Most high schoolers have seen classic movies like White Men Can’t Jump and The Sandlot, but they miss out on other generational films that can change their perspectives on life.
Primal Fear is a legal thriller in which a defense attorney must unravel a murder scene to save a young man’s life. The defense attorney, Martin Vail, attempts to secure the release of suspect Aaron Stampler from jail. Stampler has split personalities, yet one may be more deceptive than the other.
Starring Edward Norton and Richard Gere, Primal Fear shows how the brain can create alternate situations or personalities to deal with a person’s past trauma, and also highlights the gray areas in the legal system.
Alternatively, Fargo is a dark comedic thriller where a poor car salesman hires a hitman to kidnap his wife. This action causes a chain of violence and chaos. Later, the police chief (Frances McDormand) reveals the truth and exposes the cruelty of the situation.
Fargo explores ideas of greed and desperation, proving that falling victim to desire can ruin a person’s life.
Next, Willow is an encouraging story about how the smallest man changed the world. Willow Ufgood, a dwarf, has to protect a special baby who is prophesied to take down the evil queen. Along their journey, Willow meets a swordsman and a sorcerer to help him complete his adventure.
The film, starring Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer, explores key concepts like how fear can be overcome and how friendship can help lead to success. The fantasy adventure film is widely regarded as a classic by fans and audiences alike.
While there are big-name movies like Tron or 12 Angry Men that a lot of people watch throughout their lives, The Thing is different. The Thing has a well-known name, but it is not watched as often as the classics.
In The Thing, a research team located in Antarctica finds a shape-shifting alien that can match any human being on Earth. As paranoia spreads through the team, they lose sight of who is real and who is fake. They fight to survive while containing the creature, so it does not escape to the outside world.
Finally, Casablanca is a war drama in which Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) runs a nightclub in Casablanca during World War II. He finds his former lover, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), and he helps her navigate love, sacrifice, and political intrigue to get her husband away from the Nazis.
As a collective, the movies are classics that will be enjoyed for generations to come. Each movie presents a unique theme and background for each character and situation, which creates an impact on the viewer for years to come.
