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Q: Can you recommend some good movies to show to my university students?
Preferably interesting ones and decent enough to be demonstrated in class.
thanks!
10 years 24 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
Try "The Dead Poets Society". Although quite on the fiction side, there is a lot of truth to the underlying themes. Maybe some of your students will get the message: Carpe diem. And, in turn, change their motherland.
Or, if DPS is not your cup of tea, check out "Debbie Does Dallas." That might inspire the ingrates. 
Scandinavian:
this needs to be introduced with "This one stars my mum"
The King's Speech. Outstanding.
Red_Fox:
Excellent film! Is it, however, inspirational to your average Chinese uni student? Won't many fall asleep during the screening? Or not understand what the feck is going on? Or the historical implications? But I agree: an awesome film and story. Have you checked out the black-and-white newsreel clips on YouTube of his speeches? Before and after therapy? Brilliant!
bill8899:
I guarantee a few will fall asleep. I cannot say that it will or will not motivate them. If the historical context is explained, those who listened to the explanation will understand. I simply like the film and it's largely devoid of gutter language, gratuitous violence, and other objectionable content. Furthermore it is, in my estimation, a good film, hence I recommend it.
bill8899:
I see. Well then, I suppose I could choose something with Adam Sandler. Maybe Happy Gilmore?
My two favorite films to show the students are Raising Arizona and Mousehunt.
Mousehunt is a film starring Nathan Lane. Actually, it was sort of mixed by reviewers and I think actually has a rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But I think the movie is hilarious. Sort of a live action Warner Brothers cartoon. Very slapstick. One thing I do like about the film is that there is no "dirty words" in it whatsoever, and no sexual themes. I am not a prude, but I do not want to edit the content.
Raising Arizona has some profanity, but not much, and it is also a good natured film with slapstick, etc. I think this is needed to keep the students engaged.
Red_Fox:
I loved Raising Arizona. Nicholas Cage. Coen Bros film, right? Effin' funny. Haven't seen the other film you mention, but will look for it online for a free copyright-infringement 90 minutes of fun!
Hulk:
Dude. Raising Arizona totally changed my life. I even gave back the baby.
JungleLife:
Love when John Goodman talks about robbing, and then going on a 'spree'
My two favorite films to show the students are Raising Arizona and Mousehunt.
Mousehunt is a film starring Nathan Lane. Actually, it was sort of mixed by reviewers and I think actually has a rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But I think the movie is hilarious. Sort of a live action Warner Brothers cartoon. Very slapstick. One thing I do like about the film is that there is no "dirty words" in it whatsoever, and no sexual themes. I am not a prude, but I do not want to edit the content.
Raising Arizona has some profanity, but not much, and it is also a good natured film with slapstick, etc. I think this is needed to keep the students engaged.
Last Train Home. Chinese movie made in China by a Canadian company. Shows how difficult it is for a family to live a normal life when both parents need to work in a big city to make enough money to make sure their kids get an education. The kids and grandparents stay in the village and the movie shows you just how hard it is to get a train ticket home during Spring Festival. Chinese with English subtitles.
If you want something with a bit more oomph then try "The Housemaid". Relationship triangle. the movie is in Chinese with English subtitles.
V for Vendetta
Logans Run
Faster Pussycat Kill Kill
royceH:
Yes, V for Vendetta is a fabulous film.
Did you know the 'anonymous' movement is staging public gatherings all over the world today.
"Remember remember the fifth of November..."
Scandinavian:
yeah, my timing is impeccable and also coincidental, forgot that line from the movie.
the last emperor , winner of 9 academy awards in 1987, most kids here don't really know the history before 1949, except what they have been told.
good movie with chinese subtitles about china, students always get confused by the english in the movie.
"Holes" is a wonderful story about teens in trouble. The movie is based on a prize-winning book. Have your students read the book and watch the film. Or vice versa. Link below:
'The King's Speech.' i have shown it with subtitles. the bit with the swearing always gets a laugh
Taxi Driver
'tis an up-beat film w/ a positive message about embracing the wonderfulness that is humanity. basically will make us all into optimistic optimists ! 
diverdude1:
Travis Bickle: Shit... I'm waiting for the sun to shine.
diverdude1:
I have to agree.
and for what it's worth Red Fox was cutting-edge.... opened the field for most other guys like Richard Pryor...
Good Will Hunting
JungleLife:
Scott Pilgrim vs The World should be good for uni students too.
Tarzan The Ape Man with Johnny Weissmuller. I've played it for some women and tried to give them the same english lesson. "Tarzan'' ''Jane'' ''Tarzan'' ''Jane'', but they still don't understand why I yell like that.
icnif77:
Maybe, you should simplify your lesson with using 'me' (Tarzan), 'you' (Jane). Get into your shorts before you start. Explain to her, apes are just your buddies. 'We don't hold hands, or something like that...!' 
Wow, what's with all the downvotes? A lot of good replies here. Here's an upvote for everyone.
My personal recommendations:
All Star Wars movies. I've had good success with Chinese audiences.
Ironman 1-3
Spiderman 1-3
The Avengers
Man of Steel
The Incredible Hulk 1-2
All X-Men movies
...basically, all Marvel movies. This is China we're talking about. They LOVE these kind of movies.
JungleLife:
My fav was The Avengers out of all those, and the first Hulk.
Red_Fox:
Someone is not a film lover... ergo the downvotes. A Jackie Chan fan, I'll bet...
I like action movies and love comedy. People laugh more at movies when watched as a group. How about something old like Marx Brothers?
Any of The Three Stooges movies. The worst trash ever, but rich in physical comedy.
I know a teacher where I live who frequently shows his students all those 'R' rated zombie movies.. forget the name of them but the point is I don't support him showing restricted films to 12 and 13 year olds.
I don't show films myself but I have shown very brief excerpts from 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and 'Billy Jack'.
If I ever had the opportunity I think I'd like to show 'Mermaids'.
Alas, 40 minute classes don't allow the opportunity.
