Ten 2000 Movies That Are Millennial Classics

 

Millennial's the greatest and toughest generation to walk this earth, life keeps lifing and we keep rolling with it. Like other generation's there are several thing's that define or connect with a generation. So, with that in mind I started thinking about movie's that in the eye's of millennial's are classics. Whether it's because it's a stamp of a certain time, inspired us, or just is a good movie that came out during our prime years. Certain movies you just can't talk bad about to a millennial, and I'm here to give you ten of those.

10. Napoleon Dynamite 

Starting the list off is one movie I'm not crazy about, but my fellow Millennials love. The 2004 indie film stars Jon Heder as an socially  awkward high schooler Napoleon Dynamite, who help's his classmate foreign student Pedro run for class president. In the process surviving his home life and high school amongst the strange cast of characters in his life. 

The movie has developed a cult following, and is not for everyone as it's very dry humor based. The story of Napoleon coming out of his shell over the course of the movie, a great deal of people can relate to. Especially the Millennials who were in high school during that time.

9. Stomp The Yard

This 2007 film starring Columbus Short and Meagan Goode shine's a light on HBCU's, Greek life, and the art of stepping for Greek's. Short's character D.J. moves to Atlanta to start life over and attend's the fictional HBCU Truth University. There he pledge's and joins Theta Nu Theta, who are trying to take over from Mu Gamma Xi as the step king's on campus.

The movie shined light on HBCU life an the importance of HBCU's. Fraternities and Sororities, and the competition and art of steppin'. Much like A Different World and School Daze inspired previous generations to attend HBCU's, thanks to Stomp The Yard there were several Black Millennials who attended HBCU's and joined the Greek life because of this film. 

8. White  Chicks

This 2004 Shawn and Marlon Wayans film is one of their most beloved films, dare I say more beloved than Scary Movie I and II. The two star as FBI agents who go deep undercover, donning makeup and posing as a pair of socialite sisters. They have to keep the facade up while they investigate a criminal plot loading.

Thanks to this movie and Terry Crew's over the top performance, Michelle Branch's A Thousand Miles has become a timeless song. Though the player's are Gen Z, members of the Minnesota Vikings performed a dance from the movie during a touchdown celebration. Us Millennials had the movie first, and appreciated it for the gem it was soon as we saw it.

7. You Got Served

Another 2004 film, You Got Served was a starring vehicle for the boy band B2K and their associate Marques Houston. Upon the film's release it was dubbed corny by many people, mostly teenage male's because B2K was taking all the teenage females attention during that time. As the year's past the film has gained a cult classic status amongst all.

Amidst all the dancing and choreography, the film has a heart. It's about adversity, real friendship and brotherhood against the backdrop of dancing. And while we're on dancing there were several Millennials in living rooms and dance floors doing this routine, dancing in the rain or this one. For those reason's alone, and the fact when Millennials quote the movie we make extra facial expressions much like the actors. Make it a classic for our generation.

6. Mean Girls

The late 80's had the dark comedy Heathers, the 90's bought us the trendy comedy Clueless. 2004 (damn that was a good year for Millennials) bought us Mean Girls for the 2000's. Written by Tina Fey who also has a role in the film, and starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, and Lacey Chabert. The film follows Lohan as a newbie to a school who befriends the popular superficial "Plastics" and eventually turns on them becoming a mean girl herself.

The film is a 2000's classic and still beloved to this day, just scroll through social media on October 3rd and see all the reference's to the scene. Or see someone wearing Pink on a Wednesday and become apart of the clique. The movie has spawned direct to DVD/streaming sequels, a Broadway musical, and a remake released last year based on the musical. In the eye's of Millennials nothing will compare to the original.

5. Bring It On

4 year's before Mean Girls caught the attention of teenage Millennials. 2000 Bring It On starring Kirsten Dunst, Gabrielle Union, and Eliza Dushku made cheerleading cool. Kirsten Dunst's character Torrance lead's the Rancho Carne Toro's cheerleading squad, who's world is turned upside down by Eliza's character Missy. When she learns their routine was stolen from the East Compton Clovers led by Gabrielle's Isis. What follows is a rivarly between the two cheerleading squads.

Until Mean Girls came out, Bring It On was thee movie for little girls in the new millennium. It still has a profound impact on the generation, just look up social media on Halloween and see how many woman dress as the Clovers and the Toro's. WWE superstars Bianca Belair and Naomi even wore Clover inspired ring gear. They even did a dance routine from the film. Which the routine is often copied all over social media just hashtag it. Millennials love us some Bring It On.

4. Drumline

Bring it on made cheerleading cool in 2000. Stomp The Yard bought the spotlight for Greek life and steppin' at HBCU's in 2007. In 2002 Drumline starring Nick Cannon introduced a generation either entering college or a few years away to the world of marching bands at HBCU's. Cannon star's as Devon Miles a talented drummer attending his first year at the fictional Atlanta A&T University, who has to work through some challenges. The movie showed the showmanship and dedication needed to be in a marching band, including drills that rival the military.

