If you’re a big fan of movies or pop culture, there is a pretty big chance that you’ve seen someone holding a microphone with circular blue, green, and orange shapes on it up to a celebrity’s mouth and asking them the question, “What are your four favorite movies?”

The question originates from Letterboxd, a social media app where users are able to log films they’ve watched and display four films to showcase as their favorites on their profiles.

The app, first launched in 2011, has skyrocketed in popularity, and has been brought to the red carpet in recent years, becoming a staple in press tours. Actors ranging from Emma Stone to Hugh Grant have weighed in on their favorites, allowing fans to see what their biggest inspirations and comfort films are.

Personally, watching these videos is always fun as well as intriguing, and it helped spark an idea in my head. What if I asked my peers the same question, bringing a little taste of Letterboxd to DHS? So, I set off to ask both DHS students and faculty their four favorite films.

To begin, I sat down with DHS senior Simone Tavares and asked her what her four favorite movies are. They are (in no particular order) Legally Blonde, Silence of the Lambs, Booksmart, and Interstellar. “I just think Legally Blonde is the perfect 2000s movie,” Tavares said. She went on to praise Silence of the Lambs, labeling it the best horror movie ever made, and complimenting the casting of Booksmart. Lastly, Tavares said the score of Interstellar is a big reason why she loves it so much, and added that “it makes me cry every time.”

Logan Costa, another senior here at DHS, lists Interstellar, Dune: Part Two, Parasite, and Avatar: The Way of the Water as his four favorites. Costa explains that Interstellar is his favorite movie due to how much research was put into the film, as well as the “intense score that emphasizes the emotions within the story.” He goes on to explain that Dune: Part Two is one of his favorite movies for the storyline, cinematography, and directing of each shot. For Parasite, Costa praises how well-written the film was, highlighting the plot-twist as the movie’s strength and adding that it was almost impossible to be bored while watching. Costa cites the nostalgia he gets from watching Avatar: The Way of the Water and the beauty of the film for it being his final pick.

Next up, I decided to ask some of the DHS faculty about their four favorites, starting with English teacher Wesley Lima. Lima begins his list by telling me about his favorite filmwriter, Aaron Sorkin, who wrote The Social Network. Lima says the dialogue in the film was incredible and funny, and is a big reason why it has cemented its place as his favorite film. Lima goes on to talk about Everything Everywhere All at Once, calling it “weird and amazing.” He says he enjoys analyzing the small details in the film, and is fond about the powerful messaging the film reflects onto its viewers about family and relationships. Similar to DHS student Logan Costa, Lima praises Parasite’s writing, saying it has the best ending to a film he’s ever seen. Lastly, he mentions Trial of the Chicago 7, telling me it is a very important historical story that is not always told in places like Hollywood. Sorkin also wrote this film, and Lima once again praised him for his incredible writing. He mentions how he showed this film to his freshman students, and many of them said it was the best film they’ve ever seen.

I also sat down with English teacher and Spectrum advisor Will Higgins about his four favorites. He lists Anna Karenina (2012) as his number one, calling it a “beautifully crafted film version of an incredibly complex Russian novel with an indie flair.” Next up is Interstellar, praising its storytelling and calling it one of the most emotional movies ever created. The Big Lebowski takes third place, with him complimenting Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, and Steve Buscemi for creating iconic characters that make this film easily rewatchable and hilarious. Lastly, he mentions Spotlight, calling it everyone’s favorite journalism movie. It is a “romantic look at a newsroom doing what newsrooms still do best,” Higgins said.

Jumping back to the student population of Dartmouth, junior Leila Rodrigues lists Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, La La Land, The Parent Trap, and Forrest Gump as her four favorites. Rodrigues notes Ferris Bueller as feeling nostalgic and captures exactly what it means to live in the moment. She describes La La Land as an “emotional love story that has a bittersweet ending” and calls it realistic for those who have to “sacrifice relationships for their careers.” As for The Parent Trap, Rodrigues once again cites nostalgia as a basis for why it is one her favorites, calling it wholesome as the film ends on a happy note. As for Forrest Gump, “it not only made me laugh but made me cry watching him grow up and learn[ing] all the ins and outs of life,” Rodrigues said.

Lastly, I asked junior and Spectrum staff writer Bryn Mesquitta her four favorites. She began with Bones and All. She told me her favorite aspect of the film is the cinematography and how it is shot in a way that makes you forget it’s not a documentary, feeling so vivid and real to viewers. Next up is The Florida Project. Mesquitta called the movie very personal and emotional to her, appreciating the vague ending. “It can be interpreted in so many different ways,” she said. “Even though that can be frustrating for some people, I like the area that the movie leaves for interpretation.”

Third is Avatar: The Way of the Water. Mesquitta says the film makes her want to live in the fictional world of Pandora. She compliments the animation as well as the themes present in the film. Lastly, she names Up, calling it “the most nostalgic movie ever for me,” praising it because of its sad nature. She wishes there were more movies out there like it.

As for me, my four favorites are How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Interstellar, Superman (2025), and We’re the Millers. I admire all of these movies as they bring me a sense of comfort. Whether I’m experiencing the powerful score of Interstellar or laughing through the comedic bits of We’re the Millers, I know I can find a little peace in each film from the minute the film opens up until the credits eventually fade off into their end.

My belief that cinema is a uniting factor for humans has only further been cemented by writing this piece. Even though there are a variety of films people listed, there was some overlap with films like Interstellar, Parasite, and Avatar: The Way of the Water being in people’s four favorite films. Furthermore, many people listed cinematography, nostalgia, and well-written stories as to why some films have cemented their places in their four favorites.

Even though we live in a time where division has become the new normal, it brings me a sense of relief to know that for 90 minutes, people can become one, sharing the same excitement, curiosity, and devastation when they are in the company of each other in a dark room where the only light comes from a bright projection of a series of images flashing across a 40-foot screen.