Samantha Harvey is an 18-year-old fashionista with a passion for film. In the fall, she will be a sophomore at Hunter College as a film major. I've had the pleasure of being great friends with Sam for my first year at Hunter, so I decided to interview her about something we have in common- our love of movies. I asked Sam to discuss some of my favorite movies to see her perspective as a future director.
Tell everyone a little bit about yourself:
Hello everyone, I am Samantha Harvey, an aspiring filmmaker, and film enthusiast, and I’m here to share my opinion on a list of films. I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to discuss film. If you disagree with any of my opinions that's okay, you’re completely entitled to your WRONG opinion. *wink*
I'm going to give you a movie title, and you're going to give me your opinion- sound good?
Sounds great!
Breakfast Club (1985):
This is a movie everyone can relate to. Whether you’re a jock, a socially awkward pre-pubescent teen, or a proud self-proclaimed outcast you’ll probably be able to relate to one of these characters. Also we can all agree that Principal Vernon is a miserable dickhead. A fun watch.
The Godfather (1972):
A favorite of my mother and literally every film class ever to exist. It’s been deemed the second greatest film in American Cinema. It’s got beautiful cinematography and editing, a wonderful cast, stellar performances, and loads of graphic violence. Who wouldn't love it?
Hidden Figures (2016):
Beautifully shot, wonderful cast, inspiring true story. Empowering. Black Women should rule the world!
The Shining (1980):
Stanley Kubrick really fucked shit up with this one. The insanely creepy tale is paralleled by breathtaking visuals and music which make it a definitive Kubrick film. I hate horror movies but I love this shit.
Mary Poppins (1964):
A classic musical. Family friendly. Mary Poppins is also the queen and Mia’s grandmother in "The Princess Diaries" (2001), for those who think 1964 is ancient.
Thelma and Louise (1991):
A cute, but not so cute, buddy film. Touches on women’s rights, violence against women, and female liberation which is awesome. Very much a “white feminist” film. But nonetheless a feminist film. It’s great!
The Sound of Music (1965):
Taught me “Do Re Mi.” Another classic. Same woman from "Mary Poppins" and "The Princess Diaries." Honestly, you don't need to watch it but if you want to impress fellow movie buffs it’s a nice one to have in your arsenal.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991):
Not exactly a horror film but a bit gorier than a thriller. All the characters are captivating. This one will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time and will make you question “What the hell is going on?” A masterpiece.
Young Frankenstein (1974):
My mother also exposed me to this gem because she thought I would like it. She was correct! The comedy is super slapstick but so absurdly funny you’ll love it. Features greats like Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, and Cloris Leachman. If you don't like it, watch it again.
Moonlight (2016):
SUPER progressive, amazing story that needed to be told. Breathtaking cinematography and editing. Well deserving of their Oscar. Beautiful actors. Trevante Rhodes is everything! Black people score yet again!
Schindler’s List (1993):
All Holocaust films and documentaries are sad but I think this is the only one that made me cry. Amazing true story. I love that it was shot in black and white. Thank goodness it won the Oscar for best cinematography because WOW. Must watch.
And last but not least, my personal favorite- Pulp Fiction (1994):
LOVED the nonlinear narrative. It was the first movie like that I had ever seen. Hair, makeup, and styling is on point. If you’re not into gory violence you can still watch, just cover your eyes on a few parts. Super funny, super stupid, dramatic at points. You won’t get bored; it’s a cult classic with good reason. There are a lot of jokes and references you simply will never understand until you watch this movie. Don't be left out. It’s Quentin fucking Tarantino.
Thank you for doing this interview with me Sam! Any last words for the readers?
This list is very “Beginner Friendly,” an ideal for the premature cinephiles that exist in our midst. This list will include work from the greats such as Coppola, Kubrick, and Hitchcock, as well as cult classics and masterpieces from nearly every decade. Enjoy this list and watch these movies if you haven't already!