Matt O’Connor
Picture this: You get together with a bunch of your friends or family members for a movie night, but you can’t decide on what to watch. An all too common occurrence. But in this new monthly series of articles, I’ll be talking about some of my personal favorite films and ones that I think are worthy of your time. Each of these films come from a variety of different genres, directors and ratings. I’ll also try to avoid delving into spoiler territory or giving away too much of the general plot in case you want to check out any of these films. I’ll also list any streaming services where these films are available. Whether you’re looking for something more casual or a cinematic viewing experience, these are five of my favorite movies to watch and my personal recommendations for this month.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Let’s start things off with a classic. Your parents have probably mentioned this movie before. Directed by John Hughes, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” follows a senior in high school who decides to fake being sick in order to stay home for the day. Ferris takes his friend Cameron and his girlfriend Sloane on a road trip, but the school’s dean is on their tail attempting to thwart their plans. The eighties were a very important decade for the movie industry, and a lot of cult classics like this film came out around this time. There’s a really strong dynamic between the three main characters, with their interactions emphasizing some of the film’s main messages about family and enjoying life to the fullest. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a fun, uplifting movie that encapsulates strong feelings of living a worthwhile and meaningful life. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off can be streamed on both Amazon Prime and Apple TV +.
Citizen Kane
Going in a completely different direction for this next film, “Citizen Kane” may be a bit intimidating for casual viewers. But I promise you that it’s worth the watch. Citizen Kane was released all the way back in 1941 and is widely considered to be one of the most important films of all time. Directed by and starring Orson Welles, the film follows Charles Foster Kane as he rises and falls through the ranks of business and puts forth a career of yellow journalism. This eventually leads him to running for Governor of New York. You really can’t delve into the plot of Citizen Kane that much without getting into spoiler territory, but there’s a lot of underlying story details that you might miss while you’re watching. Orson Welles was one of the greatest directors in film history, as he was a master of the craft and really knew how to tell a captivating story through the camera. Citizen Kane can be streamed on Amazon Prime and Apple TV +.
Skyfall
I’m pretty sure most of you are at least somewhat familiar with James Bond, as he’s a big name in terms of spies and general action movies. The James Bond film series is based on the novels of the same name by Ian Fleming, and over two dozen movies have been released with numerous different actors taking on the role of Bond. My personal favorite movie in the franchise is Skyfall, which was released in 2012 and directed by Sam Mendes. During a pursuit of a mercenary, James Bond (played by Daniel Craig) is accidentally shot by his partner and is presumed dead. But after temporarily retiring, Bond heads back into the field after the MI6 headquarters is compromised. Skyfall stands out in terms of its cinematography and its action sequences and will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Also, you don’t have to worry about keeping up with the James Bond series to enjoy Skyfall, and this film stands on its own and can be enjoyed by fans and general moviegoers alike. Once again, the film can be streamed on Apple TV + and Amazon Prime.
The Batman
The character of Batman really needs no introduction, as he’s been around since the late 1930’s and is recognized as one of the most popular superheroes in the entire world. Batman has been adapted into many films over the years, but the Dark Knight’s most recent appearance is a standout. Directed by Matt Reeves, “The Batman” focuses on the early years of Bruce Wayne (played by Robert Pattinson of Twilight fame) as the Dark Knight in Gotham City while having his intellect put through the ringer as a series of murders begin to pop up around the city. Reeves as a director emphasizes the gritty and dreary scenery of the city of Gotham. With many recent superhero films being considered mediocre, The Batman proves that you can still do a lot with a legendary character while making a cinematic experience above all else. You can find The Batman on Max.
The Mighty Ducks
Finally, let’s end this off with a trip to the ice rink. With each batch of film recommendations, I’ll be throwing in a guilty pleasure film that may not be up to par in terms of cinematic value, but still makes for a fun time. When the topic of hockey movies is brought up, it’s hard not to mention “The Mighty Ducks”. Directed by Stephen Herek, the film follows Gordon Bombay training a group of young and inexperienced pee-wee hockey players via community service after being arrested for driving under the influence. The film delivers a fun and heartwarming story about a team coming together to defy the odds that are seemingly stacked against them. There’s a lot of great fun to be had with The Mighty Ducks, and it’s one of the most famous sports films for a reason. You stream the film via Disney +.
