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Good-looking but virginal "rockstar" teen Tommy (Michael Morgan) tries to score with some of the local high school girls. But a classmate's mom (Dame Joan Collins) decides to make a man out of him.

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A good-looking but virginal “rockstar” teen (Morgan) tries to score with some of the local high school girls. But a classmate’s mom (Collins) decides to make a man out of him.

Homework (1982)

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Good-looking but virginal "rockstar" teen Tommy (Michael Morgan) tries to score with some of the local high school girls. But a classmate's mom (Dame Joan Collins) decides to make a man out of him.

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Movie Score

August 27, 1982,

James Beshears

Joan Collins, Michael Morgan, Shell Kepler, Lanny Horn, Erin Donovan, Lee Purcell

Comedy, Drama

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Highest-Rated Movies about 'Homework'

A Separation (2011), The Color of Paradise (1999), Mommy (2014), The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (2010), Road to Perdition (2002), Dans la maison (2012), Little Women (1994), St. Vincent (2014) ... Let's take a look at the ranked list of the best Homework movies.

#1. A Separation (2011)

• Rating: 8.3/10
• Length: 2h 3min
• Genre: Drama
• Director: Asghar Farhadi

Storyline: Nader (Payman Maadi) and Simin (Leila Hatami) argue about living abroad. Simin prefers to live abroad to provide better opportunities for their only daughter, Termeh. However, Nader refuses to go because he thinks he must stay in Iran and take care of his father (Ali-Asghar Shahbazi), who suffers from Alzheimers. However, Simin is determined to get a divorce and leave the country with her daughter.

Plot Keywords: divorce , iran , pregnancy , girl , marital problem , court , alzheimer's disease ...

#2. The Color of Paradise (1999)

• Rating: 8.2/10
• Length: 1h 30min
• Genre: Drama, Family
• Director: Majid Majidi

Storyline: Mohammad, a boy at Tehran's institute for the blind, waits for his dad to pick him up for summer vacation. While waiting, he realizes a baby bird has fallen from its nest: he chases away a cat, finds the bird, climbs a tree, and puts it back. His father finally comes and takes him to their village where his sisters and granny await. The lad is a loving student of nature and longs for village life with his family, but his father is ashamed of him, wanting to farm the boy out to clear the way for marriage to a woman who knows nothing of this son. Over granny's objections, dad apprentices Mohammad far from home to a blind carpenter. Can anything bring father and son together?

Plot Keywords: bridge collapse , blindness , iran , child abandonment , countryside , death of wife , family relationships ...

#3. Mommy (2014)

• Rating: 8.1/10
• Length: 2h 19min
• Director: Xavier Dolan

Storyline: Forty-six year old Diane Després - "Die" - has been widowed for three years. Considered white trash by many, Die does whatever she needs, including strutting her body in front of male employers who will look, to make an honest living. That bread-winning ability is affected when she makes the decision to remove her only offspring, fifteen year old Steve Després, from her previously imposed institutionalization, one step below juvenile detention. She institutionalized him shortly following her husband's death due to Steve's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and his violent outbursts. He was just kicked out of the latest in a long line of facilities for setting fire to the cafeteria, in turn injuring another boy. She made this decision to deinstitutionalize him as she didn't like the alternative, sending him into more restrictive juvenile detention from which he would probably never be rehabilitated. However, with this deinstitutionalization, she has to take care of him ...

Plot Keywords: oedipus complex , dysfunctional family , single mother , mother son relationship , attempted suicide , caught masturbating , racial slur ...

#4. The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (2010)

• Length: 150 mins
• Genre: Science Fiction, Animation, Comedy
• Director: Tatsuya Ishihara,Yasuhiro Takemoto

Storyline: On December 18, Kyon finds that several traces of the SOS Brigade have mysteriously disappeared from his life. Mikuru and Yuki do not seem to recall meeting him, and Haruhi and Itsuki do not attend North High School. In addition, all the former Brigade members have become normal people. Eventually, Kyon receives a message from Yuki's alien counterpart asking him to gather keys for a program that could return him to his own reality. This starts Kyon on a journey that eventually leads him back to the night Haruhi first became interested in meeting aliens, time travelers, and espers.—Dsneybuf

Plot Keywords: skirt , anime , time travel , girl wears a miniskirt , miniskirt , short skirt , japanese schoolgirl ...

#5. Road to Perdition (2002)

• Rating: 7.7/10
• Length: 1h 57min
• Genre: Thriller, Drama, Crime
• Director: Sam Mendes

Storyline: 1931. Mike Sullivan and Connor Rooney are two henchmen of elderly downstate IL-based (Quad City area, though much of the action takes place in the Chicago area) Irish-American mobster John Rooney, Connor's father. In many respects, John treats Mike more as his son, who he raised as his own after Mike was orphaned, than the volatile Connor, who nonetheless sees himself as the heir apparent to the family business. One evening, Mike's eldest son, twelve year old Michael Sullivan Jr., who has no idea what his father does for a living, witnesses Connor and his father gun down an associate and his men, the situation gone wrong initiated from an action by Connor. Caught witnessing the incident, Michael is sworn to secrecy about what he saw. Regardless, Connor, not wanting any loose ends, makes an attempt to kill Mike, his wife and their two sons. Mike and the surviving members of his family know that they need to go on the run as Connor, who has gone into hiding, will be protected through ...

