50x3: Three O'Clock High (M-1)

It seems with each list I am able to get caught up on some '80s high school films I missed for some reason or another, and this list is no different.

So, with the first selection off of Matt's list we have Three O'Clock High. The film is probably the step-child of those brat-pack films from John Hughes. The film had the same sort of feel of those films - and it's odd that this one is never mentioned.

Like most '80s film the premise revolves around a kid, Jerry Mitchell (Casey Siemaszko), who is a run-of-the-mill high school student and it just so happens that his parents are out of town - though this really doesn't have much to do with the actual story.

Mitchell is one of the school store runners, and also happens to be a journalist on the school newspaper. On this particular the day, the school is abuzz about a new student that is coming to school, Buddy Revell (Richard Tyson). Buddy brings with him a ton of a rumors (think Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You - except that it may actually be true).

Mitchell's journalism teacher selects him to do a piece on the new student as a way for the high school to get to know him - and as a way to welcome Buddy to the school.

A chance meeting in the bathroom with Buddy, Mitchell decides to try and talk to him - but it appears the rumors may in fact be true as Buddy doesn't want to be bothered. As Mitchell tries to get closer to him he touches him - as one of the rumors clearly stated never to do - and Buddy decides it's too much and tells Mitchell there will be a fight after school at 3 p.m.

The rest of the film is Mitchell trying desperately to find a way out of the fight, whether that be trying to get Buddy kicked out of school, escaping, paying a bigger guy to fight Buddy, or flat out paying Buddy not to fight him.

Like most of the '80s brat pack films this was was rather enjoyable, though it did lack that bit of heart that those films usually have woven into it.

Siemaszko, though apparently still acting, I have never heard of except in this film - and he wasn't a real standout actor.

To me the standouts were Tyson as Buddy - a really great villain (you may remember him from Kindergarten Cop), with a lot of hair. And, Jerry's sister Brei, who was played by Stacey Glick. I looked up her resume as well, and she has been in nothing - which is a shame because I felt she was really great as his kid sister.

Again, decent. Not spectacular, but a fun watch that I can see watching again.

Grade: