Not all movies are the same. The beauty of creating and directing movies is the endless styles, themes, and messages that can be created. Some remain timeless and seem to become more relevant as time goes on. Others are just great movies that make you feel good about yourself, about life, and about the world you live in. Still, some capture the exact times of your life in such a direct and precise way that they leave you feeling nostalgic and emotional. Regardless of the movies you enjoy, there is something for everyone. Here are five movies to watch before your 30th birthday.
- Eternal radiance of a flawless mind
This movie resonates with anyone who has fallen in love or been through a horrible breakup. After splitting up, Clementine, played by Kate Winslet, enrolls in a procedure that will basically erase all memories of her former lover Joel, played by Jim Carrey. After learning about this procedure, Joel decides that he too will undergo the procedure so that he too can forget about his lost love. As the memories begin to fade, so does their identity and the connections they have made not only with their loved ones, but with themselves.
- The breakfast club
For everyone who has ever struggled and survived their high school years, which is almost all of us, the Breakfast Club seems to have nailed it. This classic film captures the anguish and discomfort high school students experience with identity, groups, and authority. When 5 high school students from different groups come together for a Saturday detention, each member has the opportunity to tell their side of the story so the others can potentially see themselves from a different perspective. By the end of their punishment, their views of themselves, others, and the school have changed slightly.
- The silence of the lambs
Although this movie seems to be well known for its terrifying villains and haunting theme, the movie is, overall, a nod to women’s equality. Clarice Sterling, played by Jody Foster, is one of the top students enrolled in the training academy at FBI headquarters. After a serial killer begins hunting and capturing women to use for their furs, Clarice is ordered to interview Hannibal Lector, played by Anthony Hopkins, to try to get a feel for the case. As Clarice comes face to face with Hannibal’s manipulations, she realizes that he has his own plans and ideas regarding her and his own escape.
- The death poet Society
Robin Williams plays John Keating, a teacher at a boys’ high school who highly values obedience and adherence to its strict standards and traditions. Using his unique methods and building a relationship, John manages to reach students who are struggling under intense pressure from their families and school authorities. With your guidance, students can develop the confidence to pursue their interests and challenge the concept of absolute obedience to authority.
- Clueless
While not quite as deep as many of the aforementioned films, Clueless showed many what the rich, shallow, and socially outlandish world of life could be in all its brutally honest and conflict-ridden glory. Cher, played by Alicia Silverstone, is the best bitch at Beverly Hills High until she gets a competition that forces her to reevaluate herself, her status, and her love life.
Watch any of these 5 movies for a great night full of fictional fun.
