Films Perfect for Back to School

It is almost time to hear the bells ring, pack up backpacks and hit the books. School will be starting up again soon for many students: elementary, high school and even college. Many films have been made depicting school life: students, teachers, and even parents, as either paradise or an absolute nightmare depending on the parties involved. Here are some films, which can be explored more on their IMDB pages, involving school in a way: student life, extracurricular activities, gifted students, caring teachers and even parents getting involved in their kid’s lives that are fantastic to watch; some films might not be appropriate for all ages. The picture is courtesy of Pixabay

Dead Poets Society. This 1989 film is perfect for those who love English and reading. Robin Williams (in one of his most memorable roles) stars as Mr. Keating an English teacher at an all-boys prep school.  He teaches his students about living their lives to the fullest; telling them to carpe diem Latin for “seize the day.” Some of the boys even restart the unauthorized Dead Poets Society: reading poems and verses. However the new rebellious natures of the boys might cost them everything. The film also stars Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard and Josh Charles as some of the students influenced by Keating.

Regarded as one of the best school movies or all time, Dead Poets Society shows how one teacher can change a school and open some student’s eyes to not obey rules but to enjoy their life. On a side note if one of the required readings for English is J.D Sallinger’s Catcher in the Rye this is a good match to understand what the students are going through.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Not encouraging students to do exactly what this classic film character did, but sometimes we all need a day off. Starring Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey and Jeffrey Jones, this 1986 John Hughes film has a high school student faking being sick to spend the day in the city with his friends. Meanwhile his high school principal and sister don’t buy it and try and expose Ferris for the fraud he is. It might not be the most in school nor the most modern film on here, but it is still a classic high school film no matter how old it gets.

Mean Girls. High school can be scary for many entering for the first time; some may even worry about fitting in with the many cliques there. This 2004 cult classic comedy shows that despite the facade of being perfect most cliques are not what they appear to be. Lindsay Lohan is Cady a former home school student entering high school for the first time and gets caught up in the top group of the school: The Plastics. Cady soon clashes with queen bee Regina George (Rachel McAdams) and decides the best way to fight is to become friends. While high school can be described in so many horrible ways just remember this: it will soon be a distant memory.

Old School. Definitely more for college rather than high school students. Released in 2003, Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn star as 30 something men that create a fraternity just so they can continue their partying ways. However when it looks like they may lose the house unless they pass several academic and athletic tests the guys are gonna have to grow up fast. Many critics and viewers have said this film has never done the college party scene better, but through the comedy, alcohol and so much profanity there is heart.

Lean On Me. The first film to be based on a true story on this list. Released in 1989 Lean On Me stars Morgan Freeman as Joe Clark, aka “Crazy Joe” who takes over a New Jersey high school raided with drugs and gangs. Joe makes it his mission to turn the school around for the students, but the teachers and parents have trouble with Joe’s radical measures. Morgan Freeman as always delivers a spectacular performance as “Crazy” Joe; he may not be the most conventional person to run a school, but the students grow to love their principal.

Bad Moms. While this 2015 movie doesn’t take place in school many parents (not just moms) with kids can completely relate to Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn’s characters. The trio are portrayed overworked moms finally fed up with trying to lead perfect lives for their kids. Deciding to be “bad” the ladies let loose and have fun with their kids; at the same time they must handle the wrath of the school PTA president Gwendolyn (Christina Applegate). The reason why the film was a success is not just because the women are hysterical but every single person with school age children have felt exactly like the main characters did at least once. While parents probably shouldn’t go as extreme as the moms in here, it does show how much work happens before and after school for everyone involved.

The Perks of Being A Wallflower. One of the most recent coming of age movies. This 2012 film stars Logan Lerman as Charlie a young man recently released from a mental hospital after suffering from depression. Enrolled into a new school Charlie has trouble making friends until he meets Sam (Emma Watson) and her step brother Patrick (Ezra Miler) who invite him into their own little circle. Charlie soon struggles with his growing feelings for Sam as well as coming into the young man he is meant to be. Two of the three leads were well known for other films prior to this one (Lerman as Percy Jackson and Watson as Hermione Granger) but this film helped launch them in addition to Miler into more adult roles in their career. It also shows that while there may be darkness in the past and school may stink, with the right people there will always be a bright future.

Stand and Deliver. Math; you are either good at it or you are not, but in this 1988 film it isn’t just calculus the students are struggling with. Based on a true story Edward James Olmos stars as Jamie Escalante, a new math teacher at an East Los Angeles high school begins teaching students from working class Hispanic families with multiple problems (academic and social). Realizing the school has given up on them Escalante sets out to prove his students are not only smart but can pass the toughest AP Calculus tests. It is rare on film to see a teacher that cares so much for their students; seeing the dedication Olmos’s character has towards his job and his fight for the kids is something to admire.

