I was alarmed to learn during this time that Gen X is reaching the age where we really like to talk about our illnesses and ailments. The cough — I couldn't stop telling everyone I met about it. We are that old, fellow Gen Xers.

Anyway, the illness totally knocked me off my game for a while, but I'm back! 

I've been wanting to write about today's topic for a while. I am married to a Gen Xer and have several Gen X friends of the male variety, and have noticed that there are certain movies that they all love. Even some I'll admit I had never even heard of until I met the hubs.

For instance, "Army of Darkness." Hadn't a clue what it was pre-hubs, but now I know it was directed by Sam Raimi and starred Bruce Campbell. All Gen X dudes apparently love Bruce Campbell. 

To me, this was a little-known film that my husband weirdly loved, but then I realized my friend Ken loved it, too, when he began quoting main character Ash in his Facebook posts. After a little bit of digging, I realized there is something coded into the DNA of Gen X men that requires them to love the same movies. 

To test this theory, I posted a photo from "Big Trouble in Little China" (the pic purposely did not include Kurt Russell) to my Facebook page, stating that all Gen X men were required to love that film. The comments confirmed that I was onto something, so I'm further testing this theory by offering a list, curated by Mr. Christoph, of the films I believe all of you Gen X men have to love.

Now, this is likely not a comprehensive list and it's not in any particular order other than they came out of my husband's head this way. And it's not just Gen X men who love these films, although I can't say that I love too many of them myself. I am looking forward to your comments on this!

Here we go.

"The Godfather"

This one is a gimme. Everyone loves it, but Gen X dudes can apparently quote it word for word.

"Point Break"

I don't get this one at all. Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves jumping out of a plane is all I know about it, and that's enough for me to never have watched it. 

"Roadhouse"

Swayze again. I would bet quite a bit of money that there is not a single Gen X dude that doesn't like this film about ... a bouncer?

"Big Trouble in Little China"

My husband friggin' loves this film. I'm not quite sure I get it, but it's one of the first times I recall seeing Kim Cattrall in a movie, and, well ... "Sex and the City." 

"Blazing Saddles"

I do love this one and remember watching it on network TV back in the day. My husband provided an annotation that every Mel Brooks movie should be on this list. "History of the World" was a good one.

"Top Secret"

Val Kilmer singing and doing comedy seems like a weird combo to me, but my husband will watch this once a year and howl with laughter. 

"First Blood"

It's a big old nope from me, but I'm pretty sure the hubs thinks about this movie at least once a week.

"Red Dawn" (original)

It must be stressed that we're talking about the original 1984 film. This is a Gen X bonanza as we get Swayze (again!), Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, and Jennifer Grey on screen all at the same time. Better yet, the Russkies are the enemy, and the kids are badass. 

"Conan the Barbarian"

Not my thing, but Arnold was once an icon for Gen X dudes. I think we can all agree he's pretty awful now.

"The Terminator"

Okay, this is one I can actually join in on. It's classic 1980s blockbuster fare, and, well, Linda Hamilton was the first female action hero I can recall seeing on the big screen. 

"Full Metal Jacket"

Can't really comment on it because I've never seen it, but I know the hubs quotes this film all the time. And Stanley Kubrick's daughter apparently had some nice things to say about Donald Trump last year. 

"Star Wars"

I think I was about eight or nine when this came out and I saw it three times in the movie theater. I've never seen any other movie three times in the movie theater, so it's safe to say "Star Wars" is on everyone's list.

"Bloodsport"

Jean-Claude Van Damme doing the splits is truly the only thing I know about this movie. My husband repeatedly tries to make our Gen Z kids watch Jean-Claude Van Damme movies and there has been zero success thus far.

"Mad Max"

This one was an afterthought, and I'm not sure if he meant the first movie or the entire series. Again, not my thing, but Tina Turner certainly was the queen of the 1980s.

Meme of the Week

My Gen X meme of the week. pic.twitter.com/C7Ovvi6zGi

— Teri (@TeriChristoph) January 29, 2025