We were all teens once and many people couldn't wait to grow out the teen years and I was one of them. I find that the teen years were one of the most difficult because we are dealing with so many things from cliques to bullying, having fun to having melt downs. Our minds and bodies are undergoing huge changes and we want our independence but we still cry for our moms when we have a boo boo. So this week, it is all about teen angst and teens are full of it....in so many ways. Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the other film nuts have chosen. Here are my 3....
1. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE-1955
I mean this is the teen angst film of all teen angst films. You have devil may care James Dean brooding, moody and so hubba hubba who is angry at his parents who just don't understand who he is. You have a young, beautiful Natalie Wood who is the gal of the resident hunk but is drawn to Mr. Moody and you have a very young Sal Mineo as the geek who is picked on but is taken under the wing by Mr. Moody. These kids all like to live on the edge by drag racing and playing a game of chicken( deadly chicken and no it isn't a cheesy radioactive chicken from the 50's). Brilliant film about misunderstood youth.
2. MY BODYGUARD-1980
I love this film and watched many times and would love to see it again. It is all about a young teen who is constantly bullied by kids at his school. He decides to hire a bodyguard, a fellow student that everyone is scared of. You get to see who these kids truly are with the help of the bullied kid's grandmom played by the wonderful Ruth Gordon. This is a gem of a film about bullying, strength, fear and friendship. This film really resonated with me and one I could relate to.
3. SIXTEEN CANDLES-1985
One has to have a John Hughes film in here somewhere and I chose this one which stars Molly Ringworm..um, I mean Ringwald who plays the girl turning 16 but her family not noticing. Her bigger sister is getting married, all the relatives are coming in and staying over kicking her out of her bedroom and this poor gal just wants someone to realize she is turning the big 1-6. On top of it all, her parents have a foreign exchange student living with them who ends up wrecking their car and passed out on the front lawn. She has a dorky nerd who thinks sex 24/7 and she has a huge crush on the most popular guy. When this movie came out, I couldn't stand it, wait, I couldn't stand Ringworm, and she is still not my favourite, but this film is now quite engaging. You want one member of her family to notice that she is turning 16 and you can relate to the idiotic relatives who still think it appropriate to talk about things you never want to hear them talk about. It's a sweet film and worth seeing.
Who had a great teen life? Was anyone a cheerleader or a football jock? Was anyone bullied like moi? What films did you think of?
PS-One morning my mom woke up and saw my brother asleep..on the front lawn...and yes, we had my prudish uncle and my aunt visiting.....I loved it!
I'm so sorry you were bullied. That's horrible. No one deserves that. My teen years were good for me. I was a bit wild though. My favorite teen angst movie is Breakfast Club. So many great quotable lines!
ReplyDeleteYes, the bullying was quite bad but I survived and they can kiss my ass:) Breakfast club is a great choice
DeleteI was one of those kids as well, so I know how it feels. I think Sixteen Candles was okay, I actually enjoyed it, but Rebel Without a Cause is arguably the best film about this topic. And one of my fav movies as well.
ReplyDeleteI considered myself a freaky geek:) Rebel is a perfect choice for this week
DeleteI feel like I had a very "stereotypical" angsty teen life lol. I've seen 16 Candles which was okay and I hated Rebel Without a Cause lol. That was on my Blind Spot a few years ago, then I ended up using it for Dell's Against The Crowd blogathon. I know I'm in the minority.
ReplyDeletehahahaaa-You are! What did you not like about that film. If you read this, can you direct me to your post about this film
DeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI have seen all three of these teen angst movies, one of my favorite genres. It haunts me to remember the curse of Rebel w/o a Cause - how the three leading actors, James, Natalie and Sal, all died tragically... and way too young. My Bodyguard reminds us that bullying is not a post-millennial phenomenon. I had a crush on Molly Ringwald and loved her series of teen angst movies, my favorite being Pretty in Pink with Andrew McCarthy, Jon Cryer and James Spader.
Happy Thursday, dear friend BB!
Yes, Rebel is sad to watch knowing how many of the kids died so young and needlessly. Bullying has always been a round and I could so relate to this film and wanted my own bodyguard. I still have to see Pretty in Pink because, at that time, I was sick of molly Ringworm...um Ringwald:)
DeleteLOVE these picks! Rebel really did set the standard, before it most films showed teens as slavishly docile, Mickey & Judy happy or just plain bad but with no examination as to why. James Dean really captures the frustrations of his character, I prefer his work in East of Eden but creates something special in this.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to Chris Makepeace? He's so wonderful in My Bodyguard as he was in the few films he made around the same time and then he just disappeared. Adam Baldwin is very strong in this too, I've seen him here and there since mostly in support. Too bad he's devolved into a crazy wingnut behind the scenes. Ruth Gordon is very winning as the grandmother as well.
I've enjoyed all the John Hughes films but Sixteen Candles is the one I like best. Its focus unquestionably is Samantha's rough day but it interlaces that with the other stories going on around her making it a richer film. And who wouldn't pine for Jake Ryan?
There was a rich field to chose from for this week so I tried to mix it up a little with tone for mine.
