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| Cover of Blackboard Jungle |
The films that I'll be listing in my April postings may not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming. The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.
This sub-genre is a biggie and I'll be leaving a ton off this list. But you can add them in the comments and I'm sure you'll have a few favorites of your own. These are mine:
Blackboard Jungle (1955)--One of the first films with a rock and roll soundtrack, this feature addresses the problems of school violence in inner city schools. A classic 1950's film.
Carrie (1976)--The girl in the title role gets bullied at school until she discovers her inner power to fight back. The film that helped propel Stephen King into the public eye.
Carrie (1976)--The girl in the title role gets bullied at school until she discovers her inner power to fight back. The film that helped propel Stephen King into the public eye.
Grease (1978)--A popular Broadway musical becomes a classic film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Lots of good music, dancing, and fun depicts school days of the 1950's.
Fame (1980)--This is a terrific film that follows a group of teens who are selected to attend a high school of the performance arts. There are some excellent songs in this film, performed and danced by some very talented artists.
A Christmas Story (1983)--This time it's elementary school kids in the 1950's. There aren't many who have not yet seen this holiday classic. If you have you're sure to remember those hilarious scenes at school.
Pretty in Pink (1986)--This is a sweet high school days film where kids from the poor side of town prove their worth.
Election (1999)-- A film about high school politics. It's kind of like the TV show Glee without singing. In fact, I'd say Glee was very influenced by this film.
Election (1999)-- A film about high school politics. It's kind of like the TV show Glee without singing. In fact, I'd say Glee was very influenced by this film.
School of Rock (2003)--I'm a fan of Jack Black and this film is among his best. This is a feel good, have fun sort of film that most of the family can enjoy.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) -- Nerdy Napoleon sets out to help his equally weird friend Pedro win the election for class president. This film is nutty, outlandish, and downright silly. I guess that why I like this film.
Any favorites that you share with me? What are some other films you would add to the list? What have been some of the most accurate film depictions of school that you can remember?
Any favorites that you share with me? What are some other films you would add to the list? What have been some of the most accurate film depictions of school that you can remember?
I recall Greese which I enjoyed and Carrie which I though horrific.Especially the ending.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I absolutely love Grease, although I have to admit I've never seen Pretty in Pink, I love just sitting down to some of the other Brat Pack films especially the Breakfast Club.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of possibilities! Of the ones you've named, A Christmas Story and School of Rock are great.
ReplyDeleteSince I recently watched it - Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. (Must pass that history report!)
Real Genius is another great one.
And the ultimate - Better Off Dead. CLASSIC!
My favorite is "dead poets society" when that kid gets on that chair and says captain oh my captain makes me cry! And all the talented boys ( now men ) in the movie is pretty incredible.
ReplyDeleteSchool of rock (though not a fan of Jack Black)was surprisingly good.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! One of my favorite "school" type of movies is Dangerous Minds.
ReplyDeleteI also liked To Sir With Love...an oldie, but a goodie!
ReplyDeleteYou really can't leave off The Breakfast Club or Dangerous Minds! I've seen most of those and loved them. Teachers (at least this one) love to watch school movies. Roger Ebert used the term "blackboard jungle" when describing a genre of movies. I had no idea it WAS a movie. Must see. Oh, and Save the Last Dance is a great movie, even if you're not into dance. It's really about so much more. Ok, I'll stop now. Could write my own post about this...probably should.
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
P.S School of Rock is a really good movie to put on when you're organizing your office. Not that I have to do that frequently or anything...
Only saw Grease. I actually don't like school settings for pictures.
ReplyDeleteJO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
I've seen a few of ythese; I especially liked Fame and Pretty in Pink :)
ReplyDeleteFERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF! Well, technically a not-in-school movie, maybe. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
The Harry Potter movies? They're as much about school as they are about magic.
Frog and its sequel, Frogs.
Marian Allen
Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes
Yvonne -- I'd think you'd be a fan of Grease.
ReplyDeleteCheree - Breakfast Club would be a good addition to this list.
Alex - Good additions.
Fairview -- It's been a long, long time since I've seen Dead Poets Society.
Alt Foodie --School of Rock was very entertaining.
Dani -- I'm not remembering Dangerous Minds though I believe I've seen it.
Joyce-- To Sir, With Love is a definite classic.
Tina -- Actually I do like dance movies! I considered Bring It On for this list though I guess it's not exactly a dance movie.
Jo -- School settings hold so many story possibilities!
MsHatch -- I've listened to the Fame soundtrack so many times. Great film.
Lee
Marian -- More good choices, though I'm not sure about Frogs. I missed that one.
ReplyDeletePROFESSOR BOIDMAN ~
ReplyDeleteI love 'A CHRISTMAS STORY' (I watch it every other Christmas season) and I think the entire scene about Ralphie and his brother going to see the department store Santa Claus is probably the funniest scene in motion picture history!
I actually did "Background" (or, "Extra") work on the movie 'FAME'.
One of my very favorite "school movies" is 'BETTER OFF DEAD'. It's outrageously silly but laugh-out-loud funny throughout - simply hilarious. You could probably rent it for... "TWO DOLLARS!"
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I've seen all of these except School of Rock and I've been meaning to order it on Netflix, especially after hearing Jack Black on NPR talking about the making of this film.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great lineup of old and somewhat new school movies.
Great list! I loved Carrie and Fame!! Happy A-to-Z 2013! ~Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI love grease, it's such a feel good movie. Breakfast club is awesome too.
