Top Ten Teacher Movies

Article first published as Top Ten Teacher Movies on Technorati.

Education has always been a popular topic within the realm of Hollywood, with directors and writers usually taking a very creative license to portray educators and their students. This has worked well in many cases and horribly in others. The upcoming movie Bad Teacher seeks to cash in on this formula.

With this new up coming film I though it would be prudent for an educator, like myself, to examine movies from the past, ranking them accordingly. Here is my Top Ten Teacher Movie List, handcrafted for your enjoyment.

10. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Who could ever forget Jeff Spicoli, played by Sean Penn, ordering a pizza during class or the beautiful Phoebe Cates climbing out of that swimming pool. The best piece of advice from this film was whenever you are making out with a girl to, whenever possible, put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV. Aloha, Mr. Hand.

9. School of Rock (2003)

Jack Black stars as washed up rock n’roller, Dewey Finn, posing as a substitute teacher at a very prestigious private school. He may know nothing about history, but he makes up for it in awesomeness. This movie doesn’t show a teacher with the most knowledge, but it does show a teacher’s ability to captivate his class and teach despite himself. I love this film because Led Zeppelin allowed the use of their great song "Immigrant Song."

8. To Sir, With Love (1967)

Mark Thackeray, played by the great Sidney Poitier, is an engineer taking on a teaching job until something better comes along. The plot is formulaic, but it is very well done, a female student becomes attracted to Thackeray and he must deal with the toughest student in the school. Eventually the students learn to respect Thackeray and themselves.

7. Dangerous Minds (1995)

Based on the true story of former Marine LouAnne Johnson, Dangerous Minds shows that at times the unconventional lesson does work. Michelle Pfeiffer does well enough in portraying LouAnne, but it is the source material that makes this movie so compelling. Educators are always looking for creative ways to reach students and this movie shows those struggles exactly.

6. The Principal (1987)

This particular film won’t make many top ten lists, but it holds a special place in my heart, I enjoy seeing a principal kick some student ass. James Belushi stars as Rick Latimer, a drunk-teacher-turned-principal, in one of the worst schools in his district. The student population has a survival first attitude, with learning a distant second. Latimer turns ups his first day and says, "No More", in hopes to end the drug use and violence that run rampant in the hallways.

5. Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)

This is a wonderful movie about a talented musician who's desire was to be a professional composer, but instead spends his life teaching students the joy of music. Richard Dreyfuss is wonderful as Mr. Holland, showing the struggles of a man who desires more for his life and doesn’t realize he has all that he needs. I relate more to this film than any other on this list, because I too am a teacher by chance.

4. Dead Poets Society (1989)

Numerous teachers, myself included, have desired to emulate Robin Williams' character in this flick, however we do not have screen writers or producers to assist us in our endeavors. I have tried using the line, “You may call me O’Captain, My Captain” in class, but the humor is usually lost on students who have not seen this film. Even though this movie wholly unrealistic, it is still one of the most inspiring teacher films of record, calling all of us to "Carpe Diem, Seize The Day."

3. Stand and Deliver (1988)

Stand and Deliver follows the true story of a math teacher in a predominately hispanic community and his efforts to turn the gang-bangers and no-hopers around through the use of math. This seems like one of the most unlikely stories, as I don’t know many people who enjoy math, but Jaime Escalante, portrayed by Edward James Olmos, uses math as his weapon of choice. Escalante helps the students pull such a fast 180 that he and his students are accused of cheating on the national AP Exam. I love this movie because it shows an uncompromising teacher, constantly raising his level of expectation for his students, without backing down.

2. Lean on Me (1989)

Morgan Freeman stars as Joe Clark, a tough principal tasked with raising test schools and improving overall academic performance at the worst high school, Eastside High, in Paterson, New Jersey. Clark uses unconventional methods to increase school pride and improve behavior in an effort to improve the schools test schools. He goes so far as to chain the doors of the building to keep the bad elements out, while keeping the good students safe.

1. Teachers (1984)

By most accounts Teachers should not be the best movie on this list, but in my opinion it contains more actual truths about education than any other film on the list or for that matter education film I’ve seen. Nick Nolte plays Alex Jurel, a teacher who has all but given up on the education system and his students. He decides to give it one last try, buck the system and teach. Jurel is surround by a group of teachers fighting over ditto machines, sleeping in class, and a gym teacher sleeping with students. For good measure an outpatient from a local mental hospital take a substitute job, dressing up as historical figures to teach his classes.

Bad Teacher Coming to a School Near You

As a teacher I have a soft spot for movies about teachers.  However, I'm afraid that Bad Teacher will "be epic fail", with some funny moments, but not enough to redem the movie as a whole.  With this movie coming up look for a two ten teacher films list soon, I mean who better than a teacher to pick'em.  Here is the trailer for Bad Teacher.

