16 Movies I Will Watch With my Teenage Daughter & Son!

In no particular order, all of these are teen appropriate and a must see for the ultimate teen experience!

Sixteen Candles - A young girl's "sweet sixteenth" birthday becomes anything but special as she suffers from every embarrassment.I remember Jake Ryan as the perfect teen guy! The use of bo-hunk is hilarious, and don't forget about the church organist retaining water and the big (or littel) panty reveal! A classic for all teen girls!

Mean Girls - Cady Heron is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George. With Rachel McAdams as the 'mean girl' and Lindsey Lohan as the 'innocent' how can you resist this work of fate? A cult classic by far, Mean Girls is a life lesson.

Grease - Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance? How else is your teen daughter gonna learn how to sing in high school. This classic pre-cursor to the Disney version has bad words and everything! Your teen will know all the words to Summer Lovin by the very end!

The Breakfast Club - Five high school students, all different stereotypes, meet in detention, where they pour their hearts out to each other, and discover how they have a lot more in common than they thought. A diary of the high school clique and teen angst, this is a roller-coaster ride that has real value. I great movie to break into that whole 'lets talk about drugs, safe, sex, crappy grades and well how high school sucks for everyone-- a must have date with your teen!

Freaky Friday - An overworked mother and her daughter do not get along. When they switch bodies, each is forced to adapt to the other's life for one freaky Friday.Sometimes I truly wish this could happen, that my daughter could walk a mile in my shoes. The Hollywood version will have to do!

Clueless - A rich high school student tries to boost a new pupil's popularity, but reckons without affairs of the heart getting in the way. So Adorbs! A class act and totally meant for parent-daughter bonding. You may not have known this, but Clueless is a retelling of Jane Austin's classic, Emma.

Saved! - When a girl attending a Christian high school becomes pregnant,

she finds herself ostracized and demonized, as all of her former friends turn on her.Definitely a good one to watch together this down-to-earth film tackles religious bigotry, teens discovering their place in the world and how difficult the real world can be. Sounds like a downer but is a great film along the lines of Juno. 

Easy-A - A clean-cut high school student relies on the school's rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing. Laugh out loud funny, with a great supporting cast the topics are worth watching together and the film does a good job of coming full circle.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off - A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite what the principal thinks of that. What can I say I am a child of the 80's and this is a must see!! What kid doesn't want the perfect day off and while certain parts may 'date' the film the concept is still solid great entertainment. 

Scream -  Attempting to cope with her mother's murder, Sydney and her horror movie-obsessed friends are stalked by a murderer who seems to have a hard time letting the past go. Teens are starting to get into horror films, and they are still great date movies. Scream is a funny break in to the real thing. Still fun to watch with popcorn even if it is corny.

10 Things I Hate About You - A new kid must find a guy to date the meanest girl in school, the older sister of the girl he has a crush on, who cannot date until her older sister does. This is a Hollywood adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew' and an instant classic. 

Bend it Like Beckham - The daughter of orthodox Sikh rebels against her parents' traditionalism by

running off to Germany with a football team (soccer in America). This is a great film about family expectations, personal goals, friendship and finding your passion. A wonderful film I highly recommend!

Never Been Kissed - A journalist enrolls in her old high school as part of her research for a story. This is a sweet film about high school regrets and making the most of the years ahead. It is also about having confidence in yourself and that high school does end...really...it does.

Cry Baby - In 1950s Baltimore, a bad-boy with a heart of gold wins the love of a good-girl, whose boyfriend sets out for revenge. Another teen musical, but seriously a riot and loads of fun!

Bring It On - A champion high school cheerleading squad discovers its previous captain stole all their best routines from an inner-city school and must scramble to compete at this year's championships. Full of spunk, fun, dancing and team spirit this a great departure from the normal teen flick with all of the angst and drama included.

Hairspray - Pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show. The remake of the cult classic is a joy to watch. Great messages about what used to be and how change happened gradually. Watch for awesome fun and John Travolta as Tray's Mom!! 

So obviously this is NOT a definitive list, so tell me what I missed! I LOVE to hear from my readers, chime in and be heard!

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Awesome Excerpt Thursday - Stricken by V.J. Allison

Stricken

Book 1 of The Feathered Tartan Series

Love deserves a second chance.

Ewan Campbell once thought he had it all – he was a rising star in the real estate field, popular with his peers, and engaged to his employer’s cousin, the shy and quiet little Marti Marlowe.

A heartbeat later, he was alone – shattered, confused and suicidal. Why had Marti walked away from him?

Years later, in another place, and a new chapter of Ewan’s life, fate brings them face to face again. 

They start building a friendship, but Ewan wants more. He wants Marti as his wife, and she seems to prefer their current status as friends.

Can he convince her that taking another chance at their failed future will be the start of the best part of their lives?

Excerpt from Chapter 3

The tan door was ajar, and he could see the blue and cream tile turned into a soft blue carpet at the threshold of the office. With a hope Kara was wrong, Ewan glanced around quickly, but a movement to his right drew his attention.

Marti’s back was to him as she rooted around in a file cabinet drawer and shook her head periodically. Her outfit was professional, from the roll of hair in a French twist at the back of her head, to the black skirt suit with brown pinstripes, and the suede two-inch heeled shoes on her feet.

As he tapped his fingers on the doorjamb, a vision of her wearing nothing but one of his t-shirts and a solitaire engagement ring flashed through his mind. 

“Yes?” Her voice was distant, cool and polite.

“Dr. Brown said you were in.”

Her back stiffened as he spoke to her without an audience for the first time in years. “I have no clue why you would want to see me,” she replied and dug a folder out of the drawer.

A soft sigh of exasperation came out of his throat as he entered the office and stopped halfway between the doorway and her desk. “I owe you an apology.”

“For what?”

“Saturday night. Shannon treated you like dirt, and—”

“I’ve dealt with people like her before and it hasn’t killed me yet.”

“That doesn’t excuse it – hell.” Ewan rubbed a hand down his face as he tried to find the right way to express himself.

“Maybe that will teach you not to take someone like her around your friends and coworkers.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s your life and your choice. If you want to go dumpster diving, that’s your business, but if I were you, I’d be careful on what I brought home.” She flipped a page in the file. “I have a meeting in less than an hour, and I’d like to be fully prepared for it, so if you don’t mind...”

“Look, I know this isn’t the ideal situation, but can’t we at least try to make an effort, for everyone’s best interest?”

So he wouldn’t look at her, he glanced around the room, and his gaze finally landed on a picture frame in her bookcase. An unwelcome, searing bolt of jealousy zoomed up his spine when he saw it was a photo of her and a man with their arms around each other.

His eyes moved to the large windows facing Citadel Hill, and locked with hers via the reflection. A sense of it being similar to the way they had stared at each other on their first date at the Fisheries Museum in Lunenburg rang in his mind.

Like that day, almost nine years ago, Marti was the one to break eye contact.

“How are we going to do that?” she asked.

“I don’t know, but unless we try, Kara and Dennis are going to chalk it up to something big, and from what I’ve heard, you’re not open about your past.”

“That’s my life and my choice, isn’t it?”

Ewan sighed and raked a hand through his hair as he took a step toward her. When she stiffened, he stopped and shoved his hands into his coat pockets.

“Dr. Lewis – Marti…” He let out a long breath. “I am sorry about invading your life. If I had known you were living here, I wouldn’t have taken the promotion, and told Miranda I was moving on.”

“Some things are beyond our control or knowledge. Halifax is a big place. I’m sure you and I can avoid being in the same area at the same time as much as possible.” With a shrug, Marti turned to face him.

As her cool and detached gaze met his, Ewan nodded, and his stomach dropped as the full impact of her calm and professional air hit him.

What was I thinking when I thought that maybe...?

Hell.

The girl he knew was gone, replaced by this cool, sophisticated, and distant woman.

“Okay,” he murmured, and wondered why he felt as if his heart had been ripped out again.

Marti’s expression softened as she held up the file. “I’m not chasing you out because – I really do have a meeting, and I’d better get moving if I want to be ready for it.”

Ewan nodded and moved his gaze to a spot on the carpet. “Yeah.” With a final nod, he turned and walked out of her office, not understanding the heavy feeling around him.

* * * *

Marti’s eyes lingered on the doorway long after Ewan left, an odd feeling in her stomach, and guilt nibbling at her spine.

Why did he apologize for Saturday? I know he had nothing to do with her nastiness, and I won’t hold it against him.

Was he apologizing for telling her to leave me alone?

That was nixed before it fully formed. Ewan always stuck up for someone being treated like dirt, even if it was someone he didn’t know.

At least he’s looking more like himself. Saturday was a disaster. Sure, it sounded like him, even if his accent has more South Shore qualities to it, but around her, he looked...

She sighed when the right description came to her.

Cheap.

Still, it’s no surprise that a spoiled brat like Shannon would demand to be on the arm of a man who looks like him.

