While relaxing in our Week 40 pregnancy purgatory, Mrs Rodius and myself have been watching a lot of TV. Like ridiculous amounts. One of the movies we watched over the weekend was The Outsiders. Great fucking flick. Of course it helps that it had a kick ass S.E. Hinton book to guide it. But what is most amzing to me about the movie is the cast. I think most people would agree that no movie has ever spit out more A-List stars than The Outsiders.
Now you can choose to only look where some of these actors are now and maybe take issue with this. But that doesn’t change the fact that every one of them has had their time in the sun at some point. Check the list: Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon, Emilio Esteves, Diane Lane, C. Thomas Howell. Plus mother fuckin’ Leif Garrett. And if you really want to stretch it, Sofia Coppola was one of the little kids in it.
What movie can ever compare to that cast? Simply put… None. However I want to throw two movies out there that can perhaps battle it out for second place.
Dazed and Confused- Released 10 years after The Outsiders this movie launched the careers of a new breed of Hollywood. This movie gave us A-List names like Ben Affleck, Mathew McConaughey and Rene Zellwegger. It also produced solid actors that you know from countless different projects like Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element), Adam Goldberg (Saving Pvt. Ryan), Cole Hauser (Good Will Hunting), Joey Lauren Adams (Chasing Amy) and Rory Cochrane (CSI: Miami).
10 Things I Hate About You- Now stick with me here. I know that outside Heath Ledger you could make the case that there is no other “A-List” celebrity here, but I think the actors around him have had great success. Julia Stiles has had plenty of turns as the lead actress in feature films and there may not be a hotter actor in Hollywood right now than Joseph Gordon-Levitt after his performance in 500 Days Of Summer. This movie also boasts David Krumholtz (NUMB3RS), and Gabrielle Union (Bring It On).
Other movies I would put in consideration: Can’t Hardly Wait, Empire Records and Swingers.
So what movies did I miss? Why am I crazy for picking these ones? Do you agree or am I full of crap?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Dude, I totally LOVE this post. You picked some great movies and I can’t argue with your #1. It made me instantly go look up to see if The Breakfast Club and Red Dawn came out before The Outsiders. Alas, you win…
I have two humble offerings. The first is Reservoir Dogs. Not that the actors were necessarily young but just inconsequential in Hollywood. Since then, the rise of Steve Buscemi in acting, writing and directing. Harvey Keitel had already been around for awhile but this propelled his acting career full speed ahead for the next 20 years. Tim Roth has one of my favorite shows on Fox in “Lie to Me.” Add Michael Madsen and Chris Penn as perennial supporting role characters since then.
And let’s not forget the biggest…Mr Quentin Tarantino himself…over $430,000,000 in ticket sales for his movies since then.
My second nomination isn’t actually a movie but a one season failed television series. Freaks and Geeks. Produced by Judd Apatow, starring Seth Rogan, Jason Segel, James Franco and Busy Phillips. Check out the $$$ in the movies and tv shows that those five have been in over the last decade since the show ended.
Of course, I could go for the obvious: The Godfather. Brando was already a legend but then we got James Caan, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire and Abe Vigoda. Add in some Bobby D for Part II and this was one hell of an introduction to Hollywood prime time for some very excellent actors.
A Bridge Too Far.
Game Over.
I can’t think of any off hand but now I want to see all these other recommended movies. The Outsiders was a great flick.
OMG!!! If you knew me, I mean REALLY knew me, you would know that THE OUTSIDERS is my ALL time FAV!!! I mean SERIOUSLY!!! Look at that cast!!! =) Hands down, we are on the EXACT same page here my friend! If Erik would have let me, Nathan’s name would really be Soda Pop Hinson =)
JRod, you are right on!
TJ, Taller, yes, you all, said it. You have it covered.
And, this coming from a, out of touch, ol Fart. Good work.
Peace.