Monday Movie Meme - School Days

Today's Monday Movie Meme from the Bumbles is all about school in all its variations. It IS September, the time when all parents say a silent prayer of thanks that the dear angels are back in the classroom. (Actually, mine have been back since mid-August, but who's counting?) There are also the college students, who have gathered their supply of Ramen noodles, No Doze and cheap beer and are back on campus. So shall we delve into all of those great films that focus on the hallowed halls of educational institutions? There are literally hundreds to choose from - you could close your eyes and throw a dart. But here are a few of my favorites:

School of Rock - OK, why couldn't I have had Jack Black as a teacher? He is in his element in this fun flick where kids learn everything they need to know about rocking out, believing in yourself, and playing a mean guitar. This one is a favorite at my house.


American Graffiti - Another favorite in our house, even though the kids do not fully appreciate seeing Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfus, Cindy Williams and Harrison Ford in the impressionable years. (If I recall, this movie is what landed Harrison with the role of Hans Solo.) This one is a true classic.


Napolean Dynamite - Even Jon Heder would not have imagined the almost cultish success of this goofy movie about a goofy kid and his goofy friends. Vote for Pedro, dudes!


Grease - This is the movie of my youth. My friends and I saw it hundreds of times, we knew the dances, but I would forever regret having the name "Sandy". Junior high can be pretty cruel about stuff like that.


Donnie Darko - Originally, Donnie Darko flew under the radar at the box office...WAY under. But somewhere along the line, it became a cult classic. Although it is slightly off the wall (it involves visions of a giant, demonic bunny), it is amazingly entertaining. It features a great cast with Jake Gyllenhal and his sister Maggie, Mary McDonnell, Jena Malone, Seth Rogan, Noah Wylie, Drew Barrymore, and an unforgettable performance by the late Patrick Swayze as a motivational speaker/pedophile.


Harry Potter (every darned one of them) - What kid wouldn't want to be shipped off to school to a place like Hogwarts? Every element of school are in these movies, and more. We have seen these movies more than any of the other ones combined, so I'd be remiss if I did not list them!


The Breakfast Club - I think this is the ultimate '80's movie. When you flip through the channels on Saturday afternoon, and see it playing, you must stop and watch it every time, right? For its genre, it is perfection. It's even one of my mom's favorite movies of all time, so you don't necessarily even need to be a child of the '80's to love it.


Please Vote for Me - it isn't a Monday Movie Meme unless I mention something way off the beaten path. This is my contribution for the week. This is a documentary about a class of 8-year-olds in China that learn about democracy by holding a campaign and election for class monitor. For a group of teachers, students and parents that have never experienced anything but communism, they figure things out pretty quickly. In fact, if you change the names and faces, it could be any school in the US. Competitive and domineering parents, emotional kids, chaos in the classroom, you would think their lives were at stake. This is a must-see...its is fresh and entertaining.


I could have listed thirty more movies with the topic. Everything about the dymanics of school is fodder for great entertainment. But I must go back and finish off my last day of the kids' Book Fair. After today, I WILL have my life back. Happy Monday!