Ewan’s dark good looks, from a heritage of First Nations mixed with a little Scots blood, combined with his easy smile, laid-back personality, and his own success made a dashing figure.

Years ago, all it had taken was one of his half grins and a joke about the shy ones being the most reckless to get her to fall in love with him.

Hearing him say her name had sent a sting of pain into her heart. There had been a soft plea behind it, just like the one he had tossed out the day before Cindy’s wedding, right after –

Marti’s eyes banged shut as the guilt over her actions that day and the year before it rose in her throat.

Aw, hell...

“Hey Marti, are you ready?”

Her feet lifted two inches off the carpet and her eyes flew open to see Lucy staring at her.

“Yeah, I am. Let’s do this.” With a soft smile, she turned back toward her present, and locked away any thoughts of Ewan.

* * * *

Stricken: Available at eXtasy Books and e-book retailers worldwide.

Available as a Print on Demand paperback from Amazon.

Stricken’s Facebook Page

About V.J. Allison:

V.J. Allison was born and raised in southern Nova Scotia, Canada, and her work reflects her strong Maritime roots. She is a stay at home mother to a son on the autism spectrum, married to the love of her life, and “mama” to a rescued Maine Coon named Marnie.

She has been writing various stories of novel length and short stories since her school days, and sees writing as a vital component to her life. 

When she isn’t writing, she loves to read romance and science fiction novels (notably Star Wars); listen to music (heavy metal, rock, alternative); watch various crime and forensic dramas (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation); watch science fiction television shows and movies; and spend time with her large family and many friends.

Advocate:

This self-proclaimed geeky rocker chick is an advocate and a warrior for various chronic illnesses including Occipital Neuralgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Diabetes, Migraines, and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia. She is also an advocate for the prevention of animal cruelty, and she is a voice for Autism Awareness.

Website – eXtasy Books (profile) – Twitter – Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed (Blog) – Goodreads – Facebook Profile – Facebook Page – Romancing The Maritimes

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Whatcha Watchin' Wednesday ~ Television A to Z - Awesome A's Part Three!

So this is my version of the A to Z Challenge Television Style. I am listing the shows having the biggest impact on me, not necessarily the best shows in each category. I thought they were the best when I was watching them. 

See the whole list of A's Here!

Avatar – The Last Airbender (2005-2008)

In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.

Stars: Dee Bradley Baker, Zach Tyler, Mae Whitman

So this is not an error, yes, this is a cartoon, animation. And if you question why it is on the list you have never seen the series (obviously). With the exception of a horrible attempt at a movie adaptation, this is pretty close to a perfect series. My whole family enjoys watching these repeatedly. The story is active, thought-provoking and timeless, the characters original, heartfelt and many times more human than live action actors. I simply cannot say enough about this groundbreaking series. It showed exclusively on Nickelodeon and can be watched by any age group. If you have not watched it, do it. Now. Seriously. Now.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (2013-Present)

After the Battle of New York, the world has changed. It now knows not only about the Avengers, but also the powerful menaces that require those superheroes and more to face them. In response, Phil Coulson of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division assembles an elite covert team to find and deal with these threats wherever found. With the world rapidly becoming more bizarre and dangerous than ever before as the supervillains arise, these agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. are ready to take them on. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

Stars: Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton

I have to give kudos to Marvel for the success of this show. While some of the characters annoy me, I will watch for the rest of them, especially Agent Coulson. Started off a little slow but has steadily picked up speed over the past two years. With exciting storylines and crossovers into the movies, (take note DC) Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D is good old-fashioned fun. (and yes I HAD to spell out S.H.I.E.L.D. correctly, or my son would have scolded me relentlessly!)

Agent Carter (2015-2016)

In 1946, Peggy Carter returned to secretarial duties in the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR), despite her pivotal role if the fight against Hydra. Accused of treason, the famed Howard Stark secretly recruits Peggy to clear his name with the help of his butler, Edwin Jarvis.

Stars: Hayley Atwell, James D'Arcy, Enver Gjokaj

I didn’t see the original Captain America movie until after I watched Peggy Carter. The attraction and hook of this show are simple – Hayley Atwell.  She is such a brilliant and talented actress. I enjoyed watching her muck it up and prove the big boys wrong week after week.  So sad when the series ended, but I had fun while it lasted!

 
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Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!





Come Find Me!

Don't have a Kindle, no problem. I've got you covered! Read eBooks on your phone, tablet and computer no Kindle Needed!