The Paw Print

Kieran Blake, Sports Editor

I just finished watching 1999’s “10 Things I Hate About You,” and I really enjoyed it. Yet immediately after the end credits rolled, I felt a sense of emptiness. I experienced this same feeling after watching 2004’s “Mean Girls.” After each movie, I found myself wanting more. I realized that when searching for similar teen movies to both, the films I usually landed on all had one fatal flaw in common: they were just not good. Some of them may have been entertaining, but none of them were good in a critical sense.

Now, I know that for some people, what critics say does not matter. I am not one of those people. I consider myself a cinephile—I like everything from the visionary Japanese films of Akira Kurosawa to the raunchy comedies of Judd Apatow. Do I have my preferred genres? Yes. (My three favorites are gangster films, westerns and film noir.) Ultimately, however, I do not care what a movie is about as long as it is a well-made film. There may be exceptions here and there, but I am far more likely to watch a critically-acclaimed film than a critically-panned one.

When a teen movie is done right, it can be a sight to behold. Some of my favorite films are teen movies—but those that I do enjoy tend to be critically good as well. It seems that for every good teen movie there is out there, there are upwards of ten that are frankly terrible. While this may be true for many film genres, I find it to be especially prevalent in the teen movie genre. This may be due to the fact that studios were not incentivized to make these films good, but it is extremely disappointing when I want to follow up a great teen movie with another one, and there are not enough to do so without rewatching one I have already seen.

While I could sit here for hours and tell you about all of the subpar teen movies out there, I want to focus on some of the rare instances in which a teen movie was both enjoyable and critically good. I will look at what I believe to be the 10 quintessential, quality teen movies, and talk about what makes them so special.

“Dazed and Confused” (1993)

Richard Linklater made perhaps the greatest teen movie of all time when creating the cultural time capsule that is 1993’s “Dazed and Confused.” Set during the mid-1970s, “Dazed and Confused” features a litany of young stars who would go on to find future success (Matthew McConaughey and Ben Affleck, to name two) and also sports perhaps the best soundtrack in movie history (Aerosmith, KISS, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Sabbath, ZZ Top—need I say more?). I was hooked from when Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” started playing in the film’s opening to when Foghat’s “Slow Ride” closed out the movie’s credits.

“Dazed and Confused” follows two grades on the last day of school before summer vacation—the rising seniors, who are prepared to haze, and the incoming freshmen, who are all about to get hazed. This film captures the zeitgeist of the ‘70s so well that you really feel like you grew up back then while watching this movie. I, no question, would be hanging out with Anthony Rapp and Adam Goldberg, discussing the post-Watergate politics of the times with my luscious locks of hair. This film is both heartfelt and hilarious, and it induces in me a high similar only to what I can imagine was felt by the long-haired stoner Slater (Rory Cochrane). “Dazed and Confused” is not just a film; it is an experience that must be felt by all who have ever experienced the roller coaster ride of high school. And who wouldn’t want to see a young Ben Affleck sadistically chasing freshmen around with a paddle?

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

Another film with a claim to the title of best teen movie of all time is John Hughes’s Chicago masterpiece “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Starring Matthew Broderick in his iconic role as the fun-loving, school-dodging title character, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” has a special place in my heart due to its beautiful portrayal of the Windy City. Seeing Alan Ruck (who, by the way, was strange to see as a normal human after watching “Succession”) staring with tears in his eyes at George Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” made me instantly want to visit the painting at the Art Institute. The parade scene is still one of the most entertaining sequences to grace a movie screen, and Broderick is all-out brilliant in this movie.

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is the perfect feel good movie: it is entertaining and never skips a beat, always offering you moments of laughter and pure joy throughout its run time. After all, who wouldn’t want to blow off high school for a day to drive around the city with their best friend and girlfriend in a Ferrari while going to the Art Institute, attending a Cubs game and belting out the Beatles’ “Twist and Shout” on a parade float? Ferris Bueller got to live a day that us mere mortals could only dream of, and in a way, we too are able to live it out through this love letter to the city of Chicago.

