openswitch

Many of the movies in this list you’ve probably seen already, some you may have not. You need to note the one’s you’ve seen and then see them again. Then you have to add the ones you haven’t seen to your Netflix cue or just buy them outright. You won’t regret the purchases.

For those wondering, yes this is a meme and no, I don’t do memes. Here are the rules of this meme, FYI: 1. List your top ten favorite films (in no particular order). 2. If you are tagged, you have to post and tag 3-5 people. 3. Link back to the one who tagged you.

1. Dead Poets Society (1989)

This was the movie that made me fall in love with teaching. It’s also the movie which turned me on to Robin Williams. Dead Poets Society is full of tremendous actors who would go on to make other great films. Seriously, this is #1 on my list for a reason. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, you need to . . . now. I firmly believe that one teacher that is so motivated can make a lasting impact in the lives of his pupils. From the opening scene to the closing I guarantee this film will be a favorite of yours too.

2. The Matrix (1999)

A favorite of geeks everywhere, The Matrix holds profound existential truths and some bad (bad as in good) fight scenes. Regardless of whether or not you think Keanu Reeves rocks or sucks, the movie itself is phenomenal. I could go on and on that when you get in “the zone” while coding it almost does seem like you can “feel” the code but I won’t because then you’d think I was really WEIRD and you’d never come back again. But yeah, the movie is excellent and has a soundtrack to match. Make’s ya want to try and jump off walls ‘n stuff.

3. Memento (2000)

I went in to this movie never having even heard about it, let alone knowing what it was about. I won’t spoil anything for you either. If you’ve never heard of Memento don’t even Google it, trust me. Just go to the video rental place and get it. Then walk to your DVD player and put in the disk. Press play. This movie is so well done it’s almost unspeakable. And it’s got Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano to boot. Can’t lose with a combo like that.

If, however, you just can’t stand the unknown then go see a trailer. This one is really good.

4. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

This is one of those “well duh” choices for a top ten list. Shawshank makes everyone’s favorite list because it’s just that good. You’ve seen this one already, I know you have. So that means you owe it to me to go watch it again. And think of good ol’ Ben.

5. Star Wars (1977)

Oh come on, just humor me. If you doubt that this could be one of my favorites then you obviously haven’t seen Star Wars in a few years. Watch it again tonight with the family (’cause I know you’ve got the collector’s edition) and tell me it’s not one of your favorites too. I dare ya.

6. The Lord Of The Rings (2001-03)

This is a film you either love or sort of don’t love so much. No one hates it, NO ONE. If you enjoy fantasy, sci-fi and stuff like I do that then this movie is so good it makes you want to go on a year-long hike into the wilderness with just a backpack, and find a butt-ugly friend along the way whose only desire is to stab you in the back or bite off your finger. Or . . . maybe that’s just me.

Regardless, the photography is stunning, the acting is wonderful and the story is epic. Watch it again. <Schwarzenegger voice>Do it now!</Schwarzenegger voice>.

7. Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)

When I was a kid I convinced my parents I needed a real leather whip solely because of this movie. Unfortunately when I got the whip I quickly realized two things: 1) I couldn’t wrap it around anything to swing from (such as a tree branch) and 2) the only thing I could reliably hit with the tip of the whip was the back of my own head.

This movie is awesome if for no other reason than it led a little boy in Lombard, Illinois to realize that whip-wielding was not his life’s calling. Go watch it again, you know you want to.

8. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Now, many of you may not have seen this movie, but I know you’ve heard of it. You’ve probably heard that it’s got gruesome scenes, that there’s a lot of language and overt drug use (if not drug glorification). All those things are true. Still one of the most memorable, well made, entertaining films I’ve ever watched. I’d gladly watch it again.

9. Back To The Future (1985)

Thanks to this film I’ll never be able to see a De Lorean without experiencing an almost uncontrollable desire to look for a flux capacitor between the seats. Fighting, cussing, smoking, alcohol and massive quantities of electricity make this movie worth watching again and again. The two sequels that followed pretty much suck, but the first continues to entertain.

10. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

This was the first black and white movie I fell in love with (followed later by African Queen). It was also the first time I experienced Humphrey Bogart. Treasure of the Sierra Madre makes me want to smoke a cigarette, don’t ask why because I don’t know. Then again, it also makes me want to get a shave from a barbershop.

If you’ve never seen this film you’re missing out on a true classic. It has some of the most quotable, memorable lines in all of filmdom such as, “Badges? We ain’t got no badges. We don’t need no badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges.”

I’m tagging Chris Harrison, John Stansbury and Jake Bouma.