Film School
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- DirectorJean-Luc GodardStarsJean-Paul BelmondoJean SebergVan DoudeA small-time crook, hunted by the authorities for a car theft and the murder a police officer, attempts to persuade a hip American journalism student to run away with him to Italy.I personally don't like this movie, but it was highly influential and it will be discussed at some point in film school, most likely in your first class.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMachiko KyôMasayuki MoriThe rape of a bride and the murder of her samurai husband are recalled from the perspectives of a bandit, the bride, the samurai's ghost and a woodcutter.Akira Kurosawa is one of the "Big Three" non Hollywood directors you will hear about in film school, the other two being Ingmar Bergman and Frederico Fellini. Kurosawa has had a great influence on Hollywood movies, including westerns and the original Star Wars films. Rashomon will likely come up in film school due to it's storytelling structure, which will feel familiar since it has been referenced in many places including cartoons.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsJack NanceCharlotte StewartAllen JosephHenry Spencer tries to survive his industrial environment, his angry girlfriend, and the unbearable screams of his newly born mutant child.David Lynch is a director worth knowing if you're going to be a director or film student. This is arguably his most surreal movie.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsIsabella RosselliniKyle MacLachlanDennis HopperThe discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.Here's another Lynch film worth watching. College students will enjoy Frank Booth's line about Pabst Blue Ribbon.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRoy ScheiderRobert ShawRichard DreyfussWhen a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.The movie that started the summer Blockbuster. There are also many great camera techniques that you might be lucky enough to study in some classes.
- DirectorArthur PennStarsWarren BeattyFaye DunawayMichael J. PollardBored waitress Bonnie Parker falls in love with an ex-con named Clyde Barrow and together they start a violent crime spree through the country, stealing cars and robbing banks.One of the first movies that truly shocked audiences because of it's bloody violence. You'll likely hear about this movie at some point in film school.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsDustin HoffmanAnne BancroftKatharine RossA disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.Between a tedious homework assignment and a long analytical lecture, teachers suck the fun out of this movie before many of the students have even had a chance to watch it. When you're done with the long assignments, take a break and enjoy the whole movie without hearing or writing an analysis of each shot. It's a fun movie on it's own.
- DirectorSergei EisensteinStarsAleksandr AntonovVladimir BarskiyGrigoriy AleksandrovIn the midst of the Russian Revolution of 1905, the crew of the battleship Potemkin mutiny against the brutal, tyrannical regime of the vessel's officers. The resulting street demonstration in Odessa brings on a police massacre.A great achievement in film making, but most film majors will admit they didn't enjoy this movie. Be prepared to hear at least 4 lectures in your first year that analyze each shot of the "Odessa steps" sequence. Also be prepared to be burnt out on Sergei Eisenstein in the first year. Despite that, it is still good to be familiar with him and this film as a film major.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroCathy MoriartyJoe PesciThe life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.See above.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsJason SchwartzmanBill MurrayOlivia WilliamsA teenager at Rushmore Academy falls for a much older teacher and befriends a middle-aged industrialist. Later, he finds out that his love interest and his friend are having an affair, which prompts him to begin a vendetta.I had a bit of a backlash against Wes Anderson when I started film school because I hated the elitist following his movies have. Despite that, he is a good director and if you're a film major it's worth seeing at least one of his movies. If you only want to see one movie, this would be the one I'd recommend.
- DirectorLars von TrierStarsEmily WatsonStellan SkarsgårdKatrin CartlidgeOilman Jan is paralyzed in an accident. His wife, who prayed for his return, feels guilty; even more, when Jan urges her to have sex with another.You will probably hear about Lars Von Trier during a few lectures. I really don't care for his movies but if you wanted to see at least one film of his during film school, I'd recommend this one the most. If you want to see a more recent and controversial one then I would recommend Antichrist.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsJohn WayneJeffrey HunterVera MilesAn American Civil War veteran embarks on a years-long journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches after the rest of his brother's family is massacred in a raid on their Texas farm.If you're unfamiliar with John Wayne, John Ford, or westerns in general, look no further than this one to get started with.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.Another classic Hitchcock movie you will probably discuss at some point in film school. If not, it's still a great movie to enjoy, especially when Halloween comes around.
- DirectorVittorio De SicaStarsLamberto MaggioraniEnzo StaiolaLianella CarellIn post-war Italy, a working-class man's bicycle is stolen, endangering his efforts to find work. He and his son set out to find it.You will likely discuss Italian Neo-realism in a film class. This is my favorite one and I actually found it enjoyable unlike the others I saw.
- DirectorF.W. MurnauStarsMax SchreckAlexander GranachGustav von WangenheimVampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter's wife.When the teachers discuss early German cinema, this will come up.
- DirectorRobert WieneStarsWerner KraussConrad VeidtFriedrich FeherHypnotist Dr. Caligari uses a somnambulist, Cesare, to commit murders.German Expressionism is another huge topic in the early days of film school. This is one of the most famous expressionist films. It also had a clear influence on Tim Burton.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsJack NicholsonShelley DuvallDanny LloydA family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from both past and future.This and Full Metal Jacket are a lot of people's first Kubrick films they ever watch.
- DirectorOrson WellesStarsCharlton HestonOrson WellesJanet LeighA stark, perverse story of murder, kidnapping and police corruption in a Mexican border town.The opening, 5 minute long tracking shot is still intense and iconic.
- DirectorFritz LangStarsBrigitte HelmAlfred AbelGustav FröhlichIn a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.A classic sci-fi movie from another great German Filmmaker Fritz Lang.
- DirectorFritz LangStarsPeter LorreEllen WidmannInge LandgutWhen the police in a German city are unable to catch a child-murderer, other criminals join in the manhunt.One of Fritz Lang's sound films. This was highly influential and still holds up well as an entertaining thriller. Peter Lorre is very creepy in one of his best performances.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartIngrid BergmanPaul HenreidA cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.One of the great and iconic "Golden Age" films that remains a must see.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHenry ThomasDrew BarrymorePeter CoyoteA troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.See above
- DirectorJames AlgarSamuel ArmstrongFord Beebe Jr.StarsLeopold StokowskiDeems TaylorThe Philadelphia OrchestraA series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney's team of artists.As a user pointed out, it's worth including at least one early Disney film on here. Fantasia is a masterpiece of music and visual storytelling.
- DirectorStanley DonenGene KellyStarsGene KellyDonald O'ConnorDebbie ReynoldsA silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.An iconic musical that is also a great history lesson in the emergence of sound in film.
- DirectorClaudio FragassoStarsMichael Paul StephensonGeorge HardyMargo PreyA vacationing family discovers that the entire town they're visiting is inhabited by goblins, disguised as humans, who plan to eat them.Yes I included a bad movie on here, the same list with Citizen Kane and The Godfather. This movie was made by a film crew who knew how to physically make a movie, but failed so horribly that it's become a cult classic. You will also hear a lot of film major in-jokes referring to this movie and there will likely be a midnight screening on your campus at some point.
- DirectorTommy WiseauStarsTommy WiseauJuliette DanielleGreg SesteroIn San Francisco, an amiable banker's seemingly perfect life is turned upside down when his deceitful fiancée embarks on an affair with his best friend.Another bad one to watch. This and Troll 2 are examples of how not to make a movie and you can learn a lot about bad film making mistakes from watching them. There will also be a lot of jokes, references, and screenings of this movie on campus.