Sometimes the best inspiration comes from putting down your homework and turning on a movie. Wind down, broaden your horizons and enjoy a film chosen just for you. Moody Magazine compiled a list of suggestions that will leave students from each Moody major thinking “that was just what I needed.”

Elie's Picks

Journalism: "All the President's Men" (1976)

While this may seem like the obvious choice, “All the President’s Men,” widely regarded as the greatest journalism film of all time, it simply must be our pick. This suspenseful masterpiece follows the reporters at The Washington Post who uncovered the Watergate scandal with the help of a mysterious source, code-named Deep Throat. Released in 1976, just two years after President Richard Nixon resigned from office, the film stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, who give brilliant performances as journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. This adaptation brilliantly highlights the impact young reporters can have if they remember the importance of perseverance, rigorous verification and ethical source handling.

Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences: "CODA" (2021)

Although this 2022 Oscars Best Picture winner received mixed reactions from the Deaf community, its impact and feel-good nature makes it a must-see for SLHS majors. “CODA” centers on 17-year-old Ruby Rossi, who is the only hearing person in her immediate family. She is torn between pursuing her passion for singing and her fear of abandoning her deaf parents. The film features vibrant performances from deaf Oscar winners Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur. Ruby’s heartfelt coming-of-age story creates space for valuable conversations about representing groups with communication differences. While there are many nuances surrounding the use of tropes, including focusing on the character with a hearing perspective and the portrayal of deafness as a burden, the film uses humor and emotional charge to stray from harmful stereotypes and beautifully portrays how the Deaf community appreciates music.

Communication and Leadership: "The King's Speech" (2021)

Starring Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech” is a biographical drama that explores the vulnerability of leadership. The film is set in 1936, when King George VI, or “Bertie,” unexpectedly rose to power. He was forced to overcome a speech impediment in a time when communication differences were seen as detrimental to leaders’ responsibilities. With an Australian therapist’s unconventional techniques, Bertie grows from a reluctant royal to an inspiring monarch who leads the nation into World War II. From this Best Picture winner, CLD majors can take away the valuable lesson that supportive relationships build the foundation of a good leader, rather than fear and control.

Advertising: "Election" (1999)

This satirical take on high school student government elections may seem like an unconventional selection for advertising majors, but “Election” is no ordinary late-’90s dark comedy. The critically acclaimed film stars Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick, a power-hungry perfectionist who may remind you of someone you knew in high school. Because of his personal disdain for Tracy, her teacher, Mr. McAllister is determined to make sure she does not win student body president and puts another student into the election. Both characters’ methods display the moral ambiguity of brand authenticity vs. perception and the importance of understanding your target audience. While most of these characters may leave you wanting to rip your hair out, they will also teach the hard truths
of branding.

Claire's Picks

Radio, Television and Film: "The Fabelmans" (2022)

Steven Spielberg’s 2022 flick, “The Fabelmans,” tells Sammy Fabelman’s story as a coming- of-age, autobiographical approach to Spielberg’s childhood and how he grew up making movies. The winner of two Golden Globes and one Critics’ Choice Award, we picked “The Fabelmans” for Radio, Telvision and Film (RTF) majors specifically because it is a love letter to filmmaking. Fabelman’s passion for making movies starts when he is very young, and he carries it through all the phases of growing up: navigating relationships, family dynamics, puberty and more. Any film enthusiast will fall in love with Spielberg’s story, and this pick is sure to remind RTF majors of why they chose their major in the first place.

Public Relations: "Jerry Maguire" (1996)

Portraying a young hotshot sports agent whose reputation is ruined after he sends an earnest company-wide letter, “Jerry Maguire” explores the ties between corporate agendas and vulnerable, authentic relationships. It features Academy Award winners Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding Jr., who won Best Supporting Actor in 1997 for his role as Rod Tidwell. From this film, public relations majors can learn lessons from the relationship that Cruise’s character, Jerry, has with the public. While under intense public scrutiny, Cruise’s character chooses authenticity in his career as a sports agent. We see him navigate client relationships and gain confidence when dealing with the media and the public eye. Any PR-minded viewer will relish in this depiction of what it truly means to be honest in the hardest moments. We hope this film makes Public Relations majors feel seen, understood and validated while following along with Jerry Maguire on his path toward personal and professional success.

Communication Studies: "The Holdovers" (2023)

The thing we liked about “The Holdovers” is the way that it values the power of silence. The director, Alexander Payne, uses dialogue very specifically to focus the majority of the story on relationship-building. In the movie, we follow an instructor at a New England prep school who is assigned to stay at the school over the winter holiday break to care for students who have no one to go home to. He forms bonds with sundry individuals, building different relationships with each of them. We thought of Communication Studies immediately when this film first came up, as we feel the foundation of this major comes from the idea that relationships are very specific and personal. One person can bring out a side of someone that no one else knew was there. A winner of several Critics’ Choice awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award (shoutout Da’Vine Joy Randolph), “The Holdovers” will force viewers to look inward at the person they are and the people they surround themselves with. Most importantly, it pushes viewers to be grateful for the relationships they have built for themselves.