Plot Keywords: based on comic book , father son relationship , assassin , assassination , bicycle , dog , surprise ending ...

#6. Dans la maison (2012)

• Rating: 7.4/10
• Length: 1h 45min
• Genre: Thriller, Drama, Mystery
• Director: François Ozon

Storyline: A sixteen-year-old boy insinuates himself into the house of a fellow student from his literature class and writes about it in essays for his French teacher. Faced with this gifted and unusual pupil, the teacher rediscovers his enthusiasm for his work, but the boy's intrusion will unleash a series of uncontrollable events.

Plot Keywords: friendship between boys , high school , literature , gay kiss , homosexual , art , friendship ...

#7. Little Women (1994)

• Rating: 7.3/10
• Length: 1h 55min
• Genre: Romance, Drama, Family
• Director: Gillian Armstrong

Storyline: Louisa May Alcott's autobiographical account of her life with her three sisters in Concord, Massachusetts in the 1860s. With their father fighting in the American Civil War, sisters Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth are at home with their mother, a very outspoken women for her time. The story tells of how the sisters grow up, find love and find their place in the world.

Plot Keywords: death , feminist , first love , growing up , snow , christmas tree , christmas eve ...

#8. St. Vincent (2014)

• Rating: 7.2/10
• Length: 1h 42min
• Genre: Comedy, Drama
• Director: Theodore Melfi

Storyline: Vincent is an old Vietnam vet whose stubbornly hedonistic ways have left him without money or a future. Things change when his new next-door neighbor's son, Oliver, needs a babysitter and Vince is willing enough for a fee. From that self-serving act, an unexpected friendship forms as Vincent and Oliver find so much of each other's needs through each other. As Vincent mentors Oliver in street survival and other worldly ways, Oliver begins to see more in the old man than just his foibles. When life takes a turn for the worse for Vincent, both them find the best in each other than no one around them suspects.

Plot Keywords: next door neighbor , divorced parents , strip club , panties , red panties , upskirt , bullying ...

#9. Benny's Video (1992)

• Genre: Drama, Crime
• Director: Michael Haneke

Storyline: A 14-year-old video enthusiast is so caught up in film fantasy that he can no longer relate to the real world, to such an extent that he commits murder and records an on-camera confession for his parents.

Plot Keywords: murder , milk , microwave oven , beach , money , kitchen , desert ...

#10. Booksmart (2019)

• Length: 102 mins
• Genre: Gay & Lesbian, Comedy
• Director: Olivia Wilde

Storyline: On the eve of their high school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night.

Plot Keywords: female protagonist , teen comedy , one word title , lesbian , teen movie , sexual humor , high school ...

#11. The Spectacular Now (2013)

• Rating: 7.1/10
• Length: 1h 35min
• Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
• Director: James Ponsoldt

Storyline: Sutter Keely lives in the now. It's a good place for him. A high school senior, charming and self-possessed, he's the life of the party, loves his job at a men's clothing store, and has no plans for the future. A budding alcoholic, he's never far from his supersized, whiskey-fortified thirst-master cup. But after being dumped by his girlfriend, Sutter gets drunk and wakes up on a lawn with Aimee Finecky hovering over him. She's different: the "nice girl" who reads science fiction and doesn't have a boyfriend. While Aimee has dreams of a future, Sutter lives in the impressive delusion of a spectacular now, yet somehow, they're drawn together.

Plot Keywords: loss of virginity , bra , underage drinking , boyfriend girlfriend relationship , drinking , drunkenness , sex ...

#12. Better Off Dead... (1985)

• Length: 1h 37min
• Genre: Comedy, Romance
• Director: Savage Steve Holland

Storyline: The teenager Lane Meyer has a crush on his girlfriend Beth Truss. When Beth dumps him to stay with the successful skier Roy Stalin, Lane is depressed and decides to commit suicide. However he gives up and tries to improve his skill of skier to ski the dangerous K12 slope to impress Beth. Meanwhile his neighbor Mrs. Smith receives the exchange French student Monique Junot and her fat son Ricky Smith considers Monique his girlfriend; however, Monique has an unrequited crush on Lane that does not note her. When Lane stumbles upon Monique in a high-school party, he befriends her. The upset Lane challenges Roy in a competition on the K12 slope but then he regrets. However Monique is a great mechanic and skier, and fix Lane's Camaro and teaches him how to ski the K12 slope. What will happen to Lane?

Plot Keywords: father son relationship , nun , lighter , language barrier , explosion , dream sequence , poster ...

