Excogitating Genius, With Brandon Brendel

Starring: Sean Penn, Esai Morales and Reni Santoni
Directed by Rick Rosenthal

SP's Awards
Los Angeles Film Critics Association - New Generation Award

This was a great '80s crime drama. I really enjoyed it. Lot's of good '80s music too.

SP plays Mick O'Brien, a young thug sent to reform school after killing a rival thugs little brother. He steps up and takes control of the other kids but when his rival shows up, all hell breaks loose. Very gritty performance, really held his own.

Lionsgate was nice enough to post the whole movie online, so here you go.

Staring: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold and Brian Backer
Directed by Amy Heckerling

I really liked this movie! I can't believe it took me so long to see it. Classic 80's flick.

SP plays Jeff Spicoli, a stoner, surfