Favorite Films: The Correct Choices

I decided I would take it easy with this next blog. With my last blog describing a busy time in my life and the one before that showcasing some pretty dark films, it's only fair to put out something easier to read. Less words. Lighter, fewer thoughts. Just movies.

These are some films I would just label as "correct." It isn't controversial about saying these are 5 out of 5s. They are just amazing. Plain and simple. I am going to attempt to not make this list not too boring because all of these answers are just incredibly expected.

Image from Jaws.

1. Jaws directed by Steven Spielberg

For years I wanted this to be my first shark movie and refused any other movie with a shark...but alas, it was not. I think my first shark movie was either The Meg, which is more fun than you'd expect, or The Shallows that okay-ish Blake Lively shark-movie.

I love colors in film. This film set the standard that a beautiful, harsh red and blue contrast is necessary for a shark movie to transcend from good to great. I mean this is THE shark movie. The shark movie to define all shark movies coming later. It's Spielberg horror. The man of many genres. I'm so glad I watched this film, and this is probably one of the most iconic films of all time from it's poster, music, script, cinematography, and more! It's killer, like the shark.

Image from Sinners.

2. Sinners directed by Ryan Coogler

This was the movie of the year last year (should have one the Oscar for it too. I don't love One Battle After Another.) This film was so beautiful from the story, to the performances (particularly Delroy Lindo), to the music (much love to Ludwig Göransson).

This film transcends genre. We had a debate in my film class on whether or not this movie is a musical, and honestly I don't know if the answer particularly matters. Sinners has enough musical scenes that are of the "musical genre" to qualify it as a musical. BUT there are also enough horror elements (obviously), drama, romance, and obviously historical to qualify it as those genres. I think some people just don't like musicals, but like Sinners, which is fine.

There are times where a film has so many genres that is almost wraps around again to a non-genre film. It's not that genre films are inherently bad or non-genre films are inherently good, there's just tropes with one, and not with the other. Everything Everywhere All At Once and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World also fit the bill. Art can be so cool. It can be cool when you follow the rules and make a genre film or a non-genre film. BUT knowing the rules and picking and choosing can make something beyond epic, like Sinners.

Image from The Lord of the Rings.

3. The Lord of the Rings Series directed by Peter Jackson

I don't really have much to say about the next two. I watched the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings. I kind of want to rewatch them, but the original versions. They're great! The chemistry with the cast is undeniable and the films were made with so much heart. I didn't pick a favorite (but if you look at the link you can figure it out). Go watch them if you haven't. Most consistent franchise ever.

Image from Citizen Kane.

4. Citizen Kane directed by Orson Welles

I was probably the person who liked this the most in my film class. Everyone else didn't really love it. I got to be honest, I wasn't even sold until the ending. The ending was beautiful, such a great representation of the universal longing for childhood, regardless of what position you hold in society. Both Spielberg and Welles made these films incredibly young, so it is ever more impressive. Instead of feeling inadequate, or bad, I just see it as inspirational. Anyone can have a brilliant idea and execution of said idea, regardless of their age. Really, it is just about providing the proper means for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds access.

I hope you enjoyed this short and sweet blog. Here's to watching more movies new and old!