Kitten with a Whip (1964)-After shivving a guard and trying to torch juvie hall, delinquent hellcat Jody (Ann-Margret) takes it on the lam roosting at the coop of rising politico David Patton (John Forsythe). Mad for a pad to lay low she puts the shine on him while throwing off lingo like "Why do you think you're such a smoky somethin' when you're nothin' painted blue?" Cool to her ridicule he gives her the gate. She splits but flies back to his igloo with two other hooligans and forces Dave to burn rubber down Tijuana way, it’s a bad scene though and they’re all slated for crashville. The tagline for this far-out opus? “She’s all out for Kicks…and every inch of her spells EXCITEMENT! She’s a real smoky kitten!” Its mad hipster crazy cool, baby!
The Doom Generation (1995)-Two disconnected teenagers pick up sexy drifter Xavier, who radiates a savage vibe and who leads them down a path loaded with sex and violence. As they travel through a series of small towns a cloud of doom hangs over them which no matter how they try clings to them.
Teen Wolf (1985)-Scott (Michael J. Fox) is a normal mopey teen mooning over a girl who doesn’t know he exists and playing on a losing basketball team. Then he begins to notice when he gets upset he starts to feel different. He father pulls him aside and shares something he’s kept from him. Surprise! He’s part werewolf. By letting his inner beast out he becomes popular, the girl notices him and the team starts winning but he has to control his anger or the wolf will take over. Silly but fun comedy is helped immeasurably by Fox’s charm in the lead.
Honorable Mention-To Sir, with Love (1967)-Unable to find a job in his chosen profession American Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) accepts a position teaching a group of angry rebellious teens in Eastern London. Using somewhat unorthodox methods he confronts their initial jibes and defiance ultimately garnering their respect and helping them work through their angst.
I'm so glad you love my choices. You are right about Chris Makepeace...he did just go "poof". I sooooo want to see Kitten With a Whip! This is one I just really want to see because it sounds so campy. Teen Wolf is a fun flick and I almost went with To Sir with Love and Blackboard Jungle.
DeleteThursday again already!
ReplyDeleteThis theme reminds me of an animated film we saw last night at the festival - a German poet cries, but insists he's "just having angst."
;)
They do creep up eh? I love the word Angst
DeleteWouldn't the Breakfast Club count for this category? I haven't seen any of these movies, but as far as my teen years, I am glad they are behind me. Whoever say they were the best years of their lives is wrong or lying I think.
ReplyDeleteBetty
Breakfast Club works perfectly here and i am so with you about leaving this part way, way behind.
DeleteNice to see I'm not the only one who calls her Molly Ringworm!
ReplyDeleteAhhh yes, great minds...
DeleteJohn Hughes sure had it down. The Bodyguard wasn't a bad one either, saw that recently. Porky's, Three O'Clock High, Say Anything, Weird Science, Big, Adventures in Babysitting, I Love You Beth Cooper, Ferris Bueller,Fast times at ridgemont high, so many pop in.
ReplyDeleteTeen years were fine by me, anyone tried to push me around I pushed back.
Thankfully, I have not seen Porky's yet...just hate that name aloe:) Big would have been perfect too as well as Ferris. i haven't seen the others yet
DeleteI adore Sixteen Candles, such a delight to watch.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one
DeleteBetter Off Dead
ReplyDeleteBreakfast Club
Stand and Deliver
I think I've seen all three of yours.
I have seen Breakfast Club but not the other 2
DeleteSixteen Candles - good pick.
ReplyDeleteI agree with above - Better Off Dead is a classic. I still know all the lines.
I should check out Better Off Dead
DeleteLove Rebel Without a Cause so much. It's also one of my picks this week. James Dean really is HUBBA HUBBA in this, but the performances of Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo are even better, I think. I still haven't seen Sixteen Candles which I must fix. Who doesn't love a John Hughes movie?
ReplyDeleteI like Natalie Wood the best in Rebel. John Hughes was so good and missed
DeleteGreat selection of films. But I hate to admit, I never did see Rebel Without a Cause, but it's top on my 'must watch at some point' list. I really do wish I were more of a movie person.
ReplyDeleteSo, I am not the only person who called her Ringworm, huh? Never did care much for her and I barely tolerated her in Breakfast Club, which is a particular favourite of mine.
MY BODYGUARD - One of my favourite films of all time. I really want to see this again. I have to see if I can find it on DVD. Adam Baldwin, I love him in everything I have seen. My personal favourite is Jayne Cobb in Firefly.
I wanted someone to slap her in Breakfast club. I also love My Bodyguard and hope to find this one day.
DeleteLove Sixteen Candles. It came out at the right time (1983) for me to obsess over it at someone's 13th birthday party. I can't tell you how many times we rewound and rewatched that last scene.
ReplyDeleteConsidering she got the hot guy and that we all wished that would have happened to us...I can see why you would rewind it many times
DeleteOh, I want to see My Bodyguard!
ReplyDeleteIt's a really good movie and I hope you see it
DeleteThought Rebel would be popular today - the hint is in the title.
ReplyDeleteNot heard of The Bodyguard but I do agree about having a John Hughes film in there, they are angsty.
