One of the most inspiring moments that we get to experience
is watching a film about school or education. At one point in our lives, we
became students and we went through the usual episodes of embarrassments, bullying,
inspiring teachers, or awkward socializing. So we can’t help but relate to
movies that show us the very same thing. Why else would high school movies be
that interesting to us? They encourage us to build self-esteem, break down
social barriers, and just be an individual as early as possible. So here are 8
school movies that I recommend.
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10.) Battle Royale (2000)
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
If you're into the Hunger Games Trilogy, then this film is most definitely for you. It is kinda like the mother of everything that is Dystopian (not really. well kinda. maybe). Obviously it takes place in Japan, and a policy called the "Battle Royale" act. This is where the government picks a random class in any school to go on a field trip to a deserted island and they instruct all the students to kill each other. Watching this film was almost like watching a brutal form of reality television. Unlike the Hunger Games that we came to know, everyone in this class knew each other. For one thing, others held resentment for each other. So it was pretty entertaining to watch these students take Battle Royale seriously, just so they can teach whoever they hate a lesson. And it releases their inner psycho-ness. Putting that aside, we can see how the next generation is surprisingly seen as a threat to adults. If you want to know exactly why, then watch the film. I'll give you only want hint about it; it has something to do with the adult belief that the next generation is a disappointment, or something like that. I warn you, though. It can get pretty gory. That's how much the students really hate each other.
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
If you're into the Hunger Games Trilogy, then this film is most definitely for you. It is kinda like the mother of everything that is Dystopian (not really. well kinda. maybe). Obviously it takes place in Japan, and a policy called the "Battle Royale" act. This is where the government picks a random class in any school to go on a field trip to a deserted island and they instruct all the students to kill each other. Watching this film was almost like watching a brutal form of reality television. Unlike the Hunger Games that we came to know, everyone in this class knew each other. For one thing, others held resentment for each other. So it was pretty entertaining to watch these students take Battle Royale seriously, just so they can teach whoever they hate a lesson. And it releases their inner psycho-ness. Putting that aside, we can see how the next generation is surprisingly seen as a threat to adults. If you want to know exactly why, then watch the film. I'll give you only want hint about it; it has something to do with the adult belief that the next generation is a disappointment, or something like that. I warn you, though. It can get pretty gory. That's how much the students really hate each other.
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9.) Easy A (2010)
Directed by Will Gluck
This is probably the only high school film that I watched, which only focuses on slut-shamming. All Emma Stone's character ever did was lie about not being a virgin, and everyone automatically branded her as a slut. Gradually she embraces the image imprinted on her, but she didn't like the negativity that came along with it. It's one of those films that also teaches you about spreading rumors. So don't spread rumors. Because you will get pregnant. And die.
Directed by Will Gluck
This is probably the only high school film that I watched, which only focuses on slut-shamming. All Emma Stone's character ever did was lie about not being a virgin, and everyone automatically branded her as a slut. Gradually she embraces the image imprinted on her, but she didn't like the negativity that came along with it. It's one of those films that also teaches you about spreading rumors. So don't spread rumors. Because you will get pregnant. And die.
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8.)
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Directed by John Hughes
Somehow related to Easy A. A classics 80s movie will eventually have to appear in my list sometime. The plot is simple, really. It’s all about five students who are not affiliated with each other in any way, but end up staying in the library on a Saturday for detention. They spend an entire day together, not only conquering the boredom called detention, but they open to each other about their insecurities and troubles. And yes, just like any other high school film, it tackles heavily on school stereotypes. Although the film is very heavy on dialogue, one of the many important questions asked in this movie is will they still have the guts to remain friends even after detention. It was not directly answered, but it was something that left me thinking.
Directed by John Hughes
Somehow related to Easy A. A classics 80s movie will eventually have to appear in my list sometime. The plot is simple, really. It’s all about five students who are not affiliated with each other in any way, but end up staying in the library on a Saturday for detention. They spend an entire day together, not only conquering the boredom called detention, but they open to each other about their insecurities and troubles. And yes, just like any other high school film, it tackles heavily on school stereotypes. Although the film is very heavy on dialogue, one of the many important questions asked in this movie is will they still have the guts to remain friends even after detention. It was not directly answered, but it was something that left me thinking.
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7.)
