What’s the best way to find out if Film Club is right for you? The 2020-2021 leadership team and members pulled together a list of all-time favorites– whether you agree or disagree, you can discuss as soon as you join. Just email jrb0065@mix.wvu.edu for details.
And, make sure to follow @WVUFilmClub and @WVUStudentMedia!
“Hello, all! I’m Jeffrey Boggess, your WVU Film Club President. I started making videos in high school behind the scenes in the marching band and have stayed behind the camera pretty much ever since. I’m looking forward to seeing plenty of new faces this coming semester and guiding you into our film community. Let’s make the most out of our time together.” Jeffrey B.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) – If you’re like me and you like genre-busting humanist indie movies, then Eternal Sunshine is just for you. With an uncommonly subdued Jim Carrey in the spotlight, this film not only covers all the bases of a breakup, but it also oscillates tonally between being breathtakingly intimate and narratively grandiose, often at the same time. Courtesy of director Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman, no other film deconstructs a relationship and puts it back together quite the same as Eternal Sunshine.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) – You cannot consider yourself a cinephile until you’ve had your first Wes Anderson bingo. Draped in the director’s signature style (deadpan deliveries, orphaned protagonists, meticulously picturesque framework, etc.), The Grand Budapest Hotel broadcasts Anderson at his most accessible and rich, with some of his wittiest dialogue delivered flawlessly by leading man Ralph Fiennes. This movie is a masterclass in balancing style and substance, a specialty of any auteur worth watching.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) – On the subject of auteurs, the Coen brothers’ odyssey through Depression-era Mississippi also abides by this balance. This comedy/crime/adventure/social commentary is filled to the brim with memorable quotes, creative characters and plenty of narrative chaos to entertain through its 107 minutes. It also leans more into the idealistic side of the Coen brothers’ spectrum, making O Brother, Where Art Thou? a great entrypoint for their larger body of work.
Ex Machina (2014) – I consider myself a man of culture. I enjoy my three new Marvel movies a year with witty one-liners and plenty of stuff blowing up. When it comes to sci-fi, though, I believe the best genre entries burn slowly. Ex Machina has a pretty straightforward premise, but typical to writer-director Alex Garland, an element of existential horror looms heavily underneath. If this type of movie doesn’t make you squirm at least a little, it may not be for you, but I strongly recommend a watch just to see what sticks with you.
Persona (1966) – Do NOT limit your film taste to only American entries or you will miss out on a literal entire world of cinema. Swedish director Ingmar Bergman is a legendary industry leader lauded by both successors and contemporaries. The man directed upwards of 40 films throughout his career, many of them masterpieces, with Persona possibly being his magnum opus. That may make it seem like an odd place to start, but it was my own introduction to Bergman, and I have admired his work ever since.
“Hello hello! I am Adam Payne, your WVU Film Club VP! I have been passionate about acting for as long as I can remember and ran a YouTube series chock full of skits and short films all through growing up. Now here at WVU, I am combining a love for acting and filmmaking and hoping to do it as a career. Film club is an incredible network of skills and resources to be a part of so you don’t wanna miss out on joining!” Adam P.
Good Will Hunting (1997) – A movie that was born out of Matt Damon’s senior year playwriting class at Harvard and a collaboration with best buddy Ben Affleck fresh into their careers is a recipe for success. From that duo we get an incredibly realistic, beautiful screenplay chock full of memorable lines and one of the best roles the late Robin Williams ever graced. He won an Oscar for his performance for crying out loud! Grab your tissues and give it a watch immediately. You will definitely not regret it.
Ladybird (2017) – We all know by now that award season seldom shows love to female directors, but Ladybird is one of the few times they didn’t flub it up. Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut feels more like a love letter to coming of age films, to Sacramento, to her mother, and to filmmaking in general than it does a movie. Gosh, it is just so darn good! Nothing I have seen on film has captured growing up and those ever-changing relationships between our family members quite so beautifully and poignantly as this does. You will NOT regret a watch.
