5 Best Spring Break College Movies
Favorite High School Summer Vacation Comedies
Five best, less obvious flicks for taking a break from school and celebrating spring break and summer vacation.
Here are five classics for anyone tired of being in high school or college. Steering away from the broad physical humor of Animal House, Road Trip, etc. type fare, these provide plenty of laughs with memorable dialogue and (slightly) more realistic situations. (While there may be a multitude of John Hughes films that deserve to make the list, only one was chosen for variety's sake.)
1. Kicking & Screaming (1995)
A lesser known film, it still has a devout cult following with countless quotable lines and dry sarcasm being key highlights. The film revolves around the relationship of Jane and Grover, which may or may not be ending along with college graduation. The film follows Grover and his friends as they try to make lives for themselves following the end of college, all the while flashing back to his relationship with Jane and what may become of their future. Truly hysterical in parts, it also looks back somberly on regrets. (A great early Parker Posey film).
2. Real Genius (1985)
This film is a great surprise: in lieu of cheap slapstick, you find charming quirkiness and Val Kilmer's real knack for comedy. There is still plenty of physical comedy, but in a story that's well written (if a little goofy) and thoroughly funny. The students here, all with record IQs, design a laser their professor (the always-evil William Atherton) plans to sell to the government as a military weapon, unbeknownst to them. There are some truly strange characters, but Kilmer's Chris Knight, the graduating senior, is easily the standout with his blase approach to school and authority.
3. Romy & Michele's High School Reunion (1997)
Perhaps mostly preferred by the female crowd, this is a solid film if watched in the right mind. It's tongue-in-cheek from start to finish and very original; while it mocks the commonly loathed high school stereotypes, it lovingly pokes fun at the more unusual personalities you find in school. One or two weaknesses (the dream sequence leaps to mind) don't keep this film from being a memorable addition to the list. It has a great soundtrack, fun outfits, and great well-written characters (Janeane Garofalo is especially wonderful). Best of all is its famously supreme ending.
4. Dazed & Confused (1993)
Richard Linklater's best film to date, complete with a great cast and soundtrack. Dazed is frequently called Linklater's "love letter" to the 70s, and it clearly is. Don't write this one off as a "stoner movie"; it has lots of clever and heartfelt moments. The film takes place on the last day of school and revolves around the outgoing junior high students and the high schoolers who torment them. There are plenty of goofy characters (notably Matthew McConaughey as the much-quoted Wooderson) and hilarious smaller roles (notably Ben Affleck and Parker Posey). Look for the 10th Anniversary Special Edition DVD, with clips from the reunion in Austin.
5. The Breakfast Club (1985)
The final word in high school movies and the best of John Hughes' films. This classic is loved by all and survives the years easily. The supposedly stereotypical characters portrayed by Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Michael Anthony Hall and Alley Sheedy still hold true today. (As always, Paul Gleason makes the principal superbly memorable). Apparent differences (mainly money, popularity and outgoingness) disappear when five kids in Saturday detention find out they have more in common than they thought. Great lines and a realistic approach to how kids regard each other in high school, this one's ageless.
