 |
| Dead Poets Society |
Similar to my book post, I thought it would be appropriate to make a list of movies that get me excited about learning, academics, and are just generally inspirational, perfect for someone about to go to university. So when you need a break from studying hard or you are just procrastinating, check out any of these five movies and try to restrain yourself from getting so excited about university and your future in education and therefore start packing for school...even though it's January.
1) Dead Poets Society (1989)
Notable Stars: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard (Dr. Wilson from House), Ethan Hawke.
After being told I had to watch this movie before I went to university by my friend's Mom, Dead Poets Society will forever be one of my favourite films. Based around an all-boys, upper class, conservative school in 1959, Robin Williams shakes everything up thanks to his unorthodox teaching methods when hired as a new English teacher. By making a huge impact with his students, Robert Sean Leonard and Ethan Hawke being among them, Williams inspires, awes and teaches them all about carpe diem.
Memorable Quotes: "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boy. Make your lives extraordinary," "No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world."
2) Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Notable Stars: Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal.
What I sometimes refer to as the girl version of Dead Poets Society, Mona Lisa Smile is similarly based around a conservative, upper-class, all-girls college in 1953. Like Robin Williams' character, Julia Roberts is the new art history professor and begins to test the conservative ways of thinking and learning by her students. (Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal...the list goes on) Although there's a little romance thrown in throughout, the movie questions women's gender roles in the 50s, a time in America where gender roles were a hot-button issue, the importance of education, and to always think outside the box.
Memorable Quote: "See past the paint. Let's open our minds to a different idea."
3) Good Will Hunting (1997)
Notable Stars: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck
Maybe this list should have been, "The Best Roles Robin Williams Has Ever Played"... Incredibly charming and heartbreaking at the same time, Good Will Hunting tells the story of Will Hunting, Matt Damon's character, who's a genius, but has chosen to work as a janitor, and how he's dealing with the struggles endured throughout his childhood. With the help of his therapist Sean Maguire, Robin Williams, Hunting learns that he's not alone when it comes to battling past demons. (It was also partially filmed in Toronto!)
Memorable Quotes: "Will - I read your book last night. Sean - So you're the one." "Son of a bitch...He stole my line."
4) An Education (2009)
Notable Stars: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard
An Education doesn't focus on the typical classroom style of learning like some of the other movies on the list but issues surrounding academia are not overlooked. A British coming of age story, Mulligan's character is on her way to being accepted to Oxford University when she meets an older man, Peter Sarsgaard, who starts to romantically pursue her. Showing her there's more to life than education, Mulligan's character starts to abandon her educational desires until the truth about him is discovered.
Memorable Quote: "If you never do anything, you never become anyone"
5) School of Rock (2003)
Notable Stars: Jack Black, Joan Cusack
This is another movie that doesn't base solely around "classroom" academics but when I think of school, I think of the School or Rock. Struggling musician played by Jack Black impersonates his friend and roommate to land a job as a substitute teacher for a fifth-grade class at a prestigious prep-school. After hearing his class in their music class, Black's character decides to enter them into a local battle of the bands competition. Instilling the best kind of education in these kids, the education of rock, Black teaches them to be themselves, be confident in who they are, and the most important lesson of all, always stick it to the man.
Memorable Quotes: "You're tacky and I hate you," "We will continue our lecture on The Man when we return. Have a good music class," "Your homework is to listen to some real music. Get inspired."
