Rebel Without a Cause

So, before I get started I wanted to apologize for being a LAME BLOGGER. I truly apologize to those who are out there reading this somewhere - but I promise, I will start getting back to movie reviews which I was I am writing about today :)

So lately, I have been getting tired of the modern media. Everyone is just copying each other and I feel that films today (not all, but some) are taking a step backward rather than forward. But in some cases you do have to take a step backward to reach something that is ahead of you - and that is what I did. Going back to a time where soda shops were the place to be and not wearing a leather jacket made you beyond uncool.

Rebel Without a Cause is not only a great film from the 50's, it's reached iconic status. Thanks to the late, but great James Dean. I am in absolute love with this guy and he's been dead for over fifty years. I thought this was just going to be a little kick I would be on but it's become somewhat of an obsession. Not a bad one though at that. He's one of those few actors that you can't pry your eyes from - male or female. And once you sit down to watch this movie, you're in for a good treat. However, modern audiences may find this movie a little odd (and I did, too at first) but you get sucked right in. They don't make movies like they used to. And this film is a good example on why you need to go back and rediscover the classics.

Before Juno, Mean Girls, and the John Hughes movies, RWaC was the definitive teen film. For the first time, teen elements were brought into cinema and left an indelible mark on society. The story is rather simple - Jim Stark (Dean) is new in town. He's rebellious, insecure, and adorable and just looking for the right group of friends. Sounds rather cliche and even boring - but this was groundbreaking in 1955. It even introduced one of the first sympathetic gay characters which was unheard of during this time.

Whether you like him or not (and I want to meet this person who doesn't) James Dean is an icon. He only made three movies before he died and he is still referenced to this day. I would say that's pretty remarkable. It makes me sad that he died so young, but he will always be 24 - forever young. If you come across one of those nights where you are in dire need of a classic movie to break away from the mainstream, I highly recommend this one. You won't be disappointed!