TOP TEN Best Highschool Movies
June 14th 2009 15:55
1. Jawbreaker (1999)
Starring: Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz, Judy Greer, Pam Grier, Marilyn Manson (cameo)
Black comedy about a kidnapping gone wrong, and how blackmail can help an unpopular girl climb the social ladder.
Courtney: "Never send a rose unless dyed black as a warning. And if one is sent to you, destroy it along with the sender. Emotionally of course. It's not like we kill people... on purpose."
2. Heathers (1988)
Starring: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty
Black comedy about a girl who would kill to be rid of the popular girl clique.
J.D.: "I like it. It's got that what-a-cruel-world-let's-toss -ourselves-in-the-abyss type ambience."
3. Election (1999)
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Chris Klein
Black comedy about the politics of student elections, and the relationships between students and teachers.
Tammy Metzler: "It's not like I'm a lesbian or anything. I'm attracted to the person. It's just that all the people I've been attracted to happen to be girls."
4. Mean Girls (2004)
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Lacey Chabert
Examines the cliques at highschool, and the elaborate methods of teasing and bullying that go on between girls.
Regina: "Is butter a carb?"
5. Never Been Kissed (1999)
Starring: Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Molly Shannon, Jeremy Jordan, Jessica Alba, Leelee Sobieski
A nerd gets a second chance at highschool popularity when she goes undercover as a journalist to research teens.
Rob Geller: "See ya around the Cell Block, Mrs. Robinson."
6. The Breakfast Club (1985)
Starring: Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall
Breaking down stereotypes in detention.
John Bender: "Sweets. You couldn't ignore me if you tried. So... so. Are you guys like boyfriend-girlfriend? Steady dates? Lovers? Come on, sporto, level with me. Do you slip her the hot beef injection?"
7. Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sean Penn, Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold, Nicolas Cage, Eric Stoltz, Anthony Edwards, Forest Whittaker, Ray Walston
The seminal Cameron Crowe teen flick that launched a thousand careers.
Jeff Spicoli: "You dick!"
8. Ten Things I Hate About You (1999)
Starring: Heath Ledger, Joseph Godon Levitt, Julia Stiles, Alison Janney
A modern re-telling of Shakespere's "The Taming of The Shrew".
Kat Stratford: "Romantic? Hemingway? He was an abusive, alcoholic misogynist who squandered half of his life hanging around Picasso trying to nail his leftovers."
9. Clueless (1995)
Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Jeremy Sisto, Paul Rudd
A modern re-telling of Jane Austen's "Emma".
Cher: "It is one thing to spark up a doobie and get laced at parties, but it is quite another to be fried all day."
10. Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
Starring: Chyler Leigh, Chris Evans, Jaime Pressly, Lacey Chabert, Molly Ringwald (cameo)
The ultimate spoof movie, taking off Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink, The Breakfast Club, Bring It On, She's All That, Cruel Intentions, Can't Hardly Wait, and many other predictable teen movie scenarios that have become common formulas over the last two decades.
After dismissing a girl with a hunchback, an albino girl, and siamese twins conjoined at the head as being "too easy" a challenge:
Jake: "No not Janie Briggs! Guys, she's got glasses and a ponytail! Aw, look at that, she's got paint on her overalls, what is that? Guys, there's no way she could be prom queen!"
Starring: Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz, Judy Greer, Pam Grier, Marilyn Manson (cameo)
Black comedy about a kidnapping gone wrong, and how blackmail can help an unpopular girl climb the social ladder.
Courtney: "Never send a rose unless dyed black as a warning. And if one is sent to you, destroy it along with the sender. Emotionally of course. It's not like we kill people... on purpose."
2. Heathers (1988)
Starring: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty
Black comedy about a girl who would kill to be rid of the popular girl clique.
J.D.: "I like it. It's got that what-a-cruel-world-let's-toss -ourselves-in-the-abyss type ambience."
3. Election (1999)
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Chris Klein
Black comedy about the politics of student elections, and the relationships between students and teachers.
Tammy Metzler: "It's not like I'm a lesbian or anything. I'm attracted to the person. It's just that all the people I've been attracted to happen to be girls."
4. Mean Girls (2004)
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Lacey Chabert
Examines the cliques at highschool, and the elaborate methods of teasing and bullying that go on between girls.
Regina: "Is butter a carb?"
5. Never Been Kissed (1999)
Starring: Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Molly Shannon, Jeremy Jordan, Jessica Alba, Leelee Sobieski
A nerd gets a second chance at highschool popularity when she goes undercover as a journalist to research teens.
Rob Geller: "See ya around the Cell Block, Mrs. Robinson."
6. The Breakfast Club (1985)
Starring: Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall
Breaking down stereotypes in detention.
John Bender: "Sweets. You couldn't ignore me if you tried. So... so. Are you guys like boyfriend-girlfriend? Steady dates? Lovers? Come on, sporto, level with me. Do you slip her the hot beef injection?"
7. Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sean Penn, Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold, Nicolas Cage, Eric Stoltz, Anthony Edwards, Forest Whittaker, Ray Walston
The seminal Cameron Crowe teen flick that launched a thousand careers.
