I’ve enjoyed watching movies for as long as I can remember. From my watching Disney films in my younger years, to watching teen rom com’s during high school to watching films about fantastical worlds and movies that make me questions reality and the way our universe works. There are so many movies I’ve loved, but here are six that I highly recommend you watch for yourself.

1. The Cell

Child psychiatrist Catherine has created a way to enter the minds of her mentally ill patients in order to help them. But when FBI agent Peter Novak captures a murderer who falls into a coma, he asks Catherine if she can enter his mind to help find where he is keeping his latest victim. If she isn’t found soon, she’ll die in his torture cell. When Catherine agrees to delve into his cruel and strange mind she discovers it may not be so easy to get back out.

I loved this movie because it was so different from anything I’d watched before. Although some of the images were shocking and creepy, the idea that a psychiatrist could literally delve into your psyche really intrigued me.

*Please note: The Cell is rated R 18+ due to it’s disturbing nature.

2. Dragon Heart

When a young King is injured during a battle he is healed by Draco, a dragon. Years later, dragon slayer Bowen finds himself in a stand off with Draco and they decide to team up, traveling together. Bowen pretends to slay Draco, who then acts as though he’s died so Bowen can reap the reward. But when the now older and evil King threatens to destroy the entire kingdom, Bowen and Draco discover that a connection between the dragon and the king was created the night he was saved.

This movie along with Pete’s Dragon (The original) ignited my love for the mythical beasts that are dragons. I can’t say why exactly. Maybe they represent my imagination, or it’s their strength despite being able to do something as agile as fly? But ever since this movie I’ve had a love for them and grew up wishing there was a way I could have one as a pet.

3. Harry Potter Series

Everyone’s heard of Harry Potter haven’t they? Young boy living under the stairs in his Aunty and Uncle’s house discovers he is a wizard and is sent to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At Hogwarts he meets his best friends Ron and Hermione and together they set off to bring down Voldemort.

I absolutely loved the books by JK Rowling, who was a huge inspiration for me when I decided to write my first full length novel, and I loved how the movies brought her stories to life. There’s something exciting about the magic and wonder in the world of Hogwarts, and I enjoyed watching Harry and his friends grow and fulfil their destinies. Plus there’s dragons! So what’s not to love?

4. Lord of the Rings

This series follows Frodo, a hobbit from The Shire and his friends, as he embarks on an adventure to destroy the ring left to him by Bilbo. Dark Lord Sauron seeks the ring as he needs it to regain full power, and he sends his evil servants to take the ring from Frodo and his friends before they can destroy it.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched these epic fantasy adventures. The landscapes and colourful characters really brought Tolkien’s stories to life.

5. Donnie Darko

When troubled teen, Donnie Darko, has a near death experience he’s visited by a creepy rabbit called Frank who shows him visions from the past and a prediction that the world will end in 28 days.

Okay, if you haven’t seen this movie please, bare with me. It’s definitely as twisted and strange as it sounds, and I had to watch the movie twice to begin appreciating what this movie was about (and I’m still uncertain in parts) but that’s exactly what I love about it. It explores the world of time travel in a strange and interesting way, and although I can’t quite put my finger on why I love it, I think this is a movie you need to watch and decide how you feel on your own.

6. Inception

Dom Cobb has a skill that allows him to enter someone’s subconscious while they’re dreaming and steal secrets. This skill has made him highly sought after but also means he’s a fugitive. But when he’s presented with the chance to stop running, he must attempt something that hasn’t been done before. He has to plant a thought deep in someone’s subconscious mind, Inception.

I really love this movie and it is definitely one of my favourites if not my favourite movie. The entire concept had me hooked from the beginning with people creating dreamscapes in their mind and delving deeper in the human mind to plant a single thought. That single thought could entirely change someone’s future and the way they see the past. Definitely a movie you need to see if you haven’t already.

 

I could’ve rambled on for hours about the movies I love, but these are definitely a great start! Movies are just one of the many things in life that inspire me and help me create new ideas and stories to write.

Have you watched any of these? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and if you have a movie you think I’d love to see please let me know in the comments.