IMQ #32 - People in Film - Favorite Movie Villain

[Chaplin]

He's a great one, as is Greg from the rival frat.

I thought about Greg, or even Niedermeyer...

 

[puckhead]

How about Dean Wormer - Animal House?

"Zero, point, zero."

 

[MadCardDisease]

Michael Madson - Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs

 

[AzStevenCal]

Robert Duvall in The Natural.

 

[NJCardFan]

Bender's character was able to grow in the span of one Saturday and became accepting of a relationship he would have never dreamed of before that day. He also brought down the walls he had been forming his entire life up to that point and began to realize that they each had their own battles to fight and prejudices to overcome.

Vernon was ~30 years their senior and still maintained all the preconceived notions about every kid in the school whether they be positive or negative. That's not to mention his little visit to the archives and threat to physically harm a student. The kids all came out of detention a little wiser and we saw none of that in Vernon's character.

Bender embarrassed Vernon in front of the other students and got off on destroying property. By all accounts Bender was a jealous little brat who's only escape was to make himself feel better by ripping on the other kids. I doubt he ended up changing. Perhaps if they made the planned sequel but you aren't ever going to sell me on Bender somehow doing a 180. I actually agree with Vernon on his assessment of Bender in 5 years. Also, I disagree with you on that Vernon has the same preconceived notions about kids. He said it himself that over the years the kids had become more and more arrogant. I saw it myself. Kids were more respectful of teachers in the 70's and early 80's but now you have kids taking swipes at teachers.

 

[puckhead]

Bender embarrassed Vernon in front of the other students and got off on destroying property. By all accounts Bender was a jealous little brat who's only escape was to make himself feel better by ripping on the other kids. I doubt he ended up changing. Perhaps if they made the planned sequel but you aren't ever going to sell me on Bender somehow doing a 180. I actually agree with Vernon on his assessment of Bender in 5 years. Also, I disagree with you on that Vernon has the same preconceived notions about kids. He said it himself that over the years the kids had become more and more arrogant. I saw it myself. Kids were more respectful of teachers in the 70's and early 80's but now you have kids taking swipes at teachers.

Let's keep in mind who the adult is supposed to be in this situation. Bender was a troubled kid with crap parents. Crap parents were a recurring theme here with all the kids in detention. Bender acted out and that's not ok. Maybe he went back to his criminal/punk behavior or maybe not. But he did learn something about himself and his peers that day.

Perhaps someone who chooses to be a high school principal could make some efforts to teach or inspire the students instead of determining that their futures are predestined based on a sample of behavior in high school. None of Bender's behavior justified Vernon's threats of violence or his viewing of the personal files.

In the 50's and 60's students were much more behaved in school because the parents would likely beat, or at minimum make the kids' lives hell if they acted out in school. In the era that this movie was made it was obvious that an underlying theme was that the parents were either checked out, overbearing or trying to live vicariously through their kid. None of those parenting styles are in the best interest of their kids growing up to be confident, productive members of society. Over the years you mention, it has only gotten worse on the parenting end in my view and lo and behold, kids are acting out in more and more disturbing ways.

What I liked the most about the movie was that despite all of the adults in their lives, these students were discovering important things about life anyway. By spending that day together, they were able to find common ground, get out of their comfort zones, and realize that they have some control over their lives just by changing their perspectives about themselves and the people around them. That is how most of us have to eventually find our way in this crazy world.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Perhaps someone who chooses to be a high school principal could make some efforts to teach or inspire the students instead of determining that their futures are predestined based on a sample of behavior in high school.

I've seen Breakfast Club a number of times, I guess I'm going to have to watch it once more. You all keep calling Vernon the Principal and I always thought he was just a jaded and arrogant teacher?

 

[oaken1]

Villains...

Joaquin Phoenix as commodus

Sammy Jackson as Mr Glass

Hannibal

 

[Cheesebeef]

Villains...

Joaquin Phoenix as commodus

Sammy Jackson as Mr Glass

Hannibal

Mr. Glass was a really good villain.

 

[puckhead]

I've seen Breakfast Club a number of times, I guess I'm going to have to watch it once more. You all keep calling Vernon the Principal and I always thought he was just a jaded and arrogant teacher?

Actually, he may be the assistant principal.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Actually, he may be the assistant principal.

Like I said, I need to watch it again. I'm not correcting anyone here. He may well be the Principal (or the A/P) , I just didn't recall it that way. Plus, it's been quite awhile since I watched it so I'm due for a trip to detention anyway.

 

[puckhead]

Like I said, I need to watch it again. I'm not correcting anyone here. He may well be the Principal (or the A/P) , I just didn't recall it that way. Plus, it's been quite awhile since I watched it so I'm due for a trip to detention anyway.

It's one of those movies that I'll watch anytime I see it in the guide. I can recite most of the lines at this point.