When Marc from Go, See, Talk! put out the call for people’s most influential films, I never asked the question as to whether they were supposed to be films that influenced filmmaking as an industry, or ones that influenced the way I approached the world… So I made my list with a 50-50 chance of doing it right, which are far better odds than any other time I do it. I know that Marc was originally looking for some distinction between genres, but I didn’t quite play it that way – the heart wants what it wants.
8. Stand By Me (1986)
“‘Have gun, will travel’ reads the card of a man. A knight without armour in a savage land…”
Genre: Coming of Age
When did I see it: Age 13
Another one from Stephen King, besides offering a group of young actors whose careers I could chart throughout my own life, it offered me my first glimpse at lifelong friendships and how it is exactly that dudes get along with other dudes. I guess it’s the first example of a film that actually socialized me. I suppose it’s odd considering that none of the characters in the film remained friends forever, but I guess I’m not really all that close with the guys I went to see the film with way back then… If I remember correctly, we had to get a stranger to get us into the movie ’cause we were all under 14 at the time. (Jeez! That’s 22 years ago!)
7. Fight Club (1999)
“The things you own, wind up owning you.”
Genre: Uh, Psycho-Thriller?
When did I see it: Age 25
I have no doubt that this one will be showing up on a lot of people’s lists, and with good reason. This movie is all about lifestyle, counterculture, and stripping away all the extraneous bits around you to reveal your true self… Ironically though, this was the movie that started out my life’s single greatest binge of consumerism. The DVD release of Fight Club was what got me off my duff to purchase a DVD player, and about 550 DVDs and blurays later I think I am primarily defined by my collection. It’s the thing that reminds me why I’m doing the whole Film Cynics thing: to make something constructive out of all of that…waste? It’s violent, funny, dark, sexy, thought provoking, and might even give you the urge to punch your best friend in the face. In short, it’s awesome.
6. Star Wars (1977)
“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side.”
Genre: Science Fiction
When did I see it: Age 3
It doesn’t get much more obvious than this one – Star Wars shaped so much about who am and what I’m interested in without making me solely obsessed with the movie itself. Lightsabers, the Millennium Falcon, the Force, Yoda, Chewie… all these things that slip into my everyday conversations, even in University or at work. Because it draws on so many sources from so long before it came around, it has a timeless quality that will always outshine the travesty of the prequels.
5. Tron (1982)
“How are you going to run the universe if you can’t answer a few unsolvable problems?”
Genre: Science Fiction
When did I see it: Age 7
I’d like to think of myself as a pretty computer savvy kind of guy, and while the march of civilization has innevitably made us all technobrats, I think that Tron gave me a bit of a head start to stay just a little ahead of the curve – or more accurately, to make me want to stay ahead of the curve. What some of the younger folk might not know is that Tron was also one of the first films that had parents convinced that their kids playing video games was an investment in their future – that there was some kind of link between computer aptitude and the high score in Space Paranoids. Honeymoon’s been over for that one for a while now, I guess.
4. Time Bandits (1981)
“Do you want to be leader of this gang?”
” No, we agreed: No leader!”
“Right. So shut up and do as I say.”
Genre: Adventure
When did I see it: Age 13
I saw this film on Laserdisc as a fairly young boy, and if I’m not mistaken it’s what made me see film as an artform. Of course, my revelation wasn’t so well formed back then, but I saw incredible sets, fantastic costumes and vaguely familiar actors. Here was a movie that made proper use of time travel: to actually travel through time to more than one time and place. It also gave me a solid introduction to David Rappaport, who I was later able to watch on TV in The Wizard. There was something so identifiable about the character of Kevin, his room was a “real” kids room, and not something manufactured by a set designer into what they think a kids room might look like. If I could hazard a guess, I think I also must have liked the final confrontation involving cowboys, a rocket ship, a tank and Roman legionnaires. If I can fault this movie one thing, it’s at the heart of my contorted relationship with Gilliam’s films and their progressive decline in quality. Why did he have to have such a strong start? (And why is the Criterion Collection release of this DVD so light on features?)
3. Say Anything (1989)
“The rain on my car is a baptism, the new me, Ice Man, Power Lloyd, my assault on the world begins now.”
