My 68 Most Influential Movies

Have you ever had one of those movies that touches you, that everytime you read or heard the titles it ring a bell in your mind? 

This post is a mark for me for starting this blog for a year now. This simple idea to made the blog lasted a year :) Thanks a lot for you guys who have been supporting and following the blog.

Now for non-movieholics this post might seem unnecessary, but for those who do love movies knows that movies have a big influence in their lives. Because I once read a statement from a known director, that movies should not have been made not because it want to lecture us. Movies are made because they have something to say.

Note, this list I've made based on movies I've seen since child. And this list has got nothing to do with awards. There were no particular explanation about the numbers on top, middle or bottom. This ones are purely something beautiful in mind and without a doubt memorable.

1. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

"Just 'cause you're beautiful, that doesn't mean that you can treat people like they don't matter."

A mix between high school life, Shakespeare's adaptation and sharp comedy is what I adore when I was a teenager seeing this movie. I was pretty much shy as a teenager and when you are a teenager, being popular is pretty much cool. But seeing Kat Stratford totally cool with being anti-social made my mind open about being popular. Oh, those were the days.

2. Scream (1996)

This is also from the days when I was a junior high. I saw this with my school mates. A mix between teenager life and thriller, and at the same time revealing the truth about scary movies is fun. The first ones are the ones that are original. So I don't really fond for the next sequels. Haven't watch Scream 4 though.

3. Sleeping Beauty (1959)

I have the habit to watch TV serials now over and over. I remembered watching several fairy tales right before I go to my kindergarten class, do you believe it? What I did not know that the tapes I watch (it was a betacam tape!) was actually being released 20 years before I was born. Magical.

4. Mrs.Doubtfire (1993)

The national TV is playing this movie over and over when I was a child. Who couldn't laugh seeing Robbie Williams dressed as a woman? Just a father who had a terrible intention to spend time with her kids.

5. Alice In Wonderland (1951)

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?"

As a child, I find Alice in Wonderland's adventure is a bit unusual, a bit dark but still fun. I liked it because she met weird characters in her adventure.

6. Jerry Maguire (1996)

I feel as though I've been raving and mentioning this movie over and over again. Honestly, I do love this movie. Read why.

7. Cast Away On The Moon (2009)

If there's a movie I want to post in this blog and the whole idea was posting inspiring movies, this is definitely one of the best inspiring movies I've seen. A movie about escaping from real life. The framing and colors are exquisite.

8. Warkop DKI (earlier versions)

This series of movies always being played in the holidays. Always funny to see in every generation. Warkop will always be legendary in my country.

9. Up In The Air (2009)

I work in an office and the movie made a different angle about living in your own dream. Thanks for this movie, I think again about my purpose of working and start thinking again about my passion.

10. (500) Days Of Summer (2009)

"I love how she makes me feel, like anything's possible, or like life is worth it" 

Never ever a movie could be so perfect in one package; story, casting, graphics, soundtrack and wardrobe. Some people thought Summer's a b*tch, but to me she's so brave.

11. Yes Man (2008)

Could a comedy with Jim Carrie actually opens your eyes? Yes!

12. Bring It On (2000)

You may made fun of me. But I'll be honest with you, this movie sometimes is my way of getting back my spirit. Something about seeing Kirsten Dunst all fired up, or those watching those ambitious cheerleaders giving performance.

13. Singles (1999)

"I've always been able to do this, break up with someone and never look back. Being alone: there's a certain dignity to it."

My sister is all over this movie, back when she was crazy about Grunge music. This is the first Cameron Crowe movie I watched. Different stories about singles in Seattle. The tagline, "Have Fun Stay Single" is marked in mind though now I know I understand the meaning of it.

14. Run Lola Run (1998)

This is an interesting short movie. So contemporary modern at that time, sharp and exhausting seeing Lola running all the time. One of the things I adore about this movie is a mix of animation between the movie. I studied design and multimedia when I watched this, and I watch it in Film Community in college.

15. Forrest Gump (1994)

"Remember what I told you, Forrest. You're no different than anybody else is. Did you hear what I said, Forrest? You're the same as everybody else. You are no different." 


I am one of the people who are touched watching Forrest and his other half, Jenny.

16. An Education (2009)

One of the movie that made me amaze about the meaning of film making, is there's something to say in it. This one is important for the girls.

17. Home Alone (1 and 2)

This movie is always on the TV on the holidays. But sure, when I was a kid watching this makes you appreciates your big family.

18. Toy Story 2 (1999)

Why number 2? I watched this with my junior high school friends near home. I never watch the first one. But it is the first Pixar movie I've seen.

19. Mary and Max  (2009)

A movie about friendship. So unique and deep. After watching this I want to call my bestfriend to show I care.

20. Up (2009)

"Thanks for the adventure. Now go have one of your own." 

If there's a mix of a good story and good animation plus a personal touch, I would vote for Up. I read that this is actually inspired by real story about a Disney veteran. One of the most romantic story I ever watch.

21. Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

This movie mark in my mind because Miss Daisy reminds me of my grandmother. Miss Daisy represent someone who has a high experience in life, old but still stay active, arrogant but secretly need a friend.

22. Shawshank Redemption (1994)

 "Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. and no good thing never dies."

Seeing the friendship between two convicted person to still believe in hope after what they've been through, gave such big impression to me. This movie have a lot of wisdom.

23. Rainbow Troops (2008)

 Seeing how this poor kids striving to taste a drop of education in school breaks my heart. Other than beautiful scene of Belitung, which I later travel in the beginning of the year, it is a beautiful movie.

24. Speed (1994)

 In junior high school, I have a major crush on Keanu Reeves after I watch this movie. My friends would give me pictures of him from magazine. Those were the days =)

25. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

This movie reminded me that families are both a support and a responsibility.

26. Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (2007)

 The movie made a huge turn on the comeback of local movies. A simple teen life and love, authentic as it is.

27. Holes (2003)

 Normally I wouldn't watch a movie with such poster like Holes. Back in college my friend recommended it, and I'm glad I watch it. Beautiful story about karma and friendship.

28. Dead Poets Society (1989)

 I shouldn't even explain. Lots of inspiring literature and life lessons to sow in this movie. I wish I had Mr.Keating as my teacher back in high school.

29. Legally Blonde (2001)

You may call me as lame as the title of this movie, but it's a great movie about finding your potential before taking step as marriage.

30. Reality Bites (1994)

 The movie reminded me of the days of constantly watching MTV. I think I rather recognize the music first before the movie. Probably because I saw the soundtrack over and over on that channel, such as Lisa Loeb's Stay. She even played it in accoustic version on the beach house.

31. First Wives Club (1996)

 On this movie I realize no matter how old you can be, you can stick with your girlfriends and perfectly okay to be by yourself. Also I have a good laugh with my sisters everytime we watch this movie.

32. Muriel's Wedding (1994)

 Some people categorized this movie much like Revenge of The Nerds, but I rather see it more of someone's trip to self-discovery. Muriel's unattractive, unpopular and nerd-ish, but finds her own way in the end. It is hilarious and sharp.

33. Don't Go Breaking My Heart (2011)

 It's the newest, rather more personal to me than maybe to others (hey this is the list is actually about!) In the middle of crazy romantic scenes between two attractive guys, where I couldn't decide which is the leading lady has to pick, I realize there's more to see other than chemistry and feelings. That is commitment.

35. Penelope (2006)

 The movie has uneven parts and have flaws, but I like the message.

36. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

 I was in the generation of Harry Potter madness, when the novel first published. It's taken so long, thank God the last movie is being released this year.

37. Shall We Dance (2004)

 The movie might be underrated but I love the concept. It's about regular office worker finding his passion for dancing. I only know a couple days ago that this movie is a remake from an original Japan version with the same title in the '90s. I've got to watch that one.

38. Center Stage (2000)

 So I have fondness for movie with dances, it's my guilty pleasure. I guess I love the ambition and different backgrounds of these ballerinas.

39. Shutter (2004)

 Everytime I remember this movie, I remembered when I watch this with bunch of close friends from junior high school and scream together. Who wouldn't scream? Because it involves with photography, it makes the scary part even scarier.

40. 127 Hours (2010)

"You know, I've been thinking. Everything is... just comes together. It's me. I chose this. I chose all this. This rock... this rock has been waiting for me my entire life. It's entire life, ever since it was a bit of meteorite a million, billion years ago. In space. It's been waiting, to come here. Right, right here. I've been moving towards it my entire life. The minute I was born, every breath that I've taken, every action has been leading me to this crack on the out surface."

41. Never Let Me Go (2010)

 If you think your life is meaningless, try to imagine what it felt like to be these people who was raised to be another person's organs. After I watch this movie I wanted to read the novel immediately. Strangely when people read the novel first said that the novel is better, I agreed some of the adjustments they make for the movie.

42. Black Swan (2010)

 Never I see a movie about seeing inside of yourself wrapped in psychological thriller, which is unique and intense at the same time. If you're truly honest, there must be times when you make yourself exhausted like Nina Sawyer in this movie.

43. Verses Of Love (2007)

 Based on a novel, this movie is a big success. I never see the whole perfect concept of polygamy before in a movie. This two person respect their religion so much that they would do polygamy only in the name of God.

44. Ben X (2007)

 I love playing computer games, but seeing them in the mind of an autistic person is unique. Ben sees himself like a game character, but we see the outer angle where he is being bullied in his school. This movie tells a story about the mind of autistic person.

45. Almost Famous (2000)

 One of the things that made me love this movie is the feeling of joining a tour of a rock band, the fame and the travelling, fans cheering you and the groupies can't get enough of you. It is that cool atmosphere feeling from the movie.