Easy A. In what has been called Emma Stone’s breakout role, this 2010 movie shows how a little white lie in high school can go a very long way. Told over a webcam Stone’s character Olive Penderghast helps out a gay friend by claiming she slept with him. When word spreads out about it other guys who could never get a girlfriend ask for Olive’s help in increasing their reputation. Olive becomes labeled as the school tramp and several students, led by the queen Christian bee Marianne (Amanda Bynes), want Olive gone. It will probably be remembered as one of the best high school comedies of the 2010’s and the beginning of Emma Stone’s young successful career

Animal House. Be honest when someone says college movies this is the first one to pop into mind. Starring the hilarious John Belushi, Kevin Bacon, Tim Matheson and John Vernon among so many other funny stars this 1978 movie is all about a fraternity all about partying must go up against the school dean who wants them all gone. While most college parties at fraternities are probably not as insane it is still an absolutely side splitting hysterical movie.

Sixteen Candles. John Hughes sure knows how to write and direct movies about high school. In this 1984 coming of age tale staring the likes of Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, Anthony Michael Hall and Paul Dooley the film follows newly sixteen Sam Baker as she gets through her birthday which her family has forgotten due to her sister’s wedding the next day. To make matters worse her crush Jake Ryan finds out about her feelings for him and school geek Ted will not leave her alone. While other films had come out about teens acting out, nothing like Sixteen Candles had teens portrayed as those who love to party and drink (among other things).

Pitch Perfect. Not many modern musicals really captured high school and college students quite like this 2012 musical comedy, and its two sequels. With an all-star young cast including Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Britney Snow, Anna Camp, Adam DeVine, Skylar Astin, Ben Platt and Elizabeth Banks, Pitch Perfect made being involved in a capella cool once again. It may not have focused on actual classes, but it doesn’t mean the girls didn’t learn a lesson or two about life.

The Breakfast Club. This is the last John Hughes movie on here I promise. Taking place on a Saturday detention this 1985 comedy/drama focuses on five high school students: bad boy John Bender (Judd Nelson), princess like Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald), jock Andrew Clarke (Emilio Estevez), nerd Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall) and oddball Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy). On the outside they have nothing in common, but as the film progresses the teens soon begin discussing their lives at home; growing closer along the way. This is one of the few films showing how students of different lifestyles and high school cliques are not as different as they originally thought. This is a must watch for students in high school.

21 Jump Street. There have been many adaptations about adults being undercover in high school, including the television series this 2012 film is based on, and its sequel involving college. No one quite expected Channing Tatum or Jonah Hill to be mistaken as high school students; yet that is what happened as the two bumbling police officers are on the hunt for a drug dealer selling to kids at a local high school. There are many who do not even want to think about going back to high school, nor could probably get away with it, but it will always play a major part of our lives. Just don’t let be the only good thing looking back.

Clueless. Sometimes being pretty and popular can get you far in high school, but it won’t always work. This 1999 high school comedy focuses on Cher (Alicia Silverstone) who is the queen bee of her school. Discovering how much she likes helping people she takes new girl Tai Fraiser (Britney Murphy) to be groomed to be just as popular as her. However when her project works too well Cher realizes being popular doesn’t mean much if there aren’t people who you love standing beside you. It does poke fun at the supposed lifestyle of Beverly Hills, but it also shows behind all the money and glamour they are people too.

The Edge of Seventeen. In the most recent coming of age film on this list this 2016 film takes a real good look at growing up in high school. Staring Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick and Blake Jenner we take a look at the life of Steinfeld’s character Nadine as her life begins to change: from her best friend dating her brother, her feelings towards an older student, the friend completely in love with her and overall struggling to open herself back up to friends and family after the death of her father. Hailee gives one of the best performances of her young career and shows that high school as insane as it is can be the place to find who you are meant to be.

Legally Blonde. If you looked up “never judge a book by its cover” in films you might see a picture of Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods. In this 2001 comedy Elle decides to follow her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School despite being seen as a ditsy blonde. Determined to prove him and others wrong about how serious she is Elle works hard to earn her place as a lawyer. Audiences adored the film with many praising Witherspoon’s performance as the perky Woods; they also loved the message about how not to let people’ opinions about how one looks stop you from reaching your goals.

Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion. The story may have not taken place in school, but it doesn’t mean it’s not relevant. Released in 1997 the film stars Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow as Romy and Michele traveling to their high school reunion. Wanting to stand out for their former classmates, including their enemy Christie Masters, the women claim they are successful business women; in fact they are anything but. The overall lesson for the film: while high school will be an important part of our lives, don’t live life like you’re still in it. Just because someone was a queen bee or nerd in school doesn’t mean they stayed that way for the rest of their lives.

Is there a school movie missing from this list? Please comment below your favorite high school or college movie. Do it before the bell rings!

Comic-Con Trailer Reviews: Aquaman, Fantastic Beasts, Godzilla, Shazam and Glass

While I have yet to attend a Comic-Con the pictures make it seem like everyone is having a fabulous time. I may go one day, but in the meantime I’ll have to settle for the trailers released later than the Comic-Con public. Over the weekend trailers for upcoming television shows and movies were released and some of them I cannot wait to see. I’m going to take a look at five of the trailers released for upcoming films, what I think may happen in the film, the overall feel of the trailer and if I think the film will do well.

1. Aquaman. After his successful film debut in Justice League Aquaman is finally getting his own live-action feature film. Arthur Curry (Jason Moma) is the half human and half-Atlatean ruler of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis. His father was a lighthouse keeper named Thomas (Temuera Morrison) while his mother is Queen Atlanta (Nicole Kidman) who washed up ashore. Arthur receives word from Mera (Amber Herd), a beautiful warrior, that his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) wants to start a war with the surface world. In addition to potentially overthrowing his brother Arthur also meets another foe in David Kane, aka Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Manteen II), a ruthless mercenary and treasure hunter. I know director James Wan wanted to wait until the trailer was perfect before releasing it; and boy was it worth it. The special effects, particularly in Atlantis, were breathtaking. The actors looked incredible in their respective roles; I cannot wait to see more of Moma and Herd from their time in Justice League while also looking very much forward to Wilson, Manteen and Kidman debuts. I can only hope the movie is as good as the trailer made it look. I know most DC films have not been received very well by audiences and critics, but maybe Aquaman can break the cycle like Wonder Woman did.
2. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. I have made no secret of my love for Harry Potter recently, so it is probably no surprise to you how excited I am for this. Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) has escaped from custody since the last time the audience saw him and seems to be gathering followers for an uprising against the non-magic people (Muggle or No-Majs, whatever you wish to call them). Needing help in stopping his former friend (and possibly more than that) a young Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) recruits his former student Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) in his quest. Returning from the first film is Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), an American auror and Newt’s love interest, Jacob Kowalski (Dan Folger) a no-Maj who had his memory erased after the events of the first film but obviously something made him remember, Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol) Tina’s legilimens (ability to read minds) sister and Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) a young man with a something very dark inside of him (and was thought to have died in the last film.) We also meet Leta Lestrange (Zoe Kravitz), Newt’s ex whom he still has feelings for (if you recognize the last name you know why this relationship did not work out) and we also finally have eyes on a character mentioned in the first book. Much like its predecessors the special effects look absolutely wonderful, the characters we have loved in the first film are back (I can’t wait to see how much they’ve grown) and I’m thrilled to see some of the newer characters and how they contribute to the story. I was genuinely surprised by the first film, I’ll go more into that one day, so I genuinely hope the sequel does just as well.
3. Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Now I’m not gonna lie, monster movies have never really been something I’m into; I haven’t really seen a full Godzilla movie but I plan to someday. In the meantime the sequel to the 2014 will be out next year and boy does it look fantastic. Humans seem to be on the verge of extinction and Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga) seems to have the solution: unleash the rightful rulers of Earth. Those just happen to be monsters called the Titans: Godzilla, Monthra, Rodan and King Ghidorah. Also staring Kyle Chandler, Millie Bobbie Brown, Bradley Whitford, Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins and Thomas Middleditch humanity must now fight against god like creatures.  My exact thoughts were (in the most sarcastic voice possible) “oh yeah cause releasing gigantic monsters is humanity’s only hope GREAT IDEA!” The effects for this film are stunning; let’s hope the story matches and they don’t kill off the top star within the first twenty minutes like in 2014. I do not know if I’m gonna see this in theaters, I have a little catching up to do on my monsters, but it will not surprise me if at the end of the film we get a surprise of a certain gigantic ape.
4. Shazam! I was familiar with this hero maybe a little more than some of the other people I’ve seen reacting to this trailer, so I think this is a great opportunity for audiences to become familiar with one of DC’s arguably most underrated heroes. Billy Batson (Asher Angel) runs away from foster home after foster home until finally forced to settle with the Vasquez family. He does become close with one of his foster brothers Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer) a disabled superhero fan. One day, after defending Freddy from bullies, Billy gets on a subway and gets transported to another realm. An ancient wizard (Djimon Hounsou) has chosen Billy to be a champion, and all he has to do is say his name: Shazam. When Billy does he is transformed into an adult (Zachary Levi) with multiple superpowers; including super strength, flight and is bulletproof. Along with Freddy Billy has to handle his new abilities, but it won’t be long before a threat to his abilities comes forward. Once again I won’t lie and say I’m on the fence when it comes to this film. Shazam, otherwise known as Captain Marvel but will not be called that for obvious reason, is very similar to Superman (which is why there have been multiple stories of them coming to blows) so I know there is going to be that comparison. When I heard Zachery Levi was cast I wasn’t completly convinced he could be Shazam; although remembering he has done child-like characters before erased those thoughts. I’m gonna wait and see the film before I fully judge Levi’s performance. I know Mark Strong is set to be the bad guy, but the trailer did not focus on him so I’m not entirely sure what he is going to do. The film does seem to be more light-hearted and funny compared to DC’s recent works, which fits in with the Shazam character. I do plan on watching the movie, but for now I’m on the fence about Shazam!
5. Glass. I originally wasn’t going to do this as I have not seen the prior films, but it has been one of the most talked about trailers so I feel obligated. Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson) specializes in those who believe they are superheroes. Her latest patients: David Dunn (Bruce Willis) a security guard with superhero strength, invulnerability and has the psychological ability to see what horrible things people have done by a simple touch, Elijah Price aka Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson) a brilliant mass murderer with fragile bones and Kevin Wendell Crumbs aka The Horde (James McAvoy) a man with over 20 personalities in him including a personality known as The Beast (a sociopath and a cannibal.) The film will see how all three men are connected. While I have not seen Unbreakable or Split yet I have seen enough peaks to know how creepy Glass, Dunn and especially Crumbs are; when I saw the trailer for Split I had chills down my spine. It looks like the film takes place back and forth; it appears we are going to find out how these three men know each other and how they ended up in the psych ward (which from the trailer looks freaky.) McAvoy, Willis and Jackson are three very great actors and I know they are going to be just as great in their respective roles. Sarah Paulson is also a fine actress and from what I’ve seen in the trailer she seems to be just as good as she usually is. I am not sure if I’ll watch Glass when it is in theaters, but we’ll see.