Mean Girls (2004)
Directed by Mark Waters
It’s not hard to recognize this somehow feminist film when it’s all over Tumblr. Mean Girls focuses on the story of Cady Heron, a confused girl who steps into an actual high school after being homeschooled in Africa for years. Then she encounters a clique called, “The Plastics” who take a small interest in her because she fits their standards (in other words, she is considered attractive, so she needs to be one of them before everyone prefers her more than The Plastics themselves). From there, her world becomes a downward spiral. It may be mainstream and very cliché, but I think this movie was able to capture the essence of social etiquette very well. Almost everything that happens in this movie is kinda true, and it is very amusing idea to make a girl who has never been to a real school, become the main protagonist for this typical teen movie. Believe it or not, it’s a good movie that talks about not only self-empowerment but also taught me that being mean to other people won’t make you any powerful or happier.
Directed by Mark Waters
It’s not hard to recognize this somehow feminist film when it’s all over Tumblr. Mean Girls focuses on the story of Cady Heron, a confused girl who steps into an actual high school after being homeschooled in Africa for years. Then she encounters a clique called, “The Plastics” who take a small interest in her because she fits their standards (in other words, she is considered attractive, so she needs to be one of them before everyone prefers her more than The Plastics themselves). From there, her world becomes a downward spiral. It may be mainstream and very cliché, but I think this movie was able to capture the essence of social etiquette very well. Almost everything that happens in this movie is kinda true, and it is very amusing idea to make a girl who has never been to a real school, become the main protagonist for this typical teen movie. Believe it or not, it’s a good movie that talks about not only self-empowerment but also taught me that being mean to other people won’t make you any powerful or happier.
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6.)
High School Musical (2006)
Directed by Kenny Ortega
The only message I got from this movie is that school stereotypes are bull---. Troy and Gabriella broke invisible social barriers by simply singing about Breaking Free. You can say that this has a very sharp contrast with the TV series, Glee. However, think of this movie as a much more tamed version of the said show. A very tamed version of Glee with no bullying, because…let’s say East High has a strict no-bullying policy or Sharpay Evans may not really be mean like how everyone else claims her to be. I don’t think I really have to explain why this movie is even a recommendation. You will get easily captivated by the original music, the dancing, and that damn fine specimen called Zac Efron. If you think Kenny Ortega is a completely terrible director because he created this strange movie called “Descendants”, then watch (or re-watch) High School Musical. The movie is clean, and it radiates with the lie that your high school life will be as awesome as this because we’re all in this together!
Directed by Kenny Ortega
The only message I got from this movie is that school stereotypes are bull---. Troy and Gabriella broke invisible social barriers by simply singing about Breaking Free. You can say that this has a very sharp contrast with the TV series, Glee. However, think of this movie as a much more tamed version of the said show. A very tamed version of Glee with no bullying, because…let’s say East High has a strict no-bullying policy or Sharpay Evans may not really be mean like how everyone else claims her to be. I don’t think I really have to explain why this movie is even a recommendation. You will get easily captivated by the original music, the dancing, and that damn fine specimen called Zac Efron. If you think Kenny Ortega is a completely terrible director because he created this strange movie called “Descendants”, then watch (or re-watch) High School Musical. The movie is clean, and it radiates with the lie that your high school life will be as awesome as this because we’re all in this together!
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5.)
Legally Blonde (2001)
Directed by Robert Luketic
Believe it or not, it’s a school movie. It centers on Elle Woods, a desperate girlfriend (who is blonde) who follows her boyfriend to Harvard Law School. But instead of winning his heart, she wins the hearts of many by proving that not all blondes are stupid and can take on law school like everyone else. It’s probably the best self-empowerment movie I’ve ever seen because it encourages many little girls like me that I can always do better. What I love most about this chick flick is the setting. Ironically, this movie tells us to never look down on a person yet the main character is usually the girl celebrated in high school films or the girl who we see as the bully or the Regina George clone. But Elle Woods is ridiculed for being a prissy (possibly) slutty blonde by a bunch of nerdy Harvard peeps (the ones we normally assume as the ones who are bullied), and she is anything but mean! Elle is one of the greatest—not to mention sweetest—and most ground-breaking female movie characters I’ve ever seen. So if you haven’t seen Legally Blonde, I’d say give it a try. Just get pass through the pink, and you will be able to enjoy it as much as I did.
