what is letterboxd?
Letterboxd is a social platform of film lovers. On the app, you can personalize a profile, rate and discuss movies, add movies to your watchlist, chat with other film lovers, and see the most popular movies. I first discovered it in 2024 after seeing multiple influencers post about it. I always loved watching movies, but I wanted to expand my knowledge over different types of films. Ever since I downloaded the app, I have watched around double the amount of movies I used to watch, and now I feel like I have more knowledge over films, and I feel so much cooler.
little women (2019)
On Letterboxd, there is an option for you to pick your top four favorite films that will be available for both you and your followers to see. When thinking of movies to add to my top four, Little Women was the first film that came to mind, and I knew I had to add it. Directed by Greta Gerwig, Little Women perfectly represents the feelings of childhood fading in front of your eyes. Little Women tells a story of four sisters as they grow up and face challenges that alter the rest of their lives. Each character has such depth, and the cinematography is excellent. Throughout the movie, we see different stages of the girls’ lives; the scenes of their childhood have a golden hue, while the scenes from the girls’ adult lives have a gray hue. The soundtrack, composed by Alexandre Desplat, perfectly represents how childhood and adulthood sound. My favorite scene from the movie is towards the end where we see a flashback of the sisters as young girls playing throughout their house, showing the magic of their childhood before life got in the way. I have three older siblings, so I relate to the feelings of growing up with your siblings. Little Women is just a masterpiece in every way, and every time I watch it, which is often, I never fail to cry.
secret life of walter mitty (2013)
Directed by Ben Stiller, who also plays the lead role, Secret Life of Walter Mitty follows a man who is stuck in a boring life who is thrust into a wild adventure. Walter Mitty travels all over the world to find something that he thinks will fix everything, and at the beginning of the movie he is reluctant to travel, but throughout the movie he soon realizes his true goal. The scenes in this movie are jaw-dropping and the places Walter travels to are so out of this world that it seems hard to believe. The soundtrack, which includes artists like JoĹ›e González, Of Monsters and Men, and Junip, is an incredible collection of songs that make you feel like you are on your own adventure. The movie has the perfect mix of comedy and meaningful scenes about life. My favorite scene in the movie is an exchange between Ben Stiller’s character and Sean Penn’s character where Walter Mitty finally realizes the true meaning of life (here’s a double meaning you’ll only understand if you watch the movie.) This is a perfect movie for a long flight or a cozy night at home.
jackie (2016)
Directed by Pablo LarraĂn, Jackie is a shocking retelling of the life of Jackie Kennedy during her time in the White House and after. Jackie is played by Natalie Portman, and I have never seen a more accurate portrayal of a famous person. All of the characters, including JFK, are excellently portrayed, and each actor looks strangely similar to their character. The shots in the movie are often long, close ups that show the real emotions on Jackie’s face. The shot of JFK’s assasination is a harrowing scene. The movie is a mix of reenacted scenes and real video footage of events. For example, the scene of JFK’s funeral is a mix of close-up reenacted shots and real footage from his funeral. The movie is shot with more raw colors instead of the bright and clear colors in modern movies. The close-up shots of Jackie are haunting and at some points uncomfortable. My favorite scene is a shot of Jackie dancing in the White House with JFK before her whole life changed. As the audience, this scene is sorrowful because we know what lies ahead, but Jackie looks so happy in the scene. In conclusion, not only is this movie educational, but it also shows Jackie, an extremely famous person, as a real person struggling with real problems.
clue (1985)
Clue, directed by Jonathan Lynn, is an odd choice as a favorite movie, but ever since watching it as a kid, I have absolutely loved it. I have always loved a good mystery, and Clue was my favorite game to play growing up. This movie is inspired by the famous game, with each character also being a game character in the game. The movie is odd to say the least, with strange humor and eccentric characters. But the mansion where the movie takes place is absolutely gorgeous, and the storyline always leaves me surprised. My favorite character from the movie is Mrs. White mainly because of her amazing outfits. Really, all the outfits in this movie are amazing, and each actor represents their character perfectly. My favorite scene from this movie is the opening scene where each guest arrives at the mansion during a massive thunder storm. Throughout the movie, the characters are faced with a murder where they have to discover who committed the murder before the police arrive. Each character has a different motive and different reasons to believe that they will be killed next. The movie can be stressful at some points, but the comedy makes the mood lighter. As a whole, this movie is such a cult classic, and it is definitely worth the watch. Plus you’ll look super cool when people ask if you’ve seen the movie.
roll the credits
You can always go back and change your top four movies, and I do it all the time. I bet I have changed my top four over ten times, but now I feel like I have a perfect set of movies that are different genres but also reflect me as a person. I highly suggest these movies not just because I love them but because they are genuinely outstanding movies that I think people would enjoy and learn a lot from.