Coming of age is a rite of passage; in ancient cultures, this transition is often represented in rituals and ceremonies in which the child must endure through a series of trials to prove his newfound status of adult. In modern times, growing up isn't so clear cut; however it does involve sacrifice, challenge and change. Films of this genre often focus on the trials of growing up, budding sexuality and the loss of innocence. You can catch many of this films on satellite TV.
Stand By Me: Directed by Rob Reiner and starring River Phoenix, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland and John Cusack. This movie is based on a Stephen King novella which is set in a rural Oregon town during the summer of 1959. Four friends, all twelve years old, set to begin Jr. High, go on one final adventure. They attempt to find a body of a boy who was supposedly hit by a train. The story is told as a flashback, with Richard Dreyfuss as the narrator. It's a poignant story about the loss of innocence and the hardships of growing up. This is a classic bildungsroman movie that airs frequently on satellite TV.
Rushmore: This quirky, off-beat comedy starring Bill Murray and Jason Schwartman tells the tale of an eccentric 15-year-old boy who attends Rushmore Academy. Max fills his schedule with extracurricular activities, which leave him no time to study; while flunking out of school, Max falls in love with a first grade teacher, compulsively lies about his family, and gets into a fight with rich industrialist Mr. Blume played by Murray. The film is a brilliant look at what it means to grow up. Watch the film in HD on any film channel on satellite TV.
The Breakfast Club: The quintessential high school drama, this movie directed by John Hughes gives us a glimpse into the world of teenage angst and antics. There's plenty of soul searching and contempt for the grown up world. As the character Allison so plaintively puts it 'when you grow up, your heart dies.' This classic has developed a cult-like status.
Almost Famous: Written by Cameron Crowe, this movie is autobiographical, detailing Crowe's years as a young journalist for Rolling Stone. At a mere 15 years old, William hits the road with an up and coming rock band. He falls in love, gets his heart broken and learns about life, the hard way.
Dead Poets Society: A group of young prep school boys have their lives turned upside down when Robin Williams, playing the role of Professor John Keating, introduces them to poetry and the liberating philosophies of classic authors. The boys then form their own 'dead poets society' and begin to read poetry and seek out new ideas.
Ghost World: This film examines the lives of two young friends on the verge of adulthood. Starring Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birch, we watch as the two figure out what they want to do with their post-high school lives. The girls spend the summer making vague plans and hanging out with a handsome former classmate. It's an eclectic sort of story that strikes the right cords. You can watch in on HD DVD.
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