Are you trying to procrastinate a paper that's due tomorrow morning? Trying to find inspiration for a comparison piece? Well, a list of movies is a great place to be! I've seen so many Top (blank number of movies) lists, and they all have the same movies; "The Godfather's trilogy" "The Titanic" I can name them all. This list will hopefully bring to light some films that may not be well known to a newer generation and some classics that everyone just needs to know. Grab a snack and put on those thinking caps, cause just like high school, something in here has to be about learning.

11. "La Vita e Bella" (1997)

This Italian film, translated to "Life is Beautiful," won 3 Academy awards (Bets Actor, Best Foreign Film, and Best Original Score) after it was released in 1997. It follows the life of an Italian Jewish man, Guido, in his quests of love and fatherhood up until Italian Jews were being sent to concentration camps during the Holocaust. The relationships that Guido was able to make and his ability to make any situation his own is something we envy, and impacts all who watch it. This movie is widely known to pull at the heartstrings, so get that box of tissues ready.

10. "Citizen Kane" (1941)

This is a bit hypocritical to add this movie to the list, since it's hailed as the #1 movie of all time by every list and every reviewer, but it's something everyone has to watch, whether they want to or not. This film not only set the basics for cinematography and narrative, it revolutionized the whole industry and how films are presented to this day. During countless film classes, I've noticed that high schoolers of this generation don't rave about or resonate with this film as much as others, which is why it is placed at number 10 on this list. While this film is the very reason other films exist, this generation and the others to come will be cursing more than "Rosebud" when having to sit through this film.

9. "Monty Python and The Holy Grail" (1975)

Here's a film you won't dread watching! While almost every Monty Python film has it's own standout reasons why it is so great," Monty Python and the Holy Grail" has to be praised alone. Its iconic one liners and narratives are still seen throughout newer films and other forms of entertainment to this day.

8. "Singing in The Rain" (1952)

For every movie musical you have ever seen, you have "Singing in The Rain" to thank. The slapstick humor and musical numbers might feel a bit corny to some, but we can all come to enjoy a simple romance and some of the catchiest show tunes ever produced. (Perfect for those "I can totally sing on Broadway" moments while in the shower.)

7. "Casablanca" (1942)

Another movie that is on every must-see list, but I just had to add a classic romance. This film, being not only set in but filmed in the midst of World War II puts the war in great perspective. Although it is a classic film noir, lighting, cinematography, and even the costuming stand out from other movies of its time. This film not only leaves you with a better understanding of the time period, but leaves you with a fulfilling story of romance, twists, and tragedy.

6. "Double Indemnity" (1944)

Although a lesser known film noir, this is still a great film to watch on your own night in or with a group of friends. Getting straight to the point, this film is cheesy beyond cheesy, but gives us a great narrative full of forbidden romance and murder that will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat.

5. "Rear Window" (1954)

You can't have a movie list without Alfred Hitchcock! We're going to skip the obvious murders of "Psycho" and his other classics, and wonder if there was ever a murder at all. This film places you in the same position as the main character, a wheelchair bound photographer who has nothing better to do than to eavesdrop on his neighbors. We again follow murder and romance on the edge of our seats (or wheelchairs, if you will.) We also get to marvel at the beauty of lead actress Grace Kelly, which we could never complain about.

4. "Deer Hunter" (1978)

"That's Robert DeNiro?!" I can already hear you shouting. Along with Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken, this star cast brings to life the stories of boys who become men, and who they returned home as after the Vietnam War. It's a long movie, for sure, but it's stunning landscape shots in addition to its gripping realism to war and tragedy (and yes, romance.) The ending, being left open to interpretation will leave you thinking (and also something to write about, if need be.)

3. "Dog Day Afternoon" (1975)

This is definitely not the Al Pacino film you'd expect on here, but it's worth the watch. Based on a true story of what was supposed to be an isolated bank robbery turned national outcry explores topics of poverty, LGBT issues, post-war veterans, police brutality, and even Stockholm Syndrome. Some research on the time period may be needed for younger viewers on topics like the Attica Prison Riot of 1971 to fully understand the story, but it won't take long to relate these topics to present day.

2. "Forrest Gump" (1994)

I am hoping that everyone has seen this movie already, but if you haven't, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Please find someone who has a copy of this film because I promise that you won't regret it. This film obviously puts an emphasis on romance, but also dives right in to war, death, and even fatherhood. While Forrest Gump isn't the brightest character, he shows what real human character can amount to be through tribulation and triumph.

1. "The Graduate" (1967)

This film is about a newly graduated undergrad student, but as a recent high school grad, everyone can relate to the topics in this film. Not necessarily the whole I-accidentally-but-not-accidentally-had-an-affair-with-my-crushes-mom topic (i hope not,) but by getting the same question after the same question from friends and parents and relatives can really drain someone mentally and physically. Charmed with some classic Simon and Garfunkel tunes, we follow Benjamin and his quest to find his answers to the token "what are you doing with your life?" question. While he most definitely gets lost along the way, we realize that he is no different than the rest of us, and that life will always catch up to us.

While some of these aren't the kind of movies to chomp away at some popcorn to, I think we can all learn that life in and out of high school doesn't work that way either. As much as we would love to sit back and feel the world turn around us, we must realize that we are not the axis on which the world spins. These movies all prove that one person has the power to change themselves and the world around them in a matter of seconds, in the biggest and smallest ways. While these films followed a script, you have the power to write yours (you can skip the affairs and the murder, I think everyone around you would appreciate that.)