Need Movie reference help

BethMac · Jan 26, 2012

Hi guys
I have a character who always references movies and I need one that would be teen relevant that has two brothers who clash a lot. Any ideas? Even just some brother movies. I'm trying to remember if that latest Ben Affleck movie in Southie had brothers in it. Even TV shows would be okay. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Rhoda Nightingale · Jan 26, 2012

Children of the Corn.

Just kidding. If you want something "teen relevant" you need to either write reallyreally fast, or accept that any specific titles you use will date you. I recently read a YA book that referenced a movie starring a teenage Angelina Jolie. A book that came out last year. It got published, obviously, so it's not necessarily a hindrance, but it will date you.

Suggestion: if the character dropping all these references is a huge movie buff anyhow, does it matter what era the movies he quotes come from? People who love movies watch them regardless of release date. Just a thought.

As for movies with clashing brothers, I'm honestly drawing a blank. What's the context you're trying to use it for?

LilGreenBookworm · Jan 26, 2012

Napolean Dynamite has brothers, there's the movie Step Brothers (not sure that's what you're looking for). Arrested Development is a tv show with three brothers interacting with each other and the rest of their family. The second two examples have adult aged brothers, not sure if you're wanting teen brothers or just movies with brothers that teens would watch.

BethMac · Jan 26, 2012

Rhoda Nightingale said:
Children of the Corn.

Just kidding. If you want something "teen relevant" you need to either write reallyreally fast, or accept that any specific titles you use will date you. I recently read a YA book that referenced a movie starring a teenage Angelina Jolie. A book that came out last year. It got published, obviously, so it's not necessarily a hindrance, but it will date you.

Suggestion: if the character dropping all these references is a huge movie buff anyhow, does it matter what era the movies he quotes come from? People who love movies watch them regardless of release date. Just a thought.

As for movies with clashing brothers, I'm honestly drawing a blank. What's the context you're trying to use it for?

When I say teen relevant, I mean one that kids would watch. She references a lot of John Hughes 80's movies but the book is not set in the 80's. That's what I meant by teen relevant. The context is just sibling rivalry. Trying to think of a good example in a movie.

BethMac · Jan 26, 2012

LilGreenBookworm said:
Napolean Dynamite has brothers, there's the movie Step Brothers (not sure that's what you're looking for). Arrested Development is a tv show with three brothers interacting with each other and the rest of their family. The second two examples have adult aged brothers, not sure if you're wanting teen brothers or just movies with brothers that teens would watch.

Like you said, just movies and stuff with brothers that teens would watch. I'll have to look at arrested development. That might work.
Thanks!

Jehhillenberg · Jan 26, 2012

Ah man, I was all geared up to lend a helping hand. But teen movies about brothers? And I'm guessing you want something within the last 10 years (that teens would watch today)?

I agree with Rhoda about your character being a movie buff. LGB's suggestions are good too, but I noticed your preference for teen, if that's correct.

Superbad isn't about brother, but the guys are close friends and they clash a lot. It's still relevant. I can't think of any teen movies about brothers.

As for TV shows, there's "Drake & Josh" ('00s), "Boy Meets World" ('90s), just to name a couple.

Becca C. · Jan 26, 2012

The Outsiders!!!!!

Clashing brothers, plus pretty much every teen has to read it in high school, and usually watch the movie, too.

BethMac · Jan 26, 2012

Becca C. said:
The Outsiders!!!!!

Clashing brothers, plus pretty much every teen has to read it in high school, and usually watch the movie, too.

Okay okay refresh me Pony boy is the sensitive one, what was his big brothers name??? Played by Patrick Swayze? And a little brother too??? Need to reread this

Alison_Kale · Jan 26, 2012

Supernatural? Not sure how much the brothers clash, but it's all about two (young, hot) brothers and it's in its seventh season, so definitely well-know. 'Course, it'll probably be done soon and that might make it obsolete . . .

Becca C. · Jan 26, 2012

BethMac said:
Okay okay refresh me Pony boy is the sensitive one, what was his big brothers name??? Played by Patrick Swayze? And a little brother too??? Need to reread this

Darry is the older brother. Yep, Patrick Swayze. And C. Thomas Howell plays Ponyboy. They have a middle brother too, Sodapop, who is the happy-go-lucky buffer between the two.

It's a pretty iconic movie. I think it would work well!

missesdash · Jan 26, 2012

I bolded the ones with a lot of conflict between the two brothers. They're sort of in order from new to old. But only sort of:

The Tree of Life
We Own the Night
Brothers
Slumdog Millionaires
The Darjeeling Limited
American History X
Little Odessa
The Godfather
Twins (comedy)
Boyz in the Hood
Rain man
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Frailty (horror/thriller)

Mayfield · Jan 26, 2012

Ooh, I love Frailty. Such a good movie. But what first came to mind was Step Brothers.

Jehhillenberg · Jan 26, 2012

How in the world could I forget "Supernatural" and Slumdog Millionaire?! Rain Man and American History X are good ones too.

BethMac · Jan 26, 2012

ohhh lots of good ideas, I need to look up Frailty. Haven't seen it. I really appreciate all this help.

Everyone is always so great with ideas.

mickeyDs4 · Jan 26, 2012

BethMac said:
Okay okay refresh me Pony boy is the sensitive one, what was his big brothers name??? Played by Patrick Swayze? And a little brother too??? Need to reread this

The Curtis Brothers (in order oldest to youngest): Darrell "Darry", Sodapop and Ponyboy.

eyeblink · Jan 29, 2012

If your character is into much older movies, there's always James Dean in East of Eden, which is a brothers-in-conflict story.

I'm not sure how much of a cult figure Dean is these days, I guess not amongst teens.

Alouette · Jan 29, 2012

One Tree Hill was originally about the relationship between two half-brothers. I think the other obvious ones have already been said!

Kate Monster · Jan 29, 2012

Frankly, I think you're much better off trying to find a classic or cult hit movie that works with what you're going for. If you pick something that's popular at the moment but turns out not to have staying power, teens aren't going to get the reference by the time your book finally comes out. Speaking as someone who works with kids, there's nothing that makes you seem so hopelessly old and out of touch as referencing pop culture they're not familiar with.

I would NOT count on a teen audience a year or more from now being aware of most of the movies and shows that have been listed. You'd actually probably be safer with John Hughes movies than with something like Superbad. Hughes is already a cult classic, whereas who knows whether anyone will be watching Superbad or Step Brothers anymore in a year or two?

BethMac · Jan 29, 2012

Thanks all- I'm going with The Outsiders and the John Hughes movies to be safe.

Need Movie reference help

BethMac

Saying the Serenity Prayer

Rhoda Nightingale

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LilGreenBookworm

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BethMac

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BethMac

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Jehhillenberg

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Becca C.

BethMac

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Alison_Kale

Becca C.

missesdash

You can't sit with us!

Mayfield

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Jehhillenberg

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BethMac

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mickeyDs4

eyeblink

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Alouette

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Kate Monster

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BethMac

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