Those are my thoughts on the trailers released from Comic-Con, what are yours? Please leave your thoughts below on what you are looking forward to.

Movie Review: Justice League

Me being a HUGE fan of this universe I had to see this movie. It was not exactly how I envisioned it but I am not slamming it as much as the critics. I am going to try and be spoiler free but just in case here is a WARNING! I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

The world is still morning the loss of Superman (Henry Cavil), none more so than his mother Martha (Diane Lane) and Lois Lane (Amy Adams.) Meanwhile Bruce Wayne aka Batman (Ben Affleck) and Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) attempt to recruit fellow heroes Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), Victor Stone (Ray Fisher) and Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) aka Aquaman, Cyborg and Flash respectively. Bruce and Diana believe something is coming to Earth, and it is going to require all of them to stop this threat. Sadly I cannot go any more without spoiling the film so the only thing I am going to say is STAY UNTIL THE VERY END!!!!

Now I understand why critics have been giving this a hard blow, there were a few issues I had as well. For starters the editing could have been better; it seemed like things were going by too fast (one minute it’s day the next it’s night you know what I mean.) There were some things I thought happened too soon, like honestly could have waited until 3/4 of the film, but that’s just me. Individually I thought the acting was good or great. Gadot is perfect as Diana. Affleck is not the best as Bruce but he is not the worst. Miller I thought did a good job as Allen, let me put it this way Barry is still learning to be an adult so if you watch the TV series it is nothing like how Grant Gustin is, but that is OK because this is a different universe. Fisher is great as Cyborg, again still learning. As for Momoa, well first off I am not blind. That out of the way I really liked how he portrays Curry in the beginning and then as he joins the fight, if you watched him on Game of Thrones the roles are almost similar so I’m told. Because Aquaman, Cyborg and Flash are getting their own movies I’m curious to see where their characters are going to go, maybe get a snip or origin in there for those unfamiliar with their stories. They do hint at it in the film but it’s not enough. Other characters, such as Lois, Alfred, Martha, and the villain are also good in the film. P.S. I think J.K Simmons is FABULOUS as James Gordon and I cannot wait to see more.

If I were to rank it with other DC films, at least in this universe, it is definitely better than Suicide Squad, but not as good as Wonder Woman. If you are a fan of superheroes than I would recommend watching this movie, if not in theaters than when it airs on TV.