Back-to-school movies

MANILA, Philippines – Yes, they’re back! Dear teachers, thick books, countless assignments, new classmates and all other memorable events that happen whenever it’s school year. It may not always be a bright-sunshine day in school, but that’s part of the learning process. Movies about school-life somehow help students handle pressures and just enjoy life. For the graduates and career people, it is always fun to look back. Here are some back-to-school movies to watch:

High School Musical. Start the school year by bringing in music to your school. Let Troy (Zac Efron), Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) and the gang give you tips on how to make your school a fun and exciting learning environment through music. Sing-along and show your talents.

Clueless. This is about a group of elite high school students about to show viewers that being rich doesn’t excuse them from normal teenage problems. They go to school, take exams, do projects, get rejected and hurdle all other challenges that teenagers undergo. What’s ironic is they still feel bored. 

Mean Girls. In school, there are always mean boys and girls.This is about Cady (Lindsay Lohan), who was home-schooled throughout her life but is now trying to fit into her new school. This time it’s different for her. She needs to deal with classmates and teachers. Cady helps out her bullied new friends by joining “The Plastics,” the mean girls of the school. Is this a good idea? Or will the school’s mean girls influence Cady? 

With Honors. Everything is set for Monty (Brendan Fraser). With his thesis almost complete, he expects to graduate with honors. Problem arises when his thesis paper is taken hostage by a homeless man. The deal: For every living accommodation Monty provides, a page of the thesis will be returned. This seems ridiculous but it did happen to Monty.

Twilight. Be careful whom you make friends with. The novel-turned-movie is about a new girl in school who befriends and eventually falls for her weird male classmate. When the guy’s true identity of being a vampire is revealed, everything is still fine; but there are some vampires who just can’t seem to accept humans as friends.      

Toy Soldiers. The 1991 action movie is about an all-boys boarding school taken over by a group of terrorists. To protect themselves from the terrorists, a group of naughty and brave students hatches a plan to fight back. Will the students be successful or is it a wrong move?

First Daughter. The President’s daughter is going to college. It’s a big thing for the family, for the daughter herself and so as for the public. Imagine, going to school with bodyguards, cameras all over and falling in love with a classmate who is an undercover agent? The movie shows how a not-so-ordinary student survives the situation.  

Princess Diaries. An ordinary school girl is told that she is a true princess and heir to a throne. Now, going to school or anywhere will never be the same again. She has a bodyguard, a different lifestyle, a limousine to go to school, and paparazzi surround her. How will she cope with being an instant princess?   

Urban Legend. This is for college students with a nose for suspense. A series of murders has occurred in school. One student believes the murders are connected with urban legends. Will the school ever be safe again? Or will it forever live with urban legends?

Harry Potter (original and sequels). Join Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson), Ron (Rupert Grint) and other students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as they learn about magic and secrets. They are in a special school, but it doesn’t exempt them from what ordinary students experience.