Boba_Fett1138 This is a pretty good movie to watch. It manages to combine drama with typical '80's comedy and entertainment. It however is not a movie that is without it flaws and it still does make some bad choices.It's a bit weird. On the hand I really liked this movie but on the other I'm also still able to recognize it as a not so great movie. Problem is really with its story. It's main plot line just isn't the best one thinkable and it besides makes the movie unnecessarily difficult and serious at times. Besides, the overall movie gives you the feeling it has a bit too many different plot lines going on at times and the movie features 2 or 3 too many characters in it. It also makes the balance between its comedy and drama a bit uneven at times, though most of the time it still works out fine and refreshingly original, luckily. Still its main premise and original intentions were just fine. Really, having an high school movie that is focusing on the teachers instead is more interesting and fun than it might sound to you. Besides, I really feel the movie managed to do a great job capturing the atmosphere at an high school and the tensions and relationships between teacher and students and the teachers among each other.It's also a movie that is not afraid to criticize the system. It shows some of the things that are wrong with the school system and how flawed it actually is. And really, it's 28 years later and what has changed? This movie might had just as well been released last week.But before I'm starting to give the impression this movie is a serious or heavy one, it only is so for half of it's time, or probably even less than that. The rest of the time it really is being filled by some '80's trademark comedy, that is going over-the-top with some of its events and certainly with its characters.And the movie does really have a surprisingly big cast in it, with Nick Nolte in the main lead. But it's further more starring JoBeth Williams, Judd Hirsch, Ralph Macchio (the Karate Kid himself), Lee Grant, Morgan Freeman(!), Steven Hill and a still very young Laura Dern and Crispin Glover as well, among many others of course. And yes, all of the actors truly help to make this movie worthwhile to watch as well.I just can't give it a very high rating though. It's just too flawed with its story for that and it doesn't always manage to keep its focus on the main subject and what the movie was all supposed to be about, which is a bit of a missed opportunity. That however doesn't mean that I can't recommend this movie to you as well. On the contrary quite really. It's still a perfectly watchable and unique little movie, you probably won't regret watching. 6/10 http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

TOMASBBloodhound Teachers has a lot going for it. No question about that, yet when it finally ends, you just don't really feel like it moved you. This film is kind of like a flip side of Fast Times at Ridgemount High. That film focused primarily on the students and was mostly a comedy. Teachers is told from primarily the adults' point of view and is more serious than funny. There are some funny moments to be sure, but a lot of the more dramatic moments fall flat, or just don't feel motivated.Nick Nolte is certainly not what's missing here. He's as likable as ever as a formerly idealistic teacher who now can barely make it out of bed on a Monday morning. He lies about his line of work to bed women, he's always hung over, etc. In one scene it almost looks like he's wearing the shirt he had on in that infamous mug shot of a few years ago! He is funny at times, and when Nick Nolte says a line with passion, you believe he means it. He is a great actor. There is also plenty of talent amongst the supporting cast members. Judd Hirsch is fine as Notle's once good friend, and now just a bureaucrat vice principal. Look for Morgan Freeman in an early role as the school's attorney. A young Laura Dern is also on the scene, and looking pretty. JoBeth Williams plays Nolte's former student, now an attorney helping sue the school since her client graduated from there and still cannot read. Crispin Glover is the typical spaz character he always played, and Ralph Macchio was kind of annoying in his role.The crux of the plot deals with the pending lawsuit, and several day-to-day problems the film wished to address amongst the students. Violence, teen pregnancy, lack of learning can all be found here. The film wished to treat these problems as new and disturbing, but since the film was made, they kind of look trivial now. The Columbine tragedy, among other things, has made the problems these students face in the movie almost tame. Ultimately, the film comes up a little too short because it just tries to juggle too many characters and events. The final scene, where JoBeth Williams strips down in the hallway seems forced, since not enough time is used to build up her motivation to do something so crazy. It just doesn't work. And then the film cops out with a feel-good kind of ending that really resolves nothing and seems inappropriate. Another annoying thing about this movie is the overbearing soundtrack. It isn't bad music, but it just seems to drown out some scenes as a song will start up to remind the audience, "hey! this scene is important! Don't you hear Joe Cocker singing?" I think I also heard .38 Special, Bob Sieger, and maybe even a Freddie Mercury sans Queen song. It just sounds to me that the record company spent way too much money trying to get the soundtrack sold. Overall the film is worth about 6 of 10 stars.The Hound.

TSMChicago While the story takes some liberties with realism this is actually a very good film. As a 25 year teacher I can honestly say that what may have appeared outrageous in 1984 is pretty close to reality today.Frustrated teachers, out of the loop administrators, a total lack of discipline, students bringing a smörgåsbord of baggage to class and a stubborn school board that puts the money above the needs of the students.Yes, an occasional affair does happen between teacher and pupil and the possibility that a school staff member would aid a young student in obtaining an abortion is not that far fetched. Teaching is like any profession in that there is excellence, mediocrity and total ineptitude. In some cases the issue of low pay is something of a myth although no one in education is getting rich. If so many believe that teachers have it easy why aren't college graduates breaking down the doors to get in?What I like about "Teachers" is that it portrays professionals that truly place the needs of the students first even if their methods are unconventional. Give me one teacher like Nick Nolte's character instead of 10 Dittos. Forget the mantra "looks good, is good" and admit mistakes. The community responds best to the truth.Students in any school situation respond to the sincerity of their teachers. Put the young people first and don't be afraid to walk around in their shoes once in a while.I enjoy "Teachers" and I am happy with the used VHS copy I found on eBay. A DVD would be nice from MGM considering the crap from the same era that has been released.

jamegero This is a movie that was well before its time. It is inspiring for novice teachers. It embodies wonderful archetypes for teachers...clearing giving fine examples of what good teaching looks like and what bad teaching looks like. We can all identify with the characters in this movie. We had teachers like each one of them. The character played by Richard Mulligan is particularly interesting and refreshing. Many of his methods, although viewed humorously in 1984, embody the qualities of outstanding teaching in the 21st century. Nolte's character also embodies sound pedagogic principles coupled with the frustrations. The issues in education are still very similar. The technologies have changed but the tenets remain the same. A study of the archetypal teachers in this movie would be a useful study in teacher training, education and professional development.