Well, this is my 100th movie I reviewed so far for this blog! This is awesome. I've got no time to stop now! I thought about celebrating in fashion, but instead I'm gonna write about a movie that continues to give me nightmares of high school on this lonely Saturday night. When this movie comes to mind, I think of one of the most overrated things of all-time, in my book - prom. And that OMD song, too....
Molly Ringwald, by that time in 1986, was one of the hottest young actresses on a roll, and this seemed to be the last of them all during that John Hughes era. This time she plays outcast Andie, or more, a girl who comes from a working-class family 'on the wrong side of the tracks'. She's got a crush on a preppy guy Blane (Andrew McCarthy), but lacks the confidence to let him know. Meanwhile, her dorky friend Duckie (Jon Cryer) gives her plenty of attention and would love to go with Andie, and they are continually harassed by Blane's rich friends at school. Prom is coming up, so who doesn't have a date? Andie. But who knows, things may change.
It's a great comedy that's supposed to give us hope of what happens in real life. And it also is a look at the clashing of social classes and cliques. That I can see as a mirror of reality. Still, what I really like (and apparently others agree) about John Hughes films is that they are very realistic in their own way. We all know everyone wants a fairy-tale teenage life, just like our parents supposedly had. Hughes was 'in' with the times, and gave us a view of his world.
The soundtrack, like most 80s movies, is one to remember as well. 'If You Leave' by OMD (Orchestral Manouevres of the Dark) is one of my favorite movie songs of all-time, despite having played during a prom scene. The new-wavyness of the soundtrack really gives the film plenty of character.
Like I say about most 80s movies, definitely check this one out, mostly for nostalgic purposes! Or you can also use this to convince your teen they are not alone.
My rating: 7 out of 10
Showing posts with label brat pack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brat pack. Show all posts
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
03/24 (b): The Breakfast Club
Today is a great day, timing-wise, to do a review for the classic teen movie. Why, because today, in the fictional town of Sherman, Illinois, 5 Sherman High students gathered for Saturday detention on March 24, 1984. Hard to believe that was 3 decades ago, even though the movie was released a year later. Most of you are aware of the accolades and praises of this iconic 80s movie. No words can explain it, but I can tell you from the first time I watched it (over 15 years ago), it has been a movie that has stayed with me for the longest time and still does every time I watch it. Millions, I believe, feel the same way.
I've mentioned before that I'm the type of movie-lover who loves stories with personal rather than escapist stories. This one can't hit you any harder. It's nothing like the good ol' days when your grandparents probably told you (mine did) when high school is supposed to be 'the greatest days of your life'. That all changed over time, when more suburban cities developed bigger high schools and most believed they separated students by class and rank. Cliques formed, and outkasts and more stereotypes were created. In The Breakfast Club, we meet 5 students who each belong in different stereotypical categories. They're all in detention for different, if not bizarre, reasons.
Let's analyze the five:
Claire (Molly Ringwald)- the pretty, prissy prom princess who eats sushi, and embarrassingly, a virgin.
Bender (Judd Nelson) - the criminal. Comes from a loser family, knows how to fight (with weapons and words), among other things.
Brian (Anthony Michael Hall) - the brain. The total geek who seems to have been raised by Mr. Rogers.
Andy (Emilio Estevez)- the jock. The tough-as-balls wrestler, or so we're led to believe.
Allison (Ally Sheedy)- the basket case. The seemingly pretty, yet crazy one.
After being settled in detention, the students sort of bond, but not in a good way as several differences (mostly with Bender and Andy) are explained. Slowly but surely, they all find out they have one thing in common: they hate authority, they hate their parents, and they just want to have some fun and not be looked at as another stereotype. It's all explained in the essay they are asked to do for the principal.
This is a character-driven script, in case you haven't noticed. The only complaint I have sometimes about this film is sometimes overdramatic, like the emotional scenes when they are all spilling their secrets. But I get over it throughout the movie. Some of them may not seem realistic, I suppose. Would we ever see the principal try to threaten the bully in private? Can anyone get away with smoking pot in the library? Who knows. Probably the only thing that tramples on it is the birth of the 'brat pack' theme. Another thing that got me was that three of the five actors (Estevez, Sheedy, Nelson) went on to play college graduates later in 1985's St. Elmo's Fire. Molly Ringwald began to play roles that were nothing like her Claire character. I remember at one time a long time ago there was a crazy rumor about the cast reuniting in a new updated story of this film. I'm glad it didn't happen (laughs).
But to the late, great John Hughes: outstanding, excellent work. This masterpiece still lives on today and I believe it will for generations to come.
My rating: 10 out of 10
I've mentioned before that I'm the type of movie-lover who loves stories with personal rather than escapist stories. This one can't hit you any harder. It's nothing like the good ol' days when your grandparents probably told you (mine did) when high school is supposed to be 'the greatest days of your life'. That all changed over time, when more suburban cities developed bigger high schools and most believed they separated students by class and rank. Cliques formed, and outkasts and more stereotypes were created. In The Breakfast Club, we meet 5 students who each belong in different stereotypical categories. They're all in detention for different, if not bizarre, reasons.
Let's analyze the five:
Claire (Molly Ringwald)- the pretty, prissy prom princess who eats sushi, and embarrassingly, a virgin.
Bender (Judd Nelson) - the criminal. Comes from a loser family, knows how to fight (with weapons and words), among other things.
