Sometimes you just feel goofy. Today is one of those times. I often get that way when choosing movies for Thursday Movie Picks hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves. Still, I might be a little extra silly this week. It might be because this was my first full week of work in almost a month and by the time you read this, I'm weary and delirious. Transitioning from afternoon naps and weeknights at the movie theater to standing in front of third graders for seven straight hours with prep work on both ends of that stretch is not easy. So pardon me for being a bit punch drunk. The mere mention of school is enough to get me going sideways. And I've got to do it again on Friday. Therefore, this week's subject, the new kid at school is definitely a trigger. It's led me the furthest reaches of my personal moviedom - to that place where I've half-ass watch movies others in my family love while simultaneously checking e-mail, Twitter, Words with Friends, researching movies to fit the theme for Thursday Movie Picks, or gasp, grading papers. Thing is, I've half-ass watched them all so many times, I've full-ass seen them.
Wait.
Is that a thing?
Probably not.
I know what is a thing, though - a theme within a theme within another theme. The first theme? That whole half-ass thing. Whole half, get it?
Never mind.
The other theme? You'll figure it out, quickly. Just make sure you raise your hand before blurting out the answer.
Bring It On
(2000)
The New Kid: Missy Pantone
Missy comes to Rancho Carne High School and joins the cheerleading squad, replacing a beloved member who has graduated. The problem is the girls who have been there before feel threatened because she's damn good. Add to that a cheerleading race-war between the Rancho Carne girls and those from East Compton High and girls who were under 16 in 2000 just couldn't get enough. The saving grace is a cast that would go on to bigger and better things. Eliza Dushku plays Missy. The movie also features Kirsten Dunst and, 
Bring It On Again
(2004)
The New Kid: Whittier Smith
When Whittier shows up at California State College, she joins the cheerleading squad. She's so good, she's a threat to the team's established vets. Hmmm...where have I heard that before? Well, since this movie has an all-new, and less talented, cast, it's more rip-off than sequel. It even went straight to DVD. It's bad, but without it, we wouldn't have gotten...
Bring It On: All or Nothing
(2007)
The New Kid: Britney Allen
Britney is the new girl at Crenshaw Heights and gets an inkling to join the cheerleading squad. Yeah, that ol' story. However, there's a twist. Britney has taken a socio-economic step down to be at Crenshaw since her dad lost his job. There is a definite upswing in talent from the previous entry. Hayden Panettiere now handles main character duties. Solange Knowles, aka Beyonce's sister, is also in the cast. We even get an extended cameo from Rihanna. This is also just flat out fun, though it certainly wouldn't be up for any credible awards. Even so, this might be the best movie in the series.
I have seen the first one which is a good film once you don't take it seriously though I could do without a lot of the punk stuff which I feel doesn't fit in with the film. Especially as someone like me who is kind of a purist. I haven't seen the 2nd one as I have no interest but I have seen some of the third film as I do remember RiRi's extended cameo (and anyone who hates RiRi sucks as she's one of the few singers out there in today's music climate that is actually good) as well as Hayden slapping her ass as it's become some weird gif meme on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteNo, these are movies that absolutely should not be taken seriously. You can skip the second, but the third is a nice rebound.
DeleteMy first thought was Pitch Perfect. The first Bring it On was entertaining enough. No idea there were sequels.
ReplyDeletePitch Perfect fits the theme. There are two more sequels, too. But don't. Just don't.
Delete"I've full-ass seen them." lmao
ReplyDeleteI've only seen the first Bring It Own, which I love because I was 12 when it came out and I was so obsessed with everything Kirsten Dunst.
Oh yeah, you were right in this movie's wheelhouse.
DeleteOoo! OOOO! Mr. Dell! I know! Over here with my hand up! Mr. Dellllll!!! It's a cheerleading trouple theme within the theme! Much to my shame (and secret delight) I've only seen the original Bring It On which was much more cheery than I expected. When I watched Fired Up! another silly but fun movie where two guys go to cheer camp to meet girls there was a scene where the entire camp were watching an open air screen of Bring It On and quoting it word for word. So in some small way I guess it's become a cultural touchstone.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many goofy teen comedies about being the new kid I thought I'd go a more serious route though my first it a bizarre black comedy.
Lord Love a Duck (1966)-Pretty, pert and madly ambitious Barbara Ann Greene (Tuesday Weld) is the new girl at Consolidated High (overseen by Principal Harvey Korman) who befriends outsider prodigy Alan "Mollymauk" Musgrave (Roddy McDowell) who is dazzled by her and sets out to make all her dreams come true. That begins innocuously with her admission to an exclusive girls club within the school but rapidly escalates to far more formidable plans calling for drastic measures which her eager acolyte gleefully pursues. The blackest of black comedies with a cast including Ruth Gordon and an excellent Lola Albright as Barbara Ann’s cocktail waitress mother this study in absurdity’s skewed viewpoint isn’t for everyone.
My Bodyguard (1980)-New kid in school Clifford Peache (Chris Makepeace) a shy, quiet teen becomes the target of bully Melvin Moody (Matt Dillon). Nearing the end of his rope Clifford approaches fellow student, gentle giant Ricky Linderman (Adam Baldwin) to be his bodyguard. Though initially reluctant Ricky agrees and while offering protection the two disparate boys form a friendship until circumstances put a strain on their bond. Compassionate film with a great message and wonderful naturalistic performances.
Au Revoir les Enfants (1987)-When three new students, including Jean Bonnett (Raphael Fejto), arrive at his French boarding school during WWII Julien (Gaspard Manesse) doesn’t take much notice of them thinking they are no different from the other boys. What Julien doesn't know is that they are Jews passing as Gentiles trying to evade capture by the Nazis. While headmaster Père Jean (Philippe Morier-Genoud), works to protect the boys from the Holocaust the at first antagonistic Julien and Jean develop a tight bond. Louis Malle’s deeply moving film captures the idiosyncrasies of boyhood, structured education and the fear of a creeping menace.
Correct! The original is fun, but no shame in not seeing the others. I've only seen them all because of my daughters. Therefore, I skipped Fired Up! They had zero interest in that one. I've not seen any of your picks, though the last has been on my radar for quite some time.
DeleteFired Up! is silliness itself but a guilty pleasure of mine because its just so goofy and fun with likable leads, some very funny supporting performances and a preposterous premise. Perfect for when I want something undemanding.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I saw the DVD cover for it lots of times, but always dismissed. Can't say I'll rush to find it, but I might not turn if I come across it.
DeleteHmmm...seeing a movie about snot nosed, cheerleaders who may break their necks, oops sorry, this is not an after school special, so back to just snot nosed gals who probably bully the nerdy shy girls is just not that appealing. I have not seen any of these and probably won’t but I dig your theme.
ReplyDeleteThere is bullying, but not of the nerdy shy girls. I get your point, though.
DeleteBring It On slipped my mind completely. I enjoyed it a lot. Didn't bother with the second one and saw bits of the third.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun one. Yeah, skip that second one. The third is fun.
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