Finding Nemo (2003) – Now I am sure everyone reading this has already absolutely seen this movie growing up… but what is stopping you from realizing it is a five star freaking film? I quite literally cannot find any fault with this Pixar smash hit, from the way the story is crafted, to the stunning animation (which holds up beautifully seventeen years later), to the great voice performances, and of COURSE that soundtrack! Rarely do I listen to movie soundtracks, but when I do, you bet your sweet gills that it is Nemo.
The Truman Show (1998) – Ah yes, the ~conceptual~ movie! I love this movie because it takes its premise (no spoilers!) and absolutely deep-dives in. It is a psychologically half drama / half comedy with outstanding directing met by a stellar Jim Carrey performance. It never takes itself too seriously, yet will leave you questioning everything about your reality when the credits roll. Buckle in, pop the corn, and watch this incredible concept unroll.
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) – No, it is not just a Christmas movie, you fools! This holiday staple has skyrocketed itself to the top of my essential viewing list year-round because of its absolute masterclass in storytelling. Every character serves a purpose and every story or plotline interweaves to serve the story’s beautiful crescendo. The black and white cinematography and beautiful characterization will fill you with a nostalgia and familiar warmth like no other movie. Yes, I will cry at every single watch when that thematic quote appears to George and reads “No man is a failure who has friends.” Wow… I’m getting teary just thinking about it.
“I’m Erica Cottrill, WVU Film Club Secretary! I’m a sophomore Acting and English major who still has much to learn about cinema along with any incoming members. I’ve acted in a few short films, as well as a feature-length movie by a local film company. I’m excited to see what we’ll accomplish this semester despite any hardships we might face along the way!” Erica C.
Spirited Away (2001) – Considered the definitive Hayao Miyazaki film (a feat in and of itself), Spirited Away follows a young girl named Chihiro on a quest to free her parents trapped in the spirit realm. The cast and world expands quickly, but generates curiosity rather than confusion in doing so, largely due to the stunning artwork and charming characters. Studio Ghibli uses animation to communicate fantastic ideas difficult to convey in live-action movies, and Spirited Away encapsulates how animated films can spark imagination in people of all ages.
Get Out (2017) – Jordan Peele’s directorial debut features a strong script with clear themes and symbolism, making it a rich narrative that is still analytically accessible to those less familiar with film. It’s also an important movie for Black American horror, showcasing a perspective that is often overlooked in media.
Knives Out (2019) – Perhaps it hasn’t been long enough for Knives Out to be branded as a must-see, but its seamless structure overcomes the trouble that often arises with switching genres in a story. It balances comedy with darker subject matter well, making it a delight to watch, as well a fresh, unique entry in murder mystery as a whole.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952) – Singin’ in the Rain is a true musical put on film, utilizing the power of song and dance at its most climactic moments rather than shying away from it. Even those who don’t have a taste for musical comedies have to see it for the impressive performances of its actors—Donald O’Connor’s physical comedy alone is enough to warrant this a watch.
Alien (1979) – One of Ridley Scott’s many heralded films, a main selling point of Alien is the technical ways it builds tension around its source of horror. It also features Ripley, widely regarded as one of cinema’s most beloved female protagonists, masterfully portrayed by Sigourney Weaver.
“Hey, everyone! My name’s Francine Phillips, but most people call me Fran, and I’m your Film Club secretary. I never really had a big interest in film surprisingly until our previous film club president, Sam Thompson, showed me the wonders of filming. I always used to think that because I’m a non-film related major, film club wasn’t for me, but I learned that’s far from the truth! You can relate filming to anything from environmental geoscience to political science and even math! You may even gain your closest friends along the way!” Fran P.
Rocket Science (2007) – I never like when movies add a character that has a stuttering problem, but for someone who does have a stuttering problem, this is a really accurate portrayal. This movie is about a high school boy named Hal who has a terrible stutter, has to deal with his parents divorce, and his brother is constantly picking on him. This all changes when a pretty senior girl starts talking to him and asks him to join the debate team. Throughout Rocket Science, we watch Hal coming out of his shell more and more and learning to cope better with his stuttering while going through an old school montage of him learning how to debate.
