five movies you need to see before you turn 18!
as a newly minted adult who absolutely adores her letterboxd, i have a lot of opinions. ^^ keep on reading, and feel free to send this to your younger friends! i am nothing if not an excellent film recommender :)
Before Sunrise (1995)
okay, this movie doesn’t take place in a college setting, and these characters are full of adults. alas, i don’t really care. this movie, which is the first of Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy, is absolutely brilliant. the screenplay, the acting, the cinematography—everything about it is so lovable. perhaps this belongs on a list of movies everyone has to see at least once, but i also feel like for young cinephiles, this is the perfect film to watch to be introduced to less of the modern-day “mainstream” movies.
Frances Ha (2012)
a recent favorite of mine! everyone’s favorite screenwriter, greta gerwig, stars in this. and it’s directed by noah baumbach! the Baumbach-Gerwig combination is already so killer, so you know this is brilliant. it’s witty, flows beautifully, makes you laugh and cry, and just perfectly sums up how it feels to come to terms with growing up. it’s so raw and natural—i could watch this movie for forever.
October Sky (1999)
not going to lie, i watched this in my freshman year physics class. but do i still recall an insane amount of it? yes! this movie is so heartwarming and inspiring. it showcases such an immense amount of passion (oh, did i mention it’s a biopic?) and hope. if you want to constantly be reminded of what it feels like to want your childhood dream(s) more than anything, then this is for you.
Your Name (2016)
i’ve always felt like this movie feels like an absolute dream. it weaves together trauma and emotion through dreams and remnants. and, of course, the animation is absolutely stunning! on top of that, the blend of the animation and the movie score is nearly too much to take in. it’s so wonderful. these two high schoolers absolutely break my heart, and i feel as if people their age will feel for them more than anyone else.
Stand By Me (1986)
my embarrassing fun fact is that i waited until this year (as in 2024!) to watch this. actually, i watched this on the eve of my birthday because, for some reason, the little voice in my head said that this should be the last movie i see as a child. wow, i am so glad that that voice said that! this movie is, well, a classic. can anyone argue that? there are so many iconic scenes in it, and the acting is simply fantastic for an ensemble cast of mainly children (River Phoenix, you will always amaze me). this movie feels so sweet until it isn’t, and even then, it’s just the most tender film ever. perhaps i’m biased because i’m a writer like our lovely protagonist, but hey, what can i say? i’m a sucker for an 80s film.
