While some people spend their spring breaks relaxing in tropical paradises, basking in the rays of the sun and sipping drinks with parasols in them, some of us end up spending our vacation sitting on the couch, subsisting on a diet of popsicles and flipping between "Animal Planet" and Fox"s "Police Videos." Not that there"s anything wrong with that, but the backbone of any good lazy break is a solid stash of movies. So, to ease the pain of the non-vacation, here is a list of films that will ensure that this spring break lives on in your memories forever. Okay, not really.

"Tombstone" (1993) This account of the struggle between the Earp brothers and the infamous "Cowboy" gang is one of the best Westerns of the recent past. It is also the crown jewel of Val Kilmer"s career (apologies to the Iceman). His scene stealing portrayal of gambler and gunfighter Doc Holiday is fantastic, and a solid cast (including Kurt Russell and Sam Elliot) makes this film a must-see.

"The Last of the Mohicans" (1993) Patriot, Shmatriot. This epic story of war, love and death, taking place during the French and Indian War, is a truly great film. Daniel Day Lewis"s commanding portrayal of Hawkeye, adopted son of a Mohican, gives the movie its center, but it is completed by an equally excellent supporting cast and a chilling and memorable soundtrack. The last action sequence on the mountain is one of my favorite scenes ever.

"Z" (1969) This film about the overthrow of the democratic government in Greece is a first-rate thriller about assassination, conspiracy and the quest for the truth. When the right-wing military forces of the government try to cover up their assassination of the democratic candidate, the Prosecutor must try to uncover what really transpired. Although made by a Greek director, the film is in French.

"Pump Up the Volume" (1990) "It"s 10:00, do you care where your parents are?" Often cheesy but always entertaining, this film epitomizes teenage angst. Christian Slater plays a miserable high school kid who sheds his shy personality at night when he broadcasts his rebellious and cynical thoughts over a pirate radio station. It"s full of some great diatribes (mostly about how much high school sucks), and your resentment of the establishment will allow you to look past the film"s numerous shortcomings.

"Defending Your Life" (1991) Albert Brooks plays a man who, after being hit by a bus, finds himself in Judgement City, where all of the deceased are forced to review their lives in a courtroom setting to determine if they will "move on." Rip Torn is hilarious as a lawyer who is a couple steps shy of Lionel Hutz, and the movie is perfected by the combination of Brooks" comic timing and clever dialogue.

"Boondock Saints" (1999) Two Irish brothers in south Boston decide that the only way to clean up the streets is to do it themselves. With brutal vigilante justice, they begin to eliminate members of the Russian mob. Willem Dafoe plays an F.B.I. agent on their trail. The film has some excellent but bizarre action sequences, and there is some great comic relief between the McManus brothers and their low level gang member friend, Rocco.

"My Blue Heaven" (1990) Definitely one of Steve Martin"s top five funniest movies, this film deals with a New York mobster (Martin) who, while waiting to testify against his associates, enters the witness protection program and is relocated to a suburb in the middle of nowhere. Rick Moranis plays the F.B.I. agent assigned to protect and supervise him until the trial. The image of Martin mowing his lawn clad in a shiny, double breasted suit will burn itself into your memory forever.

"The Muppets Take Manhattan" (1984) Anyone who watched "The Muppet Show" religiously as a child will love this story of Kermit et al taking their musical stage show to New York to try to get it on Broadway. Featuring some classic songs and hysterical dialogue, the movie is still highly enjoyable. Also, in the grand tradition of the Muppets, there are some great cameos, including Gregory Hines and Art Carney.

"The Last of the Mohicans" (1993) Patriot, Shmatriot. This epic story of war, love and death, taking place during the French and Indian War, is a truly great film. Daniel Day Lewis"s commanding portrayal of Hawkeye, adopted son of a Mohican, gives the movie its center, but it is completed by an equally excellent supporting cast and a chilling and memorable soundtrack. The last action sequence on the mountain is one of my favorite scenes ever.

"Zero Effect" (1998) Jake Kasdan, son of legendary director and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, gave us a solid detective film in his directorial debut. Analogous to Sherlock Holmes in many ways, it is the story of a brilliant but troubled detective (Bill Pullman) and his Watson-esque sidekick, played by Ben Stiller.