A Cure for Wellness (2016) – Did you ever feel like something isn’t right? Do you want to feel better even if you’re not showing any physical symptoms? Did these questions confuse you? Well, you should ignore them and instead watch this movie! It stars Leonardo DiCaprio lookalike Dane DeHaan, who has to go to a mysterious wellness center in the Swiss alps to locate and bring back his company’s CEO. After being stranded there to recover from a car accident, he soon finds out this is not a normal place, some patients are disappearing, and something is really off about the water.
The Edge of Seventeen (2016) – If you love Hailee Steinfeld, then this is your type of film! Edge of Seventeen is about awkward high school junior Nadine who has to deal with her popular older brother going out with her best and only friend. Nadine feels betrayed, ends her friendship and has to deal with her awkward phase all on her own. This film is definitely something that many people can relate to, especially when you have that one teacher who you could go to about anything. It’s a sweet coming of age story that also has a very cringey text scene to Nadine’s crush which makes me want to slam my head against the wall every time I think about it.
A Day (2017) – When a famous Korean doctor returns back home after being away overseas for five years, all he has to do is get through a press conference and meet up with his daughter. When he goes to meet up with her, though, he notices a car accident with a dead pedestrian. He jumps out to help and tries to call his daughter to explain he’ll be a little late until he hears her phone ringing and realizes she’s the pedestrian. He wakes up back on the plane and keeps reliving the same day over and over again, trying his hardest to save his daughter’s life. See, you’d think I just spoiled everything about this movie, but that’s far from the truth. It gets even crazier!
One Way Trip (2016) – I warn you to have a box of tissues next to you when you watch this film. Besides that, this movie is amazing! One Way Trip is about four best friends who want to have a last hang out before they go on to their adult lives. Everything changes in seconds when they witness a husband beating his wife and they decide to jump in and stop him. After you watch this movie, you’re gonna want to run up to your childhood friend and give them a big big hug!
“Hi to all reading this. I’m Jeff McCullough, and this will be my 5th year in film club. I’ve been a lifelong fan of the great medium of cinema, and I can’t wait to acquaint myself with all your bright smiling faces, then ruin that good cheer by making you watch 3 hour Soviet Union Existentialist war movies.” Jeff M.
Breathless (1960) – One of the originators of the French New Wave, Breathless with its innovative jump cut editing style, long conversational takes and prototypical antihero protagonist remains one of the most important films in the history of cinema. It’s also just really good.
Grizzly Man (2005) – Werner Herzog’s masterpiece chronicling doomed bear advocate and nature activist Timmothy Treadwell, formulated from both Herzog’s own interviews and over a hundred hours of Treadwell’s own footage shot in the Alaskan Wilderness, is not only one of the most interesting documentaries of all time, but a perfect showcase of cinema’s ability to showcase contrasting dichotomies: Treadwell, the wilderness man who sees serenity in nature, and Herzog, whose jaded eyes see only chaos and violence. Whoever you agree with, one is an award winning (and still alive) documentarian. The other ended up in the belly of a bear.
Night of the Hunter (1955) – A modern (if the 1950s can be called modern) dark fable set in West Virginia with a basis on real life Appalachian serial killer Harry Powers, Night of the Hunter’s poetic black and white cinematography perfectly encapsulates its story of good and evil, the wicked preacher with tattooed knuckles up against two little children and the personification of innocence. Nearly perfect, this film uses simplicity to enrich rather than detract.
Night on Earth (1991) – Jim Jarmusch’s startling human film, set in five cabs in five cities in four countries in one single night, is a perfect showcase of film’s ability to unify. As culturally different as these tales are, they’re still distinctly moving, humane and beautiful to their core, adapting the human experience to the confines of a taxi.
Apocalypse Now (1979) – Francis Coppola’s Vietnam-set adaptation of Heart of Darkness, Apocalypse Now is an epic film in scope and an intake film in experience. Coppola’s genius is somehow making a movie featuring both hordes of sweeping, napalm-dropping helicopters to the tune of “Flight of the Valkyries” and two soldiers waxing philosophical in the midst of the jungle, with neither segment any less compelling than the other.