#13. Tully (2018)

• Rating: 7.0/10
• Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mystery
• Director: Jason Reitman

Storyline: The film is about Marlo, a mother of three, including a newborn. Marlo's brother gives her a night nanny as a gift. Hesitant with the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully.

Plot Keywords: bare midriff , threesome , short dress , visible midriff , one male two females threesome , split personality , mental breakdown ...

#14. Bread and Roses (2000)

• Length: 110 mins
• Director: Ken Loach

Storyline: Maya is a quick-witted young woman who comes over the Mexican border without papers and makes her way to the LA home of her older sister Rosa. Rosa gets Maya a job as a janitor: a non-union janitorial service has the contract, the foul-mouthed supervisor can fire workers on a whim, and the service-workers' union has assigned organizer Sam Shapiro to bring its "justice for janitors" campaign to the building. Sam finds Maya a willing listener, she's also attracted to him. Rosa resists, she has an ailing husband to consider. The workers try for public support; management intimidates workers to divide and conquer. Rosa and Maya as well as workers and management may be set to collide.—<[email protected]>

Plot Keywords: independent film , arrest , attorney , celebration , cleaning lady , coercion , corporation ...

#15. Boy Erased (2018)

• Rating: 6.9/10
• Genre: Biography, Drama
• Director: Joel Edgerton

Storyline: The son of a Baptist preacher is forced to participate in a church-supported gay conversion program after being forcibly outed to his parents.

Plot Keywords: gay teenager , lgbt interest , coming out , coming of age , gay slur , homosexual , gay character ...

In this documentary, Kiarostami asks a number of students about their school homework. The answers of some children shows the darker side of this method of education. Homework featuring Babak Ahmadpoor and Farhang Akhavan is streaming with subscription on The Criterion Channel. It's a crime and drama movie with a high IMDb audience rating of 7.8 (1,959 votes).

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Streaming availability last updated: 03:02:29 AM, 06/15/2024 PST

More Information onHomework

Abbas kiarostami, babak ahmadpoor, farhang akhavan, mohammad reza nematzadeh, iraj safavi, ali reza zarrin, mohammadreza aligholi.

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The Reelgood Score is a comprehensive weighted index designed to evaluate movie & TV quality, deriving its value from a blend of Reelgood user engagement, external ratings metrics expressed through content popularity, and user feedback, including ratings such as "loved," "liked," and "disliked." The score is presented on a scale from 1 to 100, where 100 signifies content that is highly esteemed and positively rated within the community.

Cast & Crew for Homework

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Homework (1982)

At the end of his senior year of high school, Tommy finds his education in the form of Diana. His friend Ralph learns the lesson from Ms. Jackson. Without knowing what would soon be awaiting them after meeting the older women, Tommy and Ralph form a rock band as a path to unlimited sexual opportunity. The story unfolds, through the promiscuous, funny and sometimes touching lives of the young band members. By the end of Tommy’s senior year, he’s ready to take on the world.

Director: James Beshears. Writers: Maurice Peterson, Don Safran. Stars: Joan Collins, Michael Morgan, Shell Kepler, Lanny Horn, Erin Donovan, Renee Harris, Mark Brown, Lee Purcell, Carrie Snodgress, Wings Hauser, Newell Alexander, John Romano, Joy Michael, Newell Alexander, Deedee Downs, Bill Knight, Ernestine Jackson, Rosemary Alexander, Howard Storm, Beverly Todd, Mel Welles, Steve Gustafson, Candace Bowen, Victor Paul, Betty Thomas, Ali Giron, Jack Warford, Kathryn Butterfield, Al Giron, Joan Rowe. Cinematographer: Paul Goldsmith. Composers: Anthony R. Jones (as Tony Jones), Jim Witzel.

⇒   DOWNLOAD THIS FILM ⇐

Note: WS copy from German TV with synched English audio taken from the U.S. Laserdisc release, many thanks to Perilune @CG for the fandub. The Laserdisc release of this film is unfortunately a 4:3 transfer of the film, this copy is in the proper AR. This movie was also released on DVD (in widescreen) in 2002 by VCI which is now out of print.

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Categories Comedy

Tags 1980s USA

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Movies Featuring Homework and Exams

21 November 2022

8 minutes to read

• 01. Focus on Students and School
• 02. Intermission: Film Benefits
• 03. Know Your Teacher

Bet you never thought exams and homework could be funny, let alone cool, did you? Here we come to shatter your illusions. Not only can these films be fun and cool, but they can also be inspiring and motivating. Just think about:

• Good Will Hunting: a genius prison parolee solves complex maths problems while working as a janitor at MIT
• The Great Debaters: the debate coach of a historically Black college levels the playing field
• 3 Idiots: free-thinking experimentation butts heads with classical education norms
• The Theory of Everything: if you've a mind, you can achieve anything, even when your body doesn't cooperate
• The Pursuit of Happyness: one major exam will make or break a life
• Half Nelson proves that teachers are people, too
• Precious: an abused inner city school student discovers kindness for the first time (warning: you'll need a strong stomach for this one)

But wait a minute: aren't you in school all day? So why would you want to come home and watch a film about school and learning? That, you'll have to find out for yourself. We now count some of the greatest teaching and learning moments in film history. Funny or insightful, they'll give you a whole new definition of homework. But then again, what is homework if not a part of learning?

