Part two of my list series featuring great movies at NU's Snell library! Again, films at the library are available for free to all students! All the films can be accessed by the library via their call numbers, which are all listed at the end of the article. Happy free film viewing!
1. Kill Bill, Volume One by Quentin Tarantino
Tarantino’s bad ass action flick is a great time, especially if you love seeing strong women murder arrogant men. Other Quentin Tarantino films at Snell include Kill Bill, Volume Two (which I don't recommend as highly), Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Natural Born Killers, Jackie Brown and Inglorious Basterds.
2. Argo by Ben Affleck
How about last year's Best Picture winner, Argo! I have my reservations about it being the Best Picture of last year, but it's a THRILLING ride. Also available at Snell is Affleck's Boston film The Town, which is quite entertaining itself.
3. The Pixar Suite
Snell has a nice suite of Pixar films available including Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, Cars, Monsters Inc, Ratatouille, UP, Toy Story 3 and Brave. All are worth your time, although the Toy Story films, Ratatouille and UP are my favorite of those at Snell.
4. Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen
On the more whimsical side of things is Woody Allen’s recent film, which is lovely fun. It's filled with arts & culture references that will excite your nerd brain! Shots of Paris are stunning and the acting is excellent.
5. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by Edgar Wright
It was impossibly hard to choose an image for this film. Do I highlight the romance or the action? The action works much better, although the romantic images are just so effective. If the marketing just showed me this shot of Cera and Winstead, they'd already have my $10. Edgar Wright’s video game style action film is tremendous, watch it! Scott Pilgrim is especially for people familiar with the universe of video games.
Note: I love the movie but the books are so much better, read them!
6. The Shining by Stanley Kubrick
Does horror tickle your fancy when looking for fun? Kubrick’s classic is masterful, and that's really all that needs to be said. Amazing film. While Kubrick's other films don't quite fit as films to unwind to (and this one is worthy of greater attention if you're willing to give it), it is my duty to inform you of Snell's extensive Kubrick collection! Includes Paths of Glory, Spartacus, Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Barry Lyndon, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut. My personal favorites are The Shining, Paths of Glory, Dr. Strangelove and Eyes Wide Shut.
7. The Films of Studio Ghibli, including Howl’s Moving Castle and My Neighbor Totoro by Hayao Miyazaki
If you're not already convinced by this image from Howl's Moving Castle, I don't know what else to do. In this image alone you can see the detail of Ghibli's visuals, their beauty, their love for nature and their inherent Japanese-ness. Pixar’s Japanese rival Studio Ghibli has their own share of brilliant films. While Snell has a great selection overall, Howl’s Moving Castle and My Neighbor Totoro are great options for unwinding. This might be a good place to start before exploring the heavier stuff like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. Spirited Away is easily one of my favorite films, a masterpiece.
The other Ghibli films at Snell are Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky and Kiki's Delivery Service.
8. The Devil Wears Prada by David Frankel
If you were waiting for a romantic comedy, this is it. Re-watch this classic or show it to a first-timer.
9. Slumdog Millionaire by Danny Boyle
Pattern emerging: Hollywood likes guilt-free entertainment. Danny Boyle’s delightful Academy Award winner for Best Picture is ripe for a re-evaluation, and a nice way to relax and have fun! Other Danny Boyle films at Snell, which are excellent but not for unwinding, are 127 Hours and Trainspotting.
10. Passing Strange by Spike Lee
How about an excellent filmed Broadway musical? Nobody seems to know about this intriguing project. I loved Spike Lee’s Passing Strange, and I bet you will too.
Call numbers for all films mentioned are listed below in alphabetical order (The Hub is the collection of DVDs in the lobby where you walk in, the films with PN are on the third floor. When you enter the floor, head diagonally straight and right):
127 Hours: The Hub
2001: A Space Odyssey: PN1995.9.S26 A16 1999
A Bug’s Life: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 B84 1999
Argo: The Hub
Barry Lyndon: PN1995.9.A3 B37 1999
Brave: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 B73 2012
Cars: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 C319 2006
Castle in the Sky: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 T46 2003
The Devil Wears Prada: PN1997.2 .D48 2006
Dr. Strangelove: PN1995.9.C55 D7 1999
Eyes Wide Shut: PN1995.9.S87 E947 2001
Finding Nemo: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 .F56 2013
Full Metal Jacket: DS557.73 .F85 2007
Howl’s Moving Castle: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 H38 2006
The Incredibles: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 I52 2005
Inglorious Basterds: The Hub
Jackie Brown: The Hub AND PN1995.9.F54 J33 2002
Kiki’s Delivery Service: The Hub
Kill Bill, Volume One: The Hub AND PN1995.9.A3 K525 2004
Kill Bill, Volume 2: PN1995.9.A3 K526 2004
Lolita: The Hub
Midnight in Paris: The Hub
Monsters Inc: Favat Children's Collection, PN1997.2 .M66 2013
My Neighbor Totoro: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 T665 2006
Natural Born Killers: PN1995.9.C66 N38 1995
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: PN1997.5 .K39 2005
Passing Strange: PN1995.9.M86 P37 2010
Paths of Glory: D522.23 .P38 1999
Princess Mononoke: PN1995.9.F67 M667 2000
Pulp Fiction: The Hub
Ratatouille: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 R38 2007
Reservoir Dogs: The Hub
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: PN1995.9.A3 S36 2010
The Shining: PN1995.9.H6 S55 1999
Slumdog Millionaire: The Hub
Spartacus: PN1995.9.H5 S6837 2001
Spirited Away: PN1997.5 .S657 2003
The Town: The Hub
Toy Story: PN1995.9.C45 T69 2000
Toy Story 3: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 .T693 2010
Trainspotting: The Hub
Up: Favat Children's Collection, PN1995.9.C45 U6 2009 AND PN1995.9.C45 U6 2009
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