Lavelle Porter, writing for the CUNY Graduate Center Advocate, has authored The University On Screen: The Top 10 Academic Films. In his opening remarks, Porter states: "In this particular list I evaluate some films that in some way try
to address the meaning of higher education. These films explore
issues such as the pressures of achievement, the promise of higher
education as a means of social mobility, and the challenges and joys
of college teaching."
Pictured: The Paper Chase, coming in at #6 on Porter's list, one of only three films on the list that I've seen. If I were to expand the scope beyond "higher" education, my list would include Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939), Dead Poets Society (1989), and The Emperor's Club (2002).
Do you agree with Porter's list? What films might be on your list (limited to "higher education" or otherwise)?
What? No Legally Blonde?!? (just kidding)
JHA
It's been a long, long time since I saw The Blue Angel, but isn't the "professor" a teacher at a gymnasium? Great film and lots of lessons in there for life, about illusion and desire and all sorts of things.
I would give Big Man On Campus an honorable mention:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096925/
It's not quite in the same league as the others on this list, but it gets a little credit for being a 1980s comedy that breaks from the frat/sports themes. And bonus points for having a character named Bob Malooga Looga Looga Looga Looga.
Many of the films listed below were hugely successful at the box office. A central theme that runs through several of my top ten picks is …
Now how could we not include The Mirror Has Two Faces – I mean, what could be more believable than a gawky math prof (Jeff Bridges) falling for an ugly duckling literature prof (Barbra Streisand) who then magically "transforms" into a somewhat-less-ugly (at least blonde and better dressed) literature prof??
Al- I'm pretty sure you're right about The Blue Angel. Still, a great film. I can't say I agree with the author about "Higher Learning". It's been a long time since I saw it but I remember thinking it was terribly didactic. Oleanna was sort of like that too, beating one up with the "message". I watched that one before I'd grown tired of Mamet's stitch, but I don't think I could bear it now.
I believe self-publishing jobs is the new direction that employers will move in with postings as soon as we can all let go of our security blankets (Monster, careerbuilder, etc..).
I think that the Godfather should be rated higher
Lord of the rings is the best trilogy ever!
I would like to go with Titanic,X-men,Mummy,True Lies…
extra ordinary movie all loved to watch them too again and again
Films listed below were hugely successful at the box office.
Interestingly, these films portray academics in a humorous or positive light.
For something more realistic, try Dark Matter
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416675/