Dad Jeremy Barnes of Thirsty Daddy thinks teens watching movies on Halloween is a good thing. Here are his top five recommendations that give a little substance to their scares.
—
Every old man thinks that their generation of teenagers are the worst ever, and I’m no different. The difference is that I am right and they were wrong. These kids today are rude, disrespectful, and narcissistic. They pierce weird places and dress funny. My parachute pants may have had a day-glo stripe down the side to match my shirt, but at least they covered my ass.
Worst of all, they have no fear of anything. I grew up in the time of AIDS and crack epidemics. The threat of Soviet invasion hung over our heads at all times. For most of today’s teenagers, a dead cell battery is the worst thing that they can expect to happen on any given day.
We all know they won’t listen to us, so I’ve put together a list of movies to recommend they watch this Halloween season. A little trick to put some fear into these kids for once.
- The Terminator. Forget the sequels, 1984’s original Terminator still stands up as an extremely creepy movie. What’s worse is that it’s happening as we speak. Has anybody seen the new IBM commercial where a weird blue computer has a discussion with Bob Dylan? Computers are becoming self aware. Beware that cell phone that rules your life. Its going to turn against you one day.
- Gremlins. I’m told constantly that my rules are stupid and make no sense. In this movie Billy didn’t think it was important to listen to rules that he didn’t understand either. By the end he was wishing that he had just done as he was so reasonably asked.
- The Day After. This is still the highest rated made for television film in history. I was nine when it first aired, and like most of my friends, was allowed to stay up past my bedtime to watch it. The following day it was discussed at schools around the country. This generation has been at war in the Middle East their entire lives, but seem to think that it is something going on “over there.” It’s weird to think that they were small children during the 9/11 attacks and have no recollection of that feeling. A reminder for those reaching voting age that this next presidential election shouldn’t be looked at like a reality show joke, all appearances to the contrary.
- Fatal Attraction. Tinder, Zoosk, OKCupid, FarmersOnly.com. Hooking up has never been easier or as socially acceptable than it is today. This movie is a good reminder that you never know what kind of person somebody is at first glace. ( first swipe? ) Also, cheating is bad.
- The Basketball Diaries. A bit newer than some of the other films on this list, this is a harrowing account of heroin addiction, a problem that inexplicably continues to plague society. Working in an emergency room, I’m constantly amazed by the number of people that choose to commit delayed suicide by getting involved with heroin. It seems that most of them start with Oxycontin pills and then turn to the needle as the addiction grows worse, but there is no shame, no fear. I don’t understand it.
Honorable Mention: Any of the Friday the 13th movies. If you have sex, Jason will come and get you.
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free
Any that I missed? Add them to the comments section below and lets straighten these kids out.
Originally appeared on Thirsty Daddy.
Photo: Flickr/Alan Klim