Jeff Spicoli: "You dick!"
8. Ten Things I Hate About You (1999)
Starring: Heath Ledger, Joseph Godon Levitt, Julia Stiles, Alison Janney
A modern re-telling of Shakespere's "The Taming of The Shrew".
Kat Stratford: "Romantic? Hemingway? He was an abusive, alcoholic misogynist who squandered half of his life hanging around Picasso trying to nail his leftovers."
9. Clueless (1995)
Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Jeremy Sisto, Paul Rudd
A modern re-telling of Jane Austen's "Emma".
Cher: "It is one thing to spark up a doobie and get laced at parties, but it is quite another to be fried all day."
10. Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
Starring: Chyler Leigh, Chris Evans, Jaime Pressly, Lacey Chabert, Molly Ringwald (cameo)
The ultimate spoof movie, taking off Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink, The Breakfast Club, Bring It On, She's All That, Cruel Intentions, Can't Hardly Wait, and many other predictable teen movie scenarios that have become common formulas over the last two decades.
After dismissing a girl with a hunchback, an albino girl, and siamese twins conjoined at the head as being "too easy" a challenge:
Jake: "No not Janie Briggs! Guys, she's got glasses and a ponytail! Aw, look at that, she's got paint on her overalls, what is that? Guys, there's no way she could be prom queen!"
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Comment by Janet Collins
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The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
I would go so far as to say Election in my books doesn't really go into the "High School Movies" category even though it is about a student.
Interesting!
Comment by Morgan Bell
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yeah Election is a very clever film, much smarter than many of the movies that are typically set in highschools, very very well-written and dark
sometimes teen flicks can be ground-breaking and instant classics that last the test of time, and other times they can be dull and formulaic, but theres a few really good ones out there
thanks for the comment
Comment by Janet Collins
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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yeah Election is the movie that really made me start to have respect for Reese Witherspoon too, prior to that (i saw it sometime after it was released) i thought she was just going to do the whole blonde romantic lead thing like in Fear, and Cruel Intentions, and Legally Blonde
i respect actors that take on character roles that are not flattering or glamorous
black comedy takes amazing skill to pull of successfully
Comment by Natalina
My Life My Muse
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I LOVE Heathers and Jawbreaker.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
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Comment by Someone
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Let's Get Down To Business
Comment by Morgan Bell
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sounds like we could have a fun movie night . . .
hi MNG,
theres so many to choose from!
Grease is a fine movie, and a classic, but i personally wouldnt put it above my other faves . . . i do love Stockard Channing though
hi Someone,
Ferris Bueller is a good suggestion, but Broderick is represented in Election, a small consolation for Bueller fans, i know
Comment by Wilson Pon
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Honestly, I watched all the nine movies before, except the "Fast Times At Ridgemont High"...
PS: WoW, the first time I recognized Rose McGowan is through the drama series, "The Charmed". She looked stunning and seductive in the film!
Comment by Morgan Bell
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Rose McGowan is an incredible beauty, and a very sassy actor, her character in Jawbreaker (Courtney) really made the film
i also love the Marilyn Manson cameo, he does an excellent job at being uber sleazy
Comment by Lara M
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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thanks
they are both amazing actors, but it seems they were born to play those bitchy roles . . . it must have been fun to have been on set when they were making some of these films
Comment by Under Gown
Morgan,
Why you have compiled yet another fine list, and engaged with your readers through common interest. I can't see the love ever running out; you're A-excellent!
Sometimes I think to myself "How wonderful would it be if I had been born the heir to a fortune, with leg's up to my eye balls, and firm breasts - like over-set jello"
The reason I think this is because I have always wanted to explore the female high-school 'bitch' culture. Thankfully, spending time on Orble is proving very fruitful, providing a glimpse into the lives of some of the worlds BIGGEST BITCHES! The downside is though, these blogging bitches tend to be a little more crows feet than spring chicken. And I mustn't overlook that quite a few are in fact men!
Lady Bed Pan
Comment by Morgan Bell
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anonymous AND emailed, now thats a first!
haha A-excellent, yes an A-pigual A-journalist too, dont forget
i think you make a good point about old bitches, being a sour-faced roley poley nanna bitch furiously typing away at a computer just does not translate to the silver screen . . . we must prefer seeing a young beautiful teenage bitch strutting through the corridors of her highschool in the latest fashions
thanks for the comment
Comment by Cheryl J
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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lovely to see you!
i was inspired by Jason's recent discovery and subsequent review of Heathers, there are so many movies i love that are set in highschool
thanks for the comment
Comment by Kynaston
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Comment by Jason King
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I just discovered I did not have a subscription to Movie Train - bad me - I have been missing out!!
Awesome list!
I would have included Brick, High School Musical, Dead Poets and Clueless would be my all time number one. But am so glad I finally saw Heathers last month - truly sensational!
I will just do my list:
1) Clueless
2) High School Musical
3) Brick
4) Heathers
5) Mean Girls
6) Dead Poets Society
7) Election
8) Jawbreaker
9) Footloose
10) Carrie
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