Image Source: My sister, a highly qualified student at the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM), her iPad, and sheer artistic talent
If your life were a movie, what would the title be?
Mine would probably be “The Clock is Ticking…Not that I Give A ****”.
And how do I not give a ****, you may ask? Simple: binge-watch films, and I recommend you do the same. Who knows—you might pick up some pop culture knowledge or even learn a new language (I’m basically fluent in Chinese from watching Taiwanese films with my grandmother, no joke). Passive learning, folks. Just try explaining that to your professors when they ask about your missing assignments. The semester has just kicked off, and I already need to escape from my assignments piling up, threatening to crumble down on me until I absolutely...
I’m staring at the syllabus, it’s staring back at me,
Like a bad date that won’t just let me be.
My to-do list’s a mountain, but I’m glued to the couch,
Watching some dude in a plaid shirt save the world…from his couch.
The clock’s ticking, but my brain’s on pause,
Maybe it’s time for a film marathon, just because.
(Sorry, couldn’t help it, I’m screaming, crying and dying with EN2210: Poetry and Poetics this semester -- Update: I dropped the module lol)
We've all heard those iconic movie lines, like “I’m the king of the world!” from Titanic or “May the Force be with you” from Star Wars. But what happens when you've heard them a thousand times and need a new line to quote? One that lets you mentally escape this semester and blast off into a whole new universe…far, far, far, far away from uni?
After enduring my dad’s endless obsession with classic Hong Kong films and our 10,000th rewatch of The Martian (Yes, I’ve learned how to grow potatoes and can mash ‘em too), I’ve realised it’s time to find some fresh distractions. Seriously, how many times can one watch a film where Matt Damon just... grows potatoes?
Image Source: The Martian (2015), directed by Ridley Scott/Potatoes!
So sit back, relax, and embrace the procrastination lifestyle… because right now, that assignment can wait. And by wait, I mean indefinitely.
Horror films for the Faint of Heart
We all enjoy a little spooky-spooky tale, don’t we? The flickering lights, the creaky floorboards, and then—out of nowhere—a maniac bursts through a door, letting out a chilling, manic scream, “Here’s Johnny!" Yup, I’m talking about The Shining, where Jack Torrance transforms from an unassuming writer to a full-on maniac. Now, I’m the first to tell anyone that I love horror movies. Gore, jumpscares, creepy haunted houses, disembodied voices whispering my name—I’m all in. I’ll act like I’m fearless—like I can handle anything that comes my way. But really, I’m a total chicken. I’m the type to pause a film during a suspenseful scene, take a deep breath, and then Google if the villain dies at the end.
So, for the rest of us who love that gothic, eerie atmosphere but aren’t quite ready to be haunted in our sleep, here are some rather tame horror flicks that give you the chills without keeping you up all night, eyes wide open, wondering if that weird creak was the wind... or something else.
1. The Changeling (1980)
Image Source: The Changeling (1980), directed by Peter Medak
Piss-your-pants scary level: 👻👻👻
You know how people say that 80% of horror is all in the sound? The Changeling proves you don’t need to rely solely on creepy noises to make a haunting unforgettable. Directed by Peter Medak, it takes the classic haunted house setup with creaky floors and shadowy figures but adds a sinister twist. Grieving the loss of his wife and daughter in a tragic car accident, composer John Russell moves from New York City to a mansion, hoping for a fresh start—only to uncover a mystery that’ll keep you on edge.
But you know what’s even better? By the end, you’ll have the perfect excuse to publicly declare your bravery as a lover of ghost stories—without needing to plug in your childhood nightlight. The movie’s spooky, but not too horrifying, so you can still feel tough without having to rely on your very tacky glow-in-the-dark unicorn lamp.
See also: My childhood comfort gem biscuit lamp for when I decide to brave a horror film
Image Source: My sister’s iPhone 8, 2018
2. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Image Source: Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), directed by Guillermo del Toro
Piss-your-pants scary level: 👻
Technically, Pan’s Labyrinth is not a horror movie—just a dark fantasy—so it’s perfect for cowards, especially those who plug in their earpieces while watching The Conjuring (yeah, we see you and so does the Pale Man, staring right back at you from above). If you're into Tim Burton’s quirky, dark worlds or the bittersweet magic of Harry Potter, then this film is definitely for you. Just don’t expect sparkly fairies and rainbows. It is a mix of the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, a mythical labyrinth, dangerous creatures, and some seriously tough choices.
And if you’ve ever had a fever dream about wandering through a maze…well, Ofelia gets to live that nightmare. Caught between the brutal reality of Francoist Spain in 1944 and a mythical realm hidden in an ancient labyrinth, she’s forced to navigate both worlds. After moving in with her cruel stepdad, Captain Vidal, Ofelia meets a faun who claims she’s the reincarnation of a lost princess. To prove it, she has to complete three dangerous tasks—each more twisted than the last—that will force her to face both the horrors of war and the darkest shadows of fantasy.
If you’re not convinced to watch the film, I hope the goofy picture of The Pale Man above will at least make you curious enough to check out why on earth he looks so saggy and Voldermort-esque.
Rom-Coms, Cause Everyone Loves Them, Duh
Whoever says rom-coms are cheesy probably watches them beneath their blankets like James Charles sneaking back onto TikTok during the short-lived US TikTok ban. Rom-coms are basically the emotional equivalent of your favourite comfort food: warm, familiar, and always there when you need them. Especially for lonely singles like yourselves (probably). Do I really have to explain more?