Directed by Robert Luketic
Believe it or not, it’s a school movie. It centers on Elle Woods, a desperate girlfriend (who is blonde) who follows her boyfriend to Harvard Law School. But instead of winning his heart, she wins the hearts of many by proving that not all blondes are stupid and can take on law school like everyone else. It’s probably the best self-empowerment movie I’ve ever seen because it encourages many little girls like me that I can always do better. What I love most about this chick flick is the setting. Ironically, this movie tells us to never look down on a person yet the main character is usually the girl celebrated in high school films or the girl who we see as the bully or the Regina George clone. But Elle Woods is ridiculed for being a prissy (possibly) slutty blonde by a bunch of nerdy Harvard peeps (the ones we normally assume as the ones who are bullied), and she is anything but mean! Elle is one of the greatest—not to mention sweetest—and most ground-breaking female movie characters I’ve ever seen. So if you haven’t seen Legally Blonde, I’d say give it a try. Just get pass through the pink, and you will be able to enjoy it as much as I did.
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4.)
Mga Munting Tinig or Small Voices ( 2002)
Directed by Gil Portes and Adolf Alix Jr.
Yes, you can get to know my country by taking a good look at its education system in this film. Starring one of the actresses I gratefully respect growing up, Alessandra de Rossi plays a substitute teacher named Melinda, and she is designated in a public school located in a local barrio. Also, she has to deal with students who are not at all motivated to study. So she tries encouraged the students to join a choir, which eventually lifts up the spirits of the children and also the funding for the school. Her family does not approve of this kind of job because they expect her to go abroad, but she convinces them that it is her dream to reach out to public school students (because well, Philippine public school systems need all the help they can get…really). Here, you will see the challenges of a typical public school teacher, and eventually, you will see the struggles of Philippine education (monsoons disrupting school properties, the fear of an armed organization called the New People’s Army, etc.). You will understand why not everyone can easily get an education, and money won’t be the only cause here. Hence the idea that education is only for the privileged, but Alessandra de Rossi’s character tries to convince everyone otherwise. In general, this movie is a mirror of one thing that almost every Filipino hopes for: hope.
Directed by Gil Portes and Adolf Alix Jr.
Yes, you can get to know my country by taking a good look at its education system in this film. Starring one of the actresses I gratefully respect growing up, Alessandra de Rossi plays a substitute teacher named Melinda, and she is designated in a public school located in a local barrio. Also, she has to deal with students who are not at all motivated to study. So she tries encouraged the students to join a choir, which eventually lifts up the spirits of the children and also the funding for the school. Her family does not approve of this kind of job because they expect her to go abroad, but she convinces them that it is her dream to reach out to public school students (because well, Philippine public school systems need all the help they can get…really). Here, you will see the challenges of a typical public school teacher, and eventually, you will see the struggles of Philippine education (monsoons disrupting school properties, the fear of an armed organization called the New People’s Army, etc.). You will understand why not everyone can easily get an education, and money won’t be the only cause here. Hence the idea that education is only for the privileged, but Alessandra de Rossi’s character tries to convince everyone otherwise. In general, this movie is a mirror of one thing that almost every Filipino hopes for: hope.
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| www.moviestillsdb.com |
3.)
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Directed by Mike Newell
For the feminists out there, this film is definitely for you. Julia Roberts plays a professor in the Art History Department of an exclusive all-female college. Her mission is to convince her students that they can be more than just housewives. This prestigious college only teaches them the deep stuff like Philosophy, languages, and sciences just so they can be tied down to husbands (kinda makes sense, right?). And in this movie, you get to see how narrow everything was, especially in a perspective of a woman. It’s like every girl in this college, are all ladies in waiting; studying excellently until a man drops by and proposes to her. Aside from that, the most important message radiating in this movie is the importance of being given a choice. A woman is still considered a person, with rights and their own mindset. So it does not matter if she becomes a wife or an engineer in the end, as long as it is her decision. Did I mention that Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White of Once Upon a Time) is part of the main cast here?
Directed by Mike Newell
For the feminists out there, this film is definitely for you. Julia Roberts plays a professor in the Art History Department of an exclusive all-female college. Her mission is to convince her students that they can be more than just housewives. This prestigious college only teaches them the deep stuff like Philosophy, languages, and sciences just so they can be tied down to husbands (kinda makes sense, right?). And in this movie, you get to see how narrow everything was, especially in a perspective of a woman. It’s like every girl in this college, are all ladies in waiting; studying excellently until a man drops by and proposes to her. Aside from that, the most important message radiating in this movie is the importance of being given a choice. A woman is still considered a person, with rights and their own mindset. So it does not matter if she becomes a wife or an engineer in the end, as long as it is her decision. Did I mention that Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White of Once Upon a Time) is part of the main cast here?
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2.)
