american teen
I hated high school.
It just wasn't for me. I think I'm too much of a non-conformist. As a result, I got made fun of and usually ate lunch at a table by myself, with a book to help pass the 25 minutes. I dated the choir dork (with a voice like a sick mule) and the Star Trek geek (you don't even understand--he wore Star Trek t-shirts to school every day). I did exceptionally well in my classes without really trying, which also added to my social troubles. And I was chubby. So, not a fun four years.
Watching American Teen last weekend was like sitting in the visitors' SUV at Jurassic Park if all had gone well. You sit in the comfort of your protected environment, watch the Tyrannosaurus munch on the goat, you feel a bit of empathy for the goat, but then you also thank your lucky stars that the T-Rex's paddock is electrified.
I remained in the (relative) comfort of Uptown Theatre, watching the carnage (the Tyrannosaurus in this case is blonde, athletic, and goes by the name of Megan Krizmanich), and remembered. The movie depicts a world just like mine 15-odd years ago, sans the texting, instant messaging, and other scary new ways kids can hurt each other.
American Teen's realism is startling, but it's also a very entertaining documentary. I found myself rooting for these adolescent underdogs at least as much as I did for The King of Kong. Oh yeah, and the soundtrack kicks ass. Definitely worth seeing.
It just wasn't for me. I think I'm too much of a non-conformist. As a result, I got made fun of and usually ate lunch at a table by myself, with a book to help pass the 25 minutes. I dated the choir dork (with a voice like a sick mule) and the Star Trek geek (you don't even understand--he wore Star Trek t-shirts to school every day). I did exceptionally well in my classes without really trying, which also added to my social troubles. And I was chubby. So, not a fun four years.Watching American Teen last weekend was like sitting in the visitors' SUV at Jurassic Park if all had gone well. You sit in the comfort of your protected environment, watch the Tyrannosaurus munch on the goat, you feel a bit of empathy for the goat, but then you also thank your lucky stars that the T-Rex's paddock is electrified.
I remained in the (relative) comfort of Uptown Theatre, watching the carnage (the Tyrannosaurus in this case is blonde, athletic, and goes by the name of Megan Krizmanich), and remembered. The movie depicts a world just like mine 15-odd years ago, sans the texting, instant messaging, and other scary new ways kids can hurt each other.
I would so have been friends with Hannah Bailey in real life.
American Teen's realism is startling, but it's also a very entertaining documentary. I found myself rooting for these adolescent underdogs at least as much as I did for The King of Kong. Oh yeah, and the soundtrack kicks ass. Definitely worth seeing.
August 8, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Haha, the Jurassic Park analogy is the best I've heard by far!
I wasn't any of those main characters in AT, either, but found myself relating to a lot of their experiences.
By the way, Nick Plowman has the soundtrack linked. Dunno if it works.
August 8, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Thanks, Daniel. I'm just so glad I never have to go back. Staying in the SUV.
August 8, 2008 at 9:06 PM
I'm ready to see this. Nice job of relating it to yourself. Is the Star Trek geek rich yet?
August 8, 2008 at 10:00 PM
I went to a nerd high school (a magnet school for science and mathematics where a few years worth of computer progamming is required to graduate), so I never had to worry about fitting in. If you had a Star Trek shirt on everyday of high school, you'd still find you had a healthy social experience. Although personally, I preferred to hang out with the Star Wars types.
August 9, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Soundtrack works my friend, that's where I got it :)
I'm still suffering through high school, and I say suffering because I am different, I am a rebel, I have hopes and dreams and am just SO over high school. But I do want to see "American Teen" ASAP, same goes for "The King of Kong."
August 12, 2008 at 5:19 PM
you dated David the Pawk?
I hear ya, kid....my four weren't fun either, but hopefully I spared you the violence I dodged every day in mine. Glad we both survived. You turned out awesome and I'm proud of you. *hugs*
August 12, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Oh, Fletch...no, neither of them got rich. I think they both shovel cow shit on dairy farms for a living now. My kid dodged TWO bullets *lol*
August 12, 2008 at 5:33 PM
"I hear ya, kid....my four weren't fun either, but hopefully I spared you the violence I dodged every day in mine. Glad we both survived. You turned out awesome and I'm proud of you. *hugs*"
I think this is the best comment you've had on here, Nayana. Awww. :)
And as for the shit-shovelers...ouch.
August 13, 2008 at 12:21 AM
I loved high school but I definitely realize that I am probably in the minority of non-assholes who can say that.
One of my favorite film moments actually comes from Bowling for Columbine where Matt Stone says that he wishes he could have told the killers that high school isn't as big a deal as it seems while your in it. So true.
Nowadays, high school and what happened back in those days doesn't really matter. Every super-important text message/fight/joke these kids are involved in will evaporate into time just like the ones I was a part of.