By Audrey Miller
There is nothing like a great movie. A great movie is a visual vacation; it takes you somewhere unfamiliar, and it has the power to entertain you past the time that it is on screen. And a great movie has the power to sit with you for a lifetime, impacting the way you view the world.
Now, not every movie can be this “great” movie, and deeming a movie “great” is subjective. This is proven through the people and films nominated at the upcoming 98th Oscars awards ceremony. Some I believe are truly deserving, like One Battle After Another, while others have been distastefully snubbed (Jesse Plemons). But every so often, you come across a film that is undeniably great. Below are three great films I have watched:
- Bugonia (2025) directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Bugonia follows two conspiracy obsessed men, played by Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis, who kidnap a high-powered CEO, played by Emma Stone, and are convinced she is an alien who plans on destroying Earth.
I honestly don’t even know where to begin. I’m not exaggerating when I say I cannot stop talking about Bugonia. This film was recommended to me by my friend Ada, who demanded I watch this as she needs to talk about it with someone. She saw the film in theaters. I do not envy her of this experience.
Bugonia is one of the most stressful films I’ve ever watched. Pianist and composer Jerskin Fendrix developed the score, which created haunting elements and layered on to the emotion already present through the acting. Director Yorgos Lanthimos did an incredible job adding yet another film to his discography that does nothing but be both incredible and confusing. The ending of the film causes mixed reactions, but I believe it is just paying homage to Lanthimos’ wacky film-making style.
Each member of the 15–person cast provided a truly stellar performance. Emma Stone stood out as always, but she was not the true star of this film. Actor Jesse Plemons who plays Teddy, the leader of the kidnapping-duo, has delivered a revolutionary performance. After watching this, Plemons has easily become my favorite actor. He played a deeply complex and jaded character with such emotion and power that you truly are conflicted with how you feel towards him. His performance evokes an empathy from the viewer, which is hard to believe; Who would feel empathy for someone committing a heinous crime? I am astounded that he was not nominated for Actor of the Year in this year’s Oscars Award Ceremony as I truly believed after watching Bugonia, he had it in the bag.
The film deservedly received four nominations: best motion picture of the year, best adapted screenplay, best original score, and Emma Stone for best actress in a leading role. I am sad to report they did not win any awards.
You can watch Bugonia on Peacock. Be warned: it’s gory, stressful, and twisty. I love this movie and cannot wait for it to receive the credit it deserves.
2. Billy Elliot (2000) directed by Stephen Daldry
Billy Elliot takes place in County Durham, England in 1984, where there’s a prevalent miners’ strike which the main character, 11-year-old Billy Elliot’s brother and father are battling in. Caught in the middle, Billy discovers his love and talent for ballet after a boxing class. Throughout the film, he attempts to please his disapproving father while satisfying his appetite for dance. The film stars Jamie Bell, Gary Lewis, and Julie Walters.
“I just want to dance at the ballet,” says an emotional Cam Tucker from the hit sitcom Modern Family. If you are chronically online and are familiar with this reference, you may know it is in honor of Billy Elliot. Like Cam, I have such a strong emotional attachment to this film. Billy Elliot is truly a diamond in the rough. It is beautiful and heartbreaking. First of all, the soundtrack is amazing. With songs from T.Rex and The Clash, it is revolutionary, really allowing you to be sucked into the magic that’s happening on screen.
Billy Elliot is a perfect movie in my book. You root for Billy and grow with him as he explores his passion and talents. You also see the strengthening of family bonds and the development of a father’s respect for his son. This film has inspired a hit Broadway musical. It is no coincidence the show has found success. The power this performance has is revolutionary. It is honest and raw, and it allows the viewer to gain a paternal empathy towards a character you never knew you had.
You can watch Billy Elliot on Prime and other streaming services. I seriously recommend this be your next watch, as you’re doing yourself injustice by not watching it.
3. Lords of Dogtown (2005) by Catherine Hardwicke
Lords of Dogtown details the radical, true story about the teenage skaters from Venice Beach, California, who took the sport of skateboarding to the next level and changed the world of sports. It follows “the Z-Boys”: Stacy Peralta, played by John Robinson; Tony Alva, played by Victor Rasuk; and Jay Adams, played by Emile Hirsch, who, with the help of their mentor Skip, played by Heath Ledger, introduce a new style of skateboarding that becomes a global phenomenon. As they find success, they learn the hardships that come with it.
Overall, this movie isn’t for everyone. It is directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the woman who brought us Thirteen and Twilight. Like those two films, Lords of Dogtown is dark, raw, and honest. You root for the people on the screen and cringe as they learn from their mistakes. As this movie is emotional, it is also fun, and you are transported to the sunny paved streets of Venice Beach in the ‘70s.
But this movie has haunted me ever since I watched it. And I don’t mean haunt in a negative way. The beauty and realness this film evokes stays with you. The soundtrack is also stand-out. There is one particular scene that uses Neil Young’s “Old Man” that is sad and perfect. I just love this movie! Aside from the aesthetics and charm, this movie is interesting, and you learn something new. It’s the essence of cool.
You can watch it for free on YouTube, or you can rent or buy on Amazon and other streaming services.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!