Weird Selections: Into the Weird's Favorite Films

Alright, fellow movie lovers and children of the 80s (and 90s), gather 'round! It's time to scour the depths of my misspent youth's cinematic treasure trove and count down the flicks that still make my heart skip a beat. Now, I know what you're thinking - "Another greatest movies list? Yawn." But hold onto your buttered popcorn, because this ain't your typical highbrow lineup of Citizen Kane and Casablanca.

Nope, this is my personal pantheon of gloriously weird, endlessly rewatchable gems that might raise a few eyebrows among the film school crowd. But you know what? I don't care. These are the movies that shaped me, thrilled me, and still bring a goofy grin to my face every time I pop them in the ol' DVD player (or, let's be honest, fire up the streaming service).

So grab your Jiffy Pop, and let's take a nostalgia-fueled journey through my top 15 favorite flicks. Fair warning: this list is heavy on the 80s, because let's face it, that was the golden age of movies that were equal parts bonkers and brilliant. Ready? Here we go!

15.The Crow (1994)

Okay, I'm cheating a little by starting with a 90s film, but The Crow is pure 80s goth aesthetic cranked up to eleven. From the moment Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) crawls out of his grave to the strains of The Cure's "Burn," I was hooked. This movie is a dark, rain-soaked fever dream of revenge, and I am here for every gloriously over-the-top minute of it.

The scene where Eric paints his face while "The Crow Descends" plays still gives me chills. And don't even get me started on Top Dollar (Michael Wincott) and his sister/lover Myca (Bai Ling) - they're the kind of villains that are so deliciously evil you can't help but love to hate them.

But it's Brandon Lee's performance that elevates this from a standard revenge flick to something truly special. There's a vulnerability beneath the face paint and leather that makes Eric's quest heartbreaking as well as badass. And knowing it was Lee's final role adds an extra layer of poignancy to lines like "It can't rain all the time."

14.Dune (1984)

Prep your stillsuits, because we're taking a trip to Arrakis! Look, I know David Lynch's Dune is a mess. It's overstuffed, confusing if you haven't read the book, and has some truly bizarre creative choices. But you know what? I love every bonkers minute of it.

From the moment you hear Virginia Madsen's floating head intone "A beginning is a very delicate time," you know you're in for something weird and wonderful. The production design is out of this world (pun intended), with each planet having its own distinct and surreal aesthetic. And the cast? Chef's kiss. Kyle MacLachlan's earnest Paul Atreides, Sting's codpiece-wearing Feyd-Rautha, and Brad Dourif's twitchy Piter De Vries are all burned into my brain.

But for me, it's all about Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Kenneth McMillan chews the scenery with such gleeful malevolence that I can't help but cackle every time he's on screen. His antigravity-assisted float-and-gloat routine never gets old.

And let's not forget the sandworms. Those practical effects might look a bit dated now, but they're still impressive as hell. The first time you see one of those behemoths breach the sand, it's a true "Holy shit!" moment.

13.RoboCop (1987)

"Dead or alive, you're coming with me." With that line, RoboCop cemented itself as one of the most quotable action movies of all time. But this flick is so much more than just a mindless shoot-em-up. It's a razor-sharp satire of 80s corporate culture, media sensationalism, and good old-fashioned American violence.

Peter Weller brings a perfect mix of robotic stoicism and lingering humanity to Murphy/RoboCop. The scene where he visits his old home, flashing back to his life before becoming a cyborg, is genuinely moving. But let's be real - we're here for the action, and RoboCop delivers in spades.

The ED-209 boardroom demonstration gone wrong is a masterclass in dark comedy and over-the-top violence. And don't even get me started on Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith). Has there ever been a more entertainingly despicable villain? His sneering "Bitches, leave" line reading lives rent-free in my head.

But my favorite bit might be the media breaks scattered throughout the film. They're hilariously prescient about our current 24-hour news cycle and meme culture. I still find myself shouting "I'd buy that for a dollar!" at inappropriate moments.

