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Very possibly Star Wars.
I saw it when it first came to the theaters. I hadn't seen many (any?) films on the big screen before that point. Totally blew me away. But more than that, it kind of changed the good guy/bad guy thing for me. Always before that, there were two teams. The good guys and the bad guys. In Star Wars, the Sandpeople were "bad guys" but they weren't on the same team as the stormtroopers. It took me a while to figure that out. Helped me to understand "random encounters" better.
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I know what you mean.Yeah. Someone who understands. Whenever I say something like this I get a lot of blank stares. You really had to be a certain age when the movie first came out I think.
I was like 8. When it was called "Star Wars" with none of this "New Hope" foofaraw. My 5 y.o. son loves it, but he comes at it from the Lego Star Wars video game.
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Gotta add a few more to my already long list: The Big Lebowski, The Goonies, The Thing, Saving Private Ryan, Big Fish, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Army of Darkness, Eye of the Beast.
Basically any Vietnam movie, any WWII move made after 1985, any monster movie, any pirate movie, anything by the Coen brothers, anything with Bruce Campbell, anything with a good soundtrack, any mediaeval film, or anything surreal.
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Blade Runner. I was 12 when I saw that movie and it changed everything I used to expect from science fiction movies. I also brought me to read a lot of the stories by P.K.Dick which turned out to be important in developing my "reading style". I probably wouldn't even have read Neuromancer if it hadn't been for Blade Runner.
For many of my classmates Shindlers List was a movie to change world views and it remains a great movie. I guess the only reason it didn't affect my world view (and likewise Platoon, Apocalypse now and Saving Private Ryan) didn't do this for me is that my father, as a child was a part of Hitlers "last offense" and I used to listen carefully when he talked about that period, so I was able to avoid the "war is cool" view many kids develope.
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I would have to say Metropolis, Brave New World, and Full Metal Jacket have been the three biggest influnces on my life. In Metropolis and Brave New World I saw a vision of where the world could end up, and that inspired my drive to become a teacher. In Full Metal Jacket I saw the gritty side of war, which did not change my decision to join the military, although it did help change my expectations.
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I was like 8. When it was called "Star Wars" with none of this "New Hope" foofaraw. My 5 y.o. son loves it, but he comes at it from the Lego Star Wars video game.
I hope that one of these days I can catch up with you. I had just turned 8 -- may have even been a birthday thing. I have a 7 y.o. who also likes Star Wars thanks to the Lego video games. I think what really scared me though was when my two year old said "Star Wars" and pointed to one of my novels. I really didn't think that I was that obsessed.
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I was like 8. When it was called "Star Wars" with none of this "New Hope" foofaraw. My 5 y.o. son loves it, but he comes at it from the Lego Star Wars video game.I hope that one of these days I can catch up with you. I had just turned 8 -- may have even been a birthday thing. I have a 7 y.o. who also likes Star Wars thanks to the Lego video games. I think what really scared me though was when my two year old said "Star Wars" and pointed to one of my novels. I really didn't think that I was that obsessed.
When my son was three, he would get mad as all getout at you for saying Darth Vader was a bad guy. Mad mad mad.
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One more that I almost forgot, almost as life-changing for me as The Boondock Saints: "Falling Down", with Michael Douglas. It's just a great film for someone like me who concocts these brutal scenarios in their head every time they have to deal with some jerk- seeing them enacted on-screen is incredibly satisfying.
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One more that I almost forgot, almost as life-changing for me as The Boondock Saints: "Falling Down", with Michael Douglas. It's just a great film for someone like me who concocts these brutal scenarios in their head every time they have to deal with some jerk- seeing them enacted on-screen is incredibly satisfying.
I love that movie.
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I know what you mean. I got two boxes of Star Wars figs: good guys and bad guys. Sometimes it gets confusing....clone troopers.....Anakin....sand people.....are jawas bad guys?
I was 2 when Jedi came out, but I remember that in the lull from the late 80s to the late 90s, when Star Wars was totally uncool, that I was right in the thick of things.
It started back in 1988, when I turned to my brother and said, "Hey, what's that movie with the big triangle-shaped spaceship at the start? Let's get mom to rent it for us!"
Nowadays, everybody knows Star Wars, thanks to the rereleases. But for about a decade it was strictly something for an entire generation of nerds.
Jawas are Chaotic Neutral.
Planet of the Apes – Are we really any different than animals?
The Three Musketeers – Aramis: “When the king sends us on a mission, do we ask why?”
Porthos: “No.”
Aramis: “Then let us go and be killed where we are told. Is life worth so many questions?”
Star Wars – Sci Fi can be a legitimate genre
Beastmaster – I like redheads.
The Breakfast Club – We all face our own demons. There are always three sides to an argument.
Surprised Fight Club hasn't been mentioned by anyone!It's against the rules....you're out.
lol! oopies! :/
Smokey and the Bandit – Cussing is fun and country music can be cool.
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Empire Strikes Back - Great warrior, heh ? Wars do not make one great.
