A person’s movie collection tells a lot about them.  Any time I am in someone’s house for the first time I always try to take a quick second to review what he or she has on his or her shelves (I skip right past the medicine cabinet and head straight to the DVD tower).  Some people don’t like movies and that’s ok, this thesis doesn’t apply to “those people”. We just call these people “weird”.  
 
There is a group of people who have a small to modest collection of movies, they don’t want to commit to many, but the ones they do end up buying have affected them in a way that most haven’t (for all you chicks out there I’m talking about The Notebook). 
 
Then there are my people.  These people, once they see a movie they like, feel the need to go forth and purchase said movie and display it in their domiciles so they can proudly announce to the world, “This movie has in some way affected me and I think it is awesome.   Please feel free to talk to me about it”. Does this sort of lifestyle make any sense in an age of Netflix, Hulu, On Demand, and RedBox? Absolutely not.
 
But that is the point.  In today’s society owning your own movies makes an even bigger statement about your love of film. Since I love a trilogy like a Star Wars kid loves Leia in a gold bikini, this article will come in 3 parts over the next few days.  Additionally, just as disclaimer, the views expressed in this piece are from a swinging bachelor in his mid-twenties so please don’t be surprised when you don’t see the “Felicity” box set or anything that is Nicholas Sparks related.
 
 
 
 
The Childhood Classic
 
Example:  The Goonies, any “Muppets” movie, TMNT I or II (but not III) 
 
Why: You watched and loved them as a child, and you still love them to this day.  Guess what?  So does everyone else.  Did “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”, “Karate Kid”, or “Road House” ever win any major film awards?  Obviously not.  But because of that those movies have a better chance of being forgotten every year that goes by.  Thus it is our responsibility to make sure that these movies get preserved and remembered, because Lord willing, if I ever have children, will I think it will be imperative to watch Ace Ventura talk to Detective Emilio using only his butt cheeks?  Of course.  Lastly, it doesn’t make you weird if you are still quoting “Dumb & Dumber” or either of the “Ace Ventura” films because I still do.  We are just at a higher level of comedy than everyone else.  At least that is my weak-ass excuse.
 
The best part of these movies is the fact that they can usually be found in the discount rack at Best Buy or Targét.  Quick tangent, one of my friends recently started working for Target, in the corporate office and in the main building there is legit a restaurant called “Café Targét”.  Fun Fact.
 
 
Dudes being Dudes
 
Example:  Gladiator, Braveheart,  Spiderman 
 
Why: In all dude movies there has been an injustice to either a group of people or maybe just one person.  Either way our hero is the only person who can fix it.  These movies typically would be considered “blockbusters”, but they are done the right way and don’t have horrendous acting.  Gladiator with Russell Crowe is a MUST own, but if you want to impress people with owning a movie that most people  don’t, pick up “Man on Fire” with Denzel Washington. Even the ladies will like this one.  Long story short he is an ex-hit man trying to deal with his demons when he takes a job as a body guard for Dakota Fanning.  Once she makes him realize that he can live again, she gets kidnapped.  Cut to all hell breaking loose.  Hands down the best movies of the past decade.  I may stand alone in this thought but if you haven’t seen this film do yourself a favor a rent this sucker, buy it on Amazon or shoot me an email and I will let you borrow mine.
 
To check out Part 2, click here....