12.Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

Francis Ford Coppola's fever dream take on the classic vampire tale is a visual feast that I can't resist sinking my teeth into again and again. From the moment you see that shadow puppet battle in the opening credits, you know you're in for something special.

Gary Oldman's Dracula is a tour de force performance, moving from ancient monster to dashing young prince with chameleon-like ease. His first appearance as the withered old Count, with that insane hairdo that looks like a giant heart, is simultaneously ridiculous and terrifying. And don't even get me started on the blue flame sequence - pure cinematic magic.

But it's not just Oldman who shines. Tom Waits as a bug-eating Renfield is inspired casting, and Anthony Hopkins clearly had a ball hamming it up as Van Helsing. Even Keanu Reeves' much-maligned performance as Jonathan Harker has grown on me over the years. His bewildered "I've seen many strange things already..." delivery never fails to make me giggle.

The practical effects are a huge part of why I love this movie. That shot of Dracula's shadow moving independently of his body still gives me chills. And the costume design? Chef's kiss Eiko Ishioka's creations are so lush and weird that I notice new details every time I watch.

11.The Monster Squad (1987)

"Wolfman's got nards!" With that single line, The Monster Squad earned a permanent place in my heart. This movie is like The Goonies meet Universal Monsters, and it's just as awesome as that sounds.

The premise is simple - a group of monster-obsessed kids have to save their town from Dracula and his monstrous minions. But it's the execution that makes this movie so special. The kids feel like real kids, not Hollywood's sanitized version. They swear, they're kind of jerks sometimes, and they're all the more lovable for it.

And the monsters? They're fantastic. Duncan Regehr's Dracula is genuinely menacing, striking the perfect balance between classic Universal monster and 80s update. The Gillman looks awesome, and don't even get me started on Tom Noonan's sympathetic take on Frankenstein's monster. The scene where he befriends Phoebe always brings a tear to my eye.

But my favorite part might be the little details that show how much the filmmakers love monster movies. Like the fact that Van Helsing's diary is written by "Abraham Van Helsing" in the same handwriting as Bram Stoker's actual notes for Dracula. It's that kind of attention to detail that makes The Monster Squad a true cult classic.

10.The 'Burbs (1989)

Welcome to Mayfield Place, where the neighbor might be a Satan-worshipping cannibal... or maybe just a weirdo who likes his privacy. The 'Burbs is a pitch-perfect satire of suburban paranoia that only gets funnier with age.

Tom Hanks is at his everyman best as Ray Peterson, a bored suburbanite who gets caught up in his neighbors' increasingly unhinged theories about the creepy Klopek family next door. The escalating absurdity of their "investigation" is a joy to watch, from peeking in windows to digging up the backyard in the middle of the night.

But it's the supporting cast that really makes this movie shine. Bruce Dern as the unhinged ex-soldier Art Weingartner and Rick Ducommun as the conspiracy-loving Ray Rumsfield are comedy gold. And let's not forget Corey Feldman as the teenage Ricky Butler, watching the whole thing unfold like it's the best reality show ever.

My favorite scene has to be the nightmare sequence where Ray imagines the Klopeks as cartoon monsters. It's so delightfully weird and out of left field that it never fails to make me cackle. And of course, there's the iconic "There go the goddamn brownies" moment. I've definitely muttered that line to myself during more than one kitchen disaster.

9.Fright Night (1985)

"Welcome to Fright Night... for real." With those words, Chris Sarandon's Jerry Dandrige ushered in one of the coolest vampire flicks of the 80s. Fright Night is the perfect blend of horror and humor, with a hefty dose of 80s cheese on top.

William Ragsdale's Charlie Brewster is the perfect audience surrogate - a horror-loving teen who discovers his new neighbor is a vampire. But it's Roddy McDowall as washed-up actor Peter Vincent who steals the show. His transformation from cowardly fraud to reluctant hero is both hilarious and genuinely touching.