Focus on Students and School

What makes a film satisfying? That's subjective, of course. What you like might not thrill others and those movies you'd have no problem watching again and again... Well, they might just bore your mates silly.

Some of our fav films revolve around silly mistakes that turn into stunning wins. Others draw on some of our most painful moments - getting bullied, feeling isolated and alone. And then, there are those that depict some of the more absurd aspects of school today. Whatever your tastes, here are some of the best films that talk about students' triumph over school.

The Ron Clark Story (2006)

S ickeningly upbeat rags-to-riches story starring Matthew ‘Chandler’ Perry as real-life character Ron Clark. He turned around a class of no-hopers into the (spoiler alert) best performing class in school with his charismatic teaching style. A heart-clogging cheese-fest, but worthy of a mention. 

Exam (2009)

“ Express √108 in the form a√3, where a is an integer…” Have you ever been flummoxed by an exam question so tough it seems carefully crafted to baffle your brain?! Well, imagine an exam paper where you have to work out the question as well as the answer. ‘Nuff said. 

The Art of Getting By (2011)

Imagine facing this choice – being expelled or doing every piece of homework for the school year in double quick time (tough choice eh?) Well, that’s what happens to George (Freddie Highmore) after he decides everything is meaningless and gives up on homework.

The Karate Kid - Both Versions

How many of us spent a large portion of our childhood waxing on, waxing off and practising the Crane?! The 1984 Karate Kid’s homework is the coolest on the planet. And it’ll wash cars.

And then, along come Jaden Smith as The Kid and Jackie Chan as the master. This 2010 remake only alludes to the previous film. In some instances, quite amusingly. But the message is the same; just not told quite as sappily as in the original.

Cheats (2002)

Four friends devise some ingenious and hilarious ways of cheating their way through high school exams in this film based on real-life cheeky chappies. Oh, the antics that ensue! You might want to mark this one down as ‘research’.

Leon (1994)

Mathilda’s rooftop homework takes the form of a sniping lesson in Luc Besson’s best film to date. It features one of the meanest-looking paintball guns known to man. Awesome. “Let’s practice – it’s the best way to learn.”

The Bad Teacher (2011)

Every despairing teacher has had days where they wish they could write what they really think. A bit of escapism here for those at the end of their tether, imagine marking homework without having to tiptoe around using flowery language like  ‘tried your best’ or ‘a good effort’ – check out the scene in the first half of this trailer.

Star Wars (1977)

The geek in me couldn’t overlook Luke Skywalker’s light-sabre training in fighting techniques on board the Millennium Falcon at the hands of Obi-Wan. Who wouldn’t want a go at that? The force is strong with this homework.

School of Rock (2003)

Man, how cool would it be to get a homework assignment that rocks as much as this? Being handed a bunch of Led Zeppelin CDs and told to go home and study would really make homework worthwhile. Should be compulsory.

Monty Python, Life of Brian (1979)

One of my favourite all-time movie moments, Brian’s on-the-spot grammar lesson at the hands of the Roman Sentry is a timeless piece of cinema. “ROMANES EUNT DOMUS”.

Why not put a few of these titles on your watchlist? They'll give you something to do while you wait for your exam results. Or, if you haven't yet sat exams - if you're still in the homework and revision stage, you can give yourself a night off from your studies. Pop that popcorn and charge your earbuds. Things are about to get great!

Intermission: Film Benefits

So far, we've featured 10 films that deal directly with school and learning. Further in this article, you'll find 10 more. What is it about school that makes for such great storytelling? You'll note, also, that these titles were all fairly popular, if not blockbusters. What makes them so compelling?

One reason for these titles' popularity is that school is a universal experience. No matter how old you get, you always remember your school years, particularly if something remarkable happened. Another reason is that education lies at the very heart of our survival.

We're not talking about mastering the Three Rs - reading, writing and arithmetic. Besides, that's not what these films show us. No, each and every one contains a lesson on humanity. With comedy, strength and courage, facing down challenges and succeeding against great odds... that's why we love these movies. But don't they all tell more or less the same story?

That might be true in some cases. But that rationale cannot prevail. Sure, there may be common themes and elements but they're all presented differently. Strangely, most of these movies don't feature students supporting one another . Usually, they're in competition; often there's more than a bit of bullying involved. And we see division, too; by race, by social class, by gender. In almost every one, except for...

