Every self-proclaimed movie fan needs at least one cult classic in his or her collection. So what are cult classics? Unfortunately, there’s no straight answer. Ultimately, cult classics come down to a symbol of personal taste and interest. The experience is kind of like digging for treasure, only instead of a shovel and treasure map, you usually have to dig through a department store bargain bin. But cult classics aren’t always bottom of the barrel. Many forget that “Family Guy” was very much a cult classic, especially during the gap between its cancellation and resurrection. Here’s a list of some of my favorite cult classics:

1. “Evil Dead II”: Perhaps the first true cult classic. “Evil Dead II” is also a bit of a genre-bender, combining gruesome horror with slapstick comedy. Directed by “Spider-Man” helmer Sam Raimi, “Evil Dead II” pits Ash (Bruce Campbell) against a twisted assortment of demons. Fortunately, Ash is literally “armed” with a chain saw. “Evil Dead II” has since become a hallmark of horror, and might be on its way into pop culture fame, as a remake is planned. Also check out its predecessor, “Evil Dead,” and sequel, “Army of Darkness.”

2. “The Boondock Saints”: The quintessential cult classic, “The Boondock Saints” is a movie that has it all in terms of plot, execution, characters and one-liners, but it still comes with a whimper instead of a bang after a quiet DVD release. The movie follows the MacManus brothers (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus), as they undertake a God-given mission to exterminate crime in Boston. The movie manages to pull off a lot of action scenes, while still questioning the ethics of vigilantism. This objectivity is something greatly missing in most revenge flicks.

3. “Dog Soldiers”: This is my personal cult classic, and I bought it for $5 in a gas station in Indiana. “Dog Soldiers” follows a group of British soldiers on a routine training mission. Along the way, the troops run headlong into a special ops mission gone horribly wrong, with packs of horribly hungry werewolves on their trail. Held up in a barn-house, the soldiers must hold off their hairy enemies till morning. “Dog Soldiers” creates both original and terrifying werewolves and original, likeable characters. A sequel is on its way, but director Neil Marshall is not involved.