It’s the time of the year for “Best of 2012” lists, including movie lists.

I’ve only seen a handful of 2012 flicks, and not the ones that’ll probably be up for Oscars, that’s for sure.

But it got me thinking: What are my current favorite movies of all time? Not necessarily the BEST movies of all time, but just my favorites.

Worth putting down, so in a decade or so I can re-read this list and silently curse myself for being such a tool.

Whatever – here goes, in no particular order (with the exception of the first one, which is probably my all-time fav):

• Casablanca – My all-time favorite, and it should be on virtually any list of best movies as well.
• The Dish – Quirky Australian film about the radio dish in that country that helped relay data from Apollo 11. Just fun.
• The Great Escape – Still my favorite Steve McQueen movie (but I’ve yet to see The Getaway). A blockbuster cast – it stars just about everyone – and the classic story of smart Allies beating the Nazis in WW2.
• About a Boy – In this British film, Hugh Grant plays a cad. How out of character, right? But here – was well as the movie below – Grant plays the role very well, and there is actually some emotional depth to his character.
• Four Weddings and a Funeral – A group of British friends party, marry and die together. An ensemble cast that just works (Andie McDowell plays, essentially, an American floozy).
• Toy Story – The first was the best to me, and still my favorite of all the Pixar and other CGI movies. It was a real breakout when it was first released for the technology, but it has a great story behind it, as well.
• Almost Famous – God love rock and roll. Based on Cameron Crowe’s real-life adventures as a 16-year-old Rolling Stone feature writer, this movie captures the soul of 70s music as well as any I can recall.
• The Maltese Falcon – Not as good as Casablanca, but the same brilliant writing, great minor characters (Peter Lorre is in both; deliciously weaselly in both). And it has a very different story to tell than Casablanca, one that is actually resonates more for the current year than the Moroccan tale.
• Groundhog Day – Wild premise (living the same day – Groundhog Day – over and over) sold by the brilliant acting of Bill Murray. I wonder how much of this was improvised. Like Murray or not, you have to give him credit for being so fast on his feet. I watched a Chicago Cubs game where he did color for Harry Carrey and I almost wet myself. Brilliant.
• Stealing Beauty – Flawed – for example, I think Jeremy Irons’ character could have been lost – but memorable for many other reasons. Beautiful scenery (Tuscany, Italy), a killer soundtrack and Liv Tyler.
• 500 Days of Summer – As the intro to the movie declares, this is a story about boy meets girl etc, but this is not a love story. Bittersweet. Great performances by Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, with nuanced supporting characters. Great soundtrack here, as well: This movie introduced me to Regina Spektor. Even if the movie sucked, it would make this list for that reason alone.

OK, I ended up with 11 movies. Sue me.