Brian (Anthony Michael Hall) - the brain. The total geek who seems to have been raised by Mr. Rogers.
Andy (Emilio Estevez)- the jock. The tough-as-balls wrestler, or so we're led to believe.
Allison (Ally Sheedy)- the basket case. The seemingly pretty, yet crazy one.
After being settled in detention, the students sort of bond, but not in a good way as several differences (mostly with Bender and Andy) are explained. Slowly but surely, they all find out they have one thing in common: they hate authority, they hate their parents, and they just want to have some fun and not be looked at as another stereotype. It's all explained in the essay they are asked to do for the principal.
This is a character-driven script, in case you haven't noticed. The only complaint I have sometimes about this film is sometimes overdramatic, like the emotional scenes when they are all spilling their secrets. But I get over it throughout the movie. Some of them may not seem realistic, I suppose. Would we ever see the principal try to threaten the bully in private? Can anyone get away with smoking pot in the library? Who knows. Probably the only thing that tramples on it is the birth of the 'brat pack' theme. Another thing that got me was that three of the five actors (Estevez, Sheedy, Nelson) went on to play college graduates later in 1985's St. Elmo's Fire. Molly Ringwald began to play roles that were nothing like her Claire character. I remember at one time a long time ago there was a crazy rumor about the cast reuniting in a new updated story of this film. I'm glad it didn't happen (laughs).
But to the late, great John Hughes: outstanding, excellent work. This masterpiece still lives on today and I believe it will for generations to come.
My rating: 10 out of 10
Thursday, February 6, 2014
02/06: Less Than Zero
This could be one of the last 'brat pack' films of the 80s era, but then again, it's not necessarily the case. If you consider Andrew McCarthy and Robert Downey, Jr. members, then sure. Released in 1987, this was a film about the ritzy upper teenage years life of sunny Southern California. It's a story of three best friends, Clay (McCarthy), Julian (Downey) and Blair (Jami Gertz), recently graduated from high school, jump to Christmas later that year only to find happy times turn to sour times.
Julian dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and attempts to with the help of his rich father, but things backfire instantly as he owes a number of people money. Clay goes to college far away only to return home to find his 2 friends have changed. Both Blair and Julian become drug addicts, and they hook up even though she was Clay's ex. Clay comes back to the Beverly Hills area to try to straighten things out and teach Julian a lesson while trying to save him from people. People as in the man who Julian owes money to, and perhaps the reason behind his drug addiction.
Two things I found interesting about the movie is 1) the 80s styles that lived on in 1987. Just look at all the clothes and clubwear people were wearing at that time. 2) The music. It had a successful soundtrack as well as four hit singles. If you are familiar with 80s music then you'll definitely recognize the Bangles cover of 'Hazy Shade of Winter' (played in the beginning credits) and LL Cool J's 'Going Back to Cali'. You'll even hear lost alternative favorites such as The Cult's 'Lil Devil' and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Fight Like a Brave' in the movie. (FUN FACT: RHCP bassist Flea appears as a band member in the film) One of the reasons why I probably love 80s movies so much is because I believe it was one of the golden eras of soundtracks. Just think since the dawn of the millennium, soundtracks have become increasingly scarce in movies.
Despite of the culture and music in the movie, I found Less Than Zero to be very depressing all through the movie. I do like realistic movies but this one was just a 'debbie downer'. Sure, it will teach people a drug-free lesson and one not to mingle with the 'wrong crowd'. Robert Downey, Jr., on the other hand, did a great performance. He has come along way since those 80s days as he is now the highest-paid actor in Hollywood at the moment. But, as we all hopefully know, his destiny wasn't always clear as art imitated life.
My rating: 6 out of 10
Julian dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and attempts to with the help of his rich father, but things backfire instantly as he owes a number of people money. Clay goes to college far away only to return home to find his 2 friends have changed. Both Blair and Julian become drug addicts, and they hook up even though she was Clay's ex. Clay comes back to the Beverly Hills area to try to straighten things out and teach Julian a lesson while trying to save him from people. People as in the man who Julian owes money to, and perhaps the reason behind his drug addiction.
Two things I found interesting about the movie is 1) the 80s styles that lived on in 1987. Just look at all the clothes and clubwear people were wearing at that time. 2) The music. It had a successful soundtrack as well as four hit singles. If you are familiar with 80s music then you'll definitely recognize the Bangles cover of 'Hazy Shade of Winter' (played in the beginning credits) and LL Cool J's 'Going Back to Cali'. You'll even hear lost alternative favorites such as The Cult's 'Lil Devil' and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Fight Like a Brave' in the movie. (FUN FACT: RHCP bassist Flea appears as a band member in the film) One of the reasons why I probably love 80s movies so much is because I believe it was one of the golden eras of soundtracks. Just think since the dawn of the millennium, soundtracks have become increasingly scarce in movies.
Despite of the culture and music in the movie, I found Less Than Zero to be very depressing all through the movie. I do like realistic movies but this one was just a 'debbie downer'. Sure, it will teach people a drug-free lesson and one not to mingle with the 'wrong crowd'. Robert Downey, Jr., on the other hand, did a great performance. He has come along way since those 80s days as he is now the highest-paid actor in Hollywood at the moment. But, as we all hopefully know, his destiny wasn't always clear as art imitated life.
My rating: 6 out of 10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)