The movies that shaped us

A deep dive into the world of cinema

Ashley Nichols / Assistant Arts and Culture Editor / The USD Vista

The world seems so blurry whenever our focus is on the screen in front of us. 

Whether it is a movie, T.V. show or even a YouTube video, screens can affect your brain in unique ways. 

Movies and TV shows are a part of many people’s daily lives, which begs the question: what are some of the movies that shaped us? 

Even if you don’t like to hide within the world of movies, there’s always one that makes your heart race a little faster. Movie buffs love their wide variety of films that they always bring up in conversation somehow, but what are the ones that truly changed their lives? 

What are the movies that have the power to change an everyday student, friend, or family member’s outlook on life? What made you want to take a risk? What gave you the courage to stand up to your enemy or realize the love of your life is right next to you? USD students share their own answers to these questions.

Students carry many things with them as they walk across our beautiful campus. Whether it be long days of studying or happy memories, movies from our childhood created our perception of how we see the world. “Forrest Gump,” “Chicken Little,” or all of the “Toy Story” films leave such a profound impact on generations around the world.

Alexia Vance, USD senior, offered a sentimental memory about watching “The Parent Trap,” an iconic 1998 film, with her mom. 

Vance did not stutter when asked about how this movie shaped her. 

Within seconds she was bringing up stories about her and her mom sharing ice cream, talking about life, and cozying up to watch two twins bring their parents back together. 

Vance learned that “you don’t necessarily need to grow up with someone to consider someone your family or friend.” Little memories with family can leave impressions on you even as you grow up and move away.

Maggie Brady, USD junior, whole-heartedly said the 2008 family-comedy “Grown Ups,” with Adam Sandler, was her favorite film that shaped her. This movie is about a group of old buddies who get together to honor the death of their childhood basketball coach. 

It then turns into lessons about family, values, and the true meaning of friendship. Brady loves it for many reasons. 

“I would always watch this movie with my dad, it is always a good memory of family and family time we spent together,” Brady said.

Students found more lessons and values within childhood films. USD sophomore, Brennan Martin, expressed his love and passion about the movie, “Rudy.” Rudy, the main character, exemplifies the pursuit of the outrageous and always goes against what the popular crowd thinks of him. 

According to Martin, Rudy encompasses “doing the impossible even when everyone continues to tell you that you’ll fail or that you’re not good enough.” To Brennan, “Rudy” proved the world wrong and showed that no one’s dreams should be limited. Brennan used this phenomenal film as a guide for his everyday life.

USD first-year student, Sam Machado, finds the value of family within the well-known movie and broadway show “Matilda” (1996). 

The movie “Matilda” shaped her because, “family doesn’t only have to be those blood related to us, it’s the people in our lives who love and support us regardless of matching DNA.” 

Growing up, it’s obvious that the young mind is so impressionable. Young children can watch a movie like “Matilda” and gain a worthwhile lesson, showing how much movies can shape us, no matter what age we are.

While students shared about the films that added color to their lives, one English professor also shared what film left a profound impact on who he is today.

English Professor, Dr. Tim Randell, took himself back in time to an influential movie in his life, “Sundays and Cybèle.” 

For this 1962 film, the director, Serge Bourguignon, won an Academy Award for “Best International Feature Film” and a Golden Globe for “Best Foreign Language Film.” 

This film was a part of the new wave of filmmaking and included new cinematic techniques. The first time Dr. Randell saw “Sundays and Cybèle,” he was 14 years old. 

It came on some random grainy station one day on the TV. Time and time again he went back to the film and learned more and more. 

Randell uttered, “I just knew that in many ways it was presenting a poetic and very radical look at how the institutions of French culture and also American culture can often co-opt your interests and desires in many ways that are very stifling.” 

After he watched this enticing film, he branched out to watch even more French cinema. Through this movie, Dr. Randell was able to expand his horizons and understand many things about culture, politics, and even his own beliefs.

Dr. Randell personifies how important what we watch as youngsters or even later in life can affect our perspective. Movies that shaped us continue to live in our memory today, especially because we will all be rushing off this campus and into the real world soon enough. USD students never stuttered talking about the film that shaped them. 

Students hold onto these memories with all their might as the pressures from the real world come rushing in. 

When life gets too crazy or someone just simply wants to take themselves back to their childhood, it makes sense why so many people immediately turn to movies and TV shows. 

Fictional characters, places, and worlds can leave such an impression on the mind because they transport people from their mundane lives to a whimsical place where anything seems possible.  

Everyone, even adults, need to escape reality sometimes, too.

Let’s be real — life isn’t always a box of chocolates. So, grab a bag of popcorn, some sour candy, or even a movie theater slushie and veg out while reminiscing on characters and worlds that shaped your beliefs, friendships, and more.