9 movies about memory loss you won't forget in a hurry

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By YP cadet Neil Law
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By YP cadet Neil Law |
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You can't forget a lovable character like Dory.

Not being able to remember some things or anything is always a great foundation for a movie, because it provides plenty of space for twists and turns. Here are some of the best out there:

Total Recall (2012)

This remake of the classic Total Recall (1990) is not perfect, but the filmmakers did a good enough job. Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) is a man who wanted to live in a dream world for a while, so he visited Rekall, a company that implants false memory into a person’s head. However, the procedure brought back the actual memories of Douglas, causing him to find out that his entire life as he knew it had been a false memory all alone. And in a short period of time, Douglas becomes a wanted man.

Finding Dory (2016)

A sequel to the beloved Finding Nemo (2003). Dory, a blue tang fish voiced by the amazing Ellen DeGeneres, who suffers from short-term memory loss finally remembers her past - and her family. The sequel explains where she is from, how she knows how to speak whale, and where she learned the Just Keep Swimming song. Just keep swimming with Dory.

Uknown (2011)

Starring action movie star Liam Neeson, Unknown Dr Martin Harris who, after a series car accident, finds his life in complete chaos. His wife no longer remembers him, another man is using his identity, and he is being hunted by mysterious assassins. His taxi driver during the accident, Gina (Diane Kruger), helps him rediscover his identity.

The Maze Runner (2014)

Based on the book of the same title by James Dashner, the story follows a group of teenagers trapped in a giant maze with no memory of their previous lives. Thomas is a recent arrival, and not longer after he gets to the maze, the group decides they need to get out; or die trying.

50 First Dates (2004)

Henry is a bachelor, and likes it that way. Until one day, he meets Lucy, falls in love and can't live without her. One tiny problem: Lucy suffers from short term memory from a car accident from a year ago, and can't remember anything for more than a day ever since. How do you go on loving someone who can't remember you when she wakes up in the moring?

The Sixth Sense (1999)

A supernatural thriller about child psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe (portrayed by the legendary Bruce Willis) trying to get to know his patient Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) and why he's so quiet and "different". At the end of the movie, a twist ending reveals the truth that Dr. Crowe has been forgetting for a long time, that helps explain Cole's behaviour.

Men in Black II (2002)

This sequel to the action comedy Men in Black (1997) reintroduces us to Agent J (Will Smith), an extraterrestrial immigration secret agent goes on an adventure to recover his former partner, Agent K's (Tommy Lee Jones) memory so he can help battle the latest threat to the universe.

Shutter Island (2010)

Shutter Island stars Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio as Teddy Daniels, a US Marshal sent to Ashecliffe Hospital, a fortress-like insane asylum with his new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) to investigate the disappearance of a prisoner who seems to have mysteriously disappeared from her cell. The twist ending will reveal the secrets of Teddy, where he is really from, and who he really is.

The Bourne trilogy (2002 - 2007)

The action thriller Bourne series starrnig Matt Damon as Jason Bourne follows the lead, a CIA agent with severe memory loss, as he tries to figure out who he is. 

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