Staring: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, and Justin Timberlake.  Hits theathers June 24, 2011.

Cowboys and Aliens

I have always loved westerns and sci-fi movies, but usually when the two are combined it's a disaster, such was the terrible Wild Wild West.  I truly hope that with Jon Favreau, Daniel Craig, and Harrison Ford we will see major success this summer with Cowboys & Aliens.  This flick looks to have a lot of promise, but let's not get our hopes up too much, as they tend to be let down by Hollywood.

Don't forget, this movie also has the very beautiful Olivia Wilde.

Yes.

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The Hangover Part 2

"Sweetie, it's Papa.  Your friends are here."


The Hangover Part 2 was doomed before it hit theaters a couple of weeks ago.  Sequels never review as well as their predecessors.  Todd Phillips created a formula.  This formula was followed, almost to a fault.  It is a formula that should only work once, but has almost worked again.  


Hangover begins as the first one did, with Phil explaining that "it's happened" to Tracy on a cell phone.  The movie then cuts from Bangkok to America, where we learn that Stu is now engaged to Lauren and the wedding will be held in Thailand.  Understandably nervous about what may happen if there is a bachelor's party, Stu holds a "party" at an IHOP instead of the night before the wedding.  Stu, Phil, and Doug are reluctant to invite Alan, the reason for their last night of misadventure, but the formula would not be complete without him.  Once in Thailand the quartet decides that one beer on the beach would be enough of a party...  From this point the film falls far short of the expectations set by the original.


I believe one of the elements that made the original Hangover so magical was the way it caught everyone of guard.  It came from left field and leaving us all rolling on the floor.  The second installment should have had a similar effect.  The same director, writers, and actors should equal cinema gold.  However, like with so many sequels, this one falls prey of overselling and under-delivering.  I believe that if had not known about this film, we would have loved it.


This film is much darker, raunchier, and sadistic to the viewer than necessary.  There was never a point when I needed to know why they call it Bangkok (tranny hooker).  We see Mr. Chow naked, cut-off fingers, an international Mob Boss, the russian mob, people shot, and a shaved Alan.  All of these should make for an extremely funny flick, but some how they don't.  Zach Galifianakis is genius yet again, his dry, childish delivery is pure gold.  Ed Helms is steady in his role, a little over played this time, but steady.  Bradley Cooper is almost non-existent.


It's now been a few weeks since my first viewing and the humor in this film has begun to grow on me.  I will never get over the "this is why they call it Bangkok" scene, but I believe that once I've seen this movie again it will be in a better light, now that my expectations are on the floor.


I give this move one thumb up.  Why?  Because I have two thumbs, but it's only good enough for one.

Battle: Los Angeles

There are certain movies that I know from the first thirty seconds of a preview I will like, Battle: Los Angeles is no exception.  The movie starts of with stunning visuals and special effects, ending the same way.  The documentary style gives the film a real life quality not found in other more "polished" science fiction flicks, such as Independence Day.  

Director Jonathan Liebesman does not waste much time on back story, giving us just enough to know that our characters are real.  Beginning with news reports that an armada of historic proportions has begun an invasion in multiple countries, but soon we find ourselves 24 hours prior for character introductions.  We find Sgt. Michael Nantz running on the beach, only to be passed by the younger, faster Marines of his platoon.  Several more Marines are introduced in a similar manner, showing the audience their human side before the battle begins.

Sgt. Michael Nantz, played by Aaron Ekart, is tasked to help lead a small platoon into the alien territory to rescue some civilians trapped in a police station.  The platoon is lead by 2nd Lt.  William Martinez, who is fresh out of Officer Training School, into battle with no combat experience.  The platoon is later joined by Sgt. Elena Santos, played by Michelle Rodriguez, from the Air Force.

The special effects are top notch, with only a few instances that feel fake.  The camera doesn't spend much time on the aliens, which helps with the believability factor.  There is constant movement, giving the film a gritty documentary feel.  A lot of attention was given to the combat behavior of the Marines, from the way the hold their rifles to their calling out commands, it feels as though you are watching a real group of Marines fight an invading horde of aliens.

This movie has everything that one looks for in action sci-fi, big explosions, big special effects, guns, and more explosions.  

I give this movie two thumbs up.  Why because I have two thumbs and it was good.

Movie Dads My Dad Can Beat Up

Father's Day is right around the corner and it is a time of celebrating that fact that our Fathers are Men, manly men, but they don't wear tights, unless you're this kid's dad.

Every now and then I get to thinking, which can be dangerous, and what I've thought of is a list of ten movie dads that my dad and possibly your dad can beat up.  Now keep in mind the dads in this list are no slouches, well not all of them, they have had hard fought battles with their sons and daughters just like our dads.

