Five Movies Students Should Watch
by Jamison Feeley
Everyone can remember going to the theaters, getting popcorn and soda, getting excited for the movie or maybe getting dragged to a movie by a friend or loved one. Movies can make people feel many different things, whether it's sadness, anger or a euphoric happiness.
Here is a sweet and simple list of five films that are perfect movies for students to watch while in college.
Comedy - “Dazed and Confused”
We’ll start with a genre everyone in the world likes: comedy. There are a plethora of different comedy movies that you can choose from, whether it is a parody like the classic “Airplane” or more of a suspense comedy such as “The Hangover.” It's a tough choice, but I have to go with “Dazed and Confused.” This Richard Linklater film is a coming-of-age story, based in the ’70s, about a bunch of high school kids going through their daily lives after school is out. This slice-of-life movie captures how people have felt in high school, no matter what generation, but how it really succeeds is in its character development. There are about 15 to 20 really well-developed characters in this film. The movie’s main theme is the rebellion of youth, which isn’t new, but here is portrayed in a whole different way. Rather than just showing kids being reckless or punks, it’s more about how they form their own identities. The movie does not villainize or glamorize high school; it’s simply a realistic take. It's a refreshing type of movie, and everyone should see it at least once.
Drama - “Apocalypse Now”
Dramas usually take the cake when it comes to award ceremonies. The best known how to show raw emotion and keep people on the edge of their seats. No other movie does this like “Apocalypse Now.” This Francis Ford Coppola film, which takes place during the Vietnam War, is a dark and grueling drama that shows the horrific side of human nature.
Romance - “Silver Linings Playbook”
Romance films can be hit or miss, depending on who you ask. Some are far too corny for my taste, but others show love in such a real, complex way that it is extremely refreshing to watch. I don’t think any movie performs this as well as “Silver Linings Playbook”. Directed by David O Russell, it shows the troubles everyday people go through, whether it is mental illness, gambling addiction or a seemingly dead-end marriage. The movie in some ways has its cliche love story archetype, but in this one it shows raw emotions so effortlessly it will pull on your heart strings like no other.
Horror- “Hereditary”
Horror films are definitely the craziest genre and can be outlandish, but they can also give you excitement like a roller coaster combined with a game-winning shot in the NBA finals. There are many classics that are still referenced to this day, while modern ones are also hitting huge strides. “Hereditary” might haunt some moviegoers this for the rest of their lives. Written and directed by Ari Foster, this movie is about a family whose estranged grandmother dies and weird things occur. Not only is the shock value and jump scares absolutely horrific, but every scene makes you uncomfortable and makes you panic; even just a family argument at the dinner table will have you on edge.
Independent - “Nightcrawler”
This is not a genre, but independent low budget films are some of the greatest films in history, so it would be a shame not to have one on this list. Sometimes excellent films do not get the recognition in the awards, and nothing shows how smaller films get underrated more than “Nightcrawler,” directed by Dan Gilroy. This film is so different from anything I have seen, and, from start to finish, Jake Gyllenhaal has one of the greatest performances I have ever seen. This film captures a man who's sociopathic, and really leans into the “If it bleeds, it leads” approach to sensational journalism to a tee.
Silver Linings Play Book Movie (Jamison Feeley)
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