It is a fact Drumline inspired a bunch of kid's to join marching bands in high school on the way to college. Especially at Historically Black colleges and universities. When Millennial's switch thing's up from the plan, we always say we "put a little twist on it". During homecoming season, several Millennial's find time to watch the movie because it take's them back to their college years. What a time it was when this movie released.

3. The Hangover

2009's The Hangover is arguably one of the funniest film's ever. Starring Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms as three friends who lose their friend ahead of his wedding after a wild night in Vegas. They go through some wild scenarios and dangerous situations to find their friend and get him to his wedding. 

When the film was released the majority of Millennials were in their early-mid 20's, or late teenage years and we all loved the movie. In fact when we hit the town in the years following the movie, the aspiration however silly it may have been was to have a Hangover type night. Especially during bachelor parties. Zach Galifianakis in the eyes of us is and will always be Alan. And when groups of friends get together, especially after a while of not seeing one another one person may sing this little jingle.

2. ATL

2006's ATL which was as a starring vehicle for T.I. is our generations Purple Rain and House Party. Musician led film's that talk to a particular era of teen's and young adults. Following T.I. and his crew as they love skating at Cascade's, while they are all working through their individual situations as they look to graduate from high school and move to the next phase in life. Meanwhile T.I.'s character Rashad is busy trying to keep his younger brother Ant from falling in the wrong crowd. While also wooing the over the top cutie but mysterious New New played by Lauren London. Everyone learns some lessons through the course of the movie.

Like I said the film is important to Millennials like Purple Rain and House Party were for young Boomers and Gen X'ers. Kid's especially young urban kid's wanted to learn how to skate after seeing the movie. And we quote line's from the movie, most of them classic lines uttered by Big Boi's character Marcus in this scene. Or if you answer the phone and go "who this?" you may get this response. Millennials love us some ATL, and we turn it on every chance we get.

1. Superbad

The 80's had Fast Times At Ridgemont High, the 90's had Dazed And Confused at the beginning of the decade and American Pie at the end of the decade. 2007 bought us Superbad, written by Seth Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg. It shot Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse into the A-list of young actors during that era. Following a trio aiming to get some beer to go to a party so Cera's character Evan can get close to his crush Jules (Emma Stone). They run into some wild situations including some unorthodox cops all in a quest to some action.

Mintz-Plasse's character's alter-ego McLovin was a pop culture icon during that time, until maybe 5 years after the film released. Jonah Hill's portrayal of Seth became the type of character he excelled at playing until he "grew up" a bit. People even to this day, will watch the movie and laugh like they have never seen it before. 

The film is a comedic classic but more importantly a Millennnial classic.

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8 Of My Favorite Summer Camp Movies

 

It's officially summer, kids are out of school. It's hot and muggy, grills are fired up, the sound of shaved ice scraping against a spoon is adored. Summer camps whether local or sleepaway are in full swing, which brings me to my topic for this blog. When I was a kid I was amazed at the summer camps I saw in movies, since at that time money wasn't a concern to me I wondered why I didn't get to go to one of those camps.

Years later now knowing how expensive those camps are, I just sit and watch the same movies over pretending I lived that sleepaway summer camp life. Since it's hot outside, I decided to bring some heat of my favorite movies held within the wooden boundaries of a summer camp.

8. A Pig's Tale

A Pig's Tale is a 1994 B-movie that I use to watch on cable all the time. To be honest looking back it's not a very good movie, but since I saw it as a kid and I am a nostalgia geek it holds a special place in my heart. It follows a simple formula of the have's vs. the have nots, a rag tag group of "misfits" known as the pig's stand up to the camp bullies. The rich kid's in camp The Wolves completely with letterman jackets (who the hell is wearing a letterman jacket in 90 + degree weather?)

If you've seen one movie about misfits against the cool kids, you are not missing anything here. However, if you stumble across it somewhere even though it's highly unlikely let your brain relax and don't expect anything from this movie you'll be fine. 

7. Camp

Camp is a 2003 film following teenage attendees of a performing arts camp, Camp Ovation. Being a performing arts camp, there is performances in this film. The heart of the film is a typical coming of age regarding teenagers trying to find themselves in a rapidly changing world. Each of the teenagers are dealing with real life issues that teenagers face. Parental pressure, crushes, weight challenges, homosexuality. Jealousy, young love any issue a normal teenager would face, a character in the film deals with it.

The film is also known for a young Anna Kendrick having a costarring role in the film. Other notable cast members include Sasha Dee who has sung backup for many artist and was a participant on The Voice. And singer Tiffany Taylor who sung one of my favorite songs from the film, Here's Where I Stand.

Another one of my favorite's is the opening song of the film How Shall I See You Through My Tears, which Sasha Dee sing's lead on alongside Steven Cutts who portrays Shaun in the film.

Camp is currently available on the CW app.

