Top 10 College Movies
College is a special time in a young adults life that is often referred to as “the best time of your lives.” As college has become somewhat of a necessity these days most young adults are lucky enough to experience the bliss of those golden four years of uninhibited freedom, recklessness, and of course higher education.
The media’s representation of college has ranged from insane unrealistic parties, to the Ivy League elite. While many of the entertainment world’s interpretations of college are ridiculous, idealistic, and seemingly impossible, there are a few films that attempt to capture the chaotic yet cherished college experience. At the brink of winter break and the close of the fall semester we’re commemorating college with some of the best college movies ever made. Here are the top 10 college movies.
10)Accepted
Accepted addresses the touchy subject all college applicants fear: absolute rejection. In the 2006 comedy, a high school slacker rebels against his all around rejection from college and creates his own: The South Harmon Institute of Technology. A fictional school, where all of the rejected prospective college students are accepted and attend to receive an improvised education.
9)Mona Lisa Smile
Mona Lisa Smile is an inspiring film starring Julia Roberts as a liberal art professor who instills rebellion against societal roles in her traditional 1950’s female students. This movie addresses the personal growth that can occur through higher education. Also, when is Julia Roberts not inspirational?
8)Love Story
The sappy spin on college life, this 1970’s film is about two radically different college students who fall into a tumultuous romance through their brutally honest and sometimes hostile friendship. The film takes place at Harvard University and Radcliffe College, and explores the endless opportunity of meeting extraordinary people at college.
7)Pitch Perfect
This modern spin on a musical college experience is the least bit cheesy. Pitch Perfect highlights the hardships that accompany attending college reluctantly. In the movie, Anna Kendrick stars as Beca Mitchell a student who dreams of pursuing a music career outside of the university walls. In order to appease her father, Beca joins the a cappella group where she finally learns the rewards of the college setting. Bonus, Skylar Astin sings and dances around, and it’s just delightful.
6)Monsters University
The unexpected prequel to Monsters Inc. takes a look at the college life of Mike and Sulley before their bestfriendship. The two monsters are scaring majors in the renowned Scare Program at Monsters U. When the two of them are dropped from the elite program, they have to face a feat that many college students fear -- getting their act together and focusing on school.
5) Legally Blonde
Though Elle Woods’ initial intention to get into Harvard Law were pretty lame, once she got in she embraced her girl power. Legally Blonde is the classic tale of the underdog with a pink twist. Elle’s unexpected success proves that even the bubbliest and blondest can be taken seriously.
4)Animal House
The infamous college movie indulges the invitation of indecency that exists in a college setting. The film follows two rivaling frats, one filled with rich privileged brats, and the other barbaric boozed up buffoons. The dean of the school makes it his mission to enlist the help of the fancy frat to drive the boys of the Delta House off campus.
3)The Social Network
The fact-based story about the birth of Facebook follows the journey of Mark Zuckerberg, a brilliant Harvard student who’s social network idea led him to fame, success, and a sea of hidden scandal. The Social Network is an Academy Award winning story that exposes the secrets behind the most successful social network.
2) Good Will Hunting
All star cast, amazing screenplay, inspirational story. Good Will Hunting tells a touching story about an MIT janitor (Matt Damon) who has a gift for mathematics. With the guidance of a psychologist (Robin Williams) this young man is able to address his excruciating emotional past and essentially becomes the person he is meant to be.
1)Old School
Old School is the epitome of post-college depression. When three friends face disillusionment with their current adult lives they decide to form a new fraternity for the local college. The friends revisit their glorious college years without the stress of actually going to school. For a close to post-grad person like myself, this sounds a lot like living the dream.