ReplyDeleteGrease! No arguments!
ReplyDeleteGood choices. Grease and Pretty in Pink get my vote! Peggy Sue Got Married is another favorite:)
ReplyDeleteNeat choices, Lee. I think I would like to check out that Glen Ford movie. Thanks. God bless, Maria from Delight Directed Living
ReplyDeleteStMc -- Guess maybe I need to add Better Off Dead to my Netflix queue. I'm not familiar with this film.
ReplyDeleteC.Lee -- I think you'll enjoy School of Rock.
Angela - Thanks for stopping in!
Rowena -- Grease is a fun movie.
Sheena -- You'll get no argument from me.
Sharon -- Yes, Peggy Sue is a good one. I need to see that one again.
Lee
I like your choices. I agree with many of your additions from the comments. I would add Footloose (the original, haven't seen the remake). It is all about a new kid trying to blend in at a new high school.
ReplyDeleteThere's so many of these films that I like Lee but the last two are especially good, School of Rock is such an amazing film, I adore it!
ReplyDeleteGotta echo McCarthy-"Better Off Dead" is a riot!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to go ski the K12...but I want my TWO DOLLARS!
The one that came to mind for me was "To Sir With Love".
ReplyDeleteFast Times at Ridgemont High is one of my all-time favorites!!
ReplyDeleteRobin -- I don't recall ever having seen Footloose but I do have the soundtrack.
ReplyDeleteYeamie-- School of Rock might be my favorite.
Larry -- Okay, I'm getting talked into this one.
Thea -- The theme song by Lulu was a hit when I was in high school.
Nancy -- I think I saw Fast Times... when it came out but that would have been a good while back.
Lee
Maria Dunn -- Blackboard Jungles is classic 50's. I'm thinking maybe inner city kids are much worse in the current time.
ReplyDeleteLee
Wow, I bet this one was hard category to trim down. I've seen most on your list and the ones above me commenting added some really good ones. I was thinking "Mean Girls" too.
ReplyDeleteLucy from Lucy's Reality
I watched Carrie recently, with my daughter. At the end, I watched her more closely than the film. I'm pleased to say that - despite her love of horrible horrors, she jumped ;)
ReplyDelete"Dead Poet's Society" was good. I love Robin Williams.
ReplyDeleteAnother that comes to mind is "High School Musical"--the original. Kind of corny, I know, but those movies are just so FUN. :)
Arlee,
ReplyDeleteIt's that bloody Catholic school upbringing of mine, but there's something about the Haley Mills/Rosalind Russell film "The Trouble with Angels" that takes me back to my school days. Great topic and so much fun to get nostalgic about. Cheers and heigh-ho!
I can watch Grease and A Christmas Story over and over again.
ReplyDeleteLucy -- The list could have been huge there are so many dating way back.
ReplyDeleteElaine -- I need to watch Carrie again. I think I still have a copy on video tape.
Jaimie -- Yes, school films are often very fun.
Mike -- Now that one's a real blast from the past!
Susan -- I think a lot of people do. I don't know how many times I see Christmas Story every year.
Lee
Haven't seen any of these ones either. Now I feel very behind in the movie watching world. I blame my faulty memory on the fact I can't remember watching any school based movies. I've sure I have, but I can't remember!
ReplyDeleteI love so many of these from everyone. A sentimental favorite of mine, which I only saw on television starred Jennifer Jones and was called, "Good Morning, Miss Dove."
ReplyDeleteSchool Daze was more of a ground breaking movie and not so much a good movie.
ReplyDeleteI loved School of Rock and Jack Black too! I also liked 21 Jump Street and Old School lol. Sister Act and Harry Potter. Love those.
ReplyDeleteChontali Kirk
chontalikirk.blogspot.com
Lean On Me w/ Morgan Freeman was good too.
ReplyDeleteChontali Kirk
chontalikirk.blogspot.com
Imogen -- Surely you've seen a few movies based on school. There have been so many.
ReplyDeleteRocky -- I'm stumped with that one.
Sydney -- I missed School Daze as well.
Chontali--Love those uplifting films like Lean On Me. It's good to see teachers making a difference.
Lee
Great list, Arlee. You and others have come up with some of my favourites, but i don't think these three have been mentioned yet:
ReplyDelete- Heathers
- Three O'Clock High
- Dazed and Confused
I loved a bunch of the movies you listed, especially Grease and Carrie.
ReplyDeleteI saw that someone else mentioned Heathers and Lean on Me. I'd also include Dangerous Minds.
Great list today!
Lyre @ Lyre's Musings #atozchallenge
Nothing like a bit of "St. Trinian's".
ReplyDeleteGary at the Z to A...
Just gotta add: Ferris Buehler's Day Off. Someone might already have mentioned it.
ReplyDeleteAll great choices. Like Thea, the first one that came to mind was To Sir With Love.
ReplyDeleteJulie
There are literally too many to list for this. This is one of my favorite genres of all movie genres, especially the sub-genre of "Inspirational Teachers." I can't think of a single one that stood out quite as much as any of these, but regardless, I enjoy them all the same.
ReplyDeleteStand and Deliver!
ReplyDeleteThe list of school movies is endless, but I like how you chose many different kinds: from Carrie to Napoleon Dynamite. I like all of your choices!
ReplyDelete#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
My thanks to all who commented. Some great choices added to the list!
ReplyDeleteLee