Summer is known as a time of rest and relaxation—for high school and college students alike. And for anyone trying to beat the heat this summer, the Cineplex is the place to go when you want to let your mind escape. However, if people are ragging you that you need to get a job or start thinking about your future, tell them that you are getting an education at the movies.
Here are 5 lessons you can learn from the cinemas this summer:
1. Abraham Lincoln was probably a vampire hunter. (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter – American history majors)
This film mixes history with rash speculation, using real-life facts interspersed with killing the undead. What was Honest Abe hiding under his hat all of those years? Probably a cross and some garlic.
2. If you write your dream girl, she can magically come into existence. (Ruby Sparks - creative writing majors)
Any fiction writer will tell you that you really have to get to know your character inside and out, almost as if he or she is a real-life, breathing human being. In this film, a novelist (Paul Dano) writes a character who comes to life (Zoe Kazan). English majors headed to the theater to see this one should tell their families that they are doing research (even if said families tell said English majors better research would be to watch a Starbucks documentary).
3. Politics can be hilarious! (The Campaign – political science majors)
So maybe you didn’t get that internship with the Romney or Obama campaign this summer. No bother. With The Campaign, you’ll learn a lot about the process of getting elected (and not getting elected), and enjoy yourself in the process with two of the funniest people on the planet: Zach Galifianakis and Will Ferrell.
4. You’ll meet a lot of interesting, whiny Americans in Italy. (To Rome, With Love – foreign language majors)
Instead of taking out loans for a study abroad trip, take a 90-minute “trip” to Europe for less than $20, taking in the culture and relishing romantic vignettes in this Woody Allen comedy. You’ll learn that the characters in Italy aren’t much different than what you’d find in New York City—or any other Allen film.
5. While you sit in an air-conditioned theater, hundreds of cute little animated creatures’ lives are threatened by global warming. (Ice Age: Continental Drift – environmental science majors)
As you watch this one, take notes on how to help Manny (Ray Romano) and his friends live in a world where their habitat isn’t melting. Also, take notes on how many celebrity voices you can spot (there’s a ton!).
See—going to the movies is educational. What other movies/lessons are you looking forward to this summer?
