Remembering Corey Parker

So, some sad news hit us when we learned about Corey Parker’s passing earlier this year. He was only 60 and, let’s be honest, he left quite the mark in the ‘80s film scene with classics like Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning, Scream for Help, and Biloxi Blues. It’s like we lost a piece of our popcorn-fueled youth! While everyone’s buzzing about his popular roles, let’s sprinkle a little love on an underrated gem: How I Got Into College.

The Plot Thickens

In this flick, Parker plays Marlon Browne, a not-so-ambitious guy trying to charm his way into the same college as his high school crush, Jessica Kailo. Yes, folks, it’s a classic boy-falls-for-girl story, but with a twist – and not just the twist of a cheesy nacho! The film flopped like a fish out of water at the box office, and it’s been hard for movie buffs to even find it since then, which is a bummer because its themes are super relevant even today.

A Glimpse into College Chaos

Directed by the quirky Savage Steve Holland in 1989, we watch as Marlon and his pals grapple with the pressures of post-high school life. In a world where college admissions seem to have a side of chaos, our underdog Marlon and two students from Detroit are trying to make their mark among ruthless admissions officers who’d rather analyze SAT scores than, well, their personalities!

The Admissions Circus

This movie hilariously critiques a college admissions system that cares more about shiny plaques than shiny personalities. It has a little fun with the idea that being a “perfect applicant” might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Spoiler alert: it isn’t. The far-out antics of these students are actually quite quaint compared to today’s cutthroat college application wars!

Where Are We Now?

Fast forward to today, and oh boy have things escalated! College applications rain down harder than confetti at a graduation party, and just having good grades won’t cut it anymore. Nope, these days, you need a treasure chest of extracurricular gold and experiences to even stand out in the crowd. Sound familiar? Like a horror movie plot gone wrong? Yeah, it feels that way.

The Perils of the Pursuit

Members of Gen Z are practically shaping their whole lives around being the best on paper. While they hustle hard, it turns out that personal growth often takes a backseat to impressing a bunch of admission officers. And guess what? The college admissions scandal of 2019, where rich parents literally threw money at elite universities, makes you wonder what’s really fair in this wild race!

Takeaway from the Flick

Despite its silly premise, How I Got Into College hit the nail on the head about the elusive myth of the perfect college applicant. With its heartwarming story and Parker’s charming performance, this movie deserves a spot on your must-watch list if you’re searching for those hidden ‘80s treasures. Spoiler alert: it’s still relevant to anyone who’s ever felt the pressure of fitting into a box to get ahead. Even 40 years later, the ethics around what it takes to succeed are still up for debate!