This list of “classic” movies is definitely subjective. Though these movies are not what most people would think of when they hear the word “classic,” more along the lines of John Hughes’ movies, they are movies that I grew up watching that not many people I know have seen. Though you may not have heard of them, these movies are some of my favourites and I hope you’ll enjoy them too!
- Dead Poets Society (TW: this movie contains themes of suicide)
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Released in 1989 and directed by Peter Weir, Dead Poets Society is a heartwarming film that has themes still relevant today, particularly around the topic of mental health and suicide. The movie introduces us to a group of friends in the late 1950s who attend an all-boys boarding school. They are getting bored of their repetitive routines at school when a new English teacher, played by the one and only Robin Williams, comes along and changes everything. He shows them new perspectives and encourages them to pursue their passions outside the roles they’ve been forced to fill. This movie is a wonderful story of hope and loss and will make you root for the young boys as they navigate the trials and tribulations of the transition to adulthood. This is my favourite movie ever and it holds a lot of meaning to me and makes me cry every time I watch it. Robin Williams and the young boy’s performances are phenomenal; Robin Williams will manage to reach the depths of your heart with some of the sentiments of love and hope he expresses in this movie. In my opinion, it is his best movie and definitely worth a watch.
- Unbreakable
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This movie is any Marvel and thriller fan’s dream. A cross between a superhero movie and a psychological thriller, Unbreakable, directed by M. Night Shyamalan and released in 2000, is in my opinion one of his best movies. Unbreakable is part of a trilogy, the second and third movies being Split (2016) and Glass (2019). These movies have a large cast starring Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, James McAvoy, and Spencer Treat Clark. Bruce Willis ends up the sole survivor of a train crash and soon after gains super strength. These movies take an in-depth look at the duality in life, after all, what’s a superhero without a villain? This movie will have you questioning what is truth and what is reality. Spencer Clark plays Bruce Willis’s son and this adds a deep sentiment to the movie as we see their bond grow throughout Unbreakable, and later Glass (2019). This movie and series will have your mind spinning and you at the edge of your seat as you navigate the twists and turns of M. Night Shyamalan’s mind.
- Life As A House (TW: this movie contains themes of terminal illness)
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This movie is a tear-jerker, starring Kevin Kline and Hayden Christensen this movie is a father-son coming of age story that is quite literally about a house. Released in 2001 and directed by Irwin Winkler, this movie has a well thought out storyline and an awesome early 2000’s soundtrack. When Kevin Kline’s character, a scale model builder at an architecture firm, finds out he has little time left to live, he decides to complete his goal of building his dream house. His son, an angsty teen who lives with his mother, step-father and step-brothers with plans to vacation with his friends all summer, gets forced into helping his dad build the house instead. The boys spend the summer together, as the neighbourhood comes together and supports them. This movie will make you want to hug your loved ones close, shows the strength in community, and is a nice reminder of the beauty in the delicacy of life. My dad showed me this movie and it’s one of our favourites to watch. Although slightly sappy it caters to everyone and is well worth the time
This list of movies covers a wide range of film that will (hopefully) bring you some joy as we head into spring!