“The Breakfast Club” (1985)

John Hughes makes another appearance on this list with the 1985 classic “The Breakfast Club.” The quintessential “brat pack” movie, “The Breakfast Club” follows five high schoolers of vastly different high school social status—a nerd (Anthony Michael Hall), a jock (Emilio Estevez), a princess (Molly Ringwald), a basket case (Ally Sheedy) and a criminal (Judd Nelson)—as they are forced to spend a Saturday together in detention and come to realize that there is much more in common between themselves than they previously thought. While there are parts of this film that may not have aged the best, it ultimately still has stood the test of time. It is incredibly enjoyable and exudes the ‘80s in every frame.

“The Breakfast Club” was a cultural phenomenon back when it was released, and it remains an entertaining film four decades later. That final shot of John Bender (Nelson) with his fist pumped in the air as Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” plays in the background remains one of the most iconic parting shots in cinema history. While similar to some of the other films released at that time period, this film is simultaneously unique in that it tells a story far more effectively than those others. “The Breakfast Club” remains a classic for a good reason—it captures what it was like to be a teenager during the 1980s, and some of its themes of self-acceptance still persist today.

“Mean Girls” (2004)

Moving on from John Hughes we find another classic film—this time a more modern one—in 2004’s “Mean Girls.” Directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey, “Mean Girls” tells the story of Cady Heron (expertly played by Lindsay Lohan), a girl who, after growing up homeschooled in Africa, is forced to enter the real world of American high school. She quickly finds two friends in Janis Ian (Lizzy Caplan) and Damian (Daniel Franzese), with whom she makes a plan to infiltrate the popular clique the Plastics, led by Regina George (played brilliantly by Rachel McAdams), in whom “evil takes a human form.” However, as she becomes a member of the clique, her once-innocent personality begins to be altered by the diabolical Regina George. She is turned against her former friends, and after being lured to the dark side by the prospect of popularity, she tries to sabotage Regina. This ultimately culminates in the publication of the “Burn Book,” which causes fights and frenzies throughout the school.

I was originally skeptical of “Mean Girls,” as it did not look as though it would be up my alley, but I was pleasantly surprised. The screenplay is phenomenal, the performances are great and the film is highly comedic and enjoyable. McAdams and Lohan both give phenomenal performances, and the evolution of Lohan’s character throughout the film is carried out wonderfully. To those skeptical of “Mean Girls,” don’t be. Watch it, and appreciate it in all of its comedic glory. “Mean Girls” is, in my opinion, one of the best teen movies of the 21st century, and it may even be the best. Then again, one could also argue that the title belongs to…

“Superbad” (2007)

“Superbad” is one of the funniest films I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. Based on the high school experiences of writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, “Superbad” is somewhat of a “Dazed and Confused” for the modern era when you look at its cast: Rogen, Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Emma Stone and Bill Hader have all gone on to have wildly successful careers, and their chemistry in this movie is unparalleled. The film itself, however, absolutely belongs to Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s Fogell, or as his fake ID and nearly every viewer of this film calls him, McLovin. The screenplay is hysterical, the performances are all comically brilliant and the film is a thrill ride that will throw punchline after punchline at you, leaving you in tears.

The film follows Hill and Cera as they prepare themselves to go off to different colleges, driving a rift between them, while also chronicling their pursuits of the girls of their dreams, played by Stone and Martha MacIsaac. Fogell joins them as they search for alcohol for an end of school party, only to be separated from the group after Cera and Hill flee when they see a police car. Fogell/McLovin then goes on the ride of his life with two police officers, played by Rogen and Hader, who let him live the high life with them for a while. The film culminates with a raucous party, and to see how that plays out, I recommend that you watch this stroke of comedic genius that I can only describe as actual high school on more steroids than Barry Bonds.

