The Stylus recently completed interviews with some of its staff members about their favorite Hollywood movies. Here are those interviews:

What is your favorite movie and why?

Kalli Cheffey, editor-in-chief: “The Artist” because it’s a black and white movie made in the last few years and it explains just how quickly the film industry went from silent films to talkies. It’s just a fun, interesting story even though there’s no dialogue, just music that is fun to listen to.

Chloe Durand, feature editor: “Sarah’s Key” It’s a World War II movie and it really touched me for several reasons. I’m French and I really like how it’s a story where you follow one character all the way through. I like it because it helped me understand how cruel World War II was and I felt connected to the people.

Max Mohr, photo editor: “Avatar” because I love the story and the special effects they had to do to create it. That together just made an all-around amazing movie.

Zach Olmstead, culture critic: “Gojira” It’s a great Japanese film that features the first appearance of Godzilla, a strong anti-nuclear message, and some really emotional scenes. The scene where a large group of children pray for their country to be saved from Godzilla gets me every time.

Who are your favorite actor and actress?

Cheffey: Tom Hanks. I grew up watching his films as a kid and he’s always been an inspiration for why I’ve wanted to do film and theater. He’s also funny but able to do serious films as well.
Emma Thompson. She’s done such a variety of work and she does so many different characters perfectly. She can be funny in one film and serious the next. She’s also quirky but can also be that perfectly romantic actress.

Durand: Romain Duris. He always plays the mean guy who everyone hates but wants to be with him. He touched me personally and I was able to understand everything he feels. He played a writer in the “Spanish Apartment” trilogy and I want to be a writer.
Audrey Tautou. She starred in “Amelie” and is the kind of person you’d like to be friends with. She does a good job at making you feel for her characters.

Mohr: Johnny Depp. Every role that he’s involved in, he really lives that role and adapts their habits. He puts everything into the roles and has played characters from both ends of the spectrum and pulled them off incredibly well.
Helena Bonham Carter. Her style in general is dark and gloomy. She can play any kind of character.

Olmstead: Bill Murray. He’s absolutely hilarious and one of the few comedy actors these days who I think actually has talent. I have yet to see him give a bad performance.
Emily Blunt. She’s such a versatile actress, who can be really funny in one movie and then totally serious in the next. It honestly feels like there’s no movie she couldn’t do if she really tries.

If you had unlimited free time, how often would you watch movies?

Cheffey: All the time. 24/7, 365. That would include me watching all my favorites over again but also finally having time to watch new films.

Durand: Probably two or three movies a day.

Mohr: Probably just one a day.

Olmstead: Probably two or three times a day, depending on my mood.

How would you describe your taste in movies?

Cheffey: Eclectic. I like every genre but not necessarily every movie in that genre.

Durand: I like movies that make me feel close to people and make you question things about life. I don’t like action movies because they only want to blow things up and don’t have a lot of love.

Mohr: Very eclectic. I don’t really have a set style. I like all kinds of movies.

Olmstead: I like every genre because I think they all have something to offer. However, I would say I mainly prefer the older stuff but with respect to the new stuff.

Are there any movies you’d like to be made that haven’t yet?

Cheffey: “The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula.” I love Sherlock Holmes and I find Dracula to be completely interesting. To see them work against each other would be hilarious and strange but sounds like so much fun.

Durand: “Where Rainbows End.” I really liked the story. You don’t see the characters talking, just communicating through emails. You see the relationship grow through time and it reflects a lot of things in real life.

Mohr: “Dragon Rider.” I feel like with the technology we have now, that book could be made into something really amazing. Even after so many years, it’s still one of my all-time favorite books.

Olmstead: I’d still like to see “Hellboy 3” get made. Although it’s looking unlikely at this point, there’s still a glimmer of hope that it could happen and director Guillermo del Toro will finally be able to finish the story.

– Interviews were compiled by Zach Olmstead, culture critic