Hackers = Awesome Cyberpunk Movie Night

This year is the 20th anniversary of the cyberpunk cult film and the best way to celebrate is by watching it again or for the first time on Netflix and Hulu.

1. Angelina Jolie as a kickass, tough as nails hacker

Via encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com

Jolie, plays Kate Libby, a.k.a. Acid Burn in the film. This was Jolie's first leading role in a major film where she would eventually met her ex-husband, Jonny Lee Miller, who plays Dade Murphy, a.k.a. Crash Override.

2. The Gibson is a shout out to William Gibson, a well-known cyberpunk author

Via williamgibsonboard.com

The Gibson, the computer mainframe in the film, is named after author William Gibson. The cyberpunk world of Gibson's novels such as Neuromancer heavily influenced the film.

3. Two Words: Phone Phreaking

Valentin Ortiz / Via youtube.com

A real-category of hacking that the characters of the film do as much as they're seen on their computers. Someone would play tones with the same frequency phones use to communicate which can trick the switch and allow them to get free calls.

4. Rollerblading was Cool

Via craveonline.com

All of the main characters roller blade in the film. Best way for a hacker to get around the big city while trying to evade the cops.

5. The High-Tech & Cyberpunk Soundtrack

The music from the soundtrack includes pulsing tribal rhythms, electronica techno/house music from Prodigy, Underworld, and Orbital.

6. Exposure to the Hacker Manifesto

Via allposters.com

"This is our world now...the world of electron and the switch"

"We exist without skin color, without nationality, without religious bias...and you call us criminals"

"Yes, I am a criminal. My crime is that of curiosity"

Written by Loyd Blankenship, the manifesto was published in PHRACK magazine in 1986.

7. Hack the Planet!

Via 3dn6i8277y3e2terx93zyfk5.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com

Title of the hacker-themed pirate TV show in the film hosted by Razor and Blade (played by Darren Lee & Peter Y. Kim). A memorable quote from the film.

8. Floppy Disk Nostalgia

Via 3dn6i8277y3e2terx93zyfk5.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com

The best of part of this 90's computer accessory, is that it came in different colors

9. Virtual Reality Headsets

Via 3dn6i8277y3e2terx93zyfk5.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com

The film predicted the the possible capabilities of virtual reality headsets.

10. Trailer Time

youtube.com

"This is our world now" - Hacker Manifesto