“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)

“10 Things I Hate About You” follows the lives of four high schoolers in particular: standoffish feminist Kat Stratford (played by the early-2000s heartthrob Julia Stiles), her popular and lovestruck sophomore sister Bianca (played by the beautiful Larisa Oleynik), Australia-born bad boy Patrick Verona (played by the late, always great Heath Ledger) and new sophomore Cameron James (played by a baby Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Cameron falls quickly for Bianca, who is currently being hit on by the sleazy Joey Donner (Andrew Keegan), but there is one catch: the Stratford sisters’ divorced father (Larry Miller) won’t let them date in high school. Bianca is devastated by this rule, and she pleads with her father to change it. He does, but with another catch: Bianca can go out once her sister Kat does. Kat is liked by almost no one and is quite frankly a bit of a misanthrope. Nevertheless, Cameron, desperate to go out with her, hatches a plan: he will pay the equally-rebellious Patrick to go out with Kat.

This movie had no business being as good as it was. Thanks in part to strong performances across the board (especially from Ledger), a compelling story, a solid script and a killer soundtrack, it managed to be both entertaining and just frankly a good movie. Ledger and Stiles have great chemistry together, JGL is charming as ever and Cameron’s friend Michael (played brilliantly by David Krumholtz) provides amazing comic relief throughout the film. This film struck a chord with me in a way I cannot quite explain. Unlike many of the other teen films released around the same time, “10 Things I Hate About You” offered compelling characters and a compelling story that resulted in a film that will remain a teen classic for years to come.

“Say Anything…” (1989)

Cameron Crowe’s directorial debut is a forgotten gem of the 1980s. Remembered primarily for the scene in which John Cusack’s Lloyd Dobler stands outside of his girlfriend’s window with a boombox as Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” plays, “Say Anything…” sort of got lost in the shuffle of ‘80s teen classics such as the aforementioned “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “The Breakfast Club.” “Say Anything…” follows Lloyd after graduation as he embarks on a romantic journey in an attempt to gain (and later regain) the heart of the beautiful and intelligent Diane Court (Ione Skye). Standing in his way is, among other things, Diane’s pushy and protective divorced father (phenomenally portrayed by the late, great John Mahoney). Her father has pushed her to become valedictorian, and she just recently won a prestigious English fellowship, meaning Lloyd will have to win her father’s approval before she leaves for England.

Cusack is phenomenal as Lloyd, and his performance is the primary reason that this film is so great. That coupled with a brilliant script from the legendary Cameron Crowe and solid performances from Mahoney and Skye make “Say Anything…” a must-watch for any fan of teen movies or movies that capture the 1980s. While not Crowe’s best work (that title belongs to the semi-autobiographical 2000 film “Almost Famous”), “Say Anything…” is certainly a classic of both the teen and rom-com genres. Whenever I hear “In Your Eyes,” my mind will always be ingrained with that image of Cusack, with a boombox over his head, as Gabriel belts out the song’s chorus. In my eyes, “Say Anything…” is a must-watch film and a teen movie staple.

“Dead Poets Society” (1989)

“Dead Poets Society” is not your typical teen movie. While the genre tends to be dominated by romance and comedy, there are quite a few good teen dramas out there as well. “Dead Poets Society” is one of them. The film follows a group of students at an all-boys prep school and their English teacher, John Keating (played to perfection by the legendary Robin Williams—may he rest in peace). Keating’s teaching style is quite bizarre, and his methods rub off heavily on the boys, who surreptitiously resurrect a club known as the Dead Poets Society. Throughout the film, Keating uses poetry and drama to reach out to his students and transform their lives. All the while, Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), the leader of the group who has been pressured by his father to become a doctor, instead pursues a different dream of his: acting.

“Dead Poets Society” is an emotional roller coaster, and like so many of Robin Williams’s films, it blends funny and serious to create an all-time classic. Peter Weir’s directing is solid, the screenplay is utilized perfectly by the cast and the ending of this film is one of the most iconic in film history. (As an aside, I recommend you watch the “Saturday Night Live” parody sketch “Farewell Mr. Bunting.”) Williams gives one of his greatest performances on screen in a role that will transcend generations, and the ensemble surrounding him—Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles and Gale Hensen, just to name a few—complement each other brilliantly. Every so often, a film comes around that you just know has a special quality to it, and “Dead Poets Society” is one such film.