46. Ground Hog Day (1993)

 This movie was recommended from a blogger friend, in my review of Lost in Translation. It turns out to be my favorite movie I watch in the year 2010.

47. Lord of The Rings : Trilogy

 I majored in Multimedia in college, so seeing this movie felt like seeing the God of visual effects in a movie. To be honest, I read the novel and I can't really imagine that far (it's far more detailed in the novel). And so first reason to watch this movie was to be amazed on the visual effects.

48. Romeo and Juliet (1996)

 I learned that Shakespeare create this dramatically romantic movie. As a teenager who only want happy endings, I hate the ending, as that moment I adored Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

49. Spirited Away (2001)

 Everytime I remember this movie, I remembered when I watch it in Film Community back in college, with two close friends and pay a very low ticket to watch this incredibly strange but beautiful animation.

50. Lost In Translation (2003)

 I began to see that Sofia Coppola loves to raise loneliness theme in her movies. I guess it takes me to the level where I remembered how bad it felt in some parts of my life.

51.  Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

This movie felt absurd but at the same time very deep. It is brilliant to describe inside people's mind so vivid and creepy, so incredibly romantic at the same time.

52. Once (2006)

 It takes a whole new level of musical movies, and it feels so honest. I love the song "Falling Slowly". When I read that the two leading characters won't ever starred a movie after Once, I truly respect that they both only play parts in this movie because they love music. Isn't it beautiful, in the world where people actually put their lives in reality shows for fame?

 53. Yellow Submarine (1968)

 The truth is, I can't remember what the story is about and I remembered being annoyed by its absurdity and the bold English accent when I first saw it. It is one of the animation my college teacher played in his morning class, and I remembered I always sleepy watching the animations he play for us (sorry sir). But I am glad he show this to us. I was actually amazed of how this movie felt so different and mainstream, whereas it's about the Beatles, the one legendary band back then. I borrowed it to be studied for my last year paper.

54. Before Sunrise (1995)

 Spontaneous on a romantic movies sometimes are the most memorable. I was amazed on how two people who met on a train end up chatting to the next day. There would be parts where they chatting along the road, uncut. The movie stated that l.o.v.e is dominated with feelings and instinct, and you should take chances in front of you.

55. Dying Young (1991)

 It probably have the same effect on me like Romeo and Juliet. It is a good contrast between the high spirit Julia Roberts and dying Campbell Scott.

56. Pirates of The Caribbean : The Curse of The Black Pearl (2003)

 It is the first movie to me that had a complete package; humor, adventure, love story and mystical. I am one of the people who adore the character of Jack Sparrow first he comes out. So Johnny Depp adapted it's body language and make-up from a rock star.

57. The Faculty (1998)

 Other than the cool soundtrack, The Faculty makes it look cool to being chased by aliens who run over our high school. Of course the casting is one of the reasons I love the movie back then. I also love the soundtracks.

58. Edward Scissorhand (1990)

 I enjoy the gothic / tale / classic movie once in a while. Certainly Edward Scissorhand is very comical and unique. So is his love story with Winona.

59. Frida (2002)

 I watched this back in college. I was in the faculty of art and design. My seniors played this movie to welcome to us when we first entered the faculty. I thought of art as a sacred thing back then, so watching Frida gave a definite deep meaning about doing art.

60. Julie and Julia (2009)

The first movie I reviewed in this blog is Julie and Julia. Probably it has something to do with the success of blogging. I love how the success evolve in someone else's life probably 30 years ahead.

61. Spiderman (2002)

Spiderman is the most humanly Marvel comics. It reminded me back when I was in the last year of high school and joined art exam preparation course, where this movie first released. Great soundtrack too.


 62. Hachiko (2008)

I should watch the original Hachiko, but it is this version who touched me first. How a human could have a deep connection with an animal, who has a loyalty like a noble human. Breaks my heart.


63. Sex and The City (2008)

I am a regular SATC generation, addicted to their serials. Any city girls would love the story of these four success women (but have their flaws also). It is because of the serials and the first SATC movie that I know what other women are dealing with.


64. Happythankyoumoreplease (2010)

Josh Radnor truly have a heart. You could felt it with his debut big-heart movie.


65. The Sisterhood of Travelling Pants 1 and 2

Sweet story about four different girls, revealing the ups and downs on having friendship. It's heartwarming and makes me want to visit Santorini, Greece.


66. Gone With The Wind (1939)

I just watch this movie several hours before I decided to put this movie on the list. The longest movie I ever saw and the most historic felt. Scarlett O'hara might be failed in defining love, but her survival through the war is amazing.

67. 3 Idiots (2009)

Bollywood is known for their cultural dances and emotional stories. 3 Idiots have those elements, but the most deep message is about the educational system. Students study hard often for achieving scores, not for actual learning. The university reminded of my own college.

68. Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

"Never try to walk the path of someone else's life, or you'll torture yourself." The movie stated that, and we should be happy with what we have, losing other people's bitter judgement.