5 Flicks to Get You Back to School

Well folks, the day that always seemed so far away has finally come and gone. At the beginning of this week, I officially shuffled my twin sons off to kindergarten, starting what will undoubtedly be a vicious cycle in life.

So there the little men were, eager to mark up the street with their oversized backpacks only matched by the size of their expectant eyes, and I got to thinking, "what are some of my favorite school movies?" Well, I've got five that are essential to me.

Back To School

You can't talk about back to school without paying homage to the namesake film. Rodney Dangerfield plays Thornton Melon, a tycoon who in an effort to reconnect with his son, decides it's time to re-enroll in college. As would be expected with a Dangerfield role, hijinks ensue (always wanted to say that), and Melon ends up making a mockery of the establishment. It may be a crime to say because of Caddyshack, but this is perhaps Dangerfield's best role, and left many wishing he had managed to hit his stride earlier in his career.

Animal House

While Mrs. Robinson ushered in perhaps the first known cougar, Dean Wermer's wife was a close second! Animal House remains the epitomy of the school movie, the one that ranks above all others and any college movie made afterwards strives to be. It is a right of passage for any incoming freshman in college who hasn't stumbled upon the film on film before, and is a must view the very first night on campus. While others like PCU, Van Wilder, and many more have tried, they have done nothing more than hold a tribute to the masterpiece.

Billy Madison

Okay, so truth be told, Billy Madison is one of the most idiotic films to ever attempt to be called a movie. That being said, its also a guilty pleasure. Billy Madison actually had a decent plot, making a rich kid turned washout (see Hilton, Paris) complete school all over again in order to prove that he can run his father's company. Sandler obviously left the thinking there when it came to the character, as the rest of the film was proof positive at just how low a comedian will got to get laughs. Still, I occasionally mutter, "what are you looking at swan?".

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

I think it is somewhat ironic that we're talking about films to what when going back to school, while putting one on the pedestal that is all about skipping school don't you? This masterpiece by the late John Hughes was the essential character comedy, from rotten Principal Rooney to tightly wound Cameron Frye to the hero Ferris Bueller. Hughes may be remembered best for his Brat Pack flicks, but Bueller was the film that we're all still quoting today. Anybody, anybody, Bueller?

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Ever wonder what Sean Penn was doing before becoming a political prick? Well, he was catching waves, ordering pizzas, and skipping classes as Jeff Spicoli. Fast Times was like the ultimate combination of Police Academy with American Graffiti; an equal part sex romp with pivotal coming of age storyline. And then there was the infamous Phoebe Cates pool scene. Don't lose the irony that Judge Reinhold was dressed as a pirate when he got caught either. Argghhh.

Alright, that should get you back in the spirit, whether you're sending kids off to school or going back yourself. Got some favorites of your own? Feel free to jump in and share them.