Whether you’re a fan of horror, romance or the classic chick-flick, this list is for you. Here are 10 films everyone should watch, and why:
1. Girl, Interrupted (1999)
‘Girl, Interrupted’ is an adaptation of the memoir by author Susanna Kaysen, telling the story of a young woman (Winona Ryder) who, after a suicide attempt, stays at a psychiatric hospital, and sustains a difficult relationship with fellow patient Lisa (Angelina Jolie.) It is a disturbing film, but beautifully real, showing how one’s environment can cause them to descend into mania at any given moment. Ryder’s Susanna is relatable, portraying the rawness of teenage mental health, instead of the satirised, “angsty” performance which is so prevalent in teenage characters elsewhere, whilst Jolie’s Lisa is the original anti-hero. The film uses themes of mental illness, societal expectations, girlhood and friendship to explore the realms of sanity and insanity.“Take one f***in’ step and I’ll jam this in my aorta.”
2. A Star is Born (2018)
The fourth version of the Hollywood classic stars Lady Gaga as Ally and Bradley Cooper as Jackson. Gaga brings the young, insecure musician to life; her performance is raw and painful as she “dances through the pain”, whilst Cooper brings awareness to suicide and substance abuse, the downfall that often comes with stardom. It has a popular soundtrack, with the hit ballad ‘Shallow’ winning an Oscar. Gaga and Cooper’s natural chemistry make the rockstar relationship feel real and new, a perfect metaphor for the trials and tribulations of fame, love and music-making. “I’m off the deep end, watch as I dive in…”
3. Get Out (2017)
Daniel Kaluuya plays Chris, a man travelling with his white girlfriend to visit her parents. Director Jordan Peele is credited with producing an important, groundbreaking film that showcases the daily Black experience, through exaggerated microaggressions. The film features stunning acting and dream-like sequences, perfectly capturing the confusion, fear and pain that Kaluuya expresses through his character. It is an important film as it educates on the Black experience, and naive evil of white people in relating to people of colour. It changed the genre of horror to something subtler but perhaps more effective. “Get out!“
4. The Shining (1980)
To many, this classic psychological horror is still under-appreciated and underrated. Jack Nicholson’s abusive, erratic Jack Torrance is the real villain of this story, the Overlook Hotel with its ghosts being backbenchers. It is a social commentary on the everyday horrors that occur in substance abuse and within the imperfect nuclear family. Shelley Duval’s Wendy is the perfect obedient housewife-turned-protective warrior. A steadicam provides an eerie twisting view into the halls of the hotel, and the astonishingly disturbing expressions of Nicholson meld to create a genius piece of film. “Here’s Johnny!”
5. Mid90s (2018)
Jonah Hill’s low-key masterpiece features real skateboarders, starring Sunny Suljic, and details the difficult experience of growing up as a teenager in LA in the titular mid 90s. However, it is so much more than just a coming-of-age story; Suljic plays the part of Stevie, a lonely, abused 13-year-old perfectly. The film addresses issues such as toxic masculinity culture, which boys use as a way to stay close to one another; homophobic, sexist and racist slurs are used throughout the movie’s dialogue to amplify this. Domestic brotherly abuse and an absent mother are also featured, bringing awareness to the neglectful situations many skaters lived in, using the sport as a means of escaping. It’s heartbreaking, raw, but also hopeful and hilarious. “You’re so cute. You’re, like, at that age before guys become dicks.”
6. My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
A classic by the genius Studio Ghibli, it features Japanese sisters Satsuki and Mai, who discover a creature known as Totoro. Through stunning animation and a bittersweet musical score, the sisters’ relationship is explored in their friendship with Totoro. Although it is technically aimed at kids, anyone can watch this film; it’s moving, funny and sweet. It’s also recently been adapted into a theatre production, which is equally brilliant. “To-to-ro?”
7. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Another Kubrick masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey, is not only visually stunning, but philosophical in its nature. It explores ideas of robotics, space, time, and the future, opening with the infamous monolith scene, against the resounding drums of Strauss’ ‘Also sprach Zarathustra.’ You might also recognise the digitised monotone of HAL 9000, and realise that this film is actually a horror sci-fi, showing the danger of technology and its impact on humanity. “I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that…”
8. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
The dollhouse-on-the-porch scene even made into the Ariana Grande video for ‘thank u, next’ – Jennifer Garner’s Jenna is an inspiration for everyone fearing adulthood. The romantic comedy is a chick-flick classic, and although it is cringe-worthy, it’s teaching people that “adulting” is not a term set in a glamorous life, designer clothes and a hot partner; it’s just as painful and joyful as teenage-hood. With instantly recognisable scenes like the ‘Thriller’ dance, ’13 Going on 30’ is an iconic celebration of human failure, but also the ability to get back up and marry Mark Ruffalo in someone else’s back yard. “Thirty, flirty and thriving.”
