21 Classics to Leave You Thinking

Most famous for its ingenious style of storytelling, MEMENTO feels like a science fiction, although it's really just a straight story about cops and criminals. Call it a "psychological drama/action."

Classic, classic, classic.

Don't let the year (1957) fool you; 12 ANGRY MEN holds up in today's world. Required viewing for anyone studying Law 101. The entire movie takes place in one room, but leaves you feeling as though you've visited other places while listening to these jurors argue.

REAR WINDOW has dated itself only slightly because today's young audiences are so immune to gore and death - of which this movie has none. REAR WINDOW may seem tame today, but it's still a well-told story, with great characters, and good old-fashioned suspense.

The slowest paced of my 20 Re-Watchable Movies, BEING THERE is an experience. It's not suspenseful, but quietly engaging.

BEING THERE is about a sheltered, mentally-challenged man who is suddenly confronted with real world obstacles. The message is subtle, and perhaps open to debate, but it's there.

Although you wouldn't expect it from this movie, there's actually a bit of a twist in the end - it doesn't change anything in the story so much as it broadens and explains a bit. Best not to ruin that part for yourself.

A thoroughly well thought-out sci-fi story. GATTACA, full of details, lingo, background story, takes place in the near future in a world that is technologically (but not unrealistically) more advanced.

GATTACA truly lives up to its tag line: "There is no gene for the human spirit." You can expect real-world advances in science in the next fifty years to bring this movie back into public awareness.

Probably the single best movie ever adapted from a Stephen King story. STAND BY ME is best suited to people who grew up in the 50s or 60s, but the story of friendship and youthful adventure is timeless.

Stephen King himself said in an interview, after seeing STAND BY ME in the theater, had to ask his friend to leave him alone a few minutes so he could digest it all and recompose himself.

So utterly ironic that this movie, of all movies, can be enjoyed again, and again, and again, and...

I've watched this straight through a couple times. And many more times in the background while doing house chores. It's cute, it's simple, it's fun, and it's happy. Also happens to be very family-friendly.

GROUNDHOG DAY is not as "deep" as others in this list. But scenes will replay themselves in your head for a long time. Why not start piano lessons at 40? Bing!

The end of SOURCE CODE may completely scramble your brain. You may spend days working out the logistics. This sci-fi incorporates flights of fancy alongside modern scientific theories.

The story is tight, no time is wasted, the actors are superb, and every character behaves and speaks exactly as the viewer feels they should. If you can sustain the vast amount of suspension of disbelief required by this science fiction, then you're in for a great ride.

Not quite a horror, but definitely suspenseful. LET ME IN will keep you guessing what it's about and where it's going. The story seems to meander much like the days of the life of the little boy, the main character. Only in the very end does it become clear what has been going on all along.

It's a very original take on a very old genre.

Such a clean, cute and fun heist movie. There's nothing outright thought-provoking about HOW TO STEAL A MILLION. But the characters and videography will follow you. Good, clean family fun.

At first glance this looks like a very low-budget movie, and one that's been done to death. But TRIANGLE is a surprisingly tightly-woven story, and well done for it's budget. The unfolding web of a story demands viewers to mull it over for a long time.

This modern blockbuster has everything going for it. A very sci-fi movie, bring your willful suspension of disbelief or don't bother. The entire story can truly be interpreted various ways, each one completely changing the outlook of the movie.

The poster for this movie was an unfortunate choice. It suggests low budget and low quality.

In fact, CARRIERS is a rather well told story of four kids surviving in post-apocalyptic America. It asks the viewer to confront the real tough questions... what if you were thrust out of your comfortable lifestyle? What if food were scarce? What could you and would you do to your fellow man to survive?

This low-budget sleeper stars heartthrob Chris Pine.

Science fiction. Outer space. Small cast (one, exactly). Filmed almost entirely in one room. What more do you need?

Thought-provoking. That's what. And MOON delivers.

If you must, watch SOMEWHERE IN TIME just to see Christopher Reeves around the same time he was Superman, when he wasn't being Superman. But enjoy this time-traveling movie for it's beauty at every level.

SOMEWHERE IN TIME is a wonderful love story that will thrill you, or possibly break your heart, but will definitely haunt you.

Modern sci-fi action. Big budget, big special effects, big concept.

But with a heart - great characters with whom you sympathize. And an ending that doesn't frustrate, but still leaves you waiting for more completion (but no sequel).

This classic war drama is chock full of famous quotes. If you've never seen FULL METAL JACKET, you'll be amazed at the number of quotes, and may suspect FULL METAL JACKET is quoting somebody else. But it's not; they are original FULL METAL JACKET lines.

The story is straight-forward and without twists. But leaves you thinking about the nature of man.

Just a drama? Haunting - yes. Disturbing - yes. Intense - very intense.

Everyone in the world goes blind. What do you do?

The ultimate twist movie. See it before it's ruined for you.

Great story-telling. This one is for the grown-ups only.

A straight-forward beautiful story. Subtitled.

This story of "mistaken identity" puts an ordinary man on the run from hired assassins while he races to find the truth. The movie is perhaps growing a tad outdated in the modern world where Americans are waking up to what their own government does wrong, and often for the wrong reasons. But still an exciting ride in this 1970s espionage action thriller.

The ultimate mind-@#!&. The clever use of new filming techniques spice up this already awesome sci-fi action flick. Takes place in a very strange future.

Skip the sequels - they'll only ruin the original.