Is 'The Terminator' the Best Movie Ever? Become a Culture Pundit and Challenge the PolicyMic Staff Film Picks

Culture

Want to challenge the PolicyMic staff on why your favorite movie is better than all of their favorite movies? Well, you can.

In homage to our newly launched Summer Culture Skillshare, the editorial team revealed their top film picks and reasons for loving them. Now we want to hear your opinion, and have you write on your favorite arts & entertainment subjects for our culture section.

How the Culture Writing Skillshare works: The program begins on May 20 and will run for 8 weeks, during which writers will receive detailed writing coaching and produce a weekly column.

Participants will also join a special network of fellow writers, share feedback and story ideas, receive job opportunities, and get great writing tips. PolicyMic will promote writers’ content via social media and our newsletter (subscribe here).

How to apply: Please send an email to Caira Conner (caira@policymic) with the following:

-Résumé

- Short post (~350 words) in which you teach us something you’re awesome at doing. Be creative!

- Your favorite movie, book, or album and why.

Deadline: Please submit your application by May 15. Space is limited, and we’ll prioritize early submissions.

1. American Beauty (1999)

It captures the emptiness some feel when life becomes monotonous and predictable. I'm a huge Kevin Spacey fan as well, and I really enjoy his transformation from frustrated yet apathetic employee to free-spirited middle-aged man with nothing to lose. I don't agree with everything he does in the film, but I like that he gets his zest for life back and decides to play around after so many years of boredom and disappointment. (via Laura Donovan)

2. The Terminator (1984)

This movie is probably 100% accurate. A prescient and chilling vision of our certain future! (via Tom McKay)

3. The Tree of Life (2011)

This is my favorite movie because of the cinematography, score, and the "show not tell" narrative style. But I'm also a sucker for Lord of the Rings(via Nick Baker)

4. Sixteen Candles (1984)

Though it's impossibly cheesy, here's why: 1) Molly Ringwald's character is named Sam. As a teenager, this was very meaningful to me. 2) I have a secret huge crush on Anthony Michael Hall. 3) The '80s. Embarrassing but true. (via Sam Meier)

5. Dead Man (1995)

That epic Neil Young soundtrack. Enough said. (via Aubrey Bloomfield)

6. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

British comedy at its best. (via Martin Mateev)

7. Jerry Maguire (1996)

Because of this scene(via Chris Miles)

8. Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)

I hate the English version title because it doesn't have the word fabulous in it. I have seen it at least 10 times, but it still makes me cry every single time. I love how much empathy the main character has and her desire to do good for others. If more people were like Amélie, we'd live in a much better world. (via Liz Plank)

9. The Big Lebowski (1998)

It's the tale of a simple man who gets caught up in world of intrigue, and all he wanted was his rug back. "Smokey, this is not Nam. This is bowling. There are rules." (via Mike Luciano)

10. The Godfather Parts I and II (1972, 1974)

So many reasons why these are my two favorite movies. I'll give you three: 1. Young Robert DeNiro at his best. 2. Young Al Pacino at his best. 3. The best damn cinematic saga that has ever been. (via Elena Sheppard)

11. Cinema Paradiso (1988)

As a movie buff, it's a love letter film. That last scene will make you cry, and the soundtrack is heavenly. (via Shwetika Baijal)

12. Forrest Gump (1994)

It never gets old. (via Chris Altchek)

13. Manhattan (1979)

Woody Allen's most poignant, bittersweet film. Just the right mix of humor and cynicism, shot lovingly in black and white at a time when the rest of the world had given up on New York. (via Jordan Fraade)