Jeff Rauseo’s Sweet 16
Sweet 16 is our rapid-fire Q&A series.
Jeff Rauseo is a content creator and self-described movie fanatic. With over 3,000 movies in his personal collection, he specializes in 4K/Blu-ray reviews, movie recommendations, and informed insights on home entertainment and physical media. His new book Lost in the Stream: How Algorithms Redefined the Way Movies Are Made and Watched publishes on August 12.
Jeff took time to answer 16 rapid-fire questions about the movies and movie experiences that have made his life sweeter.
1. First movie crush
Emmanuelle Chriqui in Snow Day (2000).
2. Current movie crush
Adam Driver in Megalopolis.
3. Performance that makes you LOL
Kel Mitchell in Good Burger.
4. Performance that makes you cry
King Kong in any of the King Kong movies.
5. Theater experience you’ll never forget
Hereditary, opening night. I’ve never heard a theater so quiet. People were shook.
6. Theater snack of choice
Watermelon Sour Patch Kids!
7. Movie that altered your DNA
The Game (1997)
8. Movie you’ll defend forevermore
Small Soldiers (1998)
9. Movie scene that haunts you
The closet scene from The Ring is permanently burned into my memory.
10. Lesson you learned from a movie
Click - that movie is devastating as a parent. Even seeing it as a kid, it shaped how I wanted to be as a dad. Be in the moment and spend time with your kids. It all goes so fast.
11. One 4K or Blu-ray you’d save from a house fire
My 35th Anniversary copy of Halloween signed by John Carpenter.
12. Favorite director’s commentary
John Carpenter and Kurt Russell, Escape from New York.
13. Movie quote you use a lot
“Clever girl…” - Jurassic Park
14. Favorite movie GIF:
15. Streaming original that deserved a theatrical release
Killers of the Flower Moon. It’s crazy that a Scorsese movie is so unavailable for people.
16. Favorite book about movies
The Jaws Log by Carl Gottlieb. If you’re ever going to make a movie or are just interested in all the true behind-the-scenes dynamics of a movie, it’s a must-read.