http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318761/?ref_=nv_sr_1As an undergraduate student, obviously you spend every single day overflowing with free-time with nothing to do, no homework and a desire to watch important heartbreaking, gut-wrenching cinema, right?!
No?
Well, then it's that much more essential that when you do have time to watch a movie, it's something entertaining, funny or interesting, something worth seeing and not some awful overwrought schlock by some half-wit.
Here are some films any aspiring young person should probably see at least once to enhance their college years. To keep things interesting, Let's stray away from the very known staples in the coming-of-age genre, like "The Graduate" or "Animal House." But let's see how it goes.
10 - Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (2007)
What the film lacks in cinematic merit, it makes up for in amusing references and cultural allusions. This is a fun movie to watch if you've ever spent time discussing Devendra Banhart records or enjoy seeing people that collaborate frequently in the Michael Cera circle, because it's chalk full of them, featuring Kevin Corrigan, Jay Barachuel, Andy Samberg, among others. Ari Graynor also does a wonderful job as Norah's hopelessly drunk best friend Caroline who can't seem to get home, like the baby in John Hughes' "Baby's Day Out."
This is a very light, very fun movie worth a few, and the soundtrack is pretty superb as well.
9 - Empire Records (1995)
While Richard Linklater might have just released what he personally considers to be the spiritual successor to "Dazed and Confused." "Empire Records," is probably a lot closer to a true sequel. Featuring a very familiar cast to "Dazed and Confused," notably, Robbie Cochrane steals the show in both films.
"Empire Records" showcases the saga of college-aged employees at a small independent record store struggling to remain independent, in an era of big-box rising monsters like Tower Records and Sam Goody.
The film sees some huge future stars in somewhat small roles, specifically, Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger.yeah
8 - Clerks (1994)
Kevin Smith's first film was an absolute Hail Mary. He maxed out credit cards, sold his possession, pretty much put everything he had into "Clerks."
"Clerks," vaguely touching, always funny is an absolute force of comedy. True, it's not for everyone, it's black and white, a bit pretentious and a whole lot of dick jokes, but it's heartfelt.
The movie follows store clerks at a gas station in Leonardo, New Jersey, and the video rental store next to it, Dante and Randal. Dante (Brian O'Halloran) is the responsible every-man, mature and (vaguely) thoughtful. Randal (Jeff Anderson) is rude and a deadbeat slacker. It's kind of straight-forward in terms of plot and none of the characters are really that interesting but it's entertaining in the deadpan dialogue and cynical insights.
7 - Ghost World (2001) directed by Terry Zwigoff
Based on the much-loved graphic novel by Daniel Clowes, "Ghost World" is hard to classify but probably is best put down as a dark comedy.
The movie follows the quirky and cynical Enid (Thora Birch) and her best friend Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) as recent high-school graduates, now thrust into the real world of their abysmal small town. While Rebecca, slightly more normative of the two, finds eventual solace in living a normal 9-to-5 lifestyle, Enid drifts further and further from the norm.
Enid ends up spending lots of time with the idiosyncratic Seymour (Steve Buscemi), a downbeat middle-aged man, and avid collector of rare Blues 78s. The film absolutely thrives on the dynamic chemistry between Birch and Buscemi, who work very well together throughout.
Ghost World has been praised by critics and fans alike for being a very true-to-its-source comic book adaptation, often topping lists of best comic film adaptations.
6 - Igby Goes Down (2002)
A little indie film that brought another Culkin brother to the forefront of fame, "Igby Goes Down" is a coming-of-age film for a generation a little jaded and strung out. The titular Igby (Kieran Culkin) is a smart-mouthed little nuisance, insistent on defying authority at every turn. He is snotty and as a viewer, you will love every minute of it.
The comparison probably shouldn't be made but - Igby feels like the antithesis to Kevin Mccallister, the adorable innocent character played by Kieran's older brother Macaulay 12 years prior.
Igby is chalk full of talent. Claire Danes, Jeff Goldblum, Susan Sarandon, Ryan Phillippe, Bill Pullman, and even a cameo by Gore Vidal. Director Burr Steers hasn't made anything else nearly this good, so it might be a one-hit wonder for him, but what a hit it is.
5 - Thumbsucker (2003)
The delicate story feels weighted at times; the emotional significance of the scenes between Justin and his father (portrayed by Vincent D'Onofrio) is always tense, even during vague scenes.
Perhaps the highlight of the film (and the whole thing is basically a highlight so that's saying a lot) are the very amusing, surprisingly profound scenes between Justin and his Orthodontist, Dr. Perry Lyman (Keanu Reeves), who is a kind of mentor to him.
The film is culturally significant because director Mike Mills enlisted singer-songwriter Elliott Smith to write and record the soundtrack to the film, which would consist entirely of cover songs. Unfortunately, Elliott Smith committed suicide before the soundtrack was completed. It was finished by Tim DeLaughter and his choral rock group The Polyphonic Spree. But Elliott Smith's covers of Trouble by Cat Stevens and Thirteen by Big Star remained on the soundtrack, in his honor.
See this film.
4 - Weekend (2011)
Not to be confused with that other movie called Weekend, this "Weekend" is a little English film by Andrew Haigh, the director of last year's oscar nominated sensational film "45 Years." "Weekend" is the perfect encapsulation of the complexities of young relationships in the modern era. Twenty-somethings, attempting to see one another is complex as anything, particularly in the dating scene in Nottingham.
Stars Tom Cullen and Chris New have vivacious chemistry between them.
This film strays away from a lot of the romance tropes and LGBTQ film cliches as well, and instead, presents itself as a movie about people as they relate to one another. They are gay, but that's just incidental; it does not define them. It defines their relationship perhaps, but only on the basic level.
The soundtrack composed by James Edward Barker is a knockout as well.
3 - Ivory Tower (2014)
A controversial documentary, from archaic cable news network CNN of all places, Andrew Rossi's film about higher education is a film every college student, parent or person who plans to go to college ought to see.
Like most educational documentaries, there's a little bit of dumbing down of the facts for entertainment's sake, as well as time allocated for each of the various points made in the film, but the message is clear and vibrant: college is too goddamn expensive.
The main focus of the film is on Cooper Union, a New York school and its debt and subsequent solutions that were protested aggressively by the people.
2 - Mud (2012)
What's wondrous about this film is the performance of newcomer Tye Sheridan as young Ellis. Children actors can kill a film, especially bad ones. A very rare, VERY rare thing, is a good one, and Tye Sheridan fits the mold.
Additionally, this film marked the return-to-form of Matthew McConaughey, after more than a decade of shitty movies, finally, a masterful performance, followed by many more.
1 - Harold and Maude (1971)
No movie, not even "The Graduate" can hold a candle to Hal Ashby's masterpiece, the absolutely wonderful film "Harold and Maude."
If you haven't seen this film, you owe it to yourself to watch it. Bud Cort and the impeccable Ruth Gordon give astonishing performances in one of the most touching and provocative films ever made, an absolute textbook depiction of love in cinema and the kind of film that inspires.
Thanks for reading, and don't forget the popcorn.
