I do not consider myself a movie maven, but I am a film-lover. Being friends with film majors helps to expand my apparently limited repertoire. Since entering college, through clubs, classes, and hangout sessions, I have been introduced to rare gems and underrated artworks. While I couldn’t include them all, here are films which in recent years have renewed my appreciation of the cinematic journey.
1. "Submarine" (2010)
British comedian Richard Ayoade’s directorial debut is easily the funniest film I have seen in a while, maybe in my life. It is a comedic, introspective, and bittersweet vehicle, accessible to almost all with ubiquitous themes, tailored to esoteric filmgoers with its artsy overtures. Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys composes the film’s soulful indie soundtrack, a musical masterpiece.
Though irreverent and witty, Richard Ayoade was afraid no one would see the film “regardless of their interest in naval policy.” Goes to show you what a woeful lack of submarines does to box office returns. This charming treasure deserves more attention.
2. "Before Sunrise" trilogy
Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, and Ethan Hawke take romance movies to a deeply sentimental and realistic place in "Before Sunrise" (1995), "Before Sunset" (2004), and "Before Midnight" (2013). With all the magic of wanderlust andsoulmates abounding in Jesse and Celine’s European escapades, Linklater’s story still remains grounded in a resonating and harsh realism that reminds us of a true love, not a movie love.
Heart-wrenching, stunning, and vulnerable, these three movies alone could reshape the clichéd and archetypal romance genre. Natural, deeply intimate performances and truthful writing transform a familiar thrill into an exquisite jewel.
3. "Cinema Paradiso" (1988)
An Italian film practically impossible for one entranced with movies not to love. Fantastical, sweet, and wistful, Tornatore’s film explorations remind me of Roberto Benigni (creator of "Life is Beautiful"). He balances between the human emotions with such grace and agility, producing pleasing landscapes and poetry without resorting to trite material.
Together, we watch and hear Alfredo, the titular character, fall in love with movies, and subsequently, life. Told from the perspective of a withered Alfredo, all the mysticism of first kisses and childhood heroes is layered in nostalgia.
4. "They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?" (1969)
As an allegorical examination of life during the Great Depression, this movie remains important, effective, and enthralling. The characters’ emotional exhaustion is transferred to the audience, leading to feelings that crawl under the soul. This work exemplifies an engaging cinematic experience and allows the intrusion of relevant images.
Sydney Pollack directs Jane Fonda, Bruce Dern, and others in a somber representation of economic downfall. Terrifyingly genuine performances add to its transporting reality.
5. "The Great Dictator" (1940)
Charlie Chaplin orchestrates timeless comedic masterpieces. This is no exception. A brash representation of dictatorship, specifically Hitler’s reign over Germany, Chaplin tempers satire with brazen political commentary. Profound and clever in his analysis of corruption, discrimination, and government, the film’s undercurrent subverts traditional comedic archetypes.
The denouement features a Chaplin stripped of any theatrical pretenses—he is playing himself. Petitioning for a world free of intolerance, prejudice, and inequality, he stands on a soapbox which still remains relevant to contemporary society.
6. "Short Term 12" (2013)
Brie Larson, the girl whose name recently caught fire after her powerhouse performance in "Room," delivers just as much raw emotion and force in this lesser known work. A story that examines the foster care system and practices compassion, kids from broken families and sordid backgrounds triumph over their circumstances.
Larson’s Grace confronts her own nightmarish past, resurrecting old wounds and subconscious scars. Director and screenwriter Destin Daniel Cretton produces a relatable story, even for those who were not subjected to difficult or severe childhoods.