Genre: Romantic Comedy
When did I see it: Age 16
Without a doubt, Say Anything shaped my entire approach to romance for my teen years. I’ve always been slightly behind Cameron Crowe’s age curve for being able to really identify with his characters, and I guess that’s offered me something to aspire to down the road instead of right away. Not sure if that was the best way to go, as Lloyd seems to be a bit of a dud to me in retrospect. But the principle of finding something you love and going for it, whatever it is, is universal – and timeless too. The Peter Gabriel serenade is an iconic scene that perhaps isn’t quite as timeless, I wouldn’t even know what the modern equivalent would be, and how you’d avoid getting arrested for doing it if you tried.
2. Jerry Maguire (1996)
“Everybody loves you. Pisses me off.”
Genre: Romantic Comedy
When did I see it: Age 22
I doubt I’m the only guy who was inspired to write a mission statement or manifesto after watching Tom Cruise “just flip out” in another Cameron Crowe film for which I was behind the age curve. But yeah, as soon as I was done watching Jerry Maguire, I spent 2 weeks crafting up my own little manifesto to try to list out the way I would ideally like to live my life. I couldn’t tell you for the life of me where the heck it is now. I wouldn’t say this movie was particularly groundbreaking in any way, other than being able to strike a chord with so many people – this movie is quotable in a way that no other Cameron Crowe film before it, or after.
1. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
“My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it’s pretty serious.”
Genre: Comedy
When did I see it: Age 12
It’s my most cherished film-related philosophy: There are two kinds of people in this world, the one’s who love Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and those who love Risky Business. The slackers and the sharks. I subscribe to the former camp – when I first laid eyes on this movie, Ferris Bueller was who I wanted to be: a clever, popular kid, skirting authority and enjoying adventures across an urban landscape. I suppose my embracing of the Ferris philosophy has been what’s led to me sitting at a computer and writing about movies instead of actually writing them, but I would submit that thanks to Ferris I’ve made sure to stop and smell a rose at every turn. Now, if only I could find a Cameron Frye sidekick and sing in a parade and I’d be all set.
[...] Steve – The Film Cynics [...]
Man, one more reason I need to see Time Bandits. Right there with ya’ on Tron and Stand By Me, too. Freakin’ classic. Great list, homey.
Thanks broseph! Time Bandits is Gilliam’s style at it’s most reckless, dangerous, and therefore best. A must watch!
Uh-oh…I think I took this assignment in completely the wrong direction…
Ha! I’m so glad I double checked with Marc on that.
Actually, now having looked through everyone’s submission, I’m seeing that I’m not the only one who took it in a slightly different direction.
Oh well, c’est la viande.
Heavy props though for the self-aware selection of FIGHT CLUB and how it calls attention to the amount of stuff you have. That’s a movie I’ve been a fan of since day one…but clearly it’s anti-consumerism message didn’t sink in for me!
Great choices good sir.
I really dig your version though, very “you”. I didn’t realise until I started seeing the comments coming in how vulnerable we’re making ourselves revealing our personality defining movies to people who are all about movies. This is the kind of personal info that we could use to deduce our PIN numbers and such a la The Game. I’ve got a lot of reading to do…
Stand by Me, the best coming of age movie for guys! Glad that it made your list
Yeah, way better than Can’t Buy Me Love!
I just wished that I could have made room for Some Kind of Wonderful – but I’ve got a “No Leah Thompsons” rule and Howard the Duck has always got dibs.
Glad to see the inclusion of Jerry Maguire. I’m not a big Cruise fan, but I can make an exception for this movie. Show me the money! Brilliant.
Welcome to The Film Cynics, Olive!
Jerry Maguire was the one I wrestled over the most, but there is no denying Cameron Crowe’s influence on my life. I just wish he could have made Almost Famous earlier on, that would have been such a wicked influence on me…
Yes, the heart wants what it wants, especially in movies
Love that quote from Fight Club, sooo true, a variation from ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” – Matthew 6:21.
Solid choices here, Stand By Me, FC and Star Wars are classics, and though I’m no Tom Cruise fan, it was indeed a great movie. Whatever happen to Cuba???
Ruth! Very much looking fwd to reading your list! I think your bible quote paints a much rosier picture of my DVD obsession than Fight Club does – definitely like your version best.
Tom Cruise doesn’t get much love from almost anyone in our “circle” so that people can see through him to the movie underneath is a testament to its power… Cuba Gooding Jr. will likely finally get his act together when he’s a little gray and Will Smith is a little too tired to snatch the role up first.
