Dr. Ian Malcolm and the essential Jeff Goldblum performances

We're all excited about erstwhile Star-Lord Chris Pratt dealing with dinos in "Jurassic World" this weekend, but we'd be even more excited if Dr. Ian Malcolm was along for the ride.

Jeff Goldblum, he of the distinct delivery and quirky demeanor, graduated from interesting character actor to full-blown movie star in 1993 when "Jurassic Park" exploded. He shined bright for a few years, then seemed content to step out of the spotlight. The result is that we never got tired of Goldblum, and his presence is always a delightful surprise.

Here, for your home entertainment, are the essential Goldblum performances:

• "Jurassic Park" (1993) - Of course we begin here. His hipster mathematician character gets all the best lines ("Life, ah, finds a way," "Must go faster"), becomes an unlikely hero in the iconic T. rex attack scene and, years later, would become a shirtless sex symbol on the Internet. Oh, and let's not forget that indescribable laugh from the helicopter sequence. Malcolm returned four years later in the vastly inferior "The Lost World: Jurassic Park." (Available on iTunes, Google Play, vudu, DVD/Blu-ray)

• "The Fly" (1986) - David Cronenberg's remake of the 1958 Vincent Price shlockfest is a truly disturbing, disgusting affair that casts Goldblum as scientist Seth Brundle, who begins mutating into "Brundlefly" after a mishap involving a housefly and a dangerous, barely tested teleportation device. Goldblum and co-star Geena Davis bring real pathos and dark humor to a film that constantly teeters on the edge of absurdity - but never falls. Brace yourself for the "Brundlefly Museum of Natural History" scene. (Available on iTunes, Google Play, vudu, DVD/Blu-ray)

• "The Favor, the Watch and the Very Big Fish" (1992) - Jeff plays an insane piano player who thinks he's Jesus Christ in this little-seen comedy that also features the late Bob Hoskins taking a job dubbing porno movies. Goldblum's performance is as unhinged as the movie, which is available exclusively from Hulu.

• "Independence Day" (1996) - This alien-invasion megahit asks Goldblum to deliver a more accessible version of Ian Malcolm and be a perfect foil for then-emerging star Will Smith, and he succeeds at both. We can argue whether this movie is campy fun of the highest order or insulting trash (I vote for the former), but we'll probably agree that Jeff is the best thing about it. (Available on iTunes, Google Play, vudu, DVD/Blu-ray - and just about every cable channel you've got)

Honorable mention:

• "A Fish Called Selma," Episode 7x19 of "The Simpsons" (1996) - This episode from the golden era of Fox's animated series casts Goldblum as Hollywood agent MacArthur Parker, who gets fading movie star Troy McClure (the brilliant Phil Hartman) the lead role in a "Planet of the Apes" musical. OK, so Goldblum isn't the reason why this episode is typically listed among the show's very best, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to mention the show that gave us this song lyric: "I hate every ape I see / from chimpan-A to chimpan-Z!" (Available from simpsonsworld.com)

• Sean Stangland is a Daily Herald copy editor. You can follow him on Twitter at @SeanStanglandDH.