Platoon
Mission
One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest
Truman Show
Pan's Labirynth
Blade Runner
Blues Brothers
Dark Knight
Alien + Aliens
Terminator
Dead Poet Society
A Bridge on River Kwai
Blackhawk Down
Hamlet (Brannagh's)
Minority Report
The Last King of Scotland
Pulp Fiction
Lion King
The Pianist
The Shining
I know this is gonna get me funny looks, but for me Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal is probably the single most important film in my life.
Seconded. Along with Empire Strikes Back.
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Jawas are Chaotic Neutral.Yes, but as a kid, you would separate them into two piles -- good guys and bad guys. Where do Jawas fit in that? Kids don't understand "chaotic neutral". Shoot, most adults don't understand chaotic neutral -- just look at all the alignment threads out there.
Fave quote every time: "chaotic neutral is not chaotic stupid."
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Dude, Jawas were evil. Altering an intelligent, sentient being with emotions and all that rigamoroll and selling them into slavery is evil in my book. Some droids in the Star Wars universe are more than just glorified robots.
Jawas weren't extremely violent however or out for world domination. That's why they are being confused with Chaotic Neutral.
Gods, feel particularly nerdy right now....
Carebears the movie.
:P
The Last Unicorn. I still can't watch that movie without crying.
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I would have to say Metropolis, Brave New World, and Full Metal Jacket have been the three biggest influnces on my life. In Metropolis and Brave New World I saw a vision of where the world could end up, and that inspired my drive to become a teacher. In Full Metal Jacket I saw the gritty side of war, which did not change my decision to join the military, although it did help change my expectations.
Fritz Lang's Metropolis is possibly one of the greatest movies ever. I still weep when I watch it.
Speaking of which, for some reason, I love me some foreign film. I love anything by Werner Herzog and Amelie is a chick flick that I can watch again and again. Samurai Saturdays rock on IFC (Independent Film Channel). Has anyone seen the new Zatoichi? It is TEH SIHT!
Star Wars might have to take the cake as for the film that influenced me the most in childhood, although I arrived to the game a good 20 years too late. Recently, Children of Men and Last of the Mohicans have become regular viewing. Both are beautiful films that get better with every viewing. Master and Commander is kind of like that for me, too. I never get sick of it.
I could list a nigh infinite number more, but I don't feel like it.
I can't say it was completely life changing, but it was extremely powerful to me when I saw it.
Man on Fire
Something about the feeling of helplessness mixed with anger turning into righteous vengeance and possibly redemption.
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Dude, Jawas were evil. Altering an intelligent, sentient being with emotions and all that rigamoroll and selling them into slavery is evil in my book. Some droids in the Star Wars universe are more than just glorified robots.
Jawas weren't extremely violent however or out for world domination. That's why they are being confused with Chaotic Neutral.
Gods, feel particularly nerdy right now....
So does that mean I am evil when I reformat my hard drive and re-install Windows with new specs? I'm kidding, of course.
But would Good and Evil in the SW universe be defined by the Force?
Han Solo doesn't use the force, and he killed Greedo in cold blood, so does that make him Chaotic Evil?
Care Bears II was much better.
That depends on your honeycoatedcandysprinkledpuffycloudypoodlehuger-point of view ;)
I would have to say Star Wars, simply because I have rewatched it (in every edition) more than any other film.
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Most important: Platoon
There's some pros and cons to that movie, but I think the most important aspect of this is that it taught me about hard choices, and the value of integrity. I saw it the night before I departed for Basic Training - 20 April 1987.
Biggest impact: Alien
I snuck out of the house at the tender age of 16 to go see the movie Alien at the KOZZ Midnight Movies on a Friday night. I've never been scared in a movie up to that point, and I never have been since. Oh, there've been a few that gave me the heebies, but never one that had me clinging to myself, and then jumping in my seat ("Run, Dallas ... Run!!)
It's been ... nearly 30 years since I've seen that film, and still, to this day, I have "Alien Dreams" about every 3 months, where I'm on that ship or some other space locality, trying to get away from Mr. Slimy Jaws.
But would Good and Evil in the SW universe be defined by the Force?
Han Solo doesn't use the force, and he killed Greedo in cold blood, so does that make him Chaotic Evil?
Han had a gun pointed at his head and Greedo had made it very clear he was going to shoot. I think anyone would have shot first in that situation, and I certainly wouldn't classify it as in cold blood or evil. Which makes Lucas meddling with that scene so very VERY annoying.
EDIT: Made my point a tiny bit clearer.
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But would Good and Evil in the SW universe be defined by the Force?
Han Solo doesn't use the force, and he killed Greedo in cold blood, so does that make him Chaotic Evil?Han had a gun pointed at his head and Greedo had made it very clear he was going to shoot. I think anyone would have shot first in that situation, and I certainly wouldn't classify it as in cold blood or evil. Which makes Lucas meddling with that scene so very VERY annoying.
EDIT: Made my point a tiny bit clearer.
Killing people is always Evil.
Who is more Evil? Anakin for killing all the Younglings? Or Wedge for helping to blow up 2 Death Stars?
I'm kidding, of course.
I'm kidding, of course.
Awww nuts. I was hoping to get my nerdrage going! I puff up and blood rushes to my face. Kinda like a red, obese version of the Incredible Hulk, really.
