Have you ever considered trying to get your friends and family into the films that you love? It may seem like a daunting task, but the truth is, there are many possibilities for geeky initiation in the film world. I’d like to think that even though everyone might not identify themselves as geeks, everyone has the potential. It’s all just a matter of playing to their likes and dislikes, and slowly exposing them to films they might not choose on their own.
So if you’re game, here are 10 geeky films great for the less-than-geeky contingent. I think these are ideal for initiation without being too overt. Remember, the aim isn’t a hard sell, but a soft sell.
The Lost Boys: Before Twilight (I find it important to remind myself every now and again that there was life before Stephanie Meyer) the hottest teen vampires were of course, Kiefer Sutherland and his sexy crew in this 1987 film. Dark, gritty, and occasionally rather funny, The Lost Boys also includes a geeky twosome of vampire slayers: the Frog brothers. It’s a great film for those immersed in vampire mania, while being a fantastic segue into something like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Whedonverse. Great for: Twihards
The Frighteners: Since paranormal is “in” and Peter Jackson is one of the reigning gods of geek cinema, I figure this is a perfect initiation film. Not to mention, it includes Michael J. Fox — the film is, in fact, his last leading role. Basically, he talks to dead people and exploits what they know to make money–but the stakes get raised when a mass murderer escapes from hell and is on the loose. Aside from a neat story line, the film also has just enough humor and some impressive (for their time, anyway) special effects. Great for: people into shows like Medium, and The Ghost Whisperer.
Flatliners: This was always the film I used when playing the game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, because it’s chock full of so many actors, it’s kind of nuts. Sure, it’s a Joel Schumacher film (as is The Lost Boys… and we’ll give him that, though we never can forgive him for the whole Batman thing), but it also includes Julia Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, Oliver Platt, and William Baldwin. Basically, it’s about a bunch of medical students pushing the bounds of life and death. It’s cool, science-based (however loosely) speculative film. Great for: anyone with a thing for Ms. Roberts, or fans of 24.
District 9: There is certainly something to be said about films that use familiar and realistic landscapes. Aside from Avatar, many geeky films just go over the top with their otherworldliness and often alienate their non-geeky audience, or just become laughable. District 9 does away with that, in a way, with a documentary approach to filmmaking. The film speaks to themes of segregation, racism, and apartheid, while never really leaving Earth. Great for: those who like documentaries, those who prefer “reality” shows.
The Princess Bride: You can’t beat funny, really. Even though The Princess Bride plays to 100 fantasy tropes, not to mention themes of romance as well, the humor transcends geekery altogether. It’s also a film that branches out in many ways. What do I mean? Well first, there’s the famous cast: from Billy Crystal to Christopher Guest to Cary Elwes and Robin Wright, chances are even the least geeky person will recognize these faces. Christopher Guest is a great gateway to films like This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show, and Waiting for Guffman. Cary Elwes was in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, which is a great introduction to Mel Brooks. See? Everything’s connected. Great for: those who like love stories and humor.
From Hell: Two important things about this movie: it stars Johnny Depp (who is in everything these days) and it’s based on a comic book by Alan Moore. It’s also a bit of a slasher film, considering it’s about one of the first high-profile slashers: Jack the Ripper. If you’re hoping to share something geeky with a friend or family member with an affinity for history (or horror films) and period pieces, this might just do the trick. Sure, it isn’t the highest cinema, but it’s a great springboard considering the cast and writing team (Bonus: Ian Holm, i.e. Bilbo Baggins!). Great for: people obsessed with Johnny Depp, those who like costume dramas, history buffs.
Sure, there’s a ton that I left out; the more I add, the more I realize I’ve missed. I clearly have a bias for 80s films, too. But all that aside: what are some great geek initiation films you’ve recommended to your non-geeky friends?
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