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!

Movie Review: Sweet Home Alabama

For those maybe not as familiar with movies no this is not about the famous Lynyrd Skynyrd song. Sweet Home Alabama, released in 2002, has often been listed among the best romantic comedies of the 2000’s and officially cemented Reese Witherspoon as one of the queens of the genre. As always spoilers will be ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

Melanie Carmichael (Witherspoon with Dakota Fanning as the child version) is a fashion designer living in New York City and dating Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey) the son of the New York City mayor Kate Hennings (Candice Bergen). After becoming engaged (in one of the most epic proposals in film) to Andrew Melanie decides to head back home to Alabama to tell her parents Pearl and Earl (Mary Kay Place and Fred Ward), but she is hiding a few big secrets. In order to get away from her poor, and youth trouble, Southern roots Melanie changed her last name from Smoots to Carmichael, her parents are not as classy as she claimed (her father does Civil War re-enactments) and is still married to her childhood sweetheart Jake Perry (Josh Lucas with Thomas Curtis as the child version). Despite Melanie sending divorce papers numerous times Jake refuses to sign them. Melanie uses everything in her power as his wife to get him to sign, such as emptying their joint account to sprucing up his home. However the longer she is at home the more Melanie realizes she shouldn’t be ashamed of who she was/is, and how much in love she still is with Jake. Unfortunately for Melanie Kate, doubting how good she is for Andrew (she is just a tad controlling), sends her assistant Barry (Kevin Sussman) to Alabama to investigate her son’s fiancé. About as far as I should go without giving away the rest of the movie.

Witherspoon as always shines in whatever movie she is in, and this is no exception. Whether she is coming off as New York businesswoman one minute then Southern troublemaker the next Witherspoon’s acting ability was top notch. Lucas was fantastic as Jake, the only guy who sees Melanie for who she truly is, and will do anything to show her that. Dempsey is good as Andrew, standing up to his mother and accepts Melanie for who she is (or so he thinks she is). The rest of the cast is enjoyable and has some very funny moments, although I admit the baby in the bar scene does have me questioning a few things. The films culture clash between New York and Alabama was so perfectly written, although it may have been a little stereotyping. I am not from the South nor have I traveled there so I have yet to experience if it is as different as this film perceives it; I’d like to judge it for myself by actually going one day and not how they are portrayed in film and television. Sweet Home Alabama is still a very cute romantic comedy and while I won’t say it is a must watch it is absolutely a girls night or date night film.

Movie Review: Walk The Line

I was re-watching the teaser trailer for the upcoming Freddie Mercury film, Bohemian Rhapsody, with a friend the other day. I said how much I was looking forward to watching it and before we knew it the conversation shifted to other musical biographical films we loved. The one film we both agreed on was this 2005 award winning movie about one of the greatest country singers of all time, and the woman that changed his life. As always a spoiler alert is being issued. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix, nominated for an Oscar for his part) had a tough life growing up after the death of his brother Jack. He would enlist in the Air Force in 1950 and be stationed in West Germany. Having always loved singing Johnny would purchase a guitar in 1952 and begin writing songs just to find solace; one of the songs being “Folsom Prison Blues”. Johnny would later marry his girlfriend Vivian Liberto (Ginnifer Goodwin) and had four children with her while working as a door to door salesman. Music still kept calling Johnny and, after organizing a band, would perform and earn a contract for Sun Records, owned by Sam Phillips (Dallas Roberts). While touring, Johnny meets June Carter (Reese Witherspoon who won an Oscar for her part). The two develop a close bond; with Johnny quickly falling in love for her. Despite feeling the same way (and divorcing two husbands with one child each throughout the course of the movie), June refuses to be with Johnny; even after they have a passionate night together. In addition to the rejection Johnny begins abusing drugs and alcohol and his performance begins to become affected. Johnny would later be arrested for purchasing drugs and, in addition to noticing how close Johnny and June are, Vivian divorces him. June, after pleas from his mother, helps Johnny get back on his feet and the two finally begin a relationship; it inspires June to write perhaps Cash’s most famous song “Ring of Fire”. Johnny discovers most of his fans are prisoners and decides to record a live concert album inside one of the prisons; specifically Folsom Prison despite the protests from the record producers. The album would become a huge success and Johnny and June would later marry; the film concludes with him famously proposing on stage and her accepting.

