Which Film Got You Hooked On Movies?

[Member-222782]

Watching the great documentary on the making of the original King Kong, I was struck by a comment Mr. Harryhausen made about what got him inspired to become a filmmaker/storyteller: watching King Kong for the first time. Same thing with Peter Jackson. We wouldn't have movies like Lord of the Rings today if it weren't for movies these guys saw as kids. So I imagine we all have a movie that got us into this craze in the first place. I'm a horror film fanatic, slashers specifically, so naturally it was a horror film that spurred my fascination with films in general. The very first movie I remember watching in a theater was Madman in 1981 in Times Square. I haven't been the same since


What was your "initiation" film?

[Gerby]

Good question.
My earliest memory is watching Bruce Lee movies that my dad would rent out, they had a big impact on me but the one that sticks out as the defining moment was in the early 80's catching Deliverance by accident. I was 6 years old and had just got a 14 inch TV for my bedroom as a Christmas present. I was flicking through the channels late one night when I should of been sleeping and stumbled upon a movie. I had no idea what is was but I had turned it on just before the 'squeal like a pig' scene, to say it affected me was an understatement. I couldn't stop thinking about it for ages but it set me off on a path to seek out as many strange & different movies as I could find from all countries and all era's.

[LegacyCosts]

Probably the first ninja turtles movie. I was obsessed and it lead to me seeking other 80s classics.

[Scottie]

I used to always love Disney films, but I'd have to say renting the The Matrix VHS from Blockbuster, along with Forrest Gump, one summer night. The next day, I went to BJ's and bought a DVD player, and the rest is history.

[Visco.]

Saving Private Ryan was my favorite movie as a child. I went through a stage where I would go to the library for hours reading about it. It's just a film that was about something I was really interested in.

It took me until I saw the movie Children of Men to become so interested in filmmaking. I have always been interested in filmmaking at a smaller level but never in the form of cinema. Children of Men is in my top 3 all time.

[Mandalorian]

My earlier memories of a true love for film was The Lion King, The Sound of Music, and Toy Story. I've been into movies since I was little, but my appreciation for the art started around 2009, as I was on my way to graduating from high school. I started hitting the Landmark art theater in West LA often, and it was all history from then on. College has only assisted in making me a more well-rounded, open-minded person, and so has my taste in film expanded. It's expanding every day. Now, I've finally started falling in love with old films mainly thanks to Film Noir and Hitchcock. I still don't particularly find myself interested in the abstract, or other more eccentric styles of filmmaking. Perhaps with time.

[The Great Owl]

I was born in 1972, and I probably speak for most folks my age when I say that Star Wars was my gateway drug.

I saw Jaws on television a couple years later, and that really blew me away in terms of experiencing the wonders that movies have to offer.

The original King Kong was also an early favorite of mine, though, and that film still stands as the epitome of why I love cinema.

[Mandalorian]

I forgot to mention The Wizard of Oz's influence. I'm pretty sure I wore that VHS out.

[CoolRanch]

For me, I'd say Jurassic Park. I was 10 years old when my mother showed me that, and that was my very first "older kid" movie. It was also my first Spielberg movie so I can't help but feel a warm feeling inside whenever I see one of his films After Jurassic Park I began to explore his other films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jaws, and my love of film simply kept evolving.

[Cabby]

I remember 2007 (I was 12) was the year I really got hooked on movies, like actively collecting, following box offices figures, Oscars... all that stuff. I remember seeing Taxi Driver on AMC and just being enamored by it and realizing that movies were more than just entertaining... they were important. Actual effort went into the writing, acting, directing. I remember going out on buying the DVD and watching all the special features and listening to the commentaries and next thing I know I'm a movie nerd.

[Mandalorian]

Originally Posted by CoolRanch

For me, I'd say Jurassic Park. I was 10 years old when my mother showed me that, and that was my very first "older kid" movie. It was also my first Spielberg movie so I can't help but feel a warm feeling inside whenever I see one of his films After Jurassic Park I began to explore his other films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jaws, and my love of film simply kept evolving.

Geez, how could I forget Jurassic Park?

[Kevin Holly]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I was born in 1972, and I probably speak for most folks my age when I say that Star Wars was my gateway drug.

I saw Jaws on television a couple years later, and that really blew me away in terms of experiencing the wonders that movies have to offer.

Very similar story for my dad.

As for me, I'm afraid I really don't have an interesting answer

[Trigger89]

Raiders of the Lost Ark. After that, I became obsessed with Indiana Jones and I had my dads brother in law tortured as he owned all the Indiana movies on VHS. Great films!

[connect42]

I remember seeing Terminator at the theater and Superman II on TV. Those are the two that hooked me.

[L-Rouge]

Star Trek 3 trailer but ST 2 cemented it, the beautiful colours of the Enterprise, the Reliant, The Nebula, it was joyous. Got me hooked on drawing as well.

[editor*by*night88]

the good the bad the ugly.

[Abdrewes]

Mulholland Drive

[jebhdb]

Star Wars

[Foggy]

Reservoir Dogs

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Reservoir Dogs

I hope to see an ear splicing homage in your first feature length movie, Foggy!