Thursday Movie Picks: Teen Angst

This week's theme from Wandering Through the Shelves is something we all go through; teen angst. This also happens to be a topic I suggested when Wanderer was asking for them. Why did I suggest it? As a one time angsty teen, I find those characters the easiest to relate to at times. Here's three of my favorite movies where teen angst plays a part.

1) Thirteen


Tracey is the ultimate angsty teen. She's angry, she cuts herself, she does whatever her new friend Evie tells her so that she fits in, even if it means drinking, doing drugs and making out with strange dudes. I think this is the best movie about a rebellious teen out there. 

2) Short Term 12

Though Jayden is not the star of this film, her anger reminds Grace of her own youth, and she knows Jayden has a very good reason for being the way she is, and not one she's going to be willing to admit any time soon. 

3) Fish Tank

Mia is angry, really angry. Her only outlet is dancing and even that's not going to be enough to cope with the massive amount of shit she gets herself in. 

Comments

  1. I was an angsty teen myself so it's very easy for me to relate to those characters. I haven't seen any of your picks but they all seem interesting.

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  2. Great fits for the theme. Short Term 12 is in my queue but I haven't quite gotten to it yet, but I've heard wonderful things about it. The feedback on Fish Tank has been a bit more mixed but I'll get to it one of these days.

    While I thought the acting in Thirteen was very strong I hated that film so very much.

    I tried for a mix of comedy, drama and in the instance of my first, camp this week.

    Kitten with a Whip (1964)-After shivving a guard and trying to torch juvie hall, delinquent hellcat Jody (Ann-Margret) takes it on the lam roosting at the coop of rising politico David Patton (John Forsythe). Mad for a pad to lay low she puts the shine on him while throwing off lingo like "Why do you think you're such a smoky somethin' when you're nothin' painted blue?" Cool to her ridicule he gives her the gate. She splits but flies back to his igloo with two other hooligans and forces Dave to burn rubber down Tijuana way, it’s a bad scene though and they’re all slated for crashville. The tagline for this far-out opus? “She’s all out for Kicks…and every inch of her spells EXCITEMENT! She’s a real smoky kitten!” Its mad hipster crazy cool, baby!

    The Doom Generation (1995)-Two disconnected teenagers pick up sexy drifter Xavier, who radiates a savage vibe and who leads them down a path loaded with sex and violence. As they travel through a series of small towns a cloud of doom hangs over them which no matter how they try clings to them.

    Teen Wolf (1985)-Scott (Michael J. Fox) is a normal mopey teen mooning over a girl who doesn’t know he exists and playing on a losing basketball team. Then he begins to notice when he gets upset he starts to feel different. He father pulls him aside and shares something he’s kept from him. Surprise! He’s part werewolf. By letting his inner beast out he becomes popular, the girl notices him and the team starts winning but he has to control his anger or the wolf will take over. Silly but fun comedy is helped immeasurably by Fox’s charm in the lead.

    Honorable Mention-To Sir, with Love (1967)-Unable to find a job in his chosen profession American Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) accepts a position teaching a group of angry rebellious teens in Eastern London. Using somewhat unorthodox methods he confronts their initial jibes and defiance ultimately garnering their respect and helping them work through their angst.

    By the way love the new header!

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    1. Teen Wolf is a nice pick! I haven't seen the other two. Thank you! I'm in the Halloween spirit, that shot is from Trick r Treat.

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  3. FISH TANK!!!! Katie Jarvis is so good, and Michael Fassbender in that movie. I'm getting all hot and bothered just thinking about it. I love Thirteen, too, even though it's a bit OTT.

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    1. I didn't think Thirteen was OTT at all, I thought it was so accurate lol. Katie Jarvis was perfect in Fish Tank. I'm so glad they found her.

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  4. I haven't seen the first two movies but Fish Tank was amazing! Great picks!

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    1. Thank you! I hope you can see the first two one day.

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  5. I want to watch Fish Tank just for Fassbender.

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  6. Darn I still need to see Fish Tank, thankfully it's still on Netflix!

    When I saw the topic I immediately thought of the French film Girlhood (Bande de Files) which is about African-French teenagers in the not-so-glamorous Parisian suburbs. I was just recommending it to Dell, it was one of my fave films of last year.

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    1. I actually have that in my Netflix queue! I wasn't big on the title (since it had something else before iirc) but it looks good.

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  7. Super solid list...I've been WAITING for someone to include Thirteen, aka teen angst on steroids!

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    1. YES! I thought it would be used more than once today. I guess not. lol

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  8. Excellent picks! Thirteen (next to Rebel) is an ultimate teen angst film. After a few watches of it I couldn't watch it again. Katie Jarvis was born for this role - cast after she was seen arguing with her boyfriend at a train station. Brilliant!

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    1. I know! I loved that bit of trivia, that was so perfect.

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  9. 3 great films. One of which I own on DVD.

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    1. Thank you! I only own Thirteen, I should own all three.

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  10. As is the case....I have not seen any of these...hahahaaa. I would like to since I was a freaky geek in high school. It's funny with the first film about this mixed up gal who thinks she is being rebellious but is actually the opposite because she is trying to fit in...the opposite of a rebel even if she does all the bad shit. The shame of it is how many girls do harm themselves. I knew someone who did that but by burning herself. It was very sad.

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    1. Yeah, Tracy is exactly like that and pays a mighty price for it too :( Love that movie.

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  11. Short Term 12, wow. That's a whole boat load of angsty teens. Good movie, too. Still need to watch the other two, especially Thirteen.

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  12. I just saw the name of the post and KNEW Thirteen is gonna be here :)

    Man, did I hate Fish Tank and everything about it.

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    1. lol of course Thirteen would be here. :)

      Aww you hated Fish Tank? That sucks. lol

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  13. Nice picks! Fish Tank and Short Term 12 are so underrated. Brie Larson was so good. I wish Katie was in more films. I read she was up for a role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens but decided to focus on her family. Daisy was amazing but I wonder what she would've been like.

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    1. Katie is a natural, I hope she does more things in the future.

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  14. I've seen your 1st and 3rd pick. Short Term is definitely one I want to see, I have always heard great things.

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    1. I don't think I know anyone that dislikes Short Term 12. It's amazing.

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