After watching I Know Who Killed Me over the weekend, I couldn't help but think of my teenage years in the late 90's. It was an interesting time to say the least. Unfortunately, I didn't turn 17 until 2002, which means I missed out on a lot of great movies. I didn't miss them all together, but I had to wait for them to hit cable in order to check them out. Thank god for Cable, huh? I would wait patiently for an R-rated film to debut on HBO. Ah, it was a glorious time. I lived with my mom at the time, and she would go to bed pretty early. Thankfully, I had my own TV in my room. Usually, the good movies would air at midnight or sometimes even later. After mom went to bed, I would put the closed captions on and enjoy the latest R-rated romp on HBO! I'll never forget the first time I watched Wild Things. Wow! I couldn't get that movie out of my head for days. I remember telling all of my friends about the movie at school the next day. It was like we discovered gold or something. I also remember seeing Scream on HBO for the first time. I was honestly scared of the movie when I first saw it. Even though I was scared by the movie, I couldn't turn it off. I felt like I was doing something wrong by watching the movie. Boy, do I miss being a young teenager with no expectations.

With this column, I'm going to focus on some of the greatest movies from my youth. These are films that will always hold a special place in my heart for reasons that few will understand. These films are probably not on everybody's top ten list, but they're special to me for a variety of reasons.

Can't Hardly Wait (1998) I was very happy to find this movie in the Walmart Bargain Bin over a year ago. I was wasting time before seeing Snakes On A Plane and discovered one of my favorite films of the 90's. I'm being serious. You see, I used to have a HUGH crush on this girl in Junior High. She was very similar to the Jennifer Love Hewitt character in Can't Hardly Wait. I'll just say her name was Sarah, because I don't know if she's reading this column or not. That being said, I think all of us have had a certain person that we've crushed on forever. Even to this day, if you see an old picture of them, it brings back old memories.

You never really had the nerve to talk to them or approach them. There's a scene in Can't Hardly Wait where Ethan Embry comes face to face with Jennifer Love Hewitt, and he's speechless in front of her. He's just awe struck by her beauty. I remember that feeling very well. If I would see Sarah in the hallway, I would freeze up! I would be a fool in front of her. In Can't Hardly Wait, Ethan finally does what I should have done in Junior High. He TALKS to her. Yes, it's really that simple. I didn't have that knowledge at the time, but I wish I did! The film is also written by a man and a woman, which provides the film with both the male and female perspective.

Whenever I watch Can't Hardly Wait, I think back to my confusion as a young teen. You see a cute girl, and you can't even think straight. You're overwhelmed with feelings for the first time. What does it all mean? Why do you think she's the "one" for you? You've never talked to her! I never said the teenage years made sense, did I?

Cruel Intentions (1999)
It might come as a surprise to some of you, but teenage boys are perverts. Shocking, right? Well, when I was 14-years-old, I didn't have a computer. The only thing I had was HBO. The movie that turned me from a teenager into a man was Cruel Intentions. Sorry to get graphic, gang! Sarah Michelle Gellar is spellbinding in Cruel Intentions. What is it with me and girls named Sarah? I'll never forget Sarah Michelle Gellar saying: "In English, I'll fuck your brains out" in Cruel Intentions.

She's All That (1999)
Okay. You have learned about my shy side as a teenager with Can't Hardly Wait. You have also learned about my dirty side as a teenager with Cruel Intentions. It's time to focus on my sweet side as a teenager with She's All That. Sadly, I've been unable to find a DVD copy of the film. If you know where it's being sold, PLEASE TELL ME. Thanks in advance. As I got a little older, I became fascinated by short girls with glasses. I know it sounds strange, but I've always been attracted to short girls. I think they're adorable and very cute. They're easy to hold and fun sized. They have this certain shyness about them that drives me wild. I mean, that's why I love Rachel Bilson. She's perfect in my eyes. In She's All That, Rachel Leigh Cook is beyond cute. In fact, it should be illegal to be that cute. She lights up the screen with emotion and sweetness. You really feel for her character and care about her. Once she opens up, it's an amazing thing. Even to this day, I still love short girls with big hearts. They're very, very hard to find. If you do find one, you should keep her for life. They're a rare breed in society.

I'm still waiting for my Rachel Leigh Cook. I'm also still waiting for my Rachel Bilson. What is it with me and girls named Rachel? Rachel and Sarah .. hmm.

Out to Sea (1997)
Ah, yes. I've always been a big fan of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. I think they're probably one of the funniest comedy teams of all time. Even though I was only 12-years-old, I understood their humor. It spoke to me in some weird way. Not only that, me and my dad would watch their movies together. Both of us found them very, very funny. We could actually agree on something! As you all know, it's insane to enjoy anything that your parents enjoy when you're only 12. You should be mortal enemies! We were able to bond because of them. When both of them died, I felt like part of my youth died as well. I grew up watching them in films such as Grumpy Old Men and Out to Sea. As I've gotten older, I've been able to discover some of their earlier films, and I've been blown away. I don't know how they did it for so many years. They always kept their comedy modern and hip. As far as Out to Sea, I remember seeing the film on opening night with my dad, which is rare. He gets home very late from work and rarely wants to do anything when he gets home from work. But on this special night, we were able to enjoy some good laughs together at the cinema. It was a very important time in my youth for many reasons. I'll always remember them for the laughs they brought to my family.