“Jackie Brown” remains my favorite Tarantino, although Hateful Eight gave it a run for its money. Jackie Brown is gritty, sexy, clever and felt very “adult” to my teenaged self, whatever that means now. It’s also a story about people who are past their prime and maybe looking for one more shot at glory, and that gets more relatable to me every day. #7films

“The Last Temptation of Christ” asks the important question: “What if Jesus fucked Mary Magdalene?” Or at least that’s the only thing every evangelical Christian in my circle at the time seemed to think that movie was about, having not seen it of course. Christians are remarkably good at rejecting things on hearsay and rumor. In reality, the film’s framework let’s us explore the fully human side of Jesus, and in the end is remarkably triumphant, even for this cranky atheist. #7films

“The Wicker Man” just scares the hell out of me. It’s a horror movie, sure. And it’s brimming with folklore and ritual. But the real horror is regular people following a belief to its extreme, no supernatural assistance required. Also I really liked that first Sneaker Pimps record and was blown away when I first watched the film and learned that “How Do” was taken from it. #7films

I watched “Blue Velvet” for the first time in a film class in college. Somehow, despite endless analysis, that movie still remains a mystery to me in some ways. Lynch taught me that movies don’t owe you a character that pauses to explain to the audience what the hell is going on. In fact, most movies would be better if they explained less. #7films

“Trainspotting” hit me at a very specific time in my life when I came to the realization that I was never going to be the person that seemed expected of me, that I had to accept and even embrace who I actually was, at that moment, to hell with what other people thought. Also that soundtrack, sweet Jesus that soundtrack. It forever altered the trajectory of my taste in music. #7films

“Barry Lyndon” taught me that main characters need not be perfect or even likable to be compelling. (See also: “Nightcrawler”) Lit entirely with natural light using a fancy big lens, every scene looks like a painting by a master. #7films

“Eyes Wide Shut” is a folk horror film. Brimming with menace and elegance and casual absurdity. The blurring of dreams and reality. Love and relationships and secrets and betrayal and confessions. Kidman and Cruise at the height of their powers. The masked ball scene remains of the most haunting and beautiful sequences I’ve ever seen. #7films

Seems silly to just throw these lists out sans context. Why these, you might ask. Well, pull up a chair, friends, and I’ll tell you. #7films