Dead Poets’ Society (1989)
Directed by Peter Weird and Robin Williams
Of course. Robin Williams needs to be in this list, because why not? Dead Poets’ Society is almost like a male counterpart of Mona Lisa Smile. The setting takes place in an established all-male school, where it follows very strict rules and traditions. Instead of challenging gender roles, Robin Williams encourages his English class to simply decide for themselves and seize the day to become extraordinary. Many appreciate his radical methods, while others do not. But just like Mona Lisa Smile, it teaches us to make our own choices because it is a right that must be exercised till we…well, die (surely people who have seen this film will get what I mean). When I was watching this film, I can’t help but remember my high school years because I came from an all-girls school that also had strict rules and extremely high scholastic standards. I even remember my classmates who can possibly relate to the students in this film, who were either pressured by their parents who dictate their actions or lost and confused. I guess I am lucky to be raised by a family who only encourage me to just have my own aspirations in life. So if you’re a parent or about to become one, I recommend you watch this film too because taking a kid to a really great school does not really mean they’re going to have an awesome life.
Of course. Robin Williams needs to be in this list, because why not? Dead Poets’ Society is almost like a male counterpart of Mona Lisa Smile. The setting takes place in an established all-male school, where it follows very strict rules and traditions. Instead of challenging gender roles, Robin Williams encourages his English class to simply decide for themselves and seize the day to become extraordinary. Many appreciate his radical methods, while others do not. But just like Mona Lisa Smile, it teaches us to make our own choices because it is a right that must be exercised till we…well, die (surely people who have seen this film will get what I mean). When I was watching this film, I can’t help but remember my high school years because I came from an all-girls school that also had strict rules and extremely high scholastic standards. I even remember my classmates who can possibly relate to the students in this film, who were either pressured by their parents who dictate their actions or lost and confused. I guess I am lucky to be raised by a family who only encourage me to just have my own aspirations in life. So if you’re a parent or about to become one, I recommend you watch this film too because taking a kid to a really great school does not really mean they’re going to have an awesome life.
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| laantropologiaencanoa.blogspot.com |
1.)
Freedom Writers (2007)
Directed by Richard LaGravenese
This movie is now an American counterpart of Mga Munting Tinig/Small Voices. Based on a true story, an English teacher named Erin reaches out to her class, which mostly consists of different kinds of ethnicities. The movie talks about the reality of a “ghetto” setting and gang violence. It was the first time I understood not only the struggles of other ethnicities in the United States, but it was also the first time I understood the job of a teacher. This film made me wish every teacher we would encounter would be like Erin. And yes, I’ve encountered a few, but not all were like her. The ones who would definitely reach out to you and try to change your perspective into something lighter and hopeful. Simply, the most important lesson a teacher can give you that you are better than you think and that you can do more than just graduate. Nothing beats a teacher who tells you that it will get better in a much more genuine way, even if you do not live in a land of opportunity.
Directed by Richard LaGravenese
This movie is now an American counterpart of Mga Munting Tinig/Small Voices. Based on a true story, an English teacher named Erin reaches out to her class, which mostly consists of different kinds of ethnicities. The movie talks about the reality of a “ghetto” setting and gang violence. It was the first time I understood not only the struggles of other ethnicities in the United States, but it was also the first time I understood the job of a teacher. This film made me wish every teacher we would encounter would be like Erin. And yes, I’ve encountered a few, but not all were like her. The ones who would definitely reach out to you and try to change your perspective into something lighter and hopeful. Simply, the most important lesson a teacher can give you that you are better than you think and that you can do more than just graduate. Nothing beats a teacher who tells you that it will get better in a much more genuine way, even if you do not live in a land of opportunity.
And that is it for my list. If you reached
the end of this post and you are teacher or intend to become one, then I
recommend watching these films because a movie marathon is a perfect way to
understand this specimen called teenager. These movies will also tell you to do
more than just teach the curriculum. Because I’ve encountered many students
everyday who do not get to listen to words of encouragement from their own
homes. If parents can’t give that, usually teachers do. It sounds pressuring,
because it is. Being a teacher is nothing like being a call-center agent,
because you are handling students. Students who are actual people. People who
deserve to know better. Having teachers like Melinda or Erin or Robin Williams
is definitely what my country needs; not a bunch of adults who are only in for
the paycheck. Besides after listening to the story of Erin in Freedom Writers, I
refuse to believe that lack of money should be considered a barrier. Seize the
day, teacher. Because we’re all in this together.
Till
the next post~
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