I know I probably gave away a lot of the film, but everything is a part of music history. Johnny Cash is one of the most successful country artists of all time and, if I may say, one of the most unique voices I’ve heard. His story is something to watch on screen. I thought then as I do now that Joaquin Phoenix was perfect as Cash; while I think he looked more like Elvis rather than Cash his performance made up for it. The true standout of the film is Reese Witherspoon as June Carter. While I think her role as Elle Woods will go down as her most iconic part, when it comes to acting I think Walk the Line has been Reese’s best role to date; winning multiple awards including the Golden Globe and Oscar. The chemistry between Phoenix and Witherspoon is infectious as was the real love between Johnny and June (of course there was a lot of drama getting to that happy ending.) Walk The Line was also nominated for four other Oscars including Best Actor, Costume, Film Editing and Sound. Being a musical there has to be a great soundtrack to go with it; and this Grammy winning album did not disappoint. Phoenix and Witherspoon provided their own singing and I have to admit I was surprised to hear how good they were; while they did not sound exactly like Johnny and June it came pretty close. While I am not certain how accurate the film is I would say Walk the Line is one heck of a drama/musical biographical movie. If you enjoy those movies put this on the must watch list.

Movie Review: Just Like Heaven

Sometimes it takes a film that may not be as well-known today to become a fan of some of the biggest names in Hollywood. While this is not the best work of Reese Witherspoon or Mark Ruffalo, this 2005 rom com introduced me to them and I have been a huge fan of both ever since. Spoilers ahead as always. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

If you looked up workaholic in the dictionary you might find a picture of Elizabeth Masterson (Witherspoon), an emergency physician who is always working for a promotion. Her sister Abby (Dina Waters) sets Elizabeth up on a blind date and she is on her way there when she gets into an accident. Three months later David Abbott (Ruffalo) a widowed, alcoholic landscape architect rents out Elizabeth’s apartment. Sometime later Elizabeth’s spirit appears, freaking both her and David out as she doesn’t believe she is dead, nor does she remember anything about her life. As David is the only one who can see and hear Elizabeth they both set out to find out what happened to her and why only David can see her; to hilarious results as people think David is crazy for talking to himself including his best friend Jack (Donal Logue) and one of his neighbors Katrina (Ivana Milicevic) who is trying to sleep with him. The only person who seems to believe them is a weird psychic bookkeeper Darryl (Jon Heder). Along the way David and Elizabeth fall in love and when they realize what happened to her Davis is determined to bring her back to him.

I have seen better written romantic comedies, but Just Like Heaven is still pretty cute. Reese is very funny as well as sweet in this movie. Mark Ruffalo is fantastic as a man who has been through so much; it almost feels like his character gets an awaking when he realizes how much he cares for Elizabeth. Heder was pretty good as well; the film also debunked a myth that he was dead. I also enjoyed Logue in this movie as the sarcastic and hilarious Jack. As I stated earlier while I have seen both actors in better movies this is the film that made me a fan of Witherspoon and Ruffalo; both have great chemistry in here and I kinda wish they would do more movies together. We’ll have to wait and see on if it happens again. Just Like Heaven is a good girls night or romantic movie night, but this is not a film I would put high on a must watch list. If you find it on TV or rent it on Netflix by all means watch, it will definitely leave you with a feeling of life is to short so do what you want, say what you want to say and fall in love.

Movie Review: Penelope (2006 film)

Haven’t heard of this movie, don’t worry not too many have, but I still found this to be very cute. The reason why I have to place 2006 in the title is because while I don’t think there are other movies called Penelope yet you might mistake this for a movie starring someone named that. Now while the film is not perfect it is far from one of bad (at least in my opinion) given the fantasy complex. Spoilers ahead as usual. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

The Wilhern’s seem like one of the nicest and richest families in England, but there was a legend surrounding them. Many years ago one of the Wilhern men had an affair with one of his servants, but was talked out of marrying her by his family. After he wed someone more to his family’s blue blood standards, the heartbroken and pregnant servant killed herself. The girl’s mother, the town witch, cursed the Wilhern’s that the first daughter born would have the face of a pig and only when someone of their own kind loves her for who she was would the curse be broken. For many years only sons were born, until Jessica and Frank Wilhern (Catherine O’Hara and Richard E. Grant) had Penelope (Christina Ricci). Throughout her childhood Penelope was kept hidden from the world, despite reporters trying to take pictures of her. When she reached 18 Jessica, along with a match maker Wanda (Ronni Ancona), try to find a suitable blue blood match for Penelope. However when any of the guys they pick see her they run, forcing the family butler Jake (Michael Feast) to stop them and make them swear not to tell anyone about Penelope. One man, Edward Humphrey Vanderman III (Simon Woods) gets away before Jake could catch him and is laughed at by the police. One person does believes him: a reporter named Lemon (Peter Dinklage) who lost his eye trying to get a picture of Penelope when she was a baby. Needing proof Lemon and Edward hire a man they believe is Max Campion (James McAvoy), a blue blood with a serious gambling problem, to try and take a picture of Penelope. However Max is caught off guard by how sweet Penelope is and the two begin to bond. When she does reveal herself he is not disgusted by her, but flees when the camera goes off making Penelope think he ran from her face. Max destroys the camera before giving it to Lemon, but when Penelope asks him to marry her just to break the curse he tells her he can’t, leaving her heartbroken. Inspired by Max’s talk of the outside world Penelope leaves her home for the first time, wearing a scarf around her nose and mouth to keep herself hidden, much to the horror of her mother. She meets Annie (Reese Witherspoon) who becomes her mentor and friend. When Penelope decides to expose herself to the world there is a lot of good that comes with it, but there may also be a big cost for herself. About as far as I should go without giving away the rest of the movie.

