Dragon's Print

Watching movies is a great way to destress after school and spend your leisure time. If there is any spare time in your hectic schedule, here are some movie recommendations of movies from different genres. 

Animation – Loving Vincent

Loving Vincent is a unique animated biographical drama that features the life and struggles of the famous painter Vincent van Gogh. It is the first film fully animated using a total of about 65,000 paintings. The animation is painted with similar techniques and characteristics to van Gogh’s artworks. Loving Vincent is written and directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman. Armand Roulin, played by Douglas Booth, visits the last hometown of Vincent Van Gogh, played by Robert Gulaczyk, to deliver his final letter. The setting of the movie takes place in 1890 France, where Armand investigates what might have taken place in the last days of the painter.

As many people are curious about the events that lead to van Gogh’s death, the film was able to highlight how he lived. The movie highlighting his artworks introduces the audience to his psyche, beliefs, and passions. Watching this film makes you experience a sensory overload highlighting the extraordinary craftsmanship behind the animation. 

Romance – The Before Trilogy

The Before Trilogy consists of three films: ‘Before Sunrise,’ ‘Before Sunset,’ and ‘Before Midnight,’ which are directed by Richard Linklater. ‘Before Sunset’ begins with Jesse, played by Ethan Hawke, and Céline, played by Julie Delpy, as they meet on a train which disembarks in Vienna. The young adults connect enough for Jesse to convince Céline to join him for a few hours in Vienna, before his flight back home to Texas the next morning; “If I turn out to be a psycho, you can bail out,” he says. The two of them form an immediate attraction to one another.

The two young lovers wander about the lovely European metropolis, picking apart each other’s feelings and thoughts while unknowingly falling in love with one another. There is no issue separating them, no challenge they must face, and no strain on their connection. The only thing that is stopping them is time. As the trilogy’s story is simple and mostly focuses on their conversations, it feels genuine. This trilogy challenges us to reflect on how and why we connect with particular people, what happens when we do, and what it all means. Watching the trilogy in order will make you want to start again and rediscover the beautiful connection Jesse and Céline have made.

Coming of age – The Perks of Being a Wallflower

‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ is written and directed by author Stephen Chbosky, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. The story follows a socially awkward teen named Charlie, played by Logan Lerman. He is described as a wallflower, who always watches life from the sidelines. That is until he meets two charismatic students who become his mentors. A free-spirited Sam, played by Emma Watson, and her stepbrother Patrick, played by Ezra Miller, helped Charlie discover the joys of friendship, first love, music, and more. Furthermore, a teacher sparks Charlie’s dreams of becoming a writer. However, as his new friends prepare to leave for college, Charlie’s inner sadness threatens to shatter his newfound confidence.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower celebrates inclusivity and tolerance by showing how people can blossom when they are accepted for who they are and how their trauma and problems shouldn’t stop them from making memories while they’re young. The film is an extremely authentic and beautifully written story that is told refreshingly and breathtakingly, filled with an amazing soundtrack, and beautifully shot on film. 

Disclaimer for the next film as it contains dark themes of self-harm and suicide.

Drama – Dead Poets Society

‘Dead Poets Society’ is a 1989 drama and coming of age film directed by Peter Weir, and written by Tom Schulman. Starring the late Robin Williams, the story is set in 1959 at the fictional elite conservative Vermont boarding school Welton Academy, as it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. He uses unique methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With the professor’s help, students Neil Perry, played by Robert Sean Leonard, Todd Anderson, played by Ethan Hawke, and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams, and seize the day.

In particular for teenagers, ‘Dead Poets Society’ contains a very uplifting message about “seizing the day” and embracing poetry as a means of self-expression. Furthermore, it also touches on the subject of teenage suicide. The film also realistically highlights teen rebellion and living life to the fullest while they are young. This film is a timeless work of art that many students, parents, and merely anyone can relate to. Whether it’s from pressures dealt in and out of school, or long-lasting friendships we make throughout high school. 

If you are interested in the planning, creation, and beauty behind film and television, check out The Film Society on Instagram (@thefilmsocietycis) for more movie-related content.

Article and Feature Image by Naoki K. (Grade 12)

Reviews are uncommissioned, unpaid, and represent the personal views of the authors. They should not be taken to represent the views of Dragon’s Print and Cebu International School.