Kendra Brea Cooper
For most of us, learning lessons and coming of age was a painstaking process. Luckily we have these teen flicks that mash up time and space to remind us that angst is always easy in Hollywood.
Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel not only to defend himself but to get back up when he’s been knocked down. A life lesson we can all learn from. This montage has Daniel fighting back in a tournament that almost gets the best of him. Miyagi reminds us that the strength of the mind is as important as the strength of the body.
A loosely adapted version of Jane Austen’s “Emma”, Clueless is a hilarious teen movie about a well meaning rich girl named Cher. Residing in Beverly Hills, this privileged teen happily skips through life while trying to help others. In this montage she is giving the new girl a makeover. Cher forgets that sometimes people are happy the way they are. It’s also a perfect montage of 90s teen fashion.
Clips of some dance, some rain, and some Patrick Swayze in a leather jacket. Do we need anything else in a montage? Baby gets dance lift lessons in the woods and the water. She's a lucky girl.Swayze’s moves and Grey’s nervous laughter are part of our own teen memories. This is probably because most of us have seen it over a dozen times.
Teaching someone to dance is no easy feat, especially when it’s frowned upon by the older community. Good thing we have this Footloose montage to show us how it’s done in a few minutes. Ren teaches Willard some rhythm and fancy footwork. Who knew farmland could be turned into such a stylish dance floor?
Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron are contemplating life and teen angst in the Art Institute of Chicago. When Cameron stares at a piece of art it's clear that he's having a deep and thoughtful moment. In an article in the Washington Post John Hughes explained that he wanted to use the art as a reflection of the feelings when coming of age.
Pop culture and all that ideology sitting in the blind spot. Also crafts.
