Whoever claims smoking is a dying trend has yet to dive into the sea of recent independent films. Or enter a university fraternity house. Unless you have a thing for fruity vape juice, I would suggest the former.
Whether they promote lung cancer or pleasing aesthetics (or both), these six films display their various messages through the appearance and performance of the actors, appeal of the corresponding music, and artistic vision of the directors and producers.
1. Electrick Children (2012)
A bold start to any cinematic list, Electrick Children requires an open mind. Avoid knocking my credibility too soon as I explain the film's concept. As bizarre as it sounds, I cannot overstate the beauty of this drama.
After learning she is pregnant, a fifteen-year-old fundamentalist Mormon girl concludes she was impregnated miraculously through listening to a cassette tape (I know, stay with me). Also, she believes the father of her magically conceived child is the lead singer of the band she listened to.
Despite its untraditional storyline (in my unqualified opinion) every aspect of Electrick Children, from the acting to the lighting to the soundtrack to the ominous dialogue resembles perfection.
2. 500 Days of Summer (2009)
A bittersweet love story with an untraditional yet realistic twist, 500 Days of Summer will make you laugh, cry, miss those you’ve lost, and simultaneously accept your life without them. Summer – Autumn – Winter – Spring. Life goes on.
Also, in my humble opinion, Joseph Gordon-Levitt looks like my friend, Mark. Hi, Mark, if you’re skimming this because I’m forcing you to, you can stop now.
3. The Neon Demon (2016)
When I was in sixth grade, my friend and I researched animals for a middle school science project on my parent’s desktop. Somehow, we came across a web page dedicated to the legend of the Michigan Dogman (basically a werewolf), complete with historical background, illustrated depictions, and witness sightings. We read everything we could about the local creature determined to kill 12-year-old Michigan girls, feeding our lively imaginations with all the information we could find.
The stories and accompanying images were terrifying, but equally too captivating for us to look away. This type of unsettling intrigue describes the essence of the Neon Demon.
Disclaimer: if you’re sensitive to gore, violence, and (spoiler) maybe a little metaphorical cannibalism, this film may not be your cup of tea.
The Neon Demon's soundtrack haunts its listeners in the best kind of way. I often plug in my headphones and allow my reality to be immersed in the bright lights and disturbingly slow pace of the film.
After watching this thriller, play the soundtrack while going to bed or something. Actually, no, do not play the murder film songs while you’re trying to sleep. Call my therapist, I think I found the source of my nightmares.
4. Palo Alto (2013)
Like the other films on this list, Palo Alto is jammed packed with insanely beautiful people- perhaps not the most realistic portrayal of suburbia, but easy on the eyes nonetheless. James Franco has an affair with Emma Roberts. Boom, sold.
Note: If you’re a high school girl reading this, do NOT sleep with your soccer coach. Very illegal, super creepy. Stick to making out with the boy from chemistry in his dad’s Suburban. He’s no James Franco, but I promise his acne will clear up, he just needs to experiment with a couple more facial cleansers.
5. Adult World (2013)
Yes, another independent Emma Roberts film, but you won’t want to miss out on this one either. Seriously, Emma Roberts should be crowned queen of 2010’s indie movies at the next Sundance Film Festival.
Adult World features your girl working in a sex shop alongside the one, the only, Evan Peters (aka my love since 2013).
Evan Peters co-stars with Roberts in this film around the same time he shot the first season of American Horror Story, where we all fell in love with his handsome yet mentally deranged character. Don’t worry, he’s just as gorgeous in sex shop lightings as he is in the AHS murder house. He’s also surrounded by dildos and Emma Roberts, and for that reason alone I give Adult World a 10/10.
6. We Are Your Friends (2015)
Last year, my aunt and I were flipping through channels searching for some quality late night television. We came across a scene from We Are Your Friends, and Zac Efron’s alluring presence made me momentarily forget the film’s highly explicit content, so I insisted we watch this movie, claiming it was one of my favorites.
A few topless models, F-bombs, heavy drug use, and explicit sex scenes later, I realized I might have made a mistake. Once again, sorry, Aunt JoAnne, I will watch seasons upon seasons of The Voice reruns with you to make up for that one.
Although this film was preceded by a considerable amount of hype, critics (you know, trained professionals who are paid to give their opinions, not a college kid with a Netflix account and an 11-inch laptop) pretty unanimously consider it a flop. Perhaps I have poor taste in movies. Or maybe I just enjoy admiring Zac Efron. Either excuse seems like a valid reason to add We Are Your Friends to this list.
Despite my love for this movie, I admit its appeal lies more in the music and visual aesthetics of the film rather than the plot. Oh, and if I haven’t made this clear by now, Zac Efron plays the lead, so if nothing else you can bask in his beauty for a couple hours.
Upon completing this list, I realized I tend to choose movies with attractive actors and equally engaging soundtracks. Nonetheless, add these gems to your Netflix queue and thank me later.
