Guest post: Nerd-approved movies to see before you die

Movies for nerds is a deeper category than just “Star Wars” and “Avatar.”  Retrovo’s Jennifer L. Jacobson looks at the long tail of geek cinema.  More at http://www.retrevo.com/content/blog/2011/12/epic-nerd-approved-movies-see

Epic Nerd-Approved Movies To See Before You Die

Not to quote Ned Stark, but, “Winter is coming.” And what better way for any self-respecting nerd to spend the season than hunkered down in the glow of some of the best nerd-approved films of all time. But you’ve watched your favorite films a billion times, so how do you find the films you haven’t seen yet, but should?

Well, today I’m putting my Cinema “Minor” to work and that means digging through film history and pulling out title gems that are too often overshadowed by Avatar or the all-impressive Star Wars. These films will change your life (or they should), so sit down, strap in and load these puppies up in your Netflix queue. Here are the best of the best in their respective categories. Enjoy these films. You will be a better nerd for watching them.

*Note: All films should be watched in the aspect ratio they were shot in and if possible, watch the director’s cut. None of this “4:3″ nonsense when a film was shot in widescreen. Also, may of the older films on this list are now on Blu-ray. For a more technical overview of a specific film’s transfer to Blu-ray, please query The Blu Ray Blog. Now, please… enjoy the show.

Straightup Nerd-Tastic Films (AKA Category 1)

Dark City (1998)

Film Notes: If you liked Metropolis, The Matrix, and Inception, you have to see this film. I wrote an entire master’s thesis on it. If you can, watch the commentary by Rober Ebert.

The Fifth Element (1997)

Film Notes: This eye-candy adventure is one of the most charming, beautifully shot, creative, colorful sci-fi films of all time.