If you read my last article with my top seven book recommendations, you may have noticed that I absolutely love fiction (particularly novels). This is definitely true, and I dream of one day writing my own science fiction novels. However, as much as I deeply appreciate the power of the written word, I also foster a love of movies, particularly in the way they combine written words (in the script) with stunning visuals and emotional music. As a result, another dream of mine is to someday work as a feature screenwriter. That being said, I've compiled a list of my seven favorite movies that I can't wait to revisit this summer. Many of you have probably watched some or all of them, but if you haven't, I encourage you to check them out!

"The Hobbit"

Although many people in the Tolkien fandom dislike these movies because they deviate so much from the original book, I have loved them from day one. As an avid Tolkien fan myself, I was blown away by the stellar job Peter Jackson did bringing the incredible world of Middle-earth to life. I found myself more emotionally invested in these movies than with any other films, even being moved to tears while watching the third movie, "The Battle of the Five Armies." I fell in love with beautiful characters, had my heart broken by emotional soundtracks and character deaths, and found myself swept into Bilbo Baggin's incredible adventure across Middle-earth. (And watching them in theaters was surreal.)

"The Lord of the Rings"

I was only allowed to watch these films after reading the books – definitely a wise decision on my parents' part. As with "The Hobbit," I was awed by Peter Jackson's ability to recreate such a complex world. Amazing performances from a talented cast resulted in lovable characters, and other elements, including breathtaking scenery and a beautiful soundtrack, made the experience captivating. These movies carefully weave together numerous, parallel storylines, keeping viewers engaged in the action and in love with the vast number of diverse characters.

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi"

Even though I used to dislike anything and everything related to "Star Wars," I had no problem admitting my love for this beautiful movie. Unlike with other movies in this franchise, this film made me fall in love with the "Star Wars" universe and become emotionally invested in the lives and fates of the characters – a stark contrast to my apathy about the characters in the original trilogy. Thrilling action and suspense kept me captivated from start to finish – especially with Vice Admiral Holdo's kamikaze, Luke Skywalker and Kylo Ren's showdown, and a team-up between the protagonist (Rey) and antagonist (Kylo).

"Brave"

I'm not usually one to fall for princess stories, but this movie never fails to garner my admiration and emotion. The storyline deviates from superficial, cheesy romances, instead introducing a princess who is headstrong, free-spirited, and independent. The movie often contains darker, more sobering themes than those in typical princess movies, and it beautifully explores Scottish heritage, including its royalty, history, and folklore. Overall, its message carefully combines love and respect for family with making one's own choices in life. And one of the final scenes between Merida and her mother moves me to tears every time – something quite out of the ordinary for me.

"Big Hero 6"

I randomly watched this movie with my brothers one night, never dreaming I would fall in love with it. For one thing, the world and setting of this movie entranced me, as it presents a dystopian-like city that mashes up American and Japanese culture. The plot revolves around a group of nerdy geniuses-turned superheroes fighting a supervillain with advanced technology, but the characters still feel down-to-earth and relatable. Furthermore, the movie isn't all easy victories and feel-good moments; instead, the plot often presents devastating, sobering moments that leave even victory feeling bittersweet. This film effectively combines reality with a haunting sci-fi feel and some otherworldly, fantastical moments, especially in scenes revolving around a teleportation portal.

"Inside Out"

This movie explores a complex topic (the workings of a person's mind and emotions) in a creative, refreshing manner, and the plot draws in people of all ages. The lovable cast of characters – embodied forms of emotions in a young girl's mind, including Sadness, Joy, and Anger – provide audiences with a whole different perspective on a person's actions in everyday life by delving into what's going on in his or her head. The film takes a common theme – a child who struggles with moving to a new city and school – and creatively dives into the girl's mind, making her emotions the central characters. Despite the movie's clearly fictitious ideas, viewers can appreciate its cleverness, beautiful animation, and relatability to real life.

"Night at the Museum: 1 & 3"

While I can't say I enjoyed the second movie in this series, the other two gave me hours of entertainment and laugh-out-loud moments. By presenting museums where all of the exhibits come to life at night, these films give audiences a taste of history in a creative, hilarious way that keeps things entertaining. The museum's night guard finds himself having to navigate live exhibits that range from Attila the Hun to Teddy Roosevelt to a Midwestern cowboy to a Roman centurion. Millennia of history both meld and clash in these comical, action-packed films that appeal to people of all ages.