There’s nothing worse than the last slog of finals. You’re stressed, you have an insane amount of work and you somehow have to score a 98% in order to finish with a B+. Our campus practically becomes a pressure cooker. Safe to say, we need ways to relax. Now, I’m not opposed to doomscrolling; however, when I end up on TikTok for a ‘quick break,’ hours fly by, and I end up procrastinating. The nice thing about movies is their set runtime, providing a real boundary for a study break.
In my classes this year, some coursework involved watching films. I ended up watching nine movies and out of those I watched, these are the best ones for a study break or celebration of being finally done.
If you really have no time, I suggest watching Tutankhamun in Colour, a documentary about recoloring photos from the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. It’s nice and short (just under an hour) and available on YouTube, which allows you to either split-screen or rely solely on the background noise. Narrated by Elizabeth Frood, an Egyptologist and former director of the Griffith Institute, her knowledge and excitement over the subject are infectious. The colorized photos are incredible, especially when you see the untouched tomb for the first time. Interviews with other Egyptologists and the family of archaeologist Howard Carter’s patron provide ample discourse. Even if you have no interest in Ancient Egypt whatsoever, shutting your brain off for a break during finals is imperative, and the documentary provides a great outlet for stress relief.
Looking at a much longer movie, Amadeus is a wild ride, providing ample distraction from any chemistry or calculus exam. The film serves as a fictionalized biopic of Mozart from the perspective of Antonio Salieri, a previously favored musician who watches as Mozart surpasses him. Filled with jealousy, yearning for approval and every other heated emotion that comes from making music, the film is three hours of drama. The actors are excellent, with Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham practically descending into madness as he believes his lack of genius talent is an act of God’s abandonment. Besides the dramatic aspects, the period-style costumes and sets paint an incredible picture of 18th century Austria. Although the film is long, you can always watch it in segments of one hour at a time.
Going back to shorter runtimes, Whale Rider is an excellent movie following a young girl challenging the gender norms of her Māori tribe. After her twin brother and mother die during her birth, Pai is raised by her grandparents following her father’s relocation to Germany. Her grandfather, the chief of their tribe, grows fond of her while still blaming her for the tribe’s leadership crisis. The film showcases Pai training in secret while repeatedly being admonished by her grandfather. The film’s cinematography of New Zealand is incredible, and its exploration of culture and gender roles is well done. The actress who plays Pai, Keisha Castle-Hughes, is phenomenal, garnering an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance. The use of the ocean is also a strong point, with the diving scene remaining one of my favorites. This film is heartwarming, an emotion many of us need to feel during finals.
If none of these sound appealing, I raise you The Host. Directed by Bong Joon Ho, the film is a monster movie, striking a mix between action, horror and black comedy. The movie follows a snack vendor, Park Gang-du, and his family as they search for his daughter after she is kidnapped by the creature. Bong is always excellent, and his direction here is no different. The shots are creative, even when displaying a poorly aged CGI creature. Each character in the family gives a heartfelt performance, and you really get a sense that they deeply care about each other. Additionally, the film explores the greater issue of U.S. forces in South Korea. The creature’s creation is a result of American scientists pouring unknown chemicals into the public water: The Host calls out the unnecessary and oppressive nature of U.S. military intervention. The action sequences are also incredibly cool, with the camera showcasing angles of the creature attacking. My favorite part, however, is the coloring. With a yellow tone, the movie looks incredibly similar to the creature’s skin.
Finals may be the worst time of year, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a break. Chill in your dorm a bit, sit down and watch a movie. Then go pass your exam.
Kate LaGatta is a member of the Class of 2029 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a columnist for the Arts & Culture department and can be reached at klagatta@cornellsun.com.