1. Moonstruck (1987)
Image Source: Moonstruck (1987), directed by Norman Jewison/Honestly, isn’t Cher just beautiful?
Moonstruck isn’t your typical high school romance. It’s a quirky, grown-up love story with all the chaos, warmth, and comedy you’d expect from a New York Italian-American family. Cher plays Loretta, a widowed woman who unexpectedly falls for her fiancé’s fiery brother, Ronny, played by Nicolas Cage. It is operatic, it is over the top, it is messy, and it is one of the most charming films I’ve ever seen.
One of the most outstanding elements of the film is the constant references to Puccini’s La Bohème, an opera about love, loss, and the human experience—echoing the messy, all-consuming romance between Loretta and Ronny. It’s as theatrical as their love story: a little dramatic and a whole lot passionate. Though I have to warn you not to watch it for life or love advice.
2. Before Sunrise (1995)
Image Source: Before Sunrise (1995), directed by Richard Linklater
God, I love this movie. We all know the classics—Clueless (1995), Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961), and Pretty Woman (1990)—and yes, they’re iconic, but Before Sunrise takes rom-coms to a whole new level. It’s not about sweeping gestures or whirlwind love; it’s about the quiet magic of a fleeting moment that lingers long after. Jesse and Céline meet on a train, spend the night wandering Vienna, talking about life, love, the future, and everything else that matters in those precious, unguarded hours. Walking beneath moonlit skies, lying on cool grass with the world asleep around them, they share a quiet, undeniable connection, knowing they’ll probably never meet again, but somehow, they don’t need to. Their time together is a perfect, self-contained memory, untouched by the weight of what comes next. If you’re into films that are simple, real, and skip the usual heroes and villains, this one is definitely worth a watch.
Perfectly, Weirdly, Charming
When I was younger, I had a friend who told me a strange, unsettling story that stuck with me. On 18 December 2010, she swore she had found miniature people trapped within a snow globe. She described it as a thing of almost delicate, frosted beauty—an orb the size of a grapefruit, shimmering softly in the dim light of her bedroom. Inside, there was a tiny village with its own cobblestone streets and little houses made of what seemed like translucent ice. “You could hear them talking”, she claimed with a voice full of conviction, “I could even see their breath, puffing out in little clouds, like they were actually alive or something.” Even as a naive 5-year-old, I knew she was nuts. But one night, just to test the story, I snuck into her room, dropped the globe, and waited.
Instead of shattering, as one might expect, it rolled to a stop. And then something…changed. The little figures inside, once perfectly still, began to stir. I heard muffled voices, growing louder, clearer. Then one of them—an old man with a peculiar golden beard—appeared at the edge of the globe, staring out in disbelief. “You freed us,” he whispered. My heart raced. Could it be?
Yeah, of course you’d have to be nuts to believe my little fable. But this makes me wonder. Maybe there’s magic in the stories that we tell, in the things we choose to believe, even when we know deep down they’re just stories. That sense of wonder—the way even the smallest moments can feel strangely transformative, almost like stepping into a dream—reminds me of something. Sometimes, life itself can feel like a fever dream, surreal and beautiful in its own right. It’s not always about magic in the traditional sense. Sometimes it's about those experiences that blur the line between what’s real and what’s possible. These films are not about escaping to a fantasy realm, but about making the ordinary feel extraordinary, as though the magic has always been right there, hiding in plain sight.
1. Amélie (2001)
Image Source: Amélie (2001), directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Amélie is a whimsical, heartwarming exploration of the little wonders of life, set against the charming backdrop of Montmartre in Paris. The film follows Amélie Poulain, a shy and quirky young woman, who decides to secretly improve the lives of those around her while grappling with her own sense of isolation. Rather than the usual romance, Amélie explores love in its most indirect form—through small, thoughtful acts and finding joy in everyday moments. With its quirky characters and fantastical elements, the film creates a magical atmosphere, where the real world feels beautifully orchestrated. At its core, Amélie is about the power of imagination and the ways we can craft our own happiness in a messy world. Someone online once called it a “love letter to society’s outcasts”, and that really strikes a chord. Maybe it’s because I see so much of Amélie in myself—her shyness, her quiet desire to make a difference, and her search for meaning in the small, unnoticed things. Whatever the reason, this film is filled with visually captivating moments, lovable quirks, and strikes that perfect balance of being comforting without feeling cliché.
2. Midnight in Paris (2011)
Image Source: Midnight in Paris (2011), directed by Woody Allen
Ever dreamed about meeting famous people? I once dreamed I was hanging out with Edgar Allan Poe, and let’s just say I wasn’t sure whether to start writing poems in the dark or just go back to sleep. Midnight in Paris has that kind of magic. Gil Pender, a disillusioned screenwriter, finds himself mysteriously transported to 1920s Paris, where he casually crosses paths with Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and other literary icons. The cinematography is gorgeous, capturing a whimsical, almost dreamlike Paris that makes the city feel truly magical. It’s a film for anyone who’s ever wished they could stumble into the past, have a conversation with their artistic heroes, and maybe even find answers they’ve been seeking along the way.
So, there you have it—your ultimate list of films to watch when you’re “too busy” to attend your lectures or tutorials. Think of it as passive learning. You may not remember anything from CS1010, but I’m willing to bet you could give a detailed analysis of Vector’s orange suit and belly pooch from Despicable Me when the big questions come up in class.
Happy watching, fellow cinematic geniuses!
Written by: Joelle
Edited by: Videl, E Shen
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