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Teens on the Screen
Escape to Your Reality
By Melissa J. Algranati, staff writer
A great escape. A perfect way to socialize. A winning venue for a first date. What better way to have a few laughs and feel "understood" than hanging out with your friends at a great teen movie?
The Essentials
Ah, the teen movie. Why do we love them so much? It's a slice of teen life—usually over-the-top. No matter how wacky the movie, a piece of it always seems to relate to your own experiences. The recipe for a great teen movie is pretty simple:
- A "Cinderella" boy-girl moment (the kind that makes you think, "Awwww, I wish someone would do that for me!").
- Real-life drama (you have seen it happen, or can easily imagine it happening).
- A "happily ever after" ending
- Some eye candy. Who doesn't want something cute to look at; it can make a boring movie seem worthwhile.
- A rockin' soundtrack that you just have to run out and buy, featuring music that can get you through any situation that life throws your way.
Movies That Are So You
There's always that one film that makes you think, "They wrote a movie about me!" See what teens are saying their "my life" movies are.
"Bend It Like Beckham is that movie. It contains so many elements of real teen life: family issues, social difficulties, boy/girl problems, body image, peer pressure, the need to excel. Plus, I'm Indian (like Jess, the main character), so I can relate to the whole cultural-heritage aspect too."
— Lipica, 17
"10 Things I Hate About You is the ultimate teen movie. It best describes my life because I feel like Kat, the main character. I am the smartest girl around and am constantly surrounded by lesser human beings. I'm just kidding, but my friends and I are always saying lines from this movie and wishing our lives were like the teens in the movie. We especially wish we had their cars!"
— Hannah, 18
"Never Been Kissed is a reflection of teen life because it shows all the teen-age drama. It's probably one of the more realistic teen movies out there, if you take out the whole idea of going undercover as a student in high school and finding your true love who just so happens to give you your first kiss."
— Meghan, 17
"Never Been Kissed is my favorite teen movie. Until recently, I never had the best of luck with guys and I finally got my first kiss after waiting for that one guy. It deals with the dramas of high school, like popularity and cliques, pressure from family and friends and prom drama."
— Jennie, 17
Whether it's the humor, the drama, or the heartache, teen movies get us to cough up the dough every time. A great movie is often measured by the fact that no matter how many times you've seen it, you will watch it again and again. You find yourself quoting the movie in conversation or making references to it when trying to explain what's going on in your life to your friends. These flicks provide an escape, and occasionally the "Aha!" we need to get through the ups and downs of life.
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