Movies all College Students Should See

Recently visited a college campus and while waiting for a friend I noticed a bulletin board listing, Movies All College Students Should See. I hadn’t seen many of them (but I am not a college student) and except for The Godfather was struck by the poor quality of the movies I had seen. So I added one of my own.  Felt a bit embarrassed doing this, but accepted the feeling and have learned to live with it.

But the board did cause me to think, what movies should college students see?  (Is any list meaningful?) So reflecting on the movies my children watched with me and ones I wish they had watched with me, I prepared my list of Movies College Students Should See.  In no particular order:

1.       The Lives of Others.  If you have seen it you understand. If you have not, see it. My children did not watch this. I am not one to mandate things, but this movie should be seen by everyone.

2.       It’s A Wonderful Life.  No other movie communicates better the impact one human can have on others. It is funny, sad, and entertaining all at once. My children and I still watch it every year.  I still cry.

3.       Rear Window. Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This movie is perfect. My children were terrified by it.

4.       Lawrence of Arabia.  Enjoy the audacity and single mindedness of TE Lawrence.  Always remember the line, “I avoid bloodshed out of good manners.  Lawrence avoids it with a passion. Which do you think is more reliable?”  My children loved it.

5.       Dirty Harry.  Has any movie captured the public’s contempt for public officials better? My kids liked it, but I failed to communicate its importance when made. 

6.       The Philadelphia Story. Witty and entertaining from start to finish. The kids loved it.

7.       The Godfather.  Lessons in being a man which can be applied to, hopefully, a life more honorable than a gangster’s. The kids loved it. Though I have to admit, I jumped past the wedding bathroom scene.  I am uncomfortable watching any type of sexual stuff with the kids around.

8.       Chariots of Fire.  We love this movie.  Oh, how the world has changed since 1920.  For the better yes, but some great ideals have been lost.

9.      Saving Private Ryan.  My children were in awe and frightened by it. And yes children, men really did endure the things depicted in the movie.  And worse. Never forget.

10.   It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World.  Hilarious 40 plus years ago. Hilarious today.  Humor without one bad word or raunchy joke. Oh, if there were only more of that today. The kids loved it.

Of course there are others, but that is enough.  Any list is subject to dispute.  In creating the list, I am not surprised that Jimmy Stewart appeared in three of the movies. Sometime I will try to articulate why I hold him in such high regard.