The long-awaited winter break is here. Looking out the window, relief washes over you. Things look good: you’re warm, tucked in a blanket, and away from the cold. All that’s missing is a good movie. But as you surf from one streaming platform to another, nothing catches your eye, and your enthusiasm begins to fade. Perhaps it’s been a while since your last movie, but your heart’s ready for this holiday season.
Luckily for you, I spoke with a handful of teachers and students so you don’t have to—and here’s what I found.
Teacher Picks
A Classic Romance: Grease (1978)
For mature readers looking for a humorous, nostalgic teen-romance, Ms. Valeria Sobermazas recommends Grease (1978). Ms. Sobermazas prefers watching movies at home in the comfort of her living room, where she enjoys original-flavored popcorn and a glass of wine. You can find Ms. Sobermazas on the third floor in Room 309, currently teaching all levels of Spanish except Spanish II.
Q: What makes Grease so special?
During the summer, the main characters meet and fall in love. Sobermazas implies their love story is cut short as school resumes, “but… they don’t know that they go to the same high school.” Ms. Sobermazas continues, “It reminds me of when I was in high school. It’s fun. Even though it’s from 1978—I mean, I know it is a long, long time ago—it’s a classic! The music, the songs—it’s perfect.”
A Thought-Provoking Cult Classic: They Live (1988)
For those looking for a head-scratcher, Mr. Gibson recommends They Live (1988), a layered film with a touch of dark humor. After watching They Live, expect to be contemplating modern society. You can find Mr. Gibson teaching chemistry on the third floor in Room 303.
Q: What about They Live makes it your favorite?
“I feel like [Hollywood films] are… floppy and riveting and [Hollywood’s focused on] what’s gonna sell, but [they] aren’t really an interesting use of the art form. [But They Live] has kind of this underlayer. It’s a cool message—there’s this whole underclass in their society, and a huge disparity in wealth. You’ll notice all sorts of popular culture inspired by this. It has a class message that was controversial for our country at a time that was very, very anti-socialism.”
Student Picks
A Dark Superhero Epic: The Batman (2022)
But enough about teachers—now let’s hear from students. Senior Lucas Araya recommends The Batman (2022) for anyone looking to dive into an immersive world of crimefighting.
Q: What made you choose The Batman?
“I really liked the soundtrack and world-building, and I thought all the actors did a great job—very believable,” Lucas explains. His ideal movie setup is watching in a theater with M&M’s and lemonade.
A Multiversal Masterpiece: Everything Everywhere All At Once
Next up is another senior, Sasha Scott, who recommends the deeply layered and emotionally evocative Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Q: What makes Everything Everywhere All At Once so special to you?
“It’s one of my personal favorites because the visual effects are beautiful, and the relationship between the two main characters hit close to home. Inter-dimensional travel movies are always cool,” Sasha says. Her ideal setup is watching at night with friends, dim lighting, lots of popcorn, and fruit candy.
Edited by Camille Ng.