Korean school films and dramas, for example. If you're riding the Hallyu Wave, you've surely seen titles like The Dude in Me (2019), Morning Grave (2014) or Hot Young Bloods (2014). For some reason, Korean dramas have a completely different take on the school film genre. Some feature zombies or students with ghost-seeing abilities. Others revolve around body-swapping. In other words, far from the standard 'triumph over adversity' narrative so common in Hollywood films.

Know Your Teacher

Films meant to appeal to students often mock and/or stereotype teachers as inept, out of touch or far too rigid to reach the like of us. Such a setup makes for an infinite source of comedy but, pragmatically, it sets up an unhealthy dynamic. When you think about it, school isn't an us-versus-them proposition. Believe it or not, you and your teachers are on the same side... most of the time. These films bear that idea out.

Mr Holland's Opus (1995)

An epic sweep through mid-20th-Century America and an intimate look into a reluctant teacher's life. He really wanted to be a musician; he was always working on his great symphony. But 'Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans', as the John Lennon song goes. After 30 years in the classroom, Mr Holland finally realises his magnum opus.

Freedom Writers (2007)

In the wake of the Rodney King beating and the ensuing Los Angeles riots, an idealistic teacher starts her career. She's confronted with pure hostility as 'the tribes' battle for status and position. Ms G forces her students to confront their biases and, along the way, teaches them far more than Freshman English. This film is based on a true story.

Stand and Deliver (1988)

This film is also based on a real teacher, Jaime Escalante. It contains many of the same elements as Freedom Writers does. Also set in Los Angeles, the plot revolves around gang violence, race hatred and class warfare. Mr Escalante's innovative teaching style and warm humanity break through the kids' barriers. In the end, the students all go on to... no spoilers here!

Lean on Me (1989)

Another movie based on a real-life character. This school was in such poor shape that it was slated for receivership. Gangs, drugs, students running amok... Until one not-particularly-likeable but certainly tough principal took over. Soon, Mr Clark has all the kids dressing like they cared about themselves and learning like they had a future.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Unorthodox teaching methods seem to be a running theme through all of these extraordinary teacher-focused films. This story is not based on a real teacher... but don't we wish there were teachers like John Keating? Robin Williams delivers a tour de force performance in this boys' school drama.

Dark Matter (2007)

This is the type of teacher nobody wants. Professor Jacob Reiser is egocentric and arrogant. He welcomes Chinese students into his graduate program but only mentors them if they stick to his research and support his thesis. When Liu Xing shows himself to be more intuitive than the professor... let's just say that this film depicts all the wrong ways of coping with failure . This film is loosely based on actual events.

 Dangerous Minds (1995)

It's a cool premise: a former Marine teaches class in a racially segregated high school. It's also true; the film is based on LouAnne Johnson's memoirs. She describes using music to connect with her students; she keeps them engaged with treats and other rewards. This film was widely panned for its many clichés and stereotypes. But it created enough of a stir that producers saw fit to make a television series about it. (It wasn't well-reviewed, either.)

Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Who participates in spelling bees? Lots of kids. Who wins them? Kids whose parents have the time and money to cultivate their children's vocabulary to excessive extent. Naturally, that doesn't include inner-city kids, until one Dr Larabee recognises one pupil's talent. A bit formulaic and trite, this movie is nevertheless quite uplifting. Even if it does rely on stereotypes, occasionally.

Educating Rita (1983)

Susan is tired of her life. She's 10 years out of school already and, though employed, feels her prospects are far too limited. She decides on more education, enroling in an Open Course. Her professor is a raging alcoholic, bitter about his life and the way things all turned out. It's a coming-of-age story set far outside the boundaries when such tales normally take place.

Not One Less (1999)

This story, about China's mid-90s education revolution, shows 13-year-old Wei Minzhi contracted to substitute-teach a country school for a month. She's warned that, if even one student leaves school to find work in the city - a common practice at that time, she would lose her 10 Yuan bonus. Filmed in documentary style, using citizens instead of actors, this slice-of-life story will keep you glued to your seat. It's an absolute must-see for anyone fed up with school.

Could we go on? Of course, the film industry is rich in this genre. Do we need to? Probably not. You likely have your own faves you're just dying to tell us about. Do you have any titles we should add to our list? Feel free to pipe up. Use the comment box to join the discussion.

Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!

Joseph is a French and Spanish to English translator, language enthusiast, and blogger.

Frequently asked questions

What's a good movie to watch while you're studying.

All of the titles featured in this article would be good study companions. All you need to do is choose your theme – funny, uplifting, gripping, turn the player on and go.

Note that the Chinese films are particularly effective if you’re studying Mandarin. By contrast, choose the Korean titles if that’s the language you’re studying.

What movie should I watch before an exam?

Many people say Whiplash. It’s a tale about desire and perseverance. If you’re a music fan, particularly of drumming, this is the title for you!

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Sometimes, you’re not in the mood to give a film your full attention.