“The Last Picture Show” (1971)

This is where the cinephile in me comes out. Peter Bogdanovich’s 1971 masterpiece was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Actor (Jeff Bridges) and Best Supporting Actress (Ellen Burstyn) at the Oscars, and it won in both the supporting acting categories (for Ben Johnson and Cloris Leachman, respectively). Set in a small town in 1950s rural Texas, the film follows two soon-to-be high school graduates: Duane Jackson (played by a very young Jeff Bridges) and Sonny Crawford (Timothy Bottoms). As the town they grew up in becomes more desolate by the day, the two boys must decide which path to travel in the future with regard to employment, love and their day-to-day lives as what remains of their childhoods withers away.

Since its release, “The Last Picture Show” has fallen under the radar of many modern moviegoers, and it is not exactly hard to see why. Many of its qualities are likely not very appealing to teenagers today. It was filmed in black and white, it is a very story-driven narrative and its overall atmosphere is very quiet. That being said, I truly believe that “The Last Picture Show” is one of the most beautiful, touching and deeply human films I have ever seen. Aside from the story of Duane and Sonny, Bogdanovich also hones in on the stories of other teenagers and adults throughout the town who must grapple with the decay of their community. Thanks in part to fantastic performances from a star-studded ensemble, “The Last Picture Show” succeeds not only as a teen drama but also as an intricate portrayal of the struggles of the once-vibrant small town America.

“Boyz n the Hood” (1991)

While “The Last Picture Show” explores the struggles of small town America in the 1950s, “Boyz n the Hood” depicts the difficulties of life in the urban ghettos of the 1990s. Directed by the late John Singleton, “Boyz n the Hood” follows the life of Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr.), who grows up surrounded by crime and gang violence in an impoverished, predominantly-black neighborhood. Tre is raised during his teenage years by his father Furious Styles (played expertly by Laurence Fishburne), who pushes him to work hard and try to get into college, while also raising him to be a responsible man. Tre’s two good friends are Doughboy, a formerly-incarcerated gang member played by Ice Cube, and Ricky, a talented football player pursuing a scholarship at USC played by Morris Chestnut. Tre must try his best to hold his and his friends’ lives together in a world in which they are surrounded by gangs, violence, drugs and hate.

“Boyz n the Hood” is nothing short of a masterpiece of filmmaking. Singleton would become the first African-American director to be nominated for Best Director at the Oscars, and while the film caused great controversy at the time of its release, it has since been recognized as a quintessential piece of African-American culture during the 1990s. The performances are great across the board, especially from Fishburne, and the story told is one that will rip your heart out before stomping it into a thousand pieces. “Boyz n the Hood” is a very different teen film that provides an unflinching portrayal of the gritty realism of inner-city hardship. Many teen films will tell the story of boy meets girl, of the nerd who overcomes the bully, of the high school caste system, of friends becoming enemies, of enemies becoming friends; many teen films will sugarcoat reality for audience enjoyment; many teen films will grant the viewer a happy ending. “Boyz n the Hood” does no such thing. “Boyz n the Hood” ignores these tropes and these confinements and these rules to reveal the brutal, depressing and harsh realities of teen life in impoverished inner-city neighborhoods.

So there you have it: the 10 quintessential teen films. Some of them are similar to each other, and some of them are vastly different. Some of them are dramas, others romances, others comedies. Some of them leave you feeling pleasant and happy, others leave both your brain and your heart in shambles. Ultimately, they all have one thing in common: they showcase the beauty of a good “teen movie.” You may not agree with my list. You may feel that some movies were snubbed (“Clueless” fans—I was not that impressed by “Clueless”). There are probably a plethora of great teen films out there that I have not yet seen (“Rushmore,” “American Graffiti” and “Lady Bird,” to name a few). Nevertheless, this is my personal list, and I believe that it represents a variety of high-quality movies that epitomize the potential of the “teen movie.”

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