Steve, I am continually impressed with your style man! Top drawer though I’ve never seen Say Anything (or the adventures of Lloyd Dobler and his radio) all the way through and only caught the last 3 minutes of Time Bandits (which left me scratching my head). Let me get on those and I’ll reevaluate my compliment:P
But Ferris Bueller and Star Wars not only define a person,but a generation. Great picks! Thanks for participating Steve:)
Too kind, Marc. Great idea, BTW. As I was pointing out to the Hatter, this is the kind of exercize that leaves us all very “exposed” as we reveal our movie roots to people who are all about movies. We might be laying bare our souls more than we realize.
Thanks so much for inviting me on board!
Say Anything and Time Bandits are a must – but probably not one after the other… That kind of cinematic torsion might cause a hemmorage in the critical part of your brain!
Great job, Marc!
Glad I’m not the only one who haven’t seen Say, Anything! And we thought we love 80s movies eh Marc?
I have the dvd, part of the triple feature in one disc thing, so I really should give it a watch soon.
By definition, I suppose they could be called 80s movies – I call them timeless!
Yes, both of y’all make an appointment with Say Anything, then Some Kind of Wonderful, then Uncle Buck…
Yeah, they’re from the 80′s but most of us grew up in the 80′s so those are the films that “defined” us. I would have added Fight Club, but I was almost twenty when it was released and tried sticking to films closer to my youth.
But I agree, they aren’t just 80′s flicks, they are timeless.
As a constant work in progress, I never know when a movie that’ll define my life will come along… but there’s no denying that the 80′s tattooed themselves all over my soul, leaving very little room for anything else.
It’s where my early tastes began. I could add a progressive list on how my tastes have changed (which they have hugely) and what helped define my movie going taste entirely, but where it all began and stemmed from is the 80′s.
SEE SAY ANYTHING. It’s the only movie that can make a stalker seem charming.
Hey, what about Heathers? Oh, right…
That is an awesome movie that kind of gives Heather a bad name.
Well, are you a Heather or are you a Veronica?
I’ve actually got 2 and a half of these on mine (I went Return of the Jedi).
The funny thing is for Stand By Me, I always thought it was: Have gun will travel is the heart of a man. ha
You know, I’ve never actually seen an episode of Paladin… I look fwd to reading the list of The List.
Of course you have Fight Club and Star Wars!
Awesome additions with Ferris Bueller and Stand By Me. Ferris is still one of the most purely enjoyable movies I have ever seen from beginning to end. Every minute is just fun.
However, I’ve still yet to see Time Bandit, wouldn’t mind giving it a go.
And Stand By Me is an absolute classic. Probably my favorite or close to my favorite coming of age flick ever.
If my life could be a mix of Fight Club and Star Wars, that would be the greatest thing in the whole wide world – better than 10 Super Bowls! Time Bandits is a fantastic film, great appearances in there by Sean Connery, John Cleese & Michael Palin – and it mashes up so many childhood fantasies so well – might even make you weep for the limited scope of children’s imaginations these days.
If MY life was a combo of Fight Club and Star Wars, I would ejaculate and die of over awesomeness! haha
Great list here, Steve! You are only 3 years younger than me so I can certainly see where you are coming from on much of the 80′s flicks. Nice choice on Stand by Me. I think Time Bandits is an acquired taste — my uncle tells me I should give it another chance now that I am somewhat of an adult. Ha! I should give it another viewing. Enjoyed reading this one, man…
Thanks Peter! Despite the many films from the 80s I’d rather forget, it really is the cradle of movie-loving civilization. Seriously, give Time Bandits another try. It’s the movie that explains the mystery of Terry Gilliam – might even explain why he’s got problems making great movies nowadays.
This is a great list, Steve! I am going to start watching these movies; the ones I haven’t seen!
Unfortunately, that’s 5
. I saw Star Wars when I was 13, I think. It didn’t really have a big effect on me. My dad is a big Trekkie, hahaha. I did LOVE Fanboys 
I saw Fight Club once when I was like 12 or 13, then I recently saw it about 1-2 years ago when I was 16. Such a powerful film, about the impact of society and media on our decisions, and our entire personality. How we base our character on outer influences. Amazing stuff. It’s awesome that you’re taking your love of DVD collecting to the next level, and creating a project like The Film Cynics!
I saw Jerry Maguire when I was like 9 years old. I didn’t get it, and I barely remember it. It’s a must see for me, soon!
Wow, I got some movie watchin’ to do.
They’re all fantastic, for sure. I’d be curious to see what kind of list you’d whip up. This particular exercise Marc came up with gets right to the heart of who we are when we’re watching a flick, or talking about it later.