Now that my time as an undergraduate student is coming to an end, I felt it only right to reflect on my journey as an aspiring film critic. From September 2012 through April 2016, I have seen over 150 theatrically released movies, and I have had the pleasure of writing a review for many of these movies for The Archway. As a way to thank everyone at Bryant University – and specifically to everyone at The Archway who encouraged me and supported this passion of mine financially – I thought it only best to give my list of the best movies that I saw during my four years of college.
This list was more difficult than any annual best-of list that I’ve ever made. I had to make some serious cuts of movies I truly loved, including Argo and Looper from the fall of 2012, 12 Years a Slave and Don Jon from 2013, 22 Jump Street, American Sniper, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Noah, and Whiplash from 2014, Bridge of Spies and Jurassic World from 2015, and 10 Cloverfield Lane and Deadpool from 2016.
After much internal debate, here are the 20 best movies I saw while I was at college.
Special Mention: The Way Way Back (2013)
When I made my initial list, The Way Way Back was in the top 3. I even contemplated having it in the number 1 spot, because part of me would say it’s my favorite movie of the past four years. I try to keep subjectivity out of my reviews as much as I can, but it’s too difficult for me when it comes to this movie because I just love it too much. So to be fair to it and the rest of the movies on the list, I took it out and gave it this mention, because no spot I would have given it would have given The Way Way Back justice. It also has the best movie soundtrack ever (and that’s me being objective). In my heart, The Way Way Back is (and may always be) my #1 movie from my four years of college.
#20: About Time (2013)
It’s just about the sweetest movie you’ll find released in this time period. It also takes place in London, so that’s obviously a plus. It has more memorable scenes than most of the other movies on this list, and Rachel McAdams gives a performance to marvel at.
#19: August: Osage County (2013)
Watching this movie the first time, I had never felt so guilty for laughing at something until I saw “The Book of Mormon” a year later. Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, and a cast of true artists bring Tracey Letts’ master screenplay to life in a film that didn’t get the attention it deserved.
#18: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
I might get a little hate for having this so low, but I am a big advocate for story in a movie. For the most part, I was able to look past this flaw in Mad Max, especially in subsequent viewings. The action is spectacular, as is Charlize Theron’s Furiosa.
#17: The Hateful Eight (2015)
This was not Tarantino’s better film of the past four years (stay tuned until the Top 5), but it’s instantly re-watchable and impeccable cast in the film that earned legendary composer Ennio Morricone his first Academy Award win for Best Score.
#16: The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
If I got a little hate for putting Mad Max at #18, I’ll definitely get hate for putting this one so low. Putting aside its egregious runtime, Wolf is hysterical at all the right times and is a triumph of Martin Scorsese. It also gave us Margot Robbie, which is clearly (and unbiasedly) most important.
#15: The Jungle Book (2016)
The newest release on this list, The Jungle Book hasn’t had as much time to leave an impact on me as a moviegoer compared to the other movies. Its visuals alone, however, are enough to earn it a spot, and the film is elevated by a good screenplay brought to life by an amazing cast of voice actors and soon-to-be-star Neel Sethi.
#14: Spotlight (2015)
The only Best Picture Oscar-winner on this list, Spotlight benefits from fierce editing, a committed cast, and a daring screenplay that calls for appreciation of those individuals who don’t rest until the truth is told and a call for justice is made. Another shout-out to Rachel McAdams, who here scores her first Oscar nod.
#13: Selma (2014)
Selma does unspeakable justice to the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and director Ava DuVernay tells a story that caters to today’s audience without succumbing to cheap storytelling tactics – a tragedy that very easily could have been realized. I’d have rather seen no one else helm the project of bringing Paul Webb’s script to the screen.
#12: Epic (2013)
Epic lives up to its title. It’s the best animated film from these past four years and shows that Christoph Waltz, Amanda Seyfried, and Josh Hutcherson are just as talented as voice-actors as they are in front of the screen.
#11: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars is pure entertainment and still manages to convey a solid narrative. This deserves enormous praise given the amount of pressure from fans and producers into making sure the Star Wars continuation didn’t fall flat. Thankfully, it soared.
#10: Brooklyn (2015)
The most touching love story on this list (slightly edging out The Fault in Our Stars), Brooklyn is a charming, funny, and delightfully-acted adaptation of Nick Hornby’s screenplay.
#9: The Impossible (2012)
It’s the movie on this list that came closest to making me cry. Naomi Watts was robbed of an Oscar in her role as a devoted mother in a time of tragedy. It’s also the first time worldwide audiences are introduced to Tom Holland, and early reviewers are saying he’s quite an impressive Spider-Man in the upcoming Captain America: Civil War. This movie does not get the love it deserves – go watch it.
#8: Into the Woods (2014)
Easily the best musical of the past four years, Into the Woods is a magical adventure with memorable performances, songs, set pieces, and deep messages.
#7: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Needless to say, it’s the greatest entry in the Hunger Games filmography. Also, seeing as I’m not a big David O. Russell fan, I’d argue this is Jennifer Lawrence’s best movie from the past four years. Catching Fire balances narrative and thrilling excitement better than its predecessor and its follow ups, and for that, it earns a spot in my top 7.
#6: The Gift (2015)
Easily the best thriller on this list, The Gift was Joel Edgerton proving he’s a real triple threat – mastering one of 2015’s best performances, scripts, and directorial debuts. It’s really creepy, and it’s really frickin’ great.
#5: Gravity (2013)
When I just typed the word “Gravity” on my computer, I started hearing that incredible music that played when Sandra Bullock rises up at the end in my head. The movie stays with you not just for its Oscar-sweeping technical construction but for its underlying story and resilient work by Bullock herself and director Alfonso Cuaron. I almost put this at #4, but the following movie’s strengths were a bit stronger and its weaknesses were slightly more negligible by comparison.
#4: Django Unchained (2012)
Lovable for so many great reasons (and a whole lot of wrong reasons), Django is a romp of a movie – so much so that the quality of filmmaking isn’t as evident. Why? Because you’re having too much fun to care. With a close eye, the acting, directing, writing, cinematography, and casting are almost flawless, and I think the fact that I didn’t wholly notice that the first time I saw this movie is a testament to its ability to fully take you away.
#3: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
One of the best high school movies ever made, Perks features a trio of perfect performances leading an earnest telling of the trials of freshman year. It’s simply beautiful, and the fact that I can continue to enjoy it for the rest of my life makes me genuinely happy.
#2: Boyhood (2014)
Go ahead and hate – in response, I may just knock you for an inability to appreciate authenticity and natural wonder when it is right in front of your eyes. On the other hand, maybe I won’t, because Boyhood points out that we’ve all overlooked that beauty at points in our lives. Richard Linklater, all I can do is say “thank you,” even though Ellar Coltrane wasn’t the most likable lead.
#1: Mud (2013)
Mud is the drama-romance film with a bit of action and a lot of coming-of-age. Writer-director Jeff Nichols balances professionalism and sincerity in filmmaking like no one else working in movies today. Mud has a scope that covers so much more than the little Arkansas town in which it takes place, but has the ability to connect to everyone who sees it because it has such a simple and universal story of love and acceptance that connects to anyone with a soul. This, on top of gripping cinematography, beckoning music, and one of the greatest on-screen child performances ever from Tye Sheridan make Mud the best movie I have seen these past four years.
To everyone who has read one of my reviews in the past – thank you for your time and your support! You can keep up to date with my opinions on my blog, AJBeltis.Blogspot.com. Until then, I’ll see you at the movies.