hmm im not big on anime but i know some good shit
akira is probobly the most classic critically acclaimed anime film, followed by princess mononoke (the first to win an academy award)
as far as shows, cowboy bebop is where its at. every episode is a classic, great characters and sophisticated story, futuristic sci fi mixed wit old school film noir, sprinkle on some great jazz music and uve got ona the best shows ive ever seen.
trigun is another good show.
besides that some goodies are ninja scroll, spirited away, perfect blue, and the animatrix