Movie Recommendation for Students

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for movies that can inspire or motivate students, particularly those related to academic themes. Participants explore various films that depict hard work and perseverance, contrasting them with narratives centered on innate genius.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest films like "Good Will Hunting" and "A Beautiful Mind" but express a desire for recommendations that emphasize hard work over innate talent.
  • Others propose movies such as "Hidden Figures" and "Apollo 13," noting that inspiration can come from films not strictly about academics.
  • One participant mentions "The Paper Chase," which focuses on the challenges faced by a first-year law student.
  • Several titles are listed, including "October Sky," "Rudy," "Whiplash," and "The Man Who Knew Infinity," with the caveat that they may not perfectly align with the original request.
  • A later reply introduces "The PHD Movie," highlighting its relatable content for graduate students and its comedic take on academic life.
  • Another participant mentions "Legally Blonde" as an unexpectedly motivational film within an academic context.
  • "Stand and Deliver" is noted for its inspirational story about a teacher who motivates students to excel in math.
  • One participant recommends "The Painted Veil," emphasizing the protagonist's hard work and moral commitment rather than intellectual prowess.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a definitive list of movies, as multiple competing views and suggestions are presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions may depend on the specific academic level of the audience (undergraduate vs. graduate), and there is a mix of genres and themes among the proposed films.

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A fellow student (also a friend) asked me about what movies she should watch to get him out of a rut, so she wants movies related to academics. I first thought of `Good Will Hunting` and `A Beautiful Mind`.

Although I like both movies, Nash was genetically gifted and Will (who probably is a fictional character) was also gifted. I was wondering if there are any movies which students must watch but which depends upon people working hard and getting places rather than being super smart.

You are welcome to name movies which belong to either categories, but please mention which ones are which. Again, I don't want these movies, but my friend does (to anyone spying one me).

Thanks to everyone who replies! You have been of some help today🤝
 

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Hidden Figures, Apollo 13,, but movies don't have to be about academics/science to be inspiring/motivational for a student to "get one out of a rut". Maybe an inspirational distraction? Gladiator?
 
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I like to say that I use music to influence my autonomic nervous system in the absence of an education as a Tibetan monk. The same holds true for movies. A friend of mine once spoke about her movie category "mommy movies". She meant romantic movies like "Sleepless in Seattle".

I think music is more direct than movies. And you have to be careful! Both can easily backfire!
 
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russ_watters said:
Hidden Figures, Apollo 13,, but movies don't have to be about academics/science to be inspiring/motivational for a student to "get one out of a rut". Maybe an inspirational distraction? Gladiator?
I apologize, it would be better if it's about academics :'(
sorry, I will edit the question right away
 
I would recommend "The Paper Chase" (1973). It is about a first-year Harvard Law student and a demanding professor.

 
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jack action said:
Give a man a fish ...
haha... of c, thank you!
 
Are we talking undergraduate or graduate student? If the latter, try 'The PHD Movie' (Cham, 2011). Although I'm sure undergrads can relate too. It's a sort of slice-of-life comedy/drama about life in academia. Very indie, very down to earth, with many pointed observations about its subject. It's a spin off of the Piled Higher and Deeper online comic, with many of the same characters and adapted humour.
The main theme is something like: 'doing a phd sucks, but we still wouldn't want to be anywhere else'. Might be just what your friend needs.
Hell if I know where to find it these days, though.
 
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Believe it or not, "Legally Blonde" is not all that bad of a movie (I was surprised). It fits the academic checkbox motivation-wise at least.
 
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  • #10
"Stand and Deliver" is an inspirational movie about an aerospace engineer who quits to teach math in an inner city school district and produces classes full of
AP scholars. It's based on a true story (I remember reading about his class in the LA Times back when.
 
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  • #11
Slimy0233 said:
I was wondering if there are any movies which students must watch but which depends upon people working hard and getting places rather than being super smart.
The Painted Veil

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0446755/

This movie is about a scientifically trained person who is dedicated to understanding and stopping a cholera epidemic. There is no stuff about his intellectual talents but just about his unflinching moral commitment, hard work, and ingenuity. This is a good example because he applies science for good without being a genius.
 
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  • #12
Slimy0233 said:
A fellow student (also a friend) asked me about what movies she should watch to get him out of a rut, so she wants movies related to academics. I first thought of `Good Will Hunting` and `A Beautiful Mind`.

Although I like both movies, Nash was genetically gifted and Will (who probably is a fictional character) was also gifted. I was wondering if there are any movies which students must watch but which depends upon people working hard and getting places rather than being super smart.

You are welcome to name movies which belong to either categories, but please mention which ones are which. Again, I don't want these movies, but my friend does (to anyone spying one me).

Thanks to everyone who replies! You have been of some help today🤝
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_Figures

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_Sky

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinity_(1996_film)
 
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  • #13
Slimy0233 said:
A fellow student (also a friend) asked me about what movies she should watch to get him out of a rut, so she wants movies related to academics. I first thought of `Good Will Hunting` and `A Beautiful Mind`.

Although I like both movies, Nash was genetically gifted and Will (who probably is a fictional character) was also gifted. I was wondering if there are any movies which students must watch but which depends upon people working hard and getting places rather than being super smart.

You are welcome to name movies which belong to either categories, but please mention which ones are which. Again, I don't want these movies, but my friend does (to anyone spying one me).

Thanks to everyone who replies! You have been of some help today🤝
A bit sloppy but I still liked it

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted_(2017_film)
 
  • #14
Slimy0233 said:
A fellow student (also a friend) asked me about what movies she should watch to get him out of a rut, so she wants movies related to academics. I first thought of `Good Will Hunting` and `A Beautiful Mind`.

Although I like both movies, Nash was genetically gifted and Will (who probably is a fictional character) was also gifted. I was wondering if there are any movies which students must watch but which depends upon people working hard and getting places rather than being super smart.

You are welcome to name movies which belong to either categories, but please mention which ones are which. Again, I don't want these movies, but my friend does (to anyone spying one me).

Thanks to everyone who replies! You have been of some help today🤝
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117333/

I thought this was a great film too.
 
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