9. Taxi Driver (1976)
Robert de Niro’s Travis Bickle is the OG maniacal ex-veteran, telling the story of the character’s descent into mania as a result of the bloody Vietnam War, the crime-ridden, X-rated streets of New York, and the danger of being in the small shell of a taxi all day and night. The disturbing musical score and imagery blend to create one of the most revered pieces of cinema ever. Travis Bickle is like a ‘changeling’, a product of his past, surroundings, and inevitably dark future.“You talkin’ to me?”
10. Frozen (2013)
An instant Disney classic, ‘Frozen’ captures the picture of true love as something not between a prince and a damsel-in-distress, but between family. Idina Menzel’s Elsa and Kristen Bell’s Anna have am irreplaceable bond which is beautiful to experience. The songs are always going to be stuck in our heads, of course, but are undeniably great, and the stunning animation is humoured by the appearances of Jonathan Groff’s Kristoff and Josh Gad’s infamous Olaf. Elsa is an independent woman, one of the first Disney women to reject the idea of a partner, a role model for young children. It’s been followed by short films and ‘Frozen II’, but nothing can capture the magic and originality of the first film. “Yoo-hoo, big summer blowout!”
11. Creed (2015)
A follow-on from the iconic ‘Rocky’ movies, Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone star in this movie about love, determination, hope, and revenge. Of course, Stallone’s Rocky is a legendary, lovable character that ups the greatness of this movie, and Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis faces adversity and trains hard, against a moving soundtrack. “One step at a time, One punch at a time. One round at a time.”
12. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Starring the magnetic Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ is a classic, now seen as an early nod towards feminism, and tricking men a way of breaking free from patriarchy. With timeless numbers like ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’, the Hollywood stars perform in stunning Technicolour. It’s an important cultural film, but also one showcasing the undeniable talent of the late Marilyn Monroe, a forever icon. “I want to marry him for YOUR money!”
13. Mean Girls (2004)
‘Mean Girls’ has birthed numerous copycats, made it into another Ariana Grande video, (she really likes chick-flicks, doesn’t she?) and become the framework for the typical white American cheerleader bully trope. Starring Lindsay Lohan’s Cady, Rachel McAdams’ Regina, Amanda Seyfried’s Karen, and Lacey Chabert’s Gretchen, it explores the nasty environment of teenage-hood, school, relationships, and bullying.It’s funny, real, and clever. Known for iconic moments like the pictured ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ performance, ‘Mean Girls’ makes us re-assess what “mean” actually MEANS. Is Cady the real mean girl? Or Janis? “On Wednesdays, we wear pink.”
14. Black Panther (2018)
The Marvel film stars the late and great Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa. It is such an important film, as it does not ignore themes of race and identity, but acknowledges them, all while boasting a brilliant soundtrack by Kendrick Lamar, and girl-power demonstrated by Letitia Wright’s Shuri. ‘Black Panther’ celebrates African power, something which superhero films have ignored. “Wakanda forever.”
15. The Book Thief (2013)
This is the first movie that made me cry. Based on the book by Markus Zusak, ‘The Book Thief’ is the story of Liesel, whose parents are sheltering a Jewish man in their basement during WW2. It spins a poignant tale on the horrors of the Nazi regime, anti-semitism, WW2, and censorship, as well as the difficulty of living in this environment for a child. Beware: this is an extreme tear-jerker, especially when SOMEONE dies during an air-raid (not spoiling.) “If your eyes could speak, what would they say?”
16. The Pianist (2002)
A true story; Adrien Brody plays Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish- Jewish pianist hiding from the Nazis. It is riveting, moving, and exposes some of the worst experiences had during the Holocaust. With truly horrifying scenes such as a Jewish person in a wheelchair being thrown off a balcony, ‘The Pianist’ is a work of art. Brody’s Wladyslaw is raw, determined, and haunted. Like ‘The Book Thief,’ this film is a tear-jerker, but important to watch in remembrance of Wladyslaw and the thousands who suffered during the Nazi regime. “If I’m going to die, I prefer to die in my own home. I’m staying put.”
All of these movies are incredible, complex works of art, from the child-like innocence and pastel tones of ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ to the harrowing, garish ‘Taxi Driver.’ They each possess their own unique social commentary, are diverse in their nature, and, most importantly, are brilliant stories.
My name is Mia and I’m doing my college work experience at Raindance! I have a strong interest in writing my novel and illustrating, and love psychological horror films and Lady Gaga.
