News - Lifestyles

Saturday, Sep. 20, 2008

22 films to see before college (Or so says a high school senior in Alaska)

As I entered my senior (and hopefully last) year of high school, I started to think back on all the movies I’ve watched and how many times I’ve watched them since I was, well, born. And I will tell you it is quite the lengthy list.

Now, I don’t think I spend an absurd amount of time watching movies, but it is one of my favorite activities, and I try to keep in touch with pop culture. I still find myself shocked when I hear a friend of mine say, “What’s Sabrina? Like ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’?” or “Umm, I only saw half of ‘Casablanca,’ when I was really little.”

And the one that makes me want to put something sharp through my ears: “Oh, I’ve never seen ‘Star Wars’.”

This is inexcusable, so I decided to make a list of movies about teenagers every person (boy or girl, good or bad) must see before graduating from high school. Note: A number of these films are rated R, so you need a parent’s permission to watch them.

“Sixteen Candles” (1984)

Director: John Hughes

Starring: Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, Haviland Morris, Anthony Michael Hall

I think girls like this movie because they see themselves as ordinary and want someone to think more of them. And boys like it because ... well, just watch the movie.

“Mean Girls” (2004)

Director: Mark Waters

Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey

C’mon, who doesn’t have a Regina George in their life? Everywhere I go there is someone like her. Thank you, Tina Fey, for being so honest about high school and life.

“Pretty in Pink” (1986)

Director: Howard Deutch

Starring: Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, James Spader

Again Hughes, and again Ringwald. Not my favorite movie, but Spader is hilarious. I wish the whole movie was about him.

“The Breakfast Club” (1985)

Director: John Hughes

Starring: Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Paul Gleason

The plot is kind of ridiculous, yes, but I can’t think of another high school movie where the stereotypes and cliques are perceived so accurately.

“Rushmore” (1998)

Director: Wes Anderson

Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams

This is the most underrated movie about teenagers. If you only pick one movie on this list, pick “Rushmore.” I don’t even know how to promote it. It makes me speechless. Just watch it and you’ll see.

“Juno” (2007)

Director: Jason Reitman

Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman

Provides every girl with two important life lessons: 1) Don’t get pregnant, and 2) don’t let Bateman hit on you.

“The Graduate” (1967)

Director: Mike Nichols

Starring: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, William Daniels

This movie has been around for a while and it’s a classic, so I’m just going to come out and say something that we’ve all been keeping in for a while. This movie is disgusting. He’s supposed to go out with this girl but then sleeps with her mom and then later continues to go out with the girl. That’s gross! But you should still see it; it’s good.

“The Spider-Man Trilogy“ (2002, 2004, 2007)

Director: Sam Raimi

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco

A lot of people diss “Spider-Man 3,” and this is wrong. Watch it again, this time as a comedy. You’ll see.

“10 Things I Hate About You“ (1999)

Director: Gil Junger

Starring: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Larry Miller, Allison Janney

Wanna see a magic trick? ... Oh, that’s sad. One of Ledger’s finest and funniest films. And you can get to know a Shakespeare play without ever reading it!

“Wayne’s World” (1992)

Director: Penelope Spheeris

Starring: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Rob Lowe, Tia Carrere

No, Wayne and Garth are not teenagers, but really at heart they are. It’s still Myers’ best film.

“Back to the Future” (1985)

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson

This list needs at least one sci-fi film, and who doesn’t love time travel? If you feel the urge to watch the sequels, go ahead, but I’m not promising anything.