Movie Time

Taylor Collins
Sigma Phi Epsilon

Let’s face it; the spring semester just isn’t as entertaining as the fall.  There aren’t football games, exchanges are less common, and everything just seems to be a little calmer.  While this works out well for the freshmen that got a little overwhelmed in their first semester, many of us now find ourselves with far too much free time.

With that being said, everyone will need to find their own ways to pass a little extra time each week this semester.  While what you decide to do to fill this time will clearly depend on the type of person you are, most everyone will agree that watching a movie on occasion is a generally enjoyable task.  So, in the spirit of spending our time doing anything besides studying, I wanted to recommend a few movies that you may have never seen before to pass your extra time this semester.  Now admittedly, the majority of these films are often considered classics.  However, they are also films that the more casual moviegoers have yet to experience at their own loss.

Comedies:

Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb: This 1964 comedy is an incredibly underappreciated film by people our age.  If you have never seen this Stanley Kubrick classic, make sure to watch it sometime this semester.  The hilarious story tracks the events that led up to the potential end of humanity via nuclear extermination.  In what is Peter Seller’s most acclaimed film, we get to see the comedic decision-making that threatens humanity’s existence.  Disclaimer: the movie starts relatively slow compared to our current standards.  Don’t lose interest after the first 20 minutes because the movie kicks into full gear quickly.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil: This 1989 comedy features a deaf Gene Wilder and blind Richard Pryor.  See No Evil is full of hilarious, while admittedly corny, moments and features the best of the Pryor/Wilder comedy combination.  That being said, you will be equally pleased with both Silver Streak and Stir Crazy, which were also works created by Wilder and Pryor.  Just be sure to stay away from Another You, which falls considerably short.

Dramas:

Taxi Driver: Again, I have to include an older, critically acclaimed movie because it is just that good.  This Scorsese classic takes a look into the life of the mentally unstable Travis Bickle (played by an early Robert DeNiro) as he struggles through his return from the Vietnam War.  This character will strangely enthrall and repulse you at the same time as he tries to make the world a better place; at least in his own twisted mind.  For those casual moviegoers who have never seen the film before, this is the movie that introduced the famous catchphrase, “You talkin’ to me?”

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: Here is yet another movie looking into the mind of the mentally unsound.  This time, Jack Nicholson leads the way as a mental institution patient who leads the other patients to rebel against their oppressive nurse.  This classic includes solid comedic relief in the middle of the plot that will keep you absorbed throughout.

Crime/Thrillers:

Reservoir Dogs:  Another outstanding product from an incredibly unique producer, Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs epitomizes the crime thriller series.  It tracks a team of robbers as they struggle to find the rat that prevented their success in a jewelry store heist.  It is in this mess that we see the struggle between Mr. White, Mr. Orange, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Pink, Mr. Blue, and Mr. Brown.  Honestly, I don’t even need to include any other crime thrillers, as this movie will have everything that enthusiast of this genre look for.