Hi everyone, I’m Jaidyn! I’m a Junior at FSU and a part-time Engagement Assistant at FSU Libraries. You may recognize me from the most recent Meet the Engagement Team post here on the Libraries blog. With the buzz of the 2023 Oscar Awards in the air, I’m back to talk all things film at FSU Libraries!
As a film lover, I’m always on the lookout for something new and innovative to watch. In my off-time, I’m scouring the internet for recommendations from my friends and favorite reviewers. With these searches, I’ve been led to many of my favorite films like Julia Ducournau’s Titane or Todd Field’s Tár. As much as I love the suggestions I find, having to buy and rent all this film gets a little costly on a student’s budget. The alternative is going to the movie theater where food often costs more than the tickets and the crowds are awfully rowdy. Thankfully, I have FSU Libraries which offers a large and diverse range of films both physically and online on streaming. Below are some of my favorite films which are all available through FSU Libraries for free!
Shiva Baby
Director: Emma Siegalman
Year: 2020
Shiva Baby was my introduction to my favorite actor Rachel Sennot (who many of you may recognize from her 2022 visit to FSU)! Shiva Baby tells the story of “Michelle” who unexpectedly is confronted with the messier parts of her life at Shiva for a family friend. I really think this is a shining gem of the A24 catalog and gave me the same unsettling anxious feeling as Uncut Gems (another A24 film). This film is available to watch through Kanopy.
Image courtesy of IMDb.
Uncut Gems
Directors: The Safdie Brothers
Year: 2019
I’ve never been a huge fan of Adam Sandler but that changed with his work in Uncut Gems. The film has captivating performances and is engaging enough to keep me anxious throughout (a feeling shared with most of this film’s audience). It’s definitely a film we’re going to remember 50 years from now. Find it on Swank.
Image courtesy of IMDb.
Eraserhead
Director: David Lynch
Year: 1977
One of the most prolific of a collection classic and memorable works by the Director, Actor, and overall personality, David Lynch, deals with a father after the birth of his child. Though the film may be referred to as “off-putting” to many and is known for its creepy (I find it adorable) baby, I think it’s genuinely one of the more accessible Lynch works. Perfect to watch with friends or alone at home, find Eraserhead in our Pop Lit section or request online.
Image courtesy of IMDb.
Belle de Jour
Director: Luis Buñel
Year: 1967
Seeking an escape from her monotonous marriage and life as a housewife, Catherine Deneuve as “Séverine” escapes! I love this film and its ambiguously dream-like feeling it gives. I relate to the profound commentary this gives on escapism, sexuality, and life as a woman. Life’s a dream when you request this film online or check it out in person from our Pop Lit section.
Image courtesy of IMDb.
La Haine
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Year: 1995
This 1995 film follows a series of situations that escalate in the wake of a riot in a French slum. While this is certainly a drama in many aspects, I find it to be overly comedic. On top of that, the commentary on the intersection between class and anti-youth culture is endlessly valuable. Find this classic piece on Kanopy.
Image courtesy of IMDb.
Groundhog Day
Director: Harold Ramis
Year: 1993
Ask anyone and they would say Groundhog Day is one of my favorite holidays. I’m not quite sure why someone wouldn’t want to be stuck in an infinite loop of Groundhog Day, but this film is awesome either way. Think of it as a story of someone releasing ego and control and becoming sort of more humble. Great stuff! Find it in our Pop Lit section or online.
Image courtesy of IMDb.
Director: James Lapine
Year: 2016 Edition
Falsettos tells the story of a late 70s, early 80s Jewish family after finding out the father is gay in the midst of the AIDS crisis. I’ve always been a giant fan of this specific version with the combined musicals, and own both the sheet music and book. The highly quotable musical explores what love can look like in the modern, non-traditional family. This ensemble cast is able to accomplish so much emotionally within 2 and a half hours. This also has the added benefits of it having a star-studded cast including A-List theater actors like Andrew Rannells (one of my favorites) and Christian Borle. Find this hit musical on Academic Video Online.
Image courtesy of Broadway.com.
Director: William Wyler
Year: 1966
What would you do if your father’s career in art forgery was about to catch up to him? In this classic, the answer for Nicole, played by Audrey Hepburn, happens to be to steal it back from the highly guarded museum before they can test it for authenticity. This heist/romance is one of my favorites and you can find it on Feature Films in Education.
Image courtesy of IMDb.
This blog post was written by Jaidyn Smith, Student Engagement Assistant at FSU Libraries.