Imagine that you’re sitting down in front of your TV on a Friday evening after a long week at work. Two options are presented to you: the 1954 Marlon Brando classic, On the Waterfront, or re-watching 5 episodes of The Office. Both are the exact same run time, but the old movie feels twice as long in your gut. Plus it’s in black and white? Hmm. After some deliberation, you land on The Office. You shut off your brain and enjoy some comfort food. You’ve heard that On the Waterfront is good, but maybe you’ll try it another time when you feel like it. But each time On the Waterfront comes up, you just can’t bring yourself to start it.
This hypothetical is not to pick on The Office. I think it’s one of the funniest shows ever made. And it isn’t to necessarily denigrate the fact that after a hard day, engaging with something more meaningful on screen can feel like work instead of entertainment. Sometimes that can be useful. But when you realize that you never watch anything challenging, thoughtful, beautiful, or intellectually engaging, you may need to evaluate your screen time.
We live in a time where we have access at any time to almost every movie and TV show that's ever existed. That is a blessing and a curse. While it's incredible freedom to be able to watch anything you could ever want, the sheer volume of options can paralyze and lead us back to something comfortable. Comfort is having a frozen pizza for dinner. Instead of the pizza, maybe we should reach for the carefully prepared ribeye. It may take more investment, but the satisfaction is much greater.
Movies and television are works of art. Art is supposed to challenge and inspire us, not numb us. It may require more effort, but things that require more effort generally yield greater results. Watching artistically significant films have inspired me, deepened my faith, helped me understand the world, and changed my perceptions. They have interested me in history, revealed my faults and foibles and given me a new appreciation for the beauty of God's creation. As much as I love The Office, my mind just isn't really enriched by the experience.
My hope with this post is not to sound elitist or judgmental, but to inspire. Generally, most people want to engage with the good stuff, but they have trouble getting started. Either it's difficult to choose, or difficult to take the leap and dive into something that feels more substantial. I have found that choosing a list with a finite number of movies can help. I've watched every Academy Award Best Picture winner, and almost all of the AFI top 100. These lists aren't perfect but they're a great starting point. Does that seem too daunting? Here are 5 films that I've watched recently that were thought provoking and challenging, but also entertaining.
Ikiru (1952) - What if you knew your life was ending in 6 months? What would you think about how you've lived, and how you're going to finish your days? Ikiru is from master director Akira Kurosawa, and is one of the all time classics of Japanese cinema. Don't let the fact that this movei is subtitled and black and white scare you- it is incredibly relatable and inspiring.
Real Life (1979) - This Albert Brooks mockumentary is about the filming of a reality TV show and the affect the camera has on people living their lives. This movie critiques the reality show almost 20 years before it takes off. Albert Brooks is hilariously self-deprecating playing a version of himself that is eviscerates the typical Hollywood mindset.
The Bikeriders (2024) - This came out over the summer and went mostly overlooked, but it is worth seeking out. A tale about a motorcycle club that has their brotherhood co-opted before their very eyes. Incredibly insightful about male friendship in a way that is mostly absent in today's movies.
The Social Network (2010)- This is a film that becomes more important as the years go on and tech companies become more in control of our lives. This Aaron Sorkin written and David Fincher directed film is an incredible look at ambition without weighing the consequences. Plus, it has one of the most innovative musical scores ever!
The Thin Red Line (1998) - Terrance Malick takes on the internal side of war, in this gorgeously shot WW2 drama. Malick is not for everyone, but this is probably the easiest entry point into his movies. I find them to be beautifully contemplative, others think he’s a self indulgent hack.
