From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to movies as an art form. However, over the years, I’ve developed a newfound love for watching and dissecting them in my free time. Just two years ago, I began logging new films on Letterboxd and reviewing them, for my own enjoyment and in hopes that other people may check them out themselves.
As April is rapidly ending, most of us find ourselves exhausted and burned out. We’re only four months into the year, but it’s honestly felt like so much longer, even more so if you’re a girl in college, like me, as my pile of assignments and exams hasn’t helped.
Now that we’re approaching the end of the spring semester, I’m left wanting some sort of escape from the stress of classes. For me, that’s always been through watching movies. Films are my source of comfort, and I know many others can say the same thing.
For my fellow cinephile girls, it always feels like there are too many movies and not enough time. I know I’m in the same boat, so it helps to narrow the choices down to a few films at a time. That’s helped me as I’ve found new movies that interested me without feeling overwhelmed by the burden of choice.
Here are a few picks you should check out before the month’s over. You never know if one of these four will end up becoming your favorite.
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
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The most recent, and maybe the most popular, of the films here that I’d recommend is Sony Animation’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This beloved animated film adapts Miles Morales’ story from the Marvel comic books, putting an interdimensional spin on it.
It centers on Miles Morales, a teenage boy who acquires superpowers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. His world is turned upside down when other Spider-Men are teleported to his dimension after a super collider explodes and sends the multiverse into chaos. Miles must get them back to their own dimensions and find his way as Spider-Man.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is nothing short of a masterpiece. It combines cell animation (2D animation) and computer-generated animation, creating a unique style that hasn’t been seen before.
The story is tightly packed, has plenty of laughs, and just as much heart. Whether you’re a Marvel fan or not, it’s a movie you should absolutely watch for yourself.
- Singin’ in the Rain
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Regarded as one of the classics among musical films, Singin’ in the Rain (1952), starring Gene Kelly, is one of the greatest of its genre. The film focuses on a movie star and his co-star adapting to a changing industry in the 1920s, as the first movie with sound makes its debut.
Don, the famous movie star, falls in love with an aspiring actress named Kathy and tries to navigate this shift in the film industry.
It’s an incredibly colorful film with catchy songs that have captivated audiences for years. Singin’ in the Rain built the foundation for musical films and adaptations to come, a format that isn’t seen as often anymore. For that reason, it’ll always remain a gem and be worth seeing, even by those who aren’t huge fans of musical theatre.
- Good Will Hunting
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Widely praised by cinephiles and casual fans alike, Good Will Hunting is a drama that never fails to evoke deep emotions. Starring Matt Damon and the late Robin Williams, it centers on Will, a poor college-aged boy who’s incredibly skilled in mathematics and works at MIT. A professor at the college notices and wants to help guide him in the direction, so he asks different mental health professionals for help.
When none of them can get through to Will, he meets Sean Maguire, a therapist who can get through to him and wants to help him through his trauma. The characters feel real, and every scene, particularly those between Damon and Williams, is so vulnerable.
It’s a classic for a reason and touches upon self-acceptance in such a genuine way. It deserves all the praise and is worth watching.
- Whisper of the Heart
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As someone who adores Studio Ghibli, this is one of their films that I recommend the most. Yoshifumi Kondō’s Whisper of the Heart is a beautiful animated movie that was an automatic comfort watch for me. Animated in 2D, Whisper of the Heart stars Shizuku, a young girl who loves to read and is an aspiring writer.
When she finds that every book she’s read has been borrowed by the same person, she seeks to find out who it is. Between adventuring in the city, meeting an antique shop owner, and chasing a cat, we follow Shizuku through a series of adventures.
It’s an amazing movie with a lot of heart that’s whimsical and genuine at its core. I highly recommend every cinephile and animation fan to check it out.
Beyond these four movies, it’s worth exploring and finding new works, whether it be books, series, or movies. Happy watching!
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