List by Tony D'Amico Pro
Films that end your channel surfing
I decided to make this list after a discussion with a friend about movies that if you come across while channel surfing on TV, you can go no further. No matter what point in the film you arrive at, you are compelled to watch. Even if it is only 10 minutes, you need the fix of that movie.
The films don't even have to be the best ever, maybe they are big memory makers from childhood. Or maybe it was your first movie of a particular genre, or the first film that pops into your head when you think of entertaining a group of friends.
Or in my case, a few happen to be on at least once a week when my friends and I would get high in the basement as a young adult, and now when i see the films from those days i have great memories of great times with my friends over a decade ago. LOL
No matter, please feel free to add in your personal favorites, i bet we can make a pretty big list, i know i'll have maybe 20 to start
Agreed on Aliens, plus Jaws and Dirty Harry stop me in my tracks every time, as does Tremors.
nice adds, it's funny, your not the first person that has expressed affection of some sort for Tremors, LOL. I personally don't like it, but i don't hate it
The Fifth Element does it for me. Even if I stumble on it during one of the Chris Tucker bits.
Also Galaxy Quest. That should go without saying.
Oh man, I totally agree on Fifth Element, I think i've seen that movie about 30 times. I can't agree on Galaxy Quest, but i'll put it on too
I’m glad to see Total Recall on there, when I saw the title of your list it was the first film that came to mind.
As for suggestions, Under Siege and Sudden Death are two that stop me channel hopping if I come across them.
I don't have TV service anymore, but when I did, I would stop whenever I came across NORTH BY NORTHWEST and watch it until the end. Didn't matter if it was almost over, or just starting.
@Cohagen, Total Recall is equal to Predator for being my personal favorite Arnold films. And Under Siege is awesome, IMO Seagal's best movie.
@Ryan, I've only seen North By Northwest once, and it was years ago. I remember it being very good so i'll have to rewatch it soon
I decided to put Ronin on the list, I think i have come across it about 5 times in the last 3 months on Starz, and every time I finish watching it. It seems like I am in the minority with that film, but i think it's just underrated.
I clicked on this list specifically to find ROAD HOUSE. :-(
Galaxy Quest -- last time I clicked on it in my itunes at about 2am, I ended up sitting there at my computer and watching the whole thing.
OMG how the hell did I not put Road House on here, thanks a million
I have always described it as the kind of movie you always sit and watch for a few minutes at least, if it shows up while channel surfing.
If this were tvtropes.com, I would call it the Trope Namer. "Road House Effect", or something.
I've seen parts of The Fugitive and Independence Day on multiple occasions due to stumbling upon them. They're on TV a lot and they are both very re-watchable and thrilling. It happened to me recently with Wayne's World as well.
AMC has a bad habit of stopping me in my channel-surfing tracks everytime they show either THERE WILL BE BLOOD or SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION.