5 Richard Linklater Films You Have To See (If You Haven't Already)

Richard Linklater is one of my favorite filmmakers. He does his own thing while living in his home state of Texas, proving that you don't have to give in to the corporate Hollywood machine to make it as a filmmaker. Which is great news because, let's face it, LA traffic is the worst. And while his writing style isn't for everyone, it can't be denied that he's a gifted director who knows how to get authentic c performances out of his actors. So in honor of his new film, Everybody Wants Some, I've made a list of 5 films directed by Richard Linklater that you should definitely get around to seeing sometime if you haven't already.

School of Rock: So, duh. If you haven't seen this one yet, maybe you should crawl out of the hole you've been living in once in a while. Better yet, just stay there. You're a lost cause. Jack Black is at his face-melting best. Add some prep-school kids, and you've got yourself a classic.

Bernie: No, this isn't a movie about Bernie Sanders. Also starring Black, this dark comedy would fit in the "true crime" genre. It tells the story of Bernie Teide, a lovable mortician who befriends a wealthy widow. I don't want to spoil it, but believe me: if you have a twisted sense of humor (which, of course you do,) you must watch this movie. While it isn't as well-known as School of Rock, I like it just as much for totally different reasons.

Everybody Wants Some: Linklater's most recent film has been getting amazing reviews, and it's not hard to see why. This might be my favorite film he's ever done, and I'm usually not a fan of the crazy college party movies. He's perfected his craft, combining witty dialogue with hyper-realistic situations. While some have criticized his writing as "boring" and "too real," this one shows he's clearly found a sweet spot.

Dazed and Confused: This cult classic gained popularity with the stoner crowd when it was released in 1993, and is probably best enjoyed while at least moderately high. While not my favorite movie ever (see "boring" comment above), it has several moments that have gained ubiquity. For example, the line that basically made Matthew McConaughey: "That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age."

Boyhood: This film was shot over a twelve year period, which is a feat all on its own. But what I loved about it is that it's essentially a time capsule of my childhood. Linklater took extra care to examine pop culture trends during each year and tailored the script to capture the feeling of every year. (Anyone else remember waiting in a ridiculously long line to get the latest Harry Potter book?) The soundtrack alone will have you saying, "Ohhhh yeah! I loved that song!"

Bonus Round: I couldn't resist including one of my personal favorites. If you've seen the previous five and want more, you should check A Scanner Darkly, based on the Philip K. Dick novel and starring Keanu Reeves. This one's unique because they actually shot it on film and then completely animated over the top of it. Weird, right?

So there you have it. 5 (technically 6) Richard Linklater films you need to see. Obviously this is a rudimentary list, so this is just to get you started. And if you're already a Linklater veteran, what are some of your favorites?

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