Hey, guys.
And we’re right there; just two more days to go.
There’s certainly a lot we can say about “2,” but for today, let’s think more in terms of different ways to interpret the number. (Sure, we can even do so in a different language.)
Yeah, let’s talk of face-offs and showdowns and proving grounds – and of longshot underdogs who make us hold our breath and clench our fists and wish we could be there right alongside them.
In recent weeks, we’ve talked a little about the potentially awkward nature of high school, plus some of the anxiety that may often go with it.
And as for dramatizations of those sometimes difficult years, we’ve certainly seen a lot of them. Some of them are great. Others are largely forgettable. And well, a lot of others are just pretty godawful.
Every now and then, though, someone gets it right. And all due respect to the late, great John Hughes (of The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off fame), I think the following deserves a mention.
THREE O’CLOCK HIGH (1987)
Nice guy Jerry Mitchell (Casey Siemaszko) is having one of those days. Known around his Utah high school as an everyman of sorts, Jerry runs the student store and is also a contributing writer for The Titan, the school’s newspaper.
But on this particular day, the top story is that a student from a rival high school is due to matriculate in, and Jerry draws the short straw to show him around campus.
The transfer student, an angry behemoth named Buddy Revell (Richard Tyson), is clearly far worse than his reputation indicates. And soon, poor Jerry is suddenly facing a beat down (at Revell’s demand) at three o’clock in the school yard.
Jerry’s attempts to get himself kicked out of school before the bell strikes the dreaded 3pm hour are more than reason(s) enough to give this hidden gem a try.
And the highly-anticipated showdown at 3pm – with a clever homage to the Western classic High Noon – is something you don’t want to miss.
So, if you haven’t seen this clever take on life in the American high school, please visit Netflix or an alternate app.
See you tomorrow, gang.
And thank you all for riding shotgun with me along the way.
JFish