Reel Corner - September 16
Some of the best films ever created revolve around the agony and ecstasy of attending school.
The first day of school can be tense. Whether it’s your first day of grade school, high school or college, school expectations can put you in a tailspin. Thanks to Hollywood, over the years the movie industry has covered just about every situation anyone can face in school. The bittersweet longing of unrequited love, the teenage angst that comes with not being part of the in-crowd, challenges of private schools, poorer schools, even films of schools with werewolves and vampires. Attending school is rife with emotional and social pitfalls, providing a plethora of perfect material for writers and directors to fashion tales of fun, danger, romance and excitement, even musicals, too.
As students head back to classrooms, here are 10 great coming-of-age films sure to alleviate any back-to-school blues.
Try Your Luck in Matching Up the Film and Lesson':
1) The Breakfast Club
2) Dead Poets Society
3) Pitch Perfect
4) Freaky Friday
5) Mean Girls
6) Fame
7) Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
8) Grease
9) 10 Things I Hate About You
10) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
____ a) The Lesson: Never judge a book by its cover, and with the support of friends, anything is possible
____ b) The Lesson: It remains a refreshing look at time when fame was something attained only through achievement in a field of expertise, not simply an accomplishment in and of itself.
____ c) The Lesson: Like your friends for who they are, not what you wish them to be. And avoid classmates with "cool" moms.
____ d) The Lesson: Putting yourself in the shoes of another, even your mom, provides invaluable insight and empathy
____ e) The Lesson: No matter your standing in high school, everyone feels like an outcast at some point.
____ f) The Lesson: Though medicine, law and business are noble pursuits, it's poetry, beauty, romance and love that ultimately nourish and educate the soul.
____ g) The Lesson: Stick to what you love, and never eat a large meal before performing in public.
____ h) The Lesson: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
____ i) The Lesson: Don't be afraid to be yourself, and don't drink and swing.
____ j) The Lesson: "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" because I'm "Hopelessly Devoted to You."
Coming September 11th
Coligny Theater and the Second Sunday Film Series
The Idol
The Idol is based on the true story of Mohammed Assaf, the Palestinian singer who sneaked across borders, produced forged documents and generally defied the odds to win the second season of TV’s “Arab Idol.” Come see the plagued Palestinian region through the optimistic eyes of a group of children with dreams of musical stardom. Tickets $15 with proceeds to benefit Habitat for Humanity.
Answers: 1-E, 2-F, 3-G, 4-D, 5-C, 6-B, 7-H, 8-J. 9-I, 10-A
Resources: www.nbcnewyork/entertainment
Donne Paine, film enthusiast, once lived round the corner from the Orson Wells Theater in Cambridge, Mass., where her strong interest in films, especially independent ones, began. Supporter of the arts with a focus on films, Donne travels to film festivals and frequents Sundance. As a member of the original Second Sunday Film Society, she, along with a group of other film enthusiasts and Coligny Theater, are reviving the organization. To support her habit of frequent movie going, Donne is an executive recruiter and staff development consultant. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.