Like I said this film is not fantastic but I highly doubt it will be the worst thing you see. Christina Ricci, James McAvoy and Reese Witherspoon are my favorite parts of the movie as they all accept each other for who they are, which is what we want in the people we choose to love. While I think Catherine O’Hara is good in the movie let’s just say Penelope’s mom is not exactly mother of the year, although Simon Woods’s character can give her a run for her money. If you like cute fantasy movies then Penelope might be a cute movie for you; otherwise this is probably a skip.

Movie Review: Legally Blonde

Who says you can’t be as smart as you are stylish? This 2001 movie completely changed multiple stereotypes against women, blondes, lawyers and just overall not judging a book by its cover; not to mention launching one actress into super-stardom. Spoilers ahead as always. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

College student and president of Delta Nu sorority Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is hopelessly in love with her boyfriend Warren Huntington III (Matthew Davis). She expects him to propose when he takes her out on a date, but instead he dumps her because she is “not serious” enough for him and his career. Desperate to win him back Elle decides to follow him to Harvard Law School and gets in. However Elle quickly realizes she will not be taken seriously by her classmates, including Warner and his new fiancé Vivian (Selma Blair.) With the encouragement of her new friends Emmett (Luke Wilson) and Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge) Elle begins to get better at becoming a lawyer, even scoring the same internship with Warner and Vivian with their professor Callahan (Victor Garber). Elle begins to work on a case where a fellow Delta Nu alum Brooke Taylor-Windham (Ali Larter) is accused of killing her much older husband, but Elle believes she is innocent when everyone else doesn’t. I cannot go more without giving away the rest of the film.

This is a perfect girl’s night movie. You will be cheering on Witherspoon as she proves to not be a ditsy blonde and a very good lawyer. While she had acted before and had done well Witherspoon’s career took a huge leap after this film and I cannot be any happier for her. If you haven’t seen this film I’d put this on your must-watch list immediately. This film did have a sequel, a spin-off and became a hit Broadway musical, personally one out of the three is worth checking out.

Movie Review: Home Again

Once again my friend and I saw a movie on a whim, and we were not disappointed, also thought I should add some current still in theater movies.  I love Reese Witherspoon and while this may not be her best role, she still shines. I am going to be spoiler free as much as I can as this is still showing. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

Alice Kinney (Witherspoon) is a newly separated 40 year old mother of two girls who is trying to get her life back on track. Her ex-husband (Michael Sheen) is constantly busy and apparently doesn’t have time for the girls. Alice is barely keeping it together when one night she meets three 20 something guys: Harry (Pico Alexander), George (Jon Rudnitsky) and Teddy (Nat Wolff); three aspiring filmmakers having trouble finding a place to stay. Alice allows them to stay in her guest house after seeing how well they get along with her girls and it’s not long before they become an unconventional family. When the ex gets wind of three good looking young guys living with his family, and one of them is interested in his wife, let’s just say he becomes free. This is about as far as I can go without spoiling the rest of the movie.

Now will this go down as Reese Witherspoon’s best work; no, not even close Legally Blonde is her best work. However Witherspoon is a great actress, my opinion one of the best today, and she does a great job in this movie. She may know what her character was experiencing with her first divorce and being a single mom for a while and may have channeled it into her character, I cannot confirm that but it is a thought.

Moving on to the three young men in the film, they do a great job as who their characters are; probably because they know how it feels. Nat Wolff has been in the spotlight on and off since he was a little boy on Nickelodeon and only recently has broken out as a potential leading man, keep in mind I said potential so far he’s done teen book adaptions as a lead or memorable character. I want to see what he can do now. Jon Rudnitsky has only recently left Saturday Night Live to go into film, and he does an amazing job in Home Again, however this is his first film so it can go one of two ways and I hope it goes up. Pico Alexander has appeared in a handful of shows and a few films so he is still breaking out. While he does not have as much experience as the other guys, he once again shows potential.

Overall the film is cute and I would recommend it for a girl’s night, whether it is still in theaters or not.