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But would Good and Evil in the SW universe be defined by the Force?
Han Solo doesn't use the force, and he killed Greedo in cold blood, so does that make him Chaotic Evil?Han had a gun pointed at his head and Greedo had made it very clear he was going to shoot. I think anyone would have shot first in that situation, and I certainly wouldn't classify it as in cold blood or evil. Which makes Lucas meddling with that scene so very VERY annoying.
EDIT: Made my point a tiny bit clearer.
Killing people is always Evil.
Who is more Evil? Anakin for killing all the Younglings? Or Wedge for helping to blow up 2 Death Stars?
I'm kidding, of course.
when did anakin kill younglings? is there a backstory for darth?
*still trying to block episodes 1-3 from the memory banks...*
Wedge shot first! I mean...uh...nevermind...
You've been watching too much Clerks!
Star Wars - launched me on the sci-fi fanboy path
Platoon - hard not to identify with Chris and his dilemma as a volunteer in a bad situation, caught between polar opposite magnetic personalities
Breaker Morant - how to fight the good fight even while you're getting the shaft
To Kill a Mocking Bird - Atticus Finch, need I say more?
And to my great secret manly shame:
Dumbo - my heart soars every time after he drops the 'magic' feather but flies anyway and pelts his tormentors with peanuts. To hell with the "Baby, Mine" scene. THIS is the one that makes me cry.
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Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend
It was one of the first movies I ever saw. I've always loved dinosaurs. It's the first time (of many) that I've rooted for animals over people in movies. I love the scene at the end when the parent breaks out and starts trashing the bad guys camp. It's been a while, but I always cry when the other parent gets killed.
I wonder if James Jacobs has seen that one? It's a pretty good "monster" movie, considering the age the effects are good.
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This is such a great thread...
I'm having a hard time choosing between two important films for me, so I'll list them both.
The first was Clerks. As many others, I first saw this film during my first year of university, and it really gave me a new perspective on my own future. It helped me understand that above all else, the only way to get what I want in life is to strive for it and to accept the responsability for my actions. It helped change me from a whiner to someone who worked for what he wanted. And seeing it during the tumultuous period of first year was really the perfect time.
It is also unbelievably funny. That's another thing going for it.
The second film was The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (that's right, more Wes Anderson love). I saw this movie just before a really trying time in my life, and the message that I got helped me through the hardest of times: don't worry about the opportunities you missed, but take the time to make the best of your relationships in the present while you still can.
Life Aquatic didn't just change my way of looking at life, it also irrevocably changed my taste in music. This is the film that brought on my love of Bowie's music, and really expanded my horizons when it came to all things musical, really. Much like The Royal Tenenbaums (which I saw later) opened me up to the greatness of Lou Reed.
It's interesting that both of the films that had a significant impact on my life are comedies. Just goes to show my love of laughter, I guess.
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Empire Strikes Back - Great warrior, heh ? Wars do not make one great.
Platoon
Mission
One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest
Truman Show
Pan's Labirynth
Blade Runner
Blues Brothers
Dark Knight
Alien + Aliens
Terminator
Dead Poet Society
A Bridge on River Kwai
Blackhawk Down
Hamlet (Brannagh's)
Minority Report
The Last King of Scotland
Pulp Fiction
Lion King
The Pianist
The Shining
Are these films that irrevocably changed your life, or just favorites?
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Fritz Lang's Metropolis is possibly one of the greatest movies ever. I still weep when I watch it.
Speaking of fritz Lang, I love "Metropolis", "Spies", "Mabuse", "fury" or "the big heat".
However, I think the one that could have the biggest impact on people (and it was essential to me) is "M" (murderer among us).
I think it is as important as "Freaks."
Who are we to judge other people by how they act, think, or look ?
Do we have the right to judge other people ?
Are we any better ?
Is it possible to forgive humankind for its errors & crimes ?
great movies...
"Czlowiek z zelaza"
and
"Czlowiek z marmuru"
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I was already pretty deep into dinosaurs when I saw this on Creature Features late one Saturday night. It was the first movie in what would become a weekly tradition with my Dad to stay up late on Saturday to watch monster movies, and it was certainly the movie that not only cemented my love of monster movies but my love for monsters themselves.
And as it turns out, a love for monsters is a pretty important quality for the job I ended up having today.
I must chime in The Land that Time Forgot. By no means is this the Most Important Movie ever made, but it is a movie with a U-Boot and Dinosaurs. I just loved how the deck gun blew away a Stegasaurus. Truly, a movie that was much better to a kid than an adult. This one cemented my love of Dinosaurs.
If I had to put it into one movie, I am stuck with Blade Runner or Gladiator. Ridley Scott just happens to direct both....as in other films.
Glad to hear you like Dinos James. I have heard others say this, but now you confirmed it. On a side note, I like to keep Dinosaur stories believable by giving them a top down food chain. There has to be so many critters to feed a massive tyranosaur. Heheh. My fav dino.....triceratops.
Cheers,
Zuxius
I am really really surprised that there isn't more mention of Ray Harryhausen films. Those movies really cemented my love for sci-fi and fantasy, and even made me want to grow up to do special effects.