Netflix has it all. Whether you're in the mood for comedy, romance, horror, action, drama — basically anything — the streaming service will deliver. But what if you don't actually want to watch a movie? What if you just want to have something on while you're busy doing something else? Well, the site delivers there as well, as there are some great movies to stream in the background.

What makes for a good passive watch? For starters, it should be the type of movie that can be enjoyed even if you're not really paying attention. (Bonus points if it can be enjoyed with your full attention, but it’s definitely not a requirement. You’ll see.) Films that are presented in a vignette style are all pretty good at fulfilling this requirement, as are time travel films (they tend to repeat key scenes) and movies that follow a predictable-but-satisfying plot. Movies that aren't exactly must-sees — due to campiness, terribleness, or lack of originality — actually function better as something that you're just half-watching, and are prime picks for this list. And lastly, there are beautiful films, which can add either visual or auditory splendor to your living room while you're busy doing whatever it is you're doing besides watching it. So without further ado, here are 16 movies on Netflix that are great choices to have on in the background.

The whole point of this movie (aside from the sweet romance between leads Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson) is the time travel: scenes are literally replaying over and over again. So there’s a nice repetition that makes for a perfect “in the background” watch.

Watch On Netflix

This Netflix original about a man who wants to be a sommelier — despite his family’s hopes otherwise — is as delicious as the wine featured onscreen, with humor and heart and Courtney B. Vance. Best for watching as you prep for hosting a party.

The Big Lebowski

Everything and nothing happens in this surreal comedy, and that’s the whole point: the Dude abides, after all. Let this film wash over you, and you’re sure to feel oddly soothed by the serene presence of John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, and Jeff Bridges. Watch it while doing as little as possible (like the nihilists!).

A Secret Love

This is a sweet documentary about a gay couple who were together for over six decades before coming out to their families (and the world). It’s about love and acceptance, and it’ll totally tug at your heartstrings no matter which scenes you catch. Best to have on in the background while you’re having a deep conversation.

Jupiter Ascending

This film is admittedly bonkers, but it looks incredibly cool and the acting is hilariously over the top. It’s a journey, and it doesn’t make a ton of sense, so there’s no need to try and piece it together — just look over and shake your head it every once in a while. Watch while you organize your closet by color.

Always Be My Maybe

It’s a modern rom-com, starring Randall Park and Ali Wong, with a hilarious cameo from Keanu Reeves, and an appearance by fan favorite Michelle Buteau. What more do you want? Put this on right now and catch the occasional gut-busting joke or sight gag while you order takeout.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Never knock the classics, and it doesn’t get more classic than Holy Grail . (One of) the brilliant things about Monty Python is that their movies are broken out into shorter, standalone skits — so you don’t need to follow along the whole time to get the jokes. If you’ve never watched, be prepared to hear some classic lines and laugh a whole bunch. Watch while you’re doing a chore you absolutely hate; this is sure to make it bearable.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

OK, so, the plot doesn’t totally work, but you’re really here for the cast (Julianne Moore, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, yes please) and the quick, punchy dialogue. Oh, and the hemistry between Stone and Gosling is on fire. Ideal for watching while you get ready for a date.

This movie is so weird and so ... uh, not good ... that it's best if you don't pay too much attention, other than the occasional glance up to say, "Huh?" This would be great for watching while you tend to your plants.

The Bling Ring

Speaking of terrible (for totally different reasons), The Bling Ring is about bored teens who, um, rob celebrities. It features some hilariously abhorrent characters — played by the likes of Emma Watson and Taissa Farmiga — and a lot of nice stuff to ogle, and it’ll make you feel better about your life choices. Best paired with an online shopping session.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Visually stunning and packed with more stars than you remember ( Brie Larson , that you?!), Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is sumptuous for the eyes and ears without being too taxing on the brain. And the songs are really, really catchy. Watch it while thinking about texting your ex.

Legally Blonde

Let’s call this what it is: fun and frothy and sweet and an easy watch. Has it aged perfectly? No! But sometimes you just need to let Elle Woods’ silliness (and immense amounts of pink) wash over you. Perfect for having on while you study.

Back to the Future

How long has it been since you watched this? A whole generation — perhaps generations — grew up on Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly. Turn it on, go about your day, and feel the nostalgia kick in. Watch this while you’re on the phone to your parents.

Mystic Pizza

Speaking of sweet classics... this Julia Roberts-lead film is a light and sweet coming-of-age tale, centering on three teenagers as they search for love and happiness. Which means the stakes are fairly low, and it’s watchability value is super-high. Perfect to have on while you’re, you guessed it, cooking.

The Departed

You might need to concentrate if you want to understand the double-crossing double-crosser plot, but if you’re in it for the over-the-top Boston accents and violence, you can just let the intense drama just sort of happen around you (something Scorsese movies are perfect for). Watch it while dealing with passive aggressive work emails.

The Old Guard

In this Netflix original, Charlize Theron and her team of immortals kick a ton of ass. Come for the fighting, stay for the very sweet gay romance, keep watching for the stylishness. This is a great background watch when you’re exercising and want motivation.

