Films dear to your heart

[Elvis]

I looked around and could not find a thread that really talked about films that were important to you. Not a top / best of list as we have so many of those already. I wanted to start a thread where you could discuss some films that you hold dear to you and why they do. Maybe a film(s) that were important to your formative years and possibly a story or antidote behind why that film(s). A film that represents a special time, place or fond memory of a loved one. As a fellow film lover I just like to hear the stories of others associated with film. I will be thinking of mine and hope some of you will participate as well.

[KillerJuan77]

The Room
Birdemic
Monster A-Go-Go

[DanTheMan]

4 films come to mind when I think about my childhood/teen years. I've seen hundreds of films, but the ones that immediately come to mind because they mean so much to me are:

Aladdin
Toy Story
E.T.
The Breakfast Club

I'm sure if you ask me the same question, say 10 years from now, I'll have new films that have stuck with me over time, but for now, it's mainly those 4 films which always bring a huge smile to my face when even mentioned.

[Member-275053]

Originally Posted by KillerJuan77

The Room
Birdemic
Monster A-Go-Go

Be gone, troll!

Films near and dear to my heart...Carrie, Rosemary's Baby...

[L.J.]

Superman 2 because when I was a kid my Papa would always watch it with me.
Doc Hollywood the night I watched this I was debating weather or not to go out with this girl. Right movie and message at the time. 13 years later still happily married.
Say Anything sums up our dating.

[MifuneFan]

I hold Seven Samurai in pretty high esteem as it was the first "serious" films I bought. I'd never seen anything quite like it (there really isn't anything quite like it to be fair), and it pretty much catapulted my love of movies, and I suppose Japanese cinema in particular.

[Megalith]

Jurassic Park. I still remember how my cinema had a replica of the park gate you walked through as you entered the theater.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Megalith

Jurassic Park. I still remember how my cinema had a replica of the park gate you walked through as you entered the theater.

Such a great movie. I definitely have great memories of that one too. It'd probably be the movie I'd choose to go back in time and relive in theaters for the first time if I could.

[KillerJuan77]

Originally Posted by JWFORD

Be gone, troll!

Films near and dear to my heart...Carrie, Rosemary's Baby...

I actually have a weird passion for Birdemic, it's enthusiasm is charming even if the end result is terrible. I can only count Poltergeist, In The Realm Of The Senses, Rashomon, Memento, Suspiria and Akira as some of the few films I hold close to my heart.

[Abdrewes]

No other film has moved me, made me examine my life, and made me ponder the nature of film as a medium like Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia.

[Kaiju]

For nostalgia...

Beetlejuice
Batman '89
Jurassic Park
Star Wars
Back to the Future
Toy Story
Army of Darkness

...I can't think of any more.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I hold Seven Samurai in pretty high esteem as it was the first "serious" films I bought. I'd never seen anything quite like it (there really isn't anything quite like it to be fair), and it pretty much catapulted my love of movies, and I suppose Japanese cinema in particular.

I can so relate as that was the first time I delved into foreign films. I was like wow if this was so great what else am I missing out on!

[Al_The_Strange]

Koyaanisqatsi: Only discovered it a few years ago. Found it on DVD for a whole dollar at a flea market type of thing somewhere in Seattle. When I got around to watching the film, I wound up watching it all over again after it ended, because it was that profound of an experience. It has its share of ups and downs, but it definitely engaged me on an emotional and intellectual level, in a way that few other films have (next closest thing would be Baraka or Samsara). At this point, I value this movie above all others, and it is decisively my new all-time favorite. It is one I could probably pop in at any given time, so I tend to carry around my DVD copy when I travel and stuff. I also have a hobby of sorts, to film the places I've seen and mix it with music; I think this film has been an inspiration over the past few years to try and make my videos a little more invoking in some way. At the very least though, I do feel that the movie documents the best and worst of humanity, and I consider it an important and insightful film.

Lord of the Rings: When I first saw FOTR, it may have been the first time I realized that what I was watching was effectively perfect: a finely balanced blend of storytelling, style, and quality. I can't say I'm even that fond of Tolkein's books, but the movies made me care about the story the most, and the experience of all three has rarely failed me. It was my favorite saga for the longest time, but it's since fallen in second place. I have this film to thank for helping me understand what I want to see most in movies (the combination of style and substance).

Star Wars: Nostalgic value plays most heavily into this, as this saga has been with me my whole life, whether I even realized it or not. I may always have fond memories of playing with all the toys and games, reading the books, watching the SE movies in '97, and experiencing the prequel hype. As for the movies themselves, they've never failed to entertain and entice me with its imagination and worldbuilding prowess. When I was a kid, I actually wanted to do whatever it was George Lucas did; I categorized it as "executive producer," for lack of a better understanding, but in the end it's his storytelling that inspired me the most. I doubt I'll ever be a Hollywood producer ever, but SW may have at least moved me enough to give writing a try.

The Terminator 1 and 2: My mom likes to beat herself up for letting me watch this when I was 13 or so, but I have fond memories of watching this saga for the first time. I really admired the story back then, and Sarah Connor remains one of my favorite heroines in cinema. T2 has always enthralled me the most, and I even had a nightmare about the T-1000 (seriously, it can't die, so it is scary as f&%k when you're dreaming and nothing you do will stop it from coming up to your face and stabbing you...).

The Passion of the Christ: I remember it caused quite the controversy back in the day, but I definitely appreciated the experience, and on repeat viewings, I can't help but to be awed by its composition and attention to detail. Of all religious movies, this is the one that helped me understand and believe the most in Jesus and the crucifixion. It is that successful at placing the audience in that place at that time.

Baraka: I bought it for the picture quality, but I kept it for its inspiring views on places and cultures I know I'll never actually see. And while I was working on some fantasy novels, I used it as an inspiration for trying to conceptualize exotic places and cultures. Even if I didn't need to use it as a source of inspiration, the film is still fairly moving in its composition and style, and it has presented plenty for me to contemplate.

Requiem for a Dream: This film has never failed at making me depressed, but in a good way (if that makes any sense). It is a harrowing experience, but the film's style is so intense that is exudes nothing but powerful emotions. It is an experience that I believe everybody needs to partake in; maybe it'll scare more people off of drugs.

[DetroitSportsFan]

One for me is Star Wars (original trilogy).

I was too young to see episode IV theatrically, but saw episodes V and VI numerous times, had a ton of the Kenner toys, played the video games, etc. I loved it.

And now, all of these years later, I get to see another Star Wars film theatrically when episode VII is released. But this time, it will be with my kids.

[chris_sc77]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

No other film has moved me, made me examine my life, and made me ponder the nature of film as a medium like Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia.

[iank]

Gremlins. I remember watching this with my Nan and her asking of Gizmo "What kind of animal is that, really?"

That's the stuff you never forget.

[Kevin Holly]

Jaws was probably the one that got me really into film.

[Pounder]

Miss Congeniality

Last movie I watched with my aunt before she passed.

[KillerJuan77]

Originally Posted by Pounder

Miss Congeniality

Last movie I watched with my aunt before she passed.

To be fair the film is quite charismatic and I love Bullock's and Caine's performances in it.

[LegacyCosts]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

No other film has moved me, made me examine my life, and made me ponder the nature of film as a medium like Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia.

Yeah buddy.

For me its always ESOTSM. Brings me back to being 17 and is linked with good memories and fun times with exs.