Know your “classic” cinema: Six movies you should watch

Beware the youth for they are the future, and sadly, they’re also seriously lacking on their cult film/classic cinema knowledge. Just the other day one said, “What is ‘Escape From New York’? I’ve never seen it.”

Really? Never seen “Escape From New York”?! Alright, it’s a little bit obscure, but it qualifies as a classic nonetheless. As such, I present the first in a series of posts which will inform you, the reader, of which movies should be locked securely in your arsenal of movie knowledge. Or something like that. Take note – these are in no particular order.

1. Raider’s of the Lost Ark

Who hasn’t seen this?! Surprisingly, a lot of people. Indy is presented to us here in all of his swaggering heroism, a beacon of light in the darkness, he saves rare artifacts and kicks Nazi butt. All while smiling, getting the girl, surviving insurmountable odds, and being a nerdy college professor.

Pure genius. Directed by the man Steven Spielberg, and story by George Lucas, Philip Kaufman, and Screenplay by Lawrence Kasden.

2. Star Wars: IV, V, & VI

Speaking of George Lucas … Before he got the idea that the Phantom Menace needed to grace the big screen, Lucas and a score of brilliant film makers brought us one of the best trilogies to ever be put to screen. Yet once again, you’d be surprised how few people nowadays have actually seen the movies.

They’ll quote them, and they definitely know the characters, but that’s about it. Big shout out here to John Williams whose score is amazing.

3. Starship Troopers

You’re probably thinking, “What?”. A classic, whether people want to admit it or not. Starship Troopers is the greatest satire since Dr. Strangelove.

It’s so subversive in fact, that most people still refuse to see it as more than a cheesy action flick. Starship Troopers was nominated for an Academy Award in VFX, and it also happens to be based (loosely) on the Hugo Award winning novel by Robert A. Heinlein, which you should also definitely check out.

4. Dark City

Ever wake up and feel like something isn’t quite right? Like maybe you were falsely accused of murder, you have a wife you can’t remember, and the sun never seems to rise? Welcome to Dark City, where things are not only not what they seem, but nobody has the memories to recall what things are supposed to be.

Thank goodness for evolution because if not for that the hero in this twisted fantasy film, John Murdoch, would never have been able to save the day from some creepy aliens determined to find the human soul.

5. Mad Max

No, not The Road Warrior, and not Beyond the Thunderdome. Mad Max is the rarely seen first film in this post-apocalyptic trilogy.

Before finding gas was the only thing people were concerned with, Max was a cop out to get revenge on the psychos who murdered his wife and child. Full of high speed car chases, of course, and some epic b-movie dialogue Mad Max definitely needs to be seen to appreciate how the character and the story evolved over the years.

6. The Goonies

Where else can you see one of the infamous Corey’s, Samwise Gamgee, “W”, and the Truffle Shuffle? This movie is like Indiana Jones for kids. There’s adventure, booby traps, a treasure map, gadgets, ruthless bad guys, a ship full of treasure, and secret passage ways.

If that’s not enough to entice you to watch this classic, you might be a little dead inside.

This is just a taste to get you started, more classics and cult favorites are yet to come. Happy viewing!