The practical effects in this movie are a hoot. Evil Ed's wolf transformation is simultaneously goofy and unsettling, and Amy's vampire makeup is pure 80s glam horror. But it's Jerry's final form - a giant bat-monster that looks like it stepped out of a Fangoria centerfold - that really takes the cake.

My favorite scene has to be the nightclub sequence. The song "Come to Me" is the perfect cheesy 80s vampire seduction track, and watching Jerry slowly vamp his way across the dancefloor never fails to crack me up. It's moments like these that make Fright Night such a rewatchable classic.

8.The Lost Boys (1987)

"Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It's fun to be a vampire." With that tagline, The Lost Boys perfectly captured the eternal teenage summer vibe that makes it such a blast to watch.

From the moment you hear the throbbing beat of "Cry Little Sister" over shots of the Santa Carla boardwalk, you know you're in for something special. The Lost Boys oozes cool from every pore, from Kiefer Sutherland's bleach-blonde Billy Idol look to the vampire gang's underground lair with its Jim Morrison poster.

The Frog brothers, Edgar and Alan, are comedy gold. Their deadpan delivery of lines like "Death by stereo" never fails to crack me up. And let's not forget Grandpa's immortal closing line: "One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach: all the damn vampires." It's the perfect capper to a movie that balances horror and humor so well.

But my favorite scene has to be the infamous "maggots and worms" dinner sequence. Michael's growing horror as he realizes what he's eating, set to the strains of "People Are Strange," is both gross and hilarious. It's moments like these that make The Lost Boys such a perfect time capsule of 80s horror-comedy.

7.Dark City (1998)

Okay, we're cheating a bit with the timeline again, but Dark City is pure 90s sci-fi noir goodness that feels like it could have been made a decade earlier. From the moment you hear Kiefer Sutherland's Dr. Schreber intone "First, there was darkness. Then came the strangers," you know you're in for a mind-bending ride.

The world of Dark City is a feast for the eyes, a perpetually nighttime metropolis that seems to shift and change when no one's looking. The scenes of the city reconfiguring itself, buildings sprouting up like concrete plants, are still breathtaking even in the age of CGI spectacle.

Rufus Sewell makes for a compelling everyman hero as John Murdoch, a man who wakes up with no memories and the ability to "tune" reality just like the creepy pale dudes in black coats who run the city. But it's the Strangers themselves who really stick in my mind. Their uncanny movements and stilted speech patterns are genuinely unsettling.

My favorite scene has to be the finale, where John and Mr. Book (Ian Richardson) have an epic psychic showdown that culminates in them floating above the city, hurling buildings at each other. It's the kind of go-for-broke spectacle that you just don't see enough of these days.

6.Superman: The Movie (1978)

"You'll believe a man can fly." That tagline wasn't just hype - Superman: The Movie made me a true believer. From John Williams' iconic score to Christopher Reeve's pitch-perfect performance, this movie is the gold standard for superhero films.

Reeve's Superman is the definitive take on the character for me. He perfectly captures both the godlike power of Superman and the bumbling charm of Clark Kent. The scene where he first reveals himself to Lois, catching her as she falls from a helicopter, still gives me goosebumps. And don't even get me started on the "Can You Read My Mind?" flying sequence - pure movie magic.

But it's not just Reeve who shines. Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor is the perfect mix of menace and humor, and Margot Kidder's Lois Lane is a far cry from the damsel in distress of earlier incarnations. Their chemistry with Reeve is off the charts.

My favorite scene, though, has to be Superman turning back time by flying around the Earth. Is it scientifically nonsensical? Absolutely. But the sheer audacity of it, coupled with the emotional punch of Superman's anguished cry when he finds Lois dead, makes it an unforgettable movie moment.

5.The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

"I am your father." With those four words, The Empire Strikes Back cemented its place as not just the best Star Wars movie, but one of the greatest sequels of all time. This is Star Wars at its darkest and most compelling.

