way.

I do not get scared of traditional horror movies anymore, but Amour shook me to my core. It forced me to confront the terrifying reality of aging, loss, and loneliness. I knew it would not be for everyone, but I wanted to share that experience. It did not make it into Pantheon, but I still believe it is one of the most powerful films ever made.

Season Four: Miami Connection

I wanted to prove that so bad it is good movies belong in Pantheon too. Miami Connection is one of the worst movies ever made, and that is why I love it. Watching it with friends, laughing until you cannot breathe, experiencing that pure, unfiltered joy. Those moments matter.

If movies like this cannot make it into Pantheon, then what are we even doing? Unfortunately, it did not make the cut, marking my third loss in a row.

Season Five: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

After three losses, I finally got another win. This was the first documentary to enter Pantheon, and I was proud to be the one to bring it in. I did not grow up watching Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, but I have come to appreciate what Fred Rogers did for an entire generation. His sincerity, kindness, and ability to connect with children in a real way is something that feels lost in today’s world. This was a nomination that resonated with a lot of people, and I am glad it found its place in Pantheon.

Season Six: The Return of the Living Dead

Back to my horror roots. I love zombie movies, and for me, it is always a toss-up between Return of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead as my favorite.

What makes Return of the Living Dead special is its rebellious nature, not just in the zombie genre, but in 80s pop culture. The punk rock aesthetic, the fantastic music, and the great practical effects make it a horror movie that does not take itself too seriously but still delivers. This was another win for me, and one I am especially proud of.

Season Seven: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

This was a childhood favorite of mine and a film that an entire generation holds close to their hearts. The practical suits, the gritty New York atmosphere, and the fun yet surprisingly dark tone made this the Turtles movie that set the standard.

I still hope they return to this aesthetic for future TMNT movies. Generational nostalgia is powerful, and sometimes, that is enough to earn a spot in Pantheon.

Season Eight: Tropic Thunder

I was on a winning streak now, and Tropic Thunder kept it going. This is one of my favorite comedies of all time.

The premise alone is insane. A group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying. I love it! Robert Downey Jr. in blackface, Ben Stiller in his most ridiculous role, Nick Nolte being Nick Nolte, and Tom Cruise in a fat suit. Every single performance is perfect. It is a film I can quote endlessly, and every rewatch still makes me laugh. If a comedy can hold up for that long, it deserves a place in Pantheon.

Season Nine: The Raid: Redemption

Five wins in a row now. The Raid: Redemption is my favorite action movie ever made. It is pure adrenaline from start to finish.

I always describe it as Donkey Kong but with martial arts. Fighting your way up, level by level, to get to the boss. The fight choreography is brutal, the character work is surprisingly strong, and it has some of the most memorable action sequences ever filmed. If you are making a martial arts movie today, this is the blueprint.

Season Ten: Warrior

The verdict is still out on this one. Will I get six wins in a row, or will this be my first loss in years?

For my tenth nomination, I chose Warrior, a powerful family drama with MMA as its backdrop. But this is not just a sports movie. The family dynamics in Warrior linger with me long after the credits roll. It is a story of addiction, pain, and redemption, and it does not tie everything up in a neat little Hollywood bow. When the final fight is over, you are not just thinking about the winner, you are thinking about the family, about the years of trauma they have endured, and about the road to healing that has only just begun.

I am not sure if this one will make it. It might be my first loss in years, or it could be seven straight home runs. I will update this once the results are in. But no matter what happens, I am proud of this nomination. Some personal picks do not go the way you want, but I am happy I gave Warrior the spotlight it deserves.

Update: Warrior made it, but just barely. With exactly seven votes, it’s officially in Pantheon! This is the comeback story of the year. It started strong with a few early yes votes… then hit a brutal losing streak with a wave of no’s. But just when it looked like the fight was over, Warrior rallied with two clutch yes votes in the final round, giving it just enough to clinch Pantheon status. Warrior now stands among the best of the best.

A Decade of Pantheon

Looking back on 10 years of nominations, I can see how my tastes, beliefs, and personal experiences have shaped each choice. Some were deeply personal, some were pure fun, and some were meant to challenge perspectives.

Pantheon is not just about picking the best movies. It is about movies that matter to us, to culture, and to the people who find something special in them. I am proud of my legacy as a council member, and I cannot wait to see what the next decade brings.

-Brad McBoom