Holiday Movies

Take a break and enjoy some festive holiday movies that will both entertain and prepare you for the future.

As you go through your architectural education you will hear many profs and academics extol the virtues of movies that quite frankly are far to convoluted and heady to actually make a clear statement. So while these are not all critically acclaimed, they certainly do not have the vapid qualities of today's Hollywood "blockbusters"...

EXORCIST
This movie is a great analogy of how life works. You might have everything in check and a great life until one thing happens to make life more challenging. Bad things happen to good people.
ARCHITECTURE LESSON: You might have people that can help alleviate and even remove your problems (to their own detriment) but the movie serves as a reminder that you must find ways to reduce the instances of bad things happening to you. Why did the computer crash at the deadline? Why did the workshop run out of cardboard? Who spilled coffee on my drawings and model? Last desk review kill your sense of self esteem? The last crit making you second-guess your career choice? Bad things will happen so just know how to "exorcise" those demons.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS
If Mies stated that "God is in the details", then this movie makes conveys its value to neophyte architecture students in a bold way. A conventional story is woven with nuanced details that make audiences realize the incredible value of subtlety and consideration of every detail.
ARCHITECTURE LESSON: Don't ignore the details. We're not talking about thermal breaks in wall assemblies (though those are invaluable too) - what is important for designers to consider is the holistic approach to design. Far too often "details" such as materials, lighting, structural elements, and spatial sequencing are lost in the pursuit of making a "cool"-looking form devoid of any of the aforementioned conditions.

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
If Exorcist is a more pessimistic approach to life, Shawshank Redemption is a great movie that makes audiences feel restored after getting through what seems like a tragic tale of unjust imprisonment culminating in slow, calculated revenge.
ARCHITECTURE LESSON: You will go through many projects where the amount you learn and the amount you suffer are directly proportional. Know that if you have a greater sense of foresight and awareness of how the material covered are useful in professional practice or academia, then all the suffering will be worthwhile.

THE GODFATHER
Loyalty and family mean a great deal while ensuring business remains business. The epic Corleone story reinforces notions of operating within values, maintaining a vision, and loyalty.
ARCHITECTURE LESSON: You will spend far more time with your architectural science classmates than your biological family and friends you have made since your were a child. Get to know them well and they will be the best safety net in coming years. Also remember that business and personal matters are very separate. Got killed at a review? No, the prof does not hate you so do not take it personally. They care for you as a person but must stick to "business" and ensure that you learn so always keep that objectivity in mind during reviews.

BACKDRAFT
A fictional family of firefighters faces challenges as two brothers compete for each others' approval in solving an arson case. Actions speak.
ARCHITECTURE LESSON: When you think the education and rigor to succeed in the program is too hard, remember that countless others have done so and you are just as good. Better yet, you have a family that will help you. Remember: "You go, we go."