My Movie Recommendations

Pitch Perfect is a musical comedy about a college freshman named Beca Mitchell, who joins an all-female a cappella group called the Barden Bellas. The group is struggling after a disappointing competition season and needs a fresh start. Beca introduces modern arrangements and new ideas, helping the Bellas reinvent themselves as they compete against rival singing groups for a national championship.

Pitch Perfect is one of my favorite comfort movies. I always come back to it when I'm feeling down because it lifts my mood almost instantly. 9.5/10

Jojo Rabbit is a satirical comedy-drama set in Nazi Germany during the final years of World War II. The story follows a young boy named Jojo, who is an enthusiastic member of the Hitler Youth. His worldview begins to change when he discovers that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home. As Jojo gets to know the girl, he starts questioning the propaganda and beliefs he has accepted without understanding.

This is such a unique film that combines humor with serious historical themes. It uses satire to show how prejudice and hatred can be taught to children, while also highlighting the importance of empathy and critical thinking. Overall rating would be 8/10!

Fight Club is about an unnamed man who is unhappy with his life and struggles with insomnia. He feels bored and disconnected from the world around him. One day, he meets Tyler Durden (played by Brad Pitt), a confident and rebellious man who has a very different view of life. Together, they start a secret fight club where people can release their anger and stress by fighting each other. The club quickly becomes popular and grows into something much bigger than they expected. As the story continues, the main character becomes more involved in Tyler’s plans and begins to realize that things are not what they seem.

If you guys haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it, as it is a classic American psychological thriller!

Obsession follows Bear, a shy young man who has been secretly in love with his longtime friend Nikki for years. After failing to confess his feelings, he uses a mysterious wish-granting object to make his dream relationship a reality. At first, it seems to work, but the wish twists into something disturbing as her affection grows unnaturally intense and increasingly dangerous. What begins as a romantic fantasy turns into a supernatural horror story about obsession, control, and the consequences of trying to force love.

This film completely blew my mind! Reminded me of some very insecure men I used to know...

Another Studio Ghibli recommendation! Ponyo is a Japanese animated fantasy film about a magical goldfish who dreams of becoming a human after befriending a young boy named Sosuke. As Ponyo uses magic to transform herself, her actions accidentally disrupt the balance of nature, causing unusual events in the ocean and on land. The film follows the strong friendship between Ponyo and Sosuke as they work together to restore harmony. Ponyo is a classic family film that explores themes of friendship, love, courage, and the connection between humans and nature.

I mean ladies and gentlemen can we give this film a round of applause? Still can't fathom that a person younger than me directed this masterpiece. If you don't know the lore about the Backrooms, I'll save that for later and continue with Kane Parsons' adaptation. The film follows a group of people who accidentally slip into the Backrooms (courtesy of ASYNC), a seemingly endless maze of eerie yellow hallways and impossible spaces. As they struggle to find a way out, they encounter mysterious entities and uncover clues about the strange reality they're trapped in. The movie blends found footage, suspense, and psychological dread, turning a simple internet creepy pasta into a tense, horror movie.

Black Swan follows Nina Sayers (played by Natalie Portman), a ballerina cast in the dual lead of Swan Lake. As perfectionism, obsession, and rivalry with a new dancer build, she begins to spiral toward a psychological breakdown.

I had never seen this film before I watched it on a 12-hour flight out of boredom, and it quickly pulled me in. The tension and unsettling atmosphere made the time pass surprisingly fast.

It is a compelling psychological thriller and worth watching, especially for fans of intense character driven stories.

Battle Royale is a Japanese dystopian thriller where a class of students is forced by a totalitarian government into a deadly game on a remote island...where only one can survive.

Many people compare it to The Hunger Games, and some even argue that Suzanne Collins may have been influenced by it.

I watched this movie with my mom and brothers, and I recognized Kitano Takeshi as the teacher. He is best known in Japan as a comedian, and I grew up watching his TV shows, so it was surprising to see him in such a serious role.

Overall, the film stood out to me for its dark concept and its commentary on violence and society. Give it a watch if you haven't!!!

This animated film is a masterpiece. It follows 10-year-old Chihiro who stumbles upon a magical world of Japanese Shinto folklore spirits after her family takes a detour. When her parents mysteriously turn into pigs, she must navigate the Spirit Realm to find and save them.

My mother first showed me this movie when I was very young to teach me not to be greedy, which reflects traditional Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. As a child, the film used to terrify me, but growing older and even taking a class on Japanese culture and animation really helped me understand the deeper meaning of the movie. Hayao Miyazaki created a visually stunning and meaningful story about greed, identity, and personal growth.

Jarhead is a military drama that examines the emotional and psychological challenges faced by soldiers during the Persian Gulf War, based on Anthony Swofford's 2003 memoir. Centered on a young Marine (Jake Gyllenhaal) adjusting to the strict demands of military life, the film highlights the uncertainty, frustration, and isolation that can come with preparing for combat. It also stars Jamie Foxx and Peter Sarsgaard. Instead of focusing only on action and warfare, it explores how long periods of waiting and intense discipline affect the mindset and identity of those serving in the military.

What makes Jarhead different from many other war films is that it largely avoids traditional battle scenes and instead focuses on the mental strain of military life. My father served in the military, and I can resonate with some of the themes portrayed in the film, especially the ideas of discipline, sacrifice, and the emotional impact of military life. This movie is one of my favorites out there!

These WWII films are incredible! They were both directed by Clint Eastwood, and together they tell the story from two different perspectives. Letters from Iwo Jima stars Ken Watanabe, and is told from the Japanese perspective, while Flags of Our Fathers follows the American side.

My mother showed me these two movies, and I really enjoyed both of them. I’m half Japanese American, so accurate historical portrayal means a lot to me. The word “banzai” is used throughout Letters from Iwo Jima because it signaled a charge by the Japanese military. My mom used to say it to make me put my arms up so she could put a shirt on me when I was a child. Clint Eastwood did a fantastic job! The two-film structure really does create something rare in war cinema.

I love the ambiguity of this movie. It is a mind twister, I always come back to it. The plot is just something so unique. It follows Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), a high school student who suffers from sleepwalking and vivid hallucinations (possibly schizophrenia). He survives a terrible accident, and begins being terrorized by a rabbit named Frank. The thriller film also incorporates science fiction by adding themes of time travel and "vessels".

The soundtrack also includes "Head Over Heels" and "Mad World" by the popular 80's band, Tears For Fears, although "Mad World" is a cover in a melancholy tone by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews. If you want to watch something that will make you wonder what just happened, give this amazing film a watch.