Some of my favorite movies that I have watched have actually been from before I was born. Some have poor screen quality, but what they lack in visuals they make up for in the plot. They have raw emotion, amazing soundtracks, and famous lines that I remember after only watching it once. If you’re a movie lover like myself then don’t wait and watch these classics.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
My all time favorite movie written by Tom Schulman, Dead Poets Society takes place in an all boys boarding school in the late 1950’s. Teacher John Keating, who is played by Robin Williams, uses poetry to draw in his students, mainly Todd Anderson, a new edition to the school campus. Todd and fellow main characters Neil Perry, Charles Dalton, and Knox Overstreet come across an old yearbook discovering the past of their teacher and his involvement in a secret club. As the boys revive the seemingly harmless banned club, secrets, death, and love arise. Neil’s arrogant father tries to change the path Neil’s heart is trying to follow. Can Mr. Keating help change their minds and teach the that “There is a time for daring and there’s a time for caution, a wise man understand which is called for.” My favorite scene in the movie is the end scene when Todd stands on his desk to salute Mr. Keating. If you love heartfelt movies that make you feel something then Dead Poets is for you.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Directed by the main characters themselves Matt Damon and Ben Affleck star in this emotional motion picture about a secret math genius and janitor named Will and his therapist Sean portrayed by Robin Williams. Will and his best friend Chuckie, Ben Affleck, navigate their lives in Boston when they get into trouble by the cops. After he’s sent to court, Will’s punishment is to visit a therapist to try to reverse his ways. MIT professor Lambeau tries to put Will’s skills to the test to take advantage of his genius. Meanwhile Will meets Skylar. Watch Will decide between telling Skylar the truth about his past and discovering himself in the process. Filled with tragic pasts and the possibility of happy ever after, this movie is for those who believe in finding love when you least expect it.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Getting sick means you can watch as much TV as you want, but when your grandfather comes to read you a book you expect it to be boring and long. What you don’t expect is the story to be filled with danger and excitement. Princess Buttercup played by Mandy Patkin thinks she’s found her true love in a farm boy named Westley who works at her stable. When he takes treacherous trip across the sea gets overthrown by pirates, Buttercup is devastated to hear that there were no survivors. Years later she is chosen to marry the king of her fictional country. Little did she know that she was soon to be kidnapped by a pirate from the same ship that overtook Westley’s. As they battle obstacles and enemies the truth will arise and Buttercup will find the truth about Westley. Can she get her happily ever after or is she doomed to a life of confinement and sadness, because after all, “life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” Comedy, fantasy and adventure are only a few of the many themes this movie has to offer.
Notting Hill (1999)
Set in Notting Hill, England, meet small bookstore owner William Thacker played by Hugh Grant. William lives a simple life in solitude until famous actress Anna Scott stops in this bookstore while traveling for a movie premiere. Sooner or later they fall in love because after all, she is just a girl and he is just a boy. Having to keep the relationship a secret from the world comes with its struggles. When they decided to part ways William tries to move on, but as paparazzi and past relationships come to haunt them, can the possibility of love bind them together or will their different social standings force them apart? One of my favorite quotes from this movie is “‘I live in Notting Hill. You live in Beverly Hills. Everyone in the world knows who you are, my mother has trouble remembering my name.’ ‘I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
Die Hard (1988)
When a New York cop tries to make up with his estranged wife in Los Angeles, the worst case scenario is she says no and walks away, not a terrorist attack on the multi million business plaza your wife works at. When the terrorists enter the building and get control over the electrical system keeping hundreds of workers hostage it’s John McClane’s (Bruce Willis) time to shine. He’s working over the phone with the FBI outside the plaza he one by one tries to take down the terrorists in secret. But when a 911 phone call gets overheard by the bad guys hell breaks loose. If you like adventure, thrill, and close calls, than this movie is definitely for you.
