No Country for Old Men (Directed by the Coen Brothers)
“You can’t stop what’s coming.”
Based on the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name, No Country for Old Men (2007) is 4x Oscar winning western/thriller and features what is widely considered one of the most evil villains in cinema history: Anton Chigurh. But I wasn’t aware of any of this in the summer of 2025 when a resident hall advisor at the Governor’s Scholars Program said he was hosting a screening of the film the next Sunday evening. With nothing better to do, I went to the theater in the basement of one of Morehead State University’s buildings with little to no expectations of a film that I had barely heard of before.
As you can probably guess, my expectations were subverted (otherwise, why would I be talking about this film?) What I saw for the first time that night I still find it hard to describe at this very moment. No Country for Old Men is certainly a western film by all accounts, but it’s also a brilliant subversion of the genre at the same time. The film doesn’t hold your hand and lay out clear dividing lines of good and evil: every character is layered, nuanced, and sticks with you long after the movie is finished. I know I’m being a little vague, but I believe that this movie is more impactful the less you know about it going in.
Fair warning: the film is extremely graphic, with lots of bloody violence. But if you can stomach it, you’ll discover this film is much more than just a gorefest. Brutal and beautiful, No Country for Old Men is well worth your time.
As Good as It Gets (Directed by James L. Brooks)
“You make me want to be a better man.”
Jack Nicholson is one the most iconic actors in Hollywood history. His filmography spans over 40 years, and includes three Oscar wins for best lead actor. One of those is for his role as Melvin Udall in the romance/comedy As Good as It Gets (1997). Melvin is a grumpy old man, and pretty much acts insufferable to everyone around him. Diagnosed with OCD, he struggles to adapt to any sort of change in his daily routine, and as a result spends most of his time at home writing his best selling novels. But through a series of events with his neighbor Simon and the waitress Carol, Melvin begins to show his softer side.
While Nicholson’s performance is a highlight for sure, the rest of the cast is a joy to watch as well. Helen Hunt won best actress for her performance as Carol, and her and Nicholson’s chemistry portray an unlikely connection in a believable and compelling way. The film is also very funny, with perfectly delivered one liners throughout.
When it comes to laugh out loud comedies with lots of heart, this movie is as good as it gets.
The Social Network (Directed by David Fincher)
“We lived on farms, then we lived in cities, and now we’re going to live on the internet!”
The Social Network (2010) is a drama loosely based on Mark Zuckerberg’s creation of Facebook, and how his ruthless ambition to expand the platform impacts his relationships with others.
I love this film because even though Mark’s rise to fame and fortune is so eccentirc, the motivations that drive him are surprisingly universal. He’s fueled by envy and a desire for approval, relatable emotions that make his often unlikeable personality at least somewhat sympathetic.
The film’s script is fast paced and meticulously crafted by writer Aaron Sorkin, who’s written some of my other favorite films such as A Few Good Men (1992, directed by Rob Reiner). It’s no surprise the film won the 2011 Oscar for best adapted screenplay, as well as best editing and best score.
An expertly executed cautionary tale about the pitfalls of expanding outward and yet failing to look inward, I would recommend The Social Network to any young person.
The Incredibles (Directed by Brad Bird)
“No capes!”
The Incredibles (2004) is likely my favorite animated movie of all time. It’s a film I’ve come to appreciate for different reasons over the years: when I was a kid watching it at my grandparents house for the first time, I loved it for its superhero action and comedy. As I got older, I began to appreciate the more mature themes the film explored. Given that it’s a Pixar film, it’s kinda surprising that the main character of The Incredibles is a middle aged man dealing with a midlife crisis after he’s not allowed to continue doing what he loves. Yet again, Brad Bird is very outspoken about his belief that animation is “not a genre, but an artform” and can tell any type of story, so it makes sense he’d take the opportunity to tell a more mature story.
Of course, even with its darker undertones, the film is still a blast, with lots of good comedic moments from characters as Edna Mode (who was voiced by Brad Bird himself). It’s a movie that both kids and adults have loved for over 20 years, and will hopefully continue to appreciate in the future.