From the opening battle on Hoth (AT-ATs! Tauntauns! Snow troopers!) to the climactic lightsaber duel in Cloud City, Empire is a non-stop thrill ride. But what really sets it apart is the character development. Luke's training with Yoda on Dagobah is full of quotable wisdom ("Do or do not. There is no try.") and gives real weight to his hero's journey.

And let's talk about Han and Leia. Their bickering-to-romance arc is the stuff of legend, culminating in the greatest exchange in movie history:
Leia: "I love you."
Han: "I know."

But for me, it's all about the villains. Darth Vader goes from being a cool-looking enforcer to one of the most iconic villains in cinema history. His force-choking of imperial officers never gets old. And the first appearance of the Emperor, all holographic menace and croaking evil, still sends chills down my spine.

My favorite scene? It's got to be the entire Cloud City sequence. From the moment our heroes arrive, there's a palpable sense of unease that builds to the shocking revelation of Lando's betrayal. It's a masterclass in ratcheting up tension.

4.Conan the Barbarian (1982)

"Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women!" If that line doesn't get your blood pumping, I don't know what will. Conan the Barbarian is the ultimate sword-and-sorcery epic, a movie so manly it'll put hair on your chest just by watching it.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was born to play Conan. His physical presence is undeniable, but it's the quiet moments that really sell the character. The scene where he finally breaks down and cries at his parents' funeral pyre is surprisingly moving.

But let's be real - we're here for the action, and Conan delivers in spades. The battle against Thulsa Doom's cult, with Conan and his companions taking on an entire mountain fortress, is pure adrenaline-fueled awesomeness. And speaking of Thulsa Doom, James Earl Jones brings such charismatic menace to the role that you can almost understand why people would follow him.

My favorite bit, though, has to be the "Riddle of Steel" that runs throughout the movie. It starts as Conan's father's simple lesson about swordcraft and becomes a meditation on power and will that gives the movie surprising philosophical depth. Well, that and the scene where Conan punches out a camel. Because sometimes, you just need to see a muscle-bound barbarian deck a dromedary.

3.The Fly (1986)

"Be afraid. Be very afraid." With those words, Geena Davis's Veronica Quaife summed up the visceral horror of David Cronenberg's The Fly.

This movie is body horror at its finest, a stomach-churning meditation on disease and decay that's somehow also deeply romantic. Jeff Goldblum's Seth Brundle is a tragic figure, a brilliant scientist undone by his own hubris (and a badly timed fly, of course).

Goldblum is at the top of his game here, bringing his signature nervous energy to Brundle's slow transformation. The way he goes from giddy excitement over his newfound strength to dawning horror as he realizes what's happening to him is masterful. And let's not forget Geena Davis as Veronica. Her journey from skeptical journalist to horrified lover is the emotional heart of the movie.

But let's be real - we're here for the icky stuff, and boy does The Fly deliver. The progression of Brundle's metamorphosis is both fascinating and revolting. From the first appearance of coarse hairs on his back to the moment his ear falls off mid-makeout session, each new development is a "Holy crap!" moment.

My favorite scene, though, has to be the arm-wrestling sequence. Watching Brundle casually snap his opponent's arm, then vomit-drop digestive enzymes on his foot, is the perfect encapsulation of the movie's blend of horror and dark humor. It's gross, it's shocking, and I can't look away.

The practical effects in this movie are second to none. Brundle's final form, the grotesque Brundlefly, is a triumph of makeup and puppetry. The way it moves, all twitchy insectoid energy barely contained in a decaying human form, still gives me the creeps.

2.Blade Runner (1982)

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe..." Roy Batty's dying monologue is one of the most beautiful pieces of sci-fi poetry ever written, and it's the perfect capstone to the neon-noir masterpiece that is Blade Runner.

From the moment you see that opening shot of future Los Angeles, all towering pyramids and flame-belching refineries, you know you're in for something special. Ridley Scott created a lived-in future that feels gritty and real, a far cry from the sleek utopias of most 80s sci-fi.

Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard is the perfect noir protagonist, a world-weary cop forced back into the game for one last job. His journey from detached professional to a man questioning the very nature of his humanity is subtle but powerful.

But for me, it's all about the replicants. Rutger Hauer's Roy Batty is one of the greatest movie villains of all time, a creature of childlike wonder and terrifying violence. The scene where he gleefully taunts Deckard during their final chase ("Not very sporting to fire on an unarmed opponent. I thought you were supposed to be good. Aren't you the 'good' man?") is chilling.

And let's not forget the other replicants. Daryl Hannah's Pris, the "basic pleasure model" with the strength of a pneumatic press. Brion James' Leon, with his childish petulance and superhuman strength. And of course, Joanna Cassidy's Zhora, in that iconic clear raincoat running through sheets of rain and neon-lit glass.

My favorite scene, aside from the "tears in rain" monologue? It's got to be the Voight-Kampff test on Rachael. The slow build of tension as Deckard realizes she doesn't know she's a replicant, intercut with extreme close-ups of her eye, is masterful filmmaking.

The ambiguity of the film's ending - is Deckard himself a replicant? - is the cherry on top of this philosophical sundae. It's a question that's sparked decades of debate, and part of what makes Blade Runner endlessly rewatchable.

1.Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

And here we are, folks. The top of the mountain. The cream of the crop. The movie I'd take to a desert island if I could only choose one. John Carpenter's Big Trouble in Little China is, for my money, the most purely entertaining movie ever made.

From the moment Kurt Russell's Jack Burton rolls into San Francisco in the Pork Chop Express, spouting CB radio philosophy, you know you're in for a wild ride. This movie is a glorious mish-mash of genres - part martial arts flick, part supernatural adventure, part comedy, all awesome.

Russell's Jack Burton is a brilliant subversion of the classic action hero. He thinks he's the star of the movie, but he's really the bumbling sidekick to Dennis Dun's actually competent Wang Chi. Jack's constant bewilderment at the supernatural craziness around him ("What? Huh? What'll come out no more?") never gets old.

And oh boy, the villains. Where do I even start? James Hong's David Lo Pan is one of the all-time great movie bad guys, alternating between decrepit old man and imposing sorcerer with glee. And his three storms? Lightning, Thunder, and Rain are the perfect henchmen, each with their own distinct powers and personalities.

The action in this movie is non-stop and glorious. From the street fight in the alley (where Jack knocks himself out by shooting the ceiling) to the final showdown in Lo Pan's lair, it's a kung fu fan's dream come true. The visual effects might look a bit dated now, but they have a charm all their own. The floating eyeball monster still creeps me out.

My favorite scene? It's gotta be the brothel fight. Jack's mix of bravado and complete ineptitude as he faces off against Rain is comedy gold. "It's all in the reflexes." Yeah, right.

But what really makes Big Trouble in Little China special is its endlessly quotable dialogue. "May the wings of liberty never lose a feather." "I'm a reasonable guy. But I've just experienced some very unreasonable things." And of course, the immortal "When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, looks you crooked in the eye and asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: 'Have ya paid your dues, Jack?' 'Yessir, the check is in the mail.'"

It's a movie that rewards multiple viewings. There's always some new detail to notice, some background gag you missed before. It's endlessly rewatchable, endlessly entertaining, and my absolute favorite movie of all time.

And there you have it, folks! My top 15 weird and wonderful favorites. Are they the "best" movies ever made? Probably not by any objective standard. But they're the ones that shaped my love of film, the ones I return to again and again for comfort, thrills, and visceral fun.

These movies are more than just entertainment for me - they're old friends. Each viewing is like catching up with a buddy I haven't seen in a while, reliving old jokes and shared experiences. They're a direct link to my younger self, a reminder of late-night cable TV binges and trips to the video store.

So the next time you're in the mood for something a little off the beaten path, why not give one of these a try? You might just find a new old favorite. And hey, if you don't like them, that's cool too. As Jack Burton would say, "Ol' Jack always says... what the hell?"