1 Miss Celie’s Blues - The Colour Purple.

This was Whoopi Goldberg’s screen debut and her performance in this scene is captivating. Hiding her smile with her hand, so much is conveyed through her eyes. The lesbian subtext is electric, but is also an act of kindness and support from one woman to another. And Quincy Jones’ music is the icing on the cake.

2 Monty’s arrival - Withnail and I.

So many good scenes in here too; maybe the scene in the Café maybe Withnail’s soliloquy from Hamlet; but probably when Monty arrives at the house in the middle of the night and scares the crap out of them. Withnail’s famous line is magnificent.

3 Antoine reaches the sea - Les Quatre Cent Coups.

Andre finally makes it to the sea and he simultaneously reaches his destination and has nowhere left to run. He looks directly into the camera and the image freezes. This final scene stayed with me ever since I saw it for the first and only time 10 years ago. It’s a moment I paid homage to in Cubs (a short film I made last year that was nominated for a BAFTA) and Shane Meadows also references in This is England.

4 Everybody needs somebody to love - The Blues Brothers.

You can’t help but smile during this scene, as Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) arrive late and slowly turn win the silent audience around. Dan Aykroyd’s dancing is genius. The scene rocks.

5 Waiting for the train - Once Upon A Time In The West.

There are so many fantastic scenes in this film but the iconic opening stands out as it is so heavy with tension and brilliantly evokes an atmosphere of waiting and anticipation.

6 In Dreams - Blue Velvet.

In a roadside layby, a fat woman dances on the car as Frank (Dennis Hopper) terrorises Jeffery (Kyle MacLachlan). Lynch incorporates the lyrics of Roy Obison’s In Dreams into the dialogue giving them twisted and terrifying new meanings.

7 The Kiss - Lost in Translation.

We want them to be together but we know they can’t be. Bob (Bill Murray) whispers in Charlotte’s (Scarlett Johansson) ear, leaving what has been said to the imagination of the audience. It’s a bold choice and a perfect moment, and of course it echos the title.

8 Guido plays Offenbach in the concentration camp - La Vita e Bella.

Guido’s (Roberto Benigni) determination to get a message to his wife sums up his love and optimism throughout the film. There’s something wonderful about the music connecting these two characters in this horrific place.

9 Make em laugh - Singing in the Rain.

Ok, it’s an obvious one, but I can watch this scene again and again and again. Donald O’Connor gives a truly amazing physical performance.

10 The sex scene - Don’t Look Now.

I think this has got to be the best sex scene as it feels real and is justified in that contributes greatly to our understanding of Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland’s relationship. It’s brilliantly edited with them putting their clothes on after the sex and I like the (fiercely contested) rumours suggesting that they actually had sex during the filming. Whether they did or not, it’s testament to how convincing the scene is.

Editor's choice

• Burning Bush with W
• Revolution at the new Saatchi Gallery
• Boy George on sex, drugs and Amy Winehouse