These are exactly the kind of movies I'm looking for!
Though Buckaroo Banzai is virtually unheard of in Germany (I don't even know if there's a German version out there).
And I am reasonably sure I've shown him the Star Wars trilogy years ago - but I should have said that, you're right! We've also watched "Big Trouble in Little China" - that's the one that started it all, since I quoted it and my brother had no idea what I was talking about

I *think* we've watched Princess Bride, too, since I own it. I am desperately looking for a DVd to Court Jester, too, but cannot find it.
I'm looking for a good movie that is either a must-see from a cinematic point of view, or a little "out there". Great options so far!
My current short list:
The Adventures of Robin Hood (Errol Flynn)
Monty Python & the Holy Grail (everyone needs at least one always-quoted geek film in their background! )
Jaws
Mad Max/Road Warrior
Predator
Robocop
Terminator 1/2
Alien/Aliens
Drunken Master II
Lock, Stock, and two smoking barrels
Back to the future
I'm debating the Warriors, since it was maybe the one movie that influenced me to look into film when I was 13. However, that was 15 years ago. Does it still work?
I'm going for an easy way in. He's supposed to like the movies for their visceral appeal first, and then maybe (hopefully) discover that there's more to it. And then I can go Solaris, Deliverance, A Clockwork Orange, etc.