Who I Am - Most Influential Films in My Life

To almost anyone who will listen, I like to say that my personality was shaped most by 80s movies and 90s alternative rock. Being born in 1979, I grew up in the 1990s, but I remember watching the films of the 1980s the most. I have the most fond memories of summers watching classic films. Below is a list of the films that I believe have influenced my personality the most.

	The Goonies is one of the greatest films ever made, especially to anyone who would be a part of the Gen X (can we still use that term?) age bracket. There are so many quotable lines and memorable scenes in this film. It is an instant community builder. Start quoting a line from the film and instantly everyone in the room who has seen the movie will start laughing and having a good time.
Gremlins is probably one of the funniest movies ever. It is my understanding that Gremlins was the reason the PG-13 rating came to be. It was rated PG, but after parents took their children to see and the nightmares began, the stronger rating was adopted. I remember watching this in the theater and being terrified to go upstairs at my house. To this day, I still get chills at Christmas time whenever that song is played. You know what song I'm talking about. The choir sang it this year at church and it was all I could do to keep from running out of the auditorium. The sequel is pretty funny as well.
	While I never skipped school, this movie certainly made me want to. I promise it doesn't get any cooler than Ferris Bueller. So many good lines and classic moments. I drop quotes from this movie all the time. And Abe Frohman has to be the greatest alias ever, surpassing Art Vandelay and even Chuck Finlay.
I'm pretty sure The Karate Kid led to more actual fights in my house than any other movie. My brothers and I would watch this film and then hold our own karate tournaments. It was supposed to be pretend, but someone would also hit or kick the other too hard and even though there is no pain in this dojo, as soon as the crying stopped, the gloves would come off. It tears me apart that they made a remake of this film. Blasphemy and sacrilege.

I got to watch a lot of movies and television when I was growing up. The joys of being a latch-key kid. As a result, my sermons and teaching is often peppered with illustrations and subtle references to these and other films from my childhood. I feel bad for kids who don't have great movies to grow up on.