Rebel is popular today and it's no surprise. I thought I would see a lot more John Hughes films
DeleteSorry meant Mt Bodyguard.
ReplyDeleteMy I pad can make up words or my fingers do:)
DeleteWhen I was young I thought Rebel Without a Cause a cool movie but the last time I saw it I wondered what these entitled teens were so worked up about.
ReplyDeleteLike most teens...they are worked up over nothing.
DeleteNot heard of the second two. From the comments, I would probably have thought of The Breakfast Club straight away but had forgotten about To Sir with Love - I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteTo Sire, With Love is a good film for this week for sure
DeleteI don't go near teen angst movies, not my scene at all. It is such a very long time since I was a teen, I don't remember all that much about it anyway and I don't think I want to be reminded.
ReplyDeleteLooking back is never the best thing unless it puts a smile on your face
DeleteRebel Without a Cause is popping up everywhere this week, as expected, but I still haven't seen it. Gotta do that, soon. I have seen Sixteen Candles, or "the other Pretty in Pink," lol. Solid flick.
ReplyDeleteRebel is the film this week and hope you can find the time to see it. I haven't seen Pretty In Pink because I can't see too many Molly Ringworm films:)
DeleteHave only seen Rebel Without A Cause. The other two look interesting. I was lucky in that there really wasn't a culture of bullying at my school. I was quite sporty and had a good crowd of other sporty friends. We weren't the "cool" girls but we didn't care!
ReplyDeleteThat's Purrfect
You were lucky..in gym class I was either picked last or the teams argued because no one wanted to take me on their team and this happened often.
DeleteFavourite Teen Angst Movie: Carrie
ReplyDeleteWait, what?
I was thinking about using that movie because she had a lot of angst
DeleteThe 50s were definitely drag racing days.
ReplyDeleteThey were and playing chicken
DeleteOf course I have heard of Rebel Without a Cause, but I've never seen it. In the main, I loved my teenage years. We don't have cheerleaders or jocks in England though! :)
ReplyDeleteSusan at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
It's so nice that you had great teenage years and have fond memories. Despite some horrible times during my teen years, I have fond memories of Christmas and I was able to go to Europe twice.
DeleteHi, though I had a good teen life I was super eager to grow out of it. Now I wish I had enjoyed it more and not been in an hurry to grow up :(
ReplyDeleteI am just glad I grew out of it:)
DeleteBirgit, The only movie title I know is Sixteen Candles here. The other two maybe I've heard of, I don't know. My Bodyguard looks like it could be a good fit for us. I think I'll see if I can find it on Netflix or Amazon Prime. Thanks for the movie recommendations! Have flicktastic weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat is a nice movie...Sixteen Candles. I hope you can see My Bodyguard because it s a great movie
DeleteI like Bodyguard the best of all 3. Some Kind of Wonderful is still one of my favorite teenage angst movies.
ReplyDeleteIt is and so glad you saw it. I love My Bodyguard. I haven't seen the other film.
DeleteBIRGIT ~
ReplyDeleteDang! I'm so late for this one, but... TA-DA!! ...here I iz!
JAMES DEAN is my favorite actor of all time. (Well, Dean for his astounding talent, and JOHN WAYNE for his memorable, macho roles.) But my favorite of Dean's 3 films is 'EAST OF EDEN' and guess what! It's a "Teen Angst" film. So, there's one of MY three choices.
I also love (and own, and have seen countless times) 'MY BODYGUARD'. Great choice, and I'll take that one, too.
For #3 I think I'll go with... oh, shit! It's too close to call. I wanna say 'ORDINARY PEOPLE'. But I also wanna say 'BIRDY'. But I also wanna go with that fabulous "Teen Angst" comedy 'BETTER OFF DEAD'.
So... I'll take all three, thank you very much!
Now I'm off to read the comments above mine and see what your other fans had to say.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
East of Eden is another perfect teen angst film and I almost picked this one as well. It is heart wrenching when Dean's character gives the money to his dad but his dad rebuffs him. Dean played this scene so well, his pain was difficult to watch. I haven't seen the others but have them now on the list
DeleteYes, that entire scene, beginning with Cal and Abra waiting for Mr. Trask to get home to the party -- with Cal continually dipping his finger into the wine -- and culminating with Cal running out the door after his dad refuses the gift is, in my opinion, the most intense and best acted scene in motion picture history. That was just off the charts and hasn't been equaled since. (The "prisoner of war" scene in 'The Deer Hunter' is damned close though!)
DeleteYou've never seen BIRDY or ORDINARY PEOPLE or BETTER OFF DEAD? Oh, oh, Birgit. That's shameful. For an ordinary person it would be understandable, but for a major movie buff like you? ...It's simply shameful. (Please fix that ASAP, girlfriend!)
~ D-FensDogG
This may be the first time I have seen them all! Yay! I feel so proud of myself. :) All great choices!
ReplyDelete~Jess
Yeah! Glad you saw all of them
DeleteI checked out Sixteen Candles when I was checking out John Hughes 80s teen flicks a couple of years back and it was the one I like the least and remember the least.
ReplyDelete