10. George Newton from Beethoven

George Newton is famous for being the dad who couldn't say no the the big St. Bernard in this flick, my dad would have punched this dog in the face for being annoying.  He would have still taken care of the dog, but there would be no hijinks.  Newton does defeat the evil veterinarian at the end of the film, but he would still be no match for my dad, as well as yours.



9. Charlie Hinton from Daddy Day Care

Charlie Hinton was portrayed by the once funny Eddie Murphy, who might be funny again.  You could actually line up the entirety of Eddie Murphy's dad roles in this spot and each would loose.  Hinton is a guy who lost his job leaving him with only one option, start a day care.  Really?  This guy looses because Murphy used to play bad-ass characters, what happened?

8. Mr. Levenstein from American Pie

Mr. Levenstein, played by the genius Eugene Levy, makes the list because of the terrible advice that he offers his son.  While this advice makes for great movie humor, it is totally unrealistic for us real worlders.  Don't quote me on this, but he might be the only character that is in all of the American Pie films, which could either be a win or a loss.  My dad would have no trouble handling this guy and neither would yours.

7. Mr. Skolnick from Revenge of the Nerds

Mr. Skolnick, aka James Cromwell, is the epitome of nerdy dad.  He is famous for driving his nerd son and son's friend, Louis and Gilbert, to Adams college (Home of the Atoms) with the "old cruise control set to 35 mph" in the family station wagon.  Though he may be one of the physically weakest dads on my list, he is a nerd, therefore he is scrappy.  Nerds don't know when to give up a fight and he will keep coming for more, but my dad will keep knocking him down.

6. Wayne Szalinski from Honey I Shrunk the Kids

Wayne Szalinski, or as you may know him Rick Moranis, is also a nerdy father in this family comedy.  Szalinski builds a machine that shrinks his children, what a careless father, and he has to hunt the backyard with a magnify glass to find them.  It seems obvious to me that this is a no brainer win for most dads, this guy is short and usually hanging in a harness in his backyard, easy target.

5. All Three Dads from Three Men and a Baby

I know what you're thinking(well not really), but you should be thinking, "How can any one dad take on three dads!  Especially if these dads are Tom Selleck (still sporting the mustache), Ted Danson, and Steve Guttenberg (never heard of him?  Police Academy?)"  Well that's easy, it's three guys living together raising a baby, you've never heard of Steve Guttenberg, and my dad has a righteous beard, and beards beat mustaches every time.

4. Jack Byrnes from Meet the Parents

Robert De Niro plays Jack Byrnes, who is a former CIA operative, but if you knew that he would have to kill you.  Ben Stiller may be no match for Jack, but that's because the rental guy picked the color of his car, so he's no genius.   My dad is from East Texas, he grew up running around bare foot killing water moccasins and other deadly snakes.  I've seen my dad cut a fish hook out of his own finger with a knife, wash it off with lake water, and keep fishing.  My dad would milk him.

Ok, these next three movie dads are by far the most formidable competition that any real world dad would ever face.  Each can stand their own ground, but if they were to combine forces they would be almost unstoppable.  Together they would lay waste to the American landscape driving across the countryside in their Wagon Queen Family Truckster.

Be Afraid.

3. The Old Man from A Christmas Story

The Old Man is not someone to be trifled with, after all he did raise Ralphie.  This is a man who has faced real world trials and tribulation.  He is a man who craves turkey and curses while fixing his heater. He has to chase dogs from his yard on a regular basis.  He has two sons and a nagging wife.  The Old Man has experience.  And by all means don't mess with his major award, the leg.  Even with all of this experience I know that my dad could beat up The Old Man.

2. Clark Griswold from National Lampoon's Vacation

Clark Griswold is played by none other than Chevy Chase, who was so awesome he only needed one season of SNL to become a made man.  Griswold is a movie dad that has to deal with hot women in fast cars, kids changing in every movie, and a wife that doesn't support his family vacation ideas.  He has eaten a sandwich cover in dog urine, shut down the cities power grid with his Christmas lights, and is related to Cousin Eddie.  He would be tough to beat, but because of his own desire to over do everything he would loose.

1. Darth Vader from Star Wars

Yeah, he's still bad-ass.

Darth Vader has a leg up on all of the competition.  He is played by two actors, the guy in the suit and James Earl Jones.  The voice alone would be tough to beat.  This is a troubled man who is so blinded by his desire to conquer the galaxy he chops his own son's hand off.  He can wield the force, fly a tie fighter, block laser blasts with his hand, and use a light saber.  But because he wears a cape, a mask (he must have a blind spot), and a deep desire to be good my dad would win.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there.

Feel free to leave any Movie Dads your Dad could beat up in the comments.

Originally Published on Ballard's Blog.