Staff Movie Favorites Worthy of an Oscar

Compiled by Lizzie Rush
Editor In Chief
IG: liz.rush

It is no surprise that journalists are lovers of all things’ media, and movies are no exception. With the ongoing award season, The Hutchinson Collegian staff members had a blast from the past and looked back on some of their favorite Oscar-winning movies.

Lizzie Rush, Editor in Chief

“Silver Linings Playbook” by David O. Russell is my favorite movie of all time. It tells the story of a struggling duo who finds comfort in each other’s presence. Bradley Cooper plays Patrick, a man recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder trying to navigate his life after divorce. Jennifer Lawrence plays Tiffany, a recent widow who loves to dance. This movie has compelling monologues and an impactful story about finding the silver lining when things go wrong. I even have an “excelsior” tattoo that reminds me to take any negativity in my life and turn it into something positive.  

“Silver Linings Playbook” was nominated for eight Oscar’s in 2013, with their one win going to Jennifer Lawrence for Best Actress.

Kayla Milhon, staff writer

My favorite movie is “Titanic” by James Cameron because it combines an unforgettable love story with a powerful historical drama. Titanic tells the emotional story of Jack and Rose, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, whose romance unfolds aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. I love how the film balances intimate, personal moments with the massive scale of the ship’s tragic sinking. The visuals, music, and emotional performances make the story feel incredibly real and heartbreaking. Every time I watch it, I notice new details in the characters’ expressions and the breathtaking scenes, which makes it a movie I can return to again and again.

“Titanic” was nominated for 14 Oscar’s in 1998, winning a total of 11 including Best Picture and Best Director.

Reyna Sanchez, photographer:

“Almost Famous” by Cameron Crowe is my favorite Oscar-winning movie because it follows a young journalist touring with a 1970s rock band and discovering the truth behind the fame he once idolized. It’s a mix of music, chaos, and heartfelt coming-of-age moments that make the story feel real, and unforgettable.

“Almost Famous” was nominated for four Oscar’s in 2001, winning Best Original Screenplay.

Stream on Fubo, Tubi and Paramount Plus.

Emma Wuthnow, staff writer:

“Forrest Gump” by Robert Zemeckis is my favorite movie because it has Tom Hanks in it. Another reason I like Forrest Gump is its very interesting story about a man who is telling his whole life story reunite with the love of his life and finds out he has a kid and then Jenny dies which it sucks.

“Forrest Gump” was nominated for 13 Oscar’s in 1995, winning a total of six including Best Picture and Best Actor.

Stream on Fubo, Amazon Prime, or Paramount

Cathlyna Theriot, staff writer:

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert was just so deep and emotional, especially for me. It really highlighted the deep-rooted trauma and emotion related to bad feelings and memories with a mother daughter relationship. It was just very relatable to me and expressed how I feel towards my own mother so well and it was just so personal to me.

This movie won seven Oscar’s in 2023 including Best Picture and Best Director.

Stream on HBO Max

Brad Hallier, Collegian Advisor:

“Rocky” by John G. Avildsen proved you don’t have to have a sports movie where the protagonist wins. This movie wasn’t about winning and losing anyway. It was about something much more important – winning respect from others, but especially learning to respect yourself. Sylvester Stallone is excellent as Rocky Balboa, but the entire cast was perfect, including Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed, the heavyweight champion.

“Rocky” won three Oscar’s in 1977 for Best Picture, Director, and Film Editing.

Currently unavailable to stream for free or with subscription, but can be rented on Prime Video, Apple TV and YouTube TV

Preston Reed, podcast producer:

Don’t get me started on the wonderful film “Moonlight” directed by the amazing Barry Jenkins, who has also worked on the films If Beale Street Could Talk, Aftersun, and the newly released film Sorry, Baby. Moonlight portrays the life of our main character Chiron through three separate acts. These three acts each show very important stages in his life, going through his time in elementary school, all the way to his time as an adult. All three actors that portray Chiron do a wonderful job with this very complex character. Not only is the acting of Chiron astonishing – there are multiple great performances given throughout the film. One winning an Oscar for best supporting actor; that would be Mahershala Ali as Juan. With such a great director and amazing acting, Moonlight is truly brought together with its extravagant sound track that will make you emotional every time you listen to it. Moonlight won Best Picture at the Oscars in 2017, deservingly so over the movie La La Land.

“Moonlight” was nominated for eight Oscars in 2017 and won for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor.

Stream on HBO Max.

Monique Henderson, graphic designer:

“Dead Poets Society” by Peter Weir is my favorite movie mainly because of Robin William’s charming as Mr. Keating. The other characters are fun too.

“Dead Poets Society” won Best Original Screenplay in 1990.

Stream on Hulu.

Keaton Wetschensky, photographer:

“Oppenheimer” by Christopher Nolan is my favorite. The visuals that are in this movie are crazy. The fact that Nolan used a real explosion for the nuke scene is insane. Plus, having never personally researched the topic it covered, it was really cool to see. Also, the acting was great.

“Oppenheimer” won seven out of 13 of its 2024 Oscar nominations. It won for Best Picture and Best Actor.

Currently unavailable to stream for free or with subscription, but can be rented on Prime Video, Apple TV and YouTube TV.

Bianca Salazar, staff writer:

This movie “Encanto” by Jared Bush and Byron Howard held a lot of meaning for me. I loved the music, the style and the characters. What I loved the most was how struggle is portrayed. This movie was meant for everyone. I remember when I saw it for the first time at home and crying. I could relate to so many characters and how they struggled with pressure, expectations, and failure. Each of their problems can be translated into our everyday lives. This movie makes people feel seen and heard.

“Encanto” won Best Animated Feature in 2022.

Stream on Disney Plus.

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