4 great back-to-school movies

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HOMEROOM — It’s that time again. Get your pencils sharpened and zip up your backpacks because it’s time to go back to school. Here are four movies to get you even more excited about the first day of school.

Matilda

Have you ever wanted to move things with your mind — like when the remote is across the room and you just don’t want to get off the couch? Well, one little girl named Matilda can do just that.

Matilda
Matilda (Photo: TriStar Pictures)

Telekinesis isn’t the only thing that makes Matilda special, though. She also has a voracious appetite for books, something only her first-grade teacher seems to appreciate.

Now, not every teacher is as wonderful as Miss Honey, but at least there isn’t a principal worse than Ms. Trunchbull, who swings little girls around by their braids and locks kids up in a closet called “the chokey” for bad behavior.

“Matilda” teaches us about magic, books and the importance of good parenting. This movie has a 71 percent worth-your-time rating on OK.com and is appropriate for ages 7 and up.

Akeelah and the Bee

Akeelah and the Bee
Akeelah and the Bee (Photo: Lionsgate)

You don’t have to know how to spell “prestidigitation” to appreciate Akeelah’s talent for words. This is one of those movies that is sure to make you S-M-I-L-E.

“Akeelah and the Bee” follows a young girl on her journey to the National Spelling Bee with the help of her coach, played by Laurence Fishburne. But the movie isn’t just about one girl. “Akeelah and the Bee” explores the issues and differences in education, especially in disadvantaged areas.

No matter how well you can spell, “Akeelah and the Bee” can teach you and your family the influence a good education can have on any student. With an 89 percent worth-your-time rating, “Akeelah and the Bee” is appropriate for ages 7 and up.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Photo: Warner Bros.)

Even wizards have to go back to school at the end of summer, but for Harry Potter, there is no place he’d rather be than Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” kicks off the first of many adventures for Harry and his friends in the world of magic as he discovers what it means to be a wizard.

From learning to fly on a broomstick, to facing a three-headed dog, to defeating the darkest of all wizards, Harry’s first year at Hogwarts will teach you the value of true friendship, seriousness of studying and above all, the magic of love.

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is 100 percent worth your time and appropriate for ages 7 and up.

School of Rock

School of Rock
School of Rock (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

There is something about having a substitute teacher who always seems to make class more interesting, but imagine having Jack Black as your sub.

Dewey Finn is determined to make his dreams of becoming a rock star come true, even if that means using his temporary students to do so. As fate would have it, the kids are really talented and go along with the class project of Battle of the Bands.

As Finn transforms a private school class into a rock and roll band, he teaches them to never give up on a dream. “School of Rock” is 100 percent worth your time and is appropriate for ages 9 and up.


Sarah Bringhurst is a recent graduate from Utah Valley University and currently interning with OK.com. EMAIL: sarah@ok.com

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Sarah Bringhurst for OK.com

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