By Marcos Duran and Gavin Swanson Posted December 16, 2015
Christmas break: two weeks that every student has looked forward to since late November. Two weeks of staying inside all day, drinking hot chocolate, gift-giving, and of course— watching movies. But watching the same old Christmas specials and movies can get old year after year. It seems to be an epidemic that most of us can’t get around, but who said you needed to just watch seasonal films? Sure the holidays are important, but you need something new and fresh to watch. You need to watch something that’ll enlighten you, something that’ll make you more well-rounded in a cultural sense.
Don’t know which movies to choose to get started? Fret not! We’ll give you the recommendations that you need for your wishlist this year. Unwrap the wrapping paper, plop the DVD into the tray, wrap yourself up into a cozy blanket, and settle down for two must-see movies for you to enjoy.
GAVIN: Casablanca (1942)
Set in World War II German-Occupied Morocco, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), owner of a nightclub in Casablanca, runs into a former lover and her husband who happens to be a famous resistance leader.
The two need to leave Casablanca before German officials capture them, and only Rick can help them leave the city. Watch the bittersweet emotions between Rick and his former lover, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), and their mental recovery from their past.
The film’s greatest feature is its strong and relatable characters, performed by award-winning actors and actresses. It won Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Screenplay, and Best Acting in a Leading Role for Bogart’s on-point performance.
It’s a film that passes the test of time and can be watched with family, friends, that special one, and by yourself; it’s one that you’ll want to watch over and over again. A tale of redemption filled with some of the most iconic performances, scenes, and quotes in cinema history. Here’s looking at you, kid.
MARCOS: The Godfather (1972)
This movie combines powerful music, excellent dialogue, and stellar actors, with spectacular direction from Francis Ford Coppola, to create what might be the greatest film of all time.
Originally a book by Italian author Mario Puzzo, the film starts by introducing the Corleone Crime Family, which Don Vito (Marlon Brando) leads with an iron fist. He, however, is growing old and wants to pass on the “family business” to one of his sons. His youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), starts as a hard-working honest guy who just returned from serving his country in the military. Seeing as he has other sons ready and willing to take on the role of the Don of the family, Vito wants nothing more than for Michael to pursue an honest life. However, some backhand moves by rival crime families cause the death of Michael’s brothers, forcing him to slowly fall into the darkness that his father wanted to save him from. By the end of the film, he has become a cold-hearted criminal, ready to destroy anyone who gets in the way of his goals.
Rounding off the rest of the cast are notable actors such as Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, and James Caan.
While not exactly a family film, this movie has won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Adapted Screenplay, is sure to captivate audiences for many years to come. This is an offer you can’t refuse.
