Welcome to FTS’ brand new feature Word Around the Campfire where all of the FTS’ contributors take turns answering the question or topic of the month. This month we’re recommending movies for the masses.

The Royal Tenenbaums. It’s just the right amount of comedy and drama done in a style that only Wes Anderson could create. I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t like this film.

This may be a bit of an odd choice, but I’m sticking with it: Run Lola Run. I know a lot of people who don’t like foreign films at all– whether because of the subtitles they’re forced to read or simply due to some boring art house experience they had once– who loved this German film from 1998, directed by Tom Tykwer. It’s shown in film classes, sure, but it’s anything but your typical film-school-worthy foreign fare; it’s an experimental thrill ride and an aesthetically innovative and fast-paced genre mash-up. It even almost doubles as a techno music video; it employs animation, science-fiction, and other interesting tricks and techniques, without ever breaking its infectious rhythm. It is smart, almost existentially and philosophically so, but which doesn’t pause long enough to induce boredom or overly-serious reflection even for a second; it leaves you breathless and asks you to reflect on its themes later, if at all. It’s super fun and very unique, and makes for a great foray into foreign film if you want it to serve as such, but even as a standalone action movie of sorts (that just happens to be in German), it’s almost universally likable and endlessly watchable. I’d recommend it to anyone because there’s just nothing else like it and because I’ve seen first-hand that basically any type of person can watch and enjoy this film on any level that they’d like to.

The obvious film I’d recommend to anyone is Jurassic Park, because it’s the greatest movie ever made. However, my marginally more obscure suggestion is one that was recommended to me blindly, by someone who knew nothing of my own tastes, or that I was a film fan, or anything else at all about me really, I was just talking to him (a co-worker in a monotonous summer office job) one day and he just blurted out “Have you seen Kiss Kiss Bang Bang? Because you should, it’s amazing.” He didn’t own it on DVD, so I set out on a quest that lunchtime to go find it, and find it I did amongst a 3 for £20 offer, so added it and two other new friends I can’t remember to my collection. I watched it that night, and loved every second.

It’s a perfect script full of quips and one-liners that unfortunately I never seem to find myself in a position to quote in everyday life, and the only person I’ve ever come across who didn’t like it hated it on the basis of she didn’t want to see a film in which someone gets a part of a finger cut off, and considering how quickly that happens in the film, and how much comedy is eked out of that situation, I’d consider that a pretty terrible reason to dismiss the movie. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a film that really rewards repeat viewings, most of the actors have either rarely been better or have used this film as a springboard to greater success, and it’s worth recommending for Robert Downey Jr’s incompetent narration alone.

The only film that springs to mind that I would definitely recommend to anyone without thinking is The Shawshank Redemption. I think that even though it might not look all that appealing to just any random person, it is one that has the biggest chance of getting approval from the humans that inhibit this earth – if they watch it. It is well-structured and directed, there’s enough emotion but it doesn’t get sappy, it has likable characters and the perfect degree of suspense. There’s good acting and a nice mix of personalities and, to a degree, ethnicities. Plus, it’s not black-and-white. It won’t be everyone’s favorite but what else than universal likability makes a film top the IMDB 250?

North by Northwest is a classic for a reason. It’s a timeless movie that feels exciting, fun, and modern despite its age. It did come out in 1959 though, so there’s nothing that would really offend an older or more sensitive audience. This cross genre movie contains a bit of comedy, mystery, action, and romance so it covers the bases. Plus Cary Grant is delightful, Eva Marie Saint is breathtaking, and it’s freaking Hitchcock! I can easily recommend this crowd-pleaser to the masses.

Since Jay didn’t use it, I’m going to. Jurassic Park is a movie that’s impossible to hate. Pick apart? Maybe. Like but not love? Only if you’re a complete sociopath. It’s perfect for any age and taste level (a damn near impossible feat) that still looks cool 20 years later. It’s equal parts comedy, thriller and action movie. It’s smart enough for the experienced film crowd and loud enough for the average popcorn muncher. Jeff Goldblum is in it.

Oh and yeah. DINOSAURSSSSSSSSSSSZZZZZZSSSS

This might be cliche but I’d have to go with Jaws. You’re probably thinking, “Why even suggest this, surely everyone’s seen the classic Spielberg film that started the summer blockbuster craze?” Well that’s not the case – I went to a screening of Jaws in theaters a few years back with a friend WHO HAD NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE. So get off my ass.

So why suggest Jaws? Well, it’s got a bit of everything – Action, Adventure, Romance, Horror, Comedy. So whatever you’re in to, you’re bound to find it in Spielberg’s classic tale of Man Vs. Nature. Spielberg himself is another strong selling point. Who doesn’t like Spielberg? Even Hook, his lowest rated film on Rotten Tomatoes (30%), isHOLYCRAPHOOKHAS30%?!? What’s wrong with the world?!

The point is, Spielberg is a universally beloved director who makes films for the masses. It’s hard to walk away hating any of his films. So if I ever meet anyone else that hasn’t seen Jaws – even if their tastes are out of whack – I’ll feel confident recommending the flick.

One movie that I feel comfortable recommending to anyone is Shaun of the Dead. It is a popular movie, but there are still a lot of people who have not seen it. I feel like comedies have the broadest appeal and, even though Shaun of the Dead has a very dry comedy style, I think a majority of people would like it. And if by chance the person I’m recommending the movie to doesn’t like comedies, Shaun of the Dead is still a serviceable zombie flick. Also, of all my favorite movies, this one is one of the least offensive films, which is a plus in certain circumstances.

A movie that I would recommend to anyone would be City Of God. In my opinion it’s one of the most compelling films ever made. From the very beginning you feel for the characters and you instantly become involved with the story. The one complaint I can see with City of God that some people might have is that it’s a foreign language movie. However, I think the movie is so engaging that you’ll barely notice that you’re reading in the first place. If you haven’t seen it yet (or even if you have) you should definitely check out City Of God at your earliest convenience.

If I were to recommend one film I felt like every single person on earth needed to see, it would perhaps an unsurprising choice. One of my favorite films and certainly, I think, one of the most well made films, is Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather. I truly believe The Godfather is the closest thing to a perfect film that was ever made. On its surface, it’s an enjoyable watch, entertaining, riveting, and there really isn’t a low point, or a disappointing scene, to be found. But beyond the high-level audience appreciation, the film is a tour de force, showing everything that cinema can, and should, be. The film is incredibly well written, packing drama, action, and suspense into a lengthy 175 minutes. Prior to filming, 12 directors were offered the job and all turned it down, leaving the studio with few options and a reluctant Coppola. Coppola was met with frequent resistance and was worried he was making a film that would not be appreciated by the studio or audiences. In addition to the challenges with the director, there were a lot of issues finding the perfect cast and crafting the perfect script. In spite of many challenges and a very meager budget, the film came together perfectly. Being nominated for 10 Oscars and winning 3, the film is high up on everyone’s list of great films and in spite of this, there exist folks who have still resisted the temptation to watch it. The film is solid gold from beginning to end, even when analyzing the individual elements. From cinematography, to the score, to the direction, everything is done exceptionally well. All of these elements add up to an enduring classic that has broken box office records and remains a favorite of film lovers and casual viewers alike.