This article was originally published on March 9, 2017

Aliens Ate My Homework

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‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Director Says Marvel Sequel Respects Canon, But Doesn’t Require “Homework” To Enjoy: “This Movie Is Built For Entertainment”

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In a promise which, if true, would present a significant and welcome deviation from the current ‘homework’ heavy state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy has promised that while the upcoming sequel will definitely honor and respect Marvel’s established cinematic lore, audiences will not need to “research” any of this information in order to enjoy the film.

RELATED RUMOR: Marvel’s ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ To Feature Henry Cavill As Variant Of Mutant Berserker

Levy offered this assurance to interested viewers while speaking to the Associated Press following the April 22nd release of the film’s first official trailer.

Reflecting on just how unwieldy and confusing the MCU’s canon has gotten in recent years, particularly for those who either did not or only briefly glanced with the franchise’s Disney Plus outings, to the outlet’s Lindsey Bahr, the director opined, “I was a good student in school. I’ll do my homework as an adult. But I am definitely not looking to do homework when I go to the movies.”

To this end, he then revealed that when it came to Deadpool & Wolverine , “I very much made this film with certainly a healthy respect and gratitude towards the rabid fan base that has peak fluency in the mythology and lore of these characters and this world. But I didn’t want to presume that.”

“This movie is built for entertainment,” he added, “with no obligation to come prepared with prior research.”

RELATED: Rob Liefeld Announces Next Deadpool Story Will Be His Last: “I Want To Go Out With The Best Effort I Can Muster”

Offering one last thought on the topic as his time with Bahr drew to a close, the director ultimately affirmed, “Audiences are hungry for a great time at the movies. They want to be delighted, transported and entertained. And when they are given that, whether it’s ‘Barbie,’ ‘Oppenheimer’ or any number of other recent movies, they show up.”

“The movie is built for audience delight,” Levy concluded. “I think that [they’re] in for a very fun ride.”

As noted above, Levy’s interview with the AP comes just days after Deadpool & Wolverine received its first full trailer, its brief run time giving audiences their first look at a number of the film’s various callbacks to Marvel’s cinematic history, including the use of a permanently-giant-sized Ant-Man suit as a set piece, an appearance by Loki ‘s cloud-like Alioth entity, and cameos from the Fox X-Men universe incarnations of Lady Deathstrike (as portrayed by Kelly Hu) and Azazel (as portrayed by Jason Flemyng).

Not only that, but the trailer also provides the first proper look at Emma Corrin’s portrayal of Cassandra Cain, the evil twin sister of Charles Xavier who is set to serve as The Merch With A Mouth’s latest antagonist.

Possibly the last Hail Mary play the MCU has to save itself from completely collapsing, Deadpool & Wolverine is currently scheduled to portal its way into theaters on July 26th.

NEXT: ‘X-Men: First Class’ Director Matthew Vaughn Excited For ‘Deadpool 3’, Says Sequel Will Bring The Marvel Cinematic Universe “Back To Life”

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Inside Out 2 adds new emotions, but it’s the same old story

Despite a cast of new characters, the Pixar sequel is a bit of a dim bulb compared to the original.

Nine summers ago, Inside Out burst onto screens with bright hues and a wildly creative visualization of human interiority. (Well, so long as you never saw the early '90s sitcom Herman's Head .) Though as madcap and set piece-driven as any other animated Pixar movie, its bittersweet conclusion maturely showed how personal growth emerges from the harmony of conflicting emotions. (To keep with the theme of old sitcoms, "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both, and there you have the facts of life .”) Inside Out 2 , however, retreads much of the same arc as the original but with far less imagination, delivering the same message with a few added characters. 

Which is not to say that Inside Out 2 is wholly without merit. The mind of young Riley Andersen is still fertile ground for chuckles. The little girl figuring out her way in the world is now 13, and that means the five emotions that drive her personality — Joy ( Amy Poehler ), Sadness ( Phyllis Smith ), Anger ( Lewis Black ), Fear ( Tony Hale , taking over from Bill Hader ), and Disgust ( Liza Lapira , taking over from Mindy Kaling ) — are awakened one night to a buzzing red puberty alarm. After workers messily expand the control center of Riley's consciousness, three new colorful anthropomorphized emotions appear — Envy ( Ayo Edebiri ), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos, who doesn't do much but steals the few scenes she has), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and the new boss in town, Anxiety (Maya Hawke). Don't worry, there's no visit from a character named Purience or anything like that unless you count a quick glimpse at the faces on the amusingly named Mount Crushmore. 

At first, you might think anxiety, as a concept, is already covered between fear and sadness, but that's an old way of thinking. Inside Out 2 's Anxiety is not someone frozen in panic. She's a take-charge go-getter who spots problems coming a mile away and swiftly forms solutions. As Riley heads off to three crucial days of hockey camp (where, if she does well, she'll get recruited for the team of her dreams), she learns that her two best pals are going to a different school next year. She’s got to find a new crew and fit in with them, and fast. The older emotions — the ones that have aided Riley in creating her Sense of Self (a glowy thing that looks like a cross between the Flux Capacitor and the Crystalline Entity from Star Trek: The Next Generation ) — are hurdles to Anxiety and the new crew, and are soon “bottled up,” then carted away to an emotional oubliette. 

The eventual detente between the old and new characters comes after a series of side quests for the OG crew that come off as somewhat rushed and not that innovative. When our heroes ride a literal Stream of Consciousness, I have to be honest — I was reminded of seeing the same gag in one of the worst and most cravenly cash-grabbing kiddie flicks of recent years, The Emoji Movie . Other obstacles feel a little cheap, too, like dodging lightbulb-shaped ideas in a “brainstorm.” A better pun comes when Ennui psychologically alters Riley's mind, creating a “sar-chasm” (visualized as canyons) in her personality — high five to screenwriters Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein for that one. 

The parallel action to Joy and friends making their trek to a distant realm of suppressed memories (it looks a little like the original Tron ) is a will-she-make-the-team/do-the-older-kids-like-her struggle at hockey camp that lacks a real sense of urgency. The meat of this is surprisingly thin when you look past all the brightly lit multicolored memory orbs flying over the screen. 

Want more movie news? Sign up for  Entertainment Weekly 's free newsletter  to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

The best thing in Inside Out 2 , both in concept and execution, is Anxiety herself. The rote version would be a Woody Allen-ish nebbish with flop sweat and existential quips, but the stringy orange creature and Maya Hawke’s high-energy vocal performance is the rare example of originality in this picture. Anxiety’s “projections” actually do help Riley negotiate the unfamiliar social setting of hockey camp, at least at first. Could it be that her frenzied, hyperactive method of catastrophizing and slipping into false personas for the sake of winning affection is actually… good?

No! Of course not! That would be ludicrous. Anxiety eventually spirals out of control into paralysis, but, importantly, her actions never stem from maliciousness. She just wants Riley to be happy, which is what all of the emotions want. As in the first film, it's negotiating a balance inside her head that is going to allow that to happen. That said, I await with glee the day I can read some trollish essays arguing on behalf of Anxiety's schemes in the mold of classics like " The Destruction of Alderaan Was Completely Justified " and " Night of the Living Dead : Why Cooper Was Right ."

Despite the xeroxed nature of the movie's central themes, it's still some weighty stuff for a kid's film, which has its positives and negatives. Inside Out 2 can surely be used by parents as a teaching tool if a kid ever spirals into a freak-out before entering a new school or having a big audition. But even with the antic animation, a funny dig at Blue's Clues , and a color palette resembling an exploded box of Trix cereal, the movie suffers from a bit of a do-your-homework vibe. Going to a Pixar movie these days means shouting, "Get in the car, kids, we're gonna go learn some life lessons!" No one is growing after going to see Minions . I don't know what it says about which emotion is behind the wheel inside of me, but sometimes just laughing and being noisy is a preferable option for family entertainment. Grade: B-

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We love movie recommendations here at Polygon. Whether it’s horror , sci-fi , action , comedy , thrillers , or just the best of the year , we’re always trying to introduce readers to new and exciting movies they’ll love. But now we want to find the perfect movie for you. (That’s you.)

That’s why we have this regular open thread dedicated to helping you, our dear readers, find the perfect watch. Looking for a sci-fi movie that will make you contemplate the wonders (or horrors) of the world? We’ve got you. Looking to brush up on world cinema? What about some comfort food? We’ve got you there, too.

From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EDT, I will be in the comments section down below answering your questions and fielding requests for what you should watch at home. We previously programmed this weekly, but have moved it to monthly as we add more similar open threads to our publishing calendar.

This is also a great place to share what you’ve been watching, if you want to talk about that with your fellow Polygon readers! Participation is very welcome, even without questions.

A little bit about me, your curator for this go round: I’m Pete Volk, our senior curation editor. I love movies of all stripes, but my main areas of interest are action movies (especially martial arts), classic Hollywood comedies (shout out to the GOAT, Ernst Lubitsch), and keeping up with new releases from around the world (I’ve watched 48 from 2024 so far).

It’s been an entire month since my last one of these, so I’m not going to walk through everything I’ve watched. Instead, some highlights: The Insider , the Alienoid movies, The French , Girlfight , Hero , Kill , Thelma , Chime , The First Omen , and a rewatch of Mad Max: Fury Road.

Now it’s time to turn it around to you. What would you like to watch this weekend (or what are you planning to watch)? Leave a request in the comments and I’ll get to it between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. EDT. Details help — let me know what you’re looking for, some idea of your taste as a viewer, and any other relevant info you feel like sharing (like the streaming services you have access to).

Some examples of good queries from last month :

See you in the comments at 3:30 p.m. EDT! Fire away your requests in the meantime.

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