6. Sleepaway Camp

When most people think of summer camps and horror films, the first movie that comes to mind is the original Friday The 13th film and Camp Crystal Lake. Sorry to tell you, in my opinion Sleepaway Camp gives Friday The 13th a run for it's money. The film follow's a young girl Angela who is shy and quiet due to a traumatic incident earlier in her life, she attends Camp Arawak where is she bullied and tormented. 

She starts to get worried though when camp counselors and campers turn up severely injured or dead. The film contains a big twist and cover's a very relevant topic in today's world, that I can't talk about or it would spoil the movie. If you've never seen it give it a try you won't be disappointed, the original spawned four sequels.

Sleepaway Camp is currently available on Tubi and Pluto.

5. Summertime Switch

Summertime Switch is a 1994 movie starring Jason Weaver and Rider Strong, it is a TV-movie that aired on ABC for Disney's Wonderful World Of Disney programming back in the day. The basic premise follows a stereotypical trope Hollywood is known for. Jason Weaver portrays Frederick Egan a Juvenile Delinquent headed to what is essentially a youth jail disguised as a camp. Rider Strong is spoiled rich kid Frederick Egan the third headed to an upscale summer camp.

In a case of mistaken identity they are sent to the wrong camps and learn to deal with their new environments. It's not a bad movie at all, and it is actually quite enjoyable. The film includes an performance by Jason Weaver who everyone who has seen Jacksons: An American Dream or listened to Chingy's One Call Away song can attest to.

The full length version of Summertime Switch is available on YouTube....keep that on the low though.

4. Camp Cucamonga

1990's Camp Cucamonga is a made for TV movie that aired on NBC. The movie is more famous for it's cast which was a who's who of TV stars during the time than anything else. The cast included Wonder Years cast members Danica Mckeller and  Josh Saviano. Cheers cast member John Ratzenberger, Brian Robbins who was a cast member of Head Of The Class, played a role in developing Nickelodeon programming during it's golden age of the 90's and is now a co-ceo of Paramount Studios. Breckin Meyer, Chad Allen (My Two Dads, Our House) and Johnny Galecki (Roseanne, Big Bang Theory). Sherman Helmsley, TGIF stars Candace Cameron of Full House and Jaleel White of Family Matters and a young Jennifer Aniston,

The plot is pretty standard kids at summer camp fare nothing special. The most remembered aspect of the film is the camp rap Cucamonga with Jaleel White spitting bars, aided by cast member Tasha Scott belting out the vocals. Besides the hit rap, you just don't see ensemble films like this any longer. 

3. Fear Street Part Two 1978

Fear Street Part Two 1978 released in 2021 a part of Netflix's Fear Street trilogy release. All three films tie into one another to tell a complete story, and this one picks up where the first one left off. Leading to a story being told of Camp Nightwing and the horrors that occurred there. Starring Sadie Sink of Stranger Things and Emily Rudd. The pair play the Berman sisters, who are caught up in some crazy stuff happening at the camp.

Horror, suspense, twists, and a camp feeling inspired by 1970's movies like the godfather of camp films Meatballs. You should have seen this by now, but if not go ahead and check it out along with the other films in the set.

2. Heavyweights

This 1995 Disney film probably was greenlit to ride the wave of The Mighty Ducks. After all Steve Brill who wrote The Mighty Ducks also co-wrote this film in addition to directing it. It also stars Mighty Ducks alum Kenan Thompson, Shaun Weiss (Goldberg), and Aaron Schwartz. The film follows Aaron's character Gerry whose parent's send him to a camp to lose weight Camp Hope. Upon arriving at the camp, it is soon taken over by a crazed fitness instructor Tony Perkins Jr. played by Ben Stiller.

The camper's soon band together with the helpless staff to combat the psycho antics of Mr. Perkins. While also preparing for a competition against a rival camp, and learning about themselves in the process. This film actually had a strong message that went over our heads as kids about accepting yourself and having confidence in oneself.

Almost 30 years later, the film has become a cult classic for 90's kids. If you've never seen it, it's available on Disney Plus

1. Camp Nowhere

My favorite summer camp movie of all time, Camp Nowhere. Released in 1994, the film stars 90's child actors Jonathan Jackson, Andrew Keegan, Marnette Patterson, and  Melody Kay  who are all dissatisfied with their parents summer camp plans for them. They devise a plan to rump their own summer camp, one with no rules and no adults around with the exception of down on his luck actor Dennis Van Welker played by Christopher Lloyd. Paid to help keep their scheme going. Soon other kids get wind of and want in, including other child actors Allison Mack (Smallville) and a young Jessica Alba.

I remember seeing the previews for this, and then the actual film I thought it was smart of the kids to devise a plan like that. Myself wishing I could partake in that kind of adventure, it's a standard 90's kid movie and has reached cult status. If as a kid you wanted to do something super crazy be mischievous and carefree this movie gave you hope that was quite possible.

Camp Nowhere is available to watch on Disney Plus.

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