10 Movies to Know Me

A while back on social media, people were sharing lists called "10 Movies to Know Me." The idea is it's a list of movies that tell people a bit about you, while also revealing your taste in movies. It's not necessarily a list of your favorite movies, but it's definitely movies that you like. A friend of mine sent me his list and was curious about what my 10 movies would be. I created a list, and I thought, "you know what? Why not just share it with everyone?" :)

Jurassic Park

DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Jurassic
Science Fiction

A wealthy entrepreneur invites a top paleontologist, a paleobotanist, a mathematician/theorist, and his two eager grandchildren to visit his secret island theme park featuring living dinosaurs drawn from prehistoric DNA.

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I think it might be impossible to overstate the impact of Jurassic Park on me. It was the first movie that I absolutely fell in love with, but it also turned me into a reader. I sought out the book, devoured it and then read every other Michael Crichton book that I could get my hands on. I wanted to be a paleontologist for the longest time after seeing this movie. I still love going to museums and looking at dinosaur fossils. I can spend hours at the Field Museum in Chicago just staring at Sue--their giant T-Rex. It was also one of the first movies that felt like an event, you know?
- Brian

Mystery science theater 3000 : the movie

DVD MOVIE COMEDY Mystery
Comedy

The mad and evil scientist, Dr. Clayton Forrester, has created a scheme that he hopes will gain him world domination. He plans to torment Mike Nelson and the robots by sending them the worst ever B-movie to watch called, "This Island Earth." He is convinced that this movie will drive them insane. The guys cannot control when the movie begins or ends, and they are forced to witness this truly horrible movie - including a lobster creature dressed in slacks. Now it will have to be up to one test subject's quick wit, sharp sense of humor, and utter intolerance for cinematic garbage, to foil the plans of the scientist and to save the Earth.

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I don't know if Mystery Science Theater 3000 is something you've ever been exposed to, but it was a TV show where a guy and two robots watched old, bad movies and made fun of them. They eventually did a "movie" which was basically a regular episode of the show that was shown in theaters. Its goofy yet intelligent and referential humor was very influential on me. It taught me not to take things too seriously. I recorded this off of HBO when I was house-sitting for a neighbor in middle school. I about wore that VHS out.
- Brian

Memento

DVD MOVIE DRAMA Memento
Drama, Thriller

Leonard Shelby is searching for the man who raped and murdered his wife. He survived, but developed a mind block due to the attack. He can remember everything from before, but memories of anything that followed come and go every few minutes. Special features included.

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It seems like anyone who sees themselves as a movie nerd has a movie that they made everyone they knew watch in high school/college. That movie for me was Memento. I loved watching people's reactions to this film. It also marked a shift for me personally in watching and obsessing over genre films to a wider view of cinema (though you could definitely call this a genre film too). It sparked a love of neo-noir, movies that play with structure, and Chris Nolan that continues to this day.
- Brian

The Incredibles

jDVD Incredibles
Animation, Action

"Bob and his wife Helen used to be among the world's greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs where they live "normal" lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction."--Back of container.

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I love animated movies. I love love love them! I was excited about them before I had kids, and I always looked forward to a new Pixar film. Brad Bird created a modern classic with clever writing and a creative family dynamic. The aesthetic and design are fantastic too. This checks another box, because I've always been a fan of superheroes both in comics and movies.
- Brian

Baby driver

DVD MOVIE ACTION Baby
Action

A talented, young getaway driver relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. But after being coerced into working for a crime boss, he must face the music when a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom.

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This movie speaks to my love of music. How music was incorporated into this movie was BRILLIANT! I totally dig the soundtrack too. I listen to it a lot. This movie serves a dual purpose as my introvert movie. The main character is massively introverted, and I hardcore identify with that. I also just think this movie is really cool.
- Brian

Arrival

DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Arrival
Science Fiction, Drama

When mysterious spacecraft touch down around the world, a team, including linguist Louise Banks, is brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers, and to find them, she will take a chance that could threaten her life, and quite possibly humanity.

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My love of Sci-Fi runs deep, but that's not the main reason I included Arrival on the list. I have a long history of crying during movies. They highlight that I am a softy (both of my parents are too, so I come by it honestly.) There are movie that make me cry, and then movies that make me CRY--like sobbing so hard that I stop breathing. Arrival was a sob-until-I-stopped-breathing movie. I pledged my lifetime allegiance to Denis Villeneuve after watching this movie. I'll see anything he makes now.
- Brian

The Lego movie

jDVD Lego
Animation, Comedy

Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared.

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This is my dad/fatherhood movie. It's one that I never mind when the kids want to watch it. It's legitimately hilarious. There are layers of jokes in this one--I hear something new with each viewing. The Dumbledore/Gandalf bit gets me every time. Also, I just love the actual toys themselves. I still love putting Lego sets together. So, it is my fatherhood movie, but it also shows that I feel like a kid at heart. It keeps me young.
- Brian

Long shot

DVD MOVIE COMEDY Long
Comedy

When Fred Flarsky reunites with his first crush, one of the most influential women in the world, Charlotte Field, he charms her. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter and sparks fly.

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So, I've been told that I look like Seth Rogen I don't know how many times. I've also been told that I sound like him and seem to have a similar temperament. One guy even told me that I looked enough like him that I should contact Hollywood to see if I could be his stunt double. I just roll with it now. The reason I chose Long Shot specifically though was because Rogen's character has strong political feelings in the movie. Have I walked out of family gathering because of political disagreements? You bet I have.
- Brian

Mission: Impossible. Rogue nation

DVD MOVIE ACTION Mission
Action

With their elite organization shut down by the CIA, agent Ethan Hunt and his team must race against time to stop The Syndicate, a deadly network of rogue operatives turned traitors. To stop this global threat, Ethan must join forces with an elusive, disavowed agent whose loyalty is suspect as he faces his most impossible mission ever.

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This is how I like my action movies--big set pieces, practical stunts and camera work that lets you follow what's going on. The elaborate heists are another aspect that I'm into. I love this entire series, but Rogue Nation, the first M:I film directed by Christopher McQuarrie, introduced some continuity to the movies and gave it more emotional oomph. These movies are just plain fun, and I value that a lot.
- Brian

Star Wars. Episode VIII, The last Jedi

DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Star Wars
Science Fiction

The Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure. Having taken her first steps into the Jedi world, Rey joins Luke Skywalker on an adventure with Leia, Finn and Poe that unlocks mysteries of the Force and secrets of the past.

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I am a massive Star Wars fan. MASSIVE! So, why would I choose the most divisive Star Wars film for this list? Because I think it's objectively the best Star Wars film ever made. From the writing to the cinematography, it's sublime. It's also the Star Wars film that I connect with the most emotionally. It's a staggeringly vulnerable film, which is more and more unheard of in big budget film making. The Last Jedi is an amazing film. This is a hill I'm willing to die on.
- Brian