If you’re interested in the film industry, or maybe just movies in general, there are many great films that need to be seen, especially if you’re an aspiring filmmaker like myself. 2023 has been a huge year for film, especially this past summer. We’ve had movie after movie come out that has hit the nail right on the head, so to speak. These are my top five favorite films from the past couple of years that are a must see for any aspiring filmmaker (or film buff), so what better way to start off this list than with “Barbie.
This hilarious and witty movie directed by Greta Gerwig, ranked at number five, is a great feel-good comedy. I think the main reason this movie was a success, besides having an all-star cast, was how it turned a big company—Mattel—that for decades has hurt little girls’ self esteem by setting unrealistic body images through Barbie dolls, into the villain. To counter their reputation, Mattel made a self-aware movie that actually pointed out how toxic masculinity and sexism are affecting the world we live in. I’d definitely say that “Barbie” is a commercial film. However, for a commercial film, I’ve never seen so many points made about sexism and gender equality.
Adam Souza, a video production teacher here at Franklin, talked about the commercial film vs the auteur theory. “The commercial film [is being made] with the intent of generating income,” explained Souza. “[The] auteur theory is the theory of filmmaking in which the director is viewed as the major creative force in a motion picture.” A common misconception is that commercial films are poorly made. “Students will tend to judge a commercial film and think it’s bad at first,” Souza went on to say. “But then they realize, no, a commercial film is literally just there to make money, and how do you make money? Well, you give them what they want, which is to be entertained.”
Commercial films can take many different forms, and to judge one solely because it was meant to make money, isn’t fair. “Barbie” being a commercial film does not mean that it’s bad. The “Barbie” movie is definitely a must see, and if you’d like to dive in deeper, checking out some of Greta Gerwig’s other films such as “Little Women” and “Lady Bird” is also a must.
Coming in at number four is a big turn away from “Barbie.” The film is “Nope,” directed by Jordan Peele. You may know of Jordan Peele from the comedy duo Key & Peele, but what he’s most known for these days are the thrilling horror movies he’s been creating, the most recent one being “Nope.” Be forewarned, spoilers ahead. The first thing this film did really well was being a sci-fi, horror, and thriller all while including some very real human experiences. “‘Nope’ is about holding a mirror up to all of us in our inability to look away from drama or peril,” said Mr. Souza. Not only did Peele take a new turn when it comes to alien invasion films, with the flying saucer being an alien itself, but the film also has a horror aspect that seems much more real than an alien attack. Especially with the most disturbing and best scene in the film. In this scene, there’s a flash back to a very violent and traumatic childhood experience in which an ape on the set of a TV show goes rogue and attacks a little girl. She does survive the attack, but not without getting severe scarring on her face. This sequence is very separate from the main storyline, but quite essential to the build-up to the climax of the film. “Nope” definitely checks all the boxes for a thriller.
At number three we have the unusual pairing with “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer.” This film, directed by Christopher Nolan, is a commitment to watch, being three hours long and one of the most dialogue-heavy films I have ever seen. I would definitely not recommend this movie to a casual film enthusiast, but for an aspiring filmmaker I think it’s important to give this film a shot. The absolute most remarkable aspect about this movie is the soundtrack and sound design. If you saw this movie in theaters, with a 70 mm Image Maximum (IMAX) screen, then there are some times when you wonder if the atom bomb will actually burst through the screen. Unfortunately, there are no 70 mm IMAX theaters here in Portland. Nevertheless, I would recommend seeing it in the Hollywood theater. You may also know Christopher Nolan for the lack of Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) he uses in his films. With that being said, there’s no CGI throughout the entire movie, which is probably the most impressive aspect of the film.
For number two, we have “Asteroid City,” directed by Wes Anderson. Many seem to be getting a little tired of Wes Anderson’s style as of late, which I can understand. His sort of deadpan comedy could get exhausting after a while. Maybe it’s because I’m young and didn’t grow up with his films as much as some adults have, but when I saw this film, it blew my mind. I think it takes everything that is iconic about Wes Anderson films and doubles it. Not only is this film hilarious and well casted, but it also has a very unique way of storytelling. The film is about a play being written and playing out while the director keeps adding to the story, something I’ve never seen done before and I found really fascinating. Out of all the films I’ve listed, this film definitely takes the cake for best set design.
Last but certainly not least is “The Fabelmens,” directed by Steven Spielberg. The reason this is the most important film to see is quite simple. The movie is about filmmaking. This film is about how Spielberg taught himself how to make films. You get to follow him throughout his life, up until after he graduates from high school. The most inspiring part of this film for me was seeing the way he made films with the limited resources available. The film takes place in the 1960’s, so there are lots of little things he has to learn to create practical effects.
My favorite part of the movie is when he’s making a western and needs a way to make the effect of a gunshot. The solution he comes up with is poking little holes in the physical film, which creates a flash effect on that frame. It’s things like that that make film what it is today. Steven Spielberg is one of the best directors out there; he has changed and shaped the industry in so many ways. This film is another long one, with a run time of about three hours. But, unlike “Oppenheimer,” this film can be enjoyable for lots of movie-goers. The Fabelmens is a great coming-of-age film, and pertains to a wide audience.
I believe if you can show real human experiences in a film, whether it’s about something someone knows a lot or very little about, it’s going to be entertaining. “Does this remind me of what the human experience is like?” asked Seth Denlinger, another Franklin video production teacher. “And if it does, even if it’s a genre of movie, I’ll connect with it in some way.” I know not everyone is an aspiring filmmaker, but even if you aren’t, I hope this gave you some interesting insight on some of the films that people have been talking about recently. If you prefer to just read this but aren’t a movie buff, “Barbie” and “Asteroid City” are great for a casual setting. For those of you who don’t do anything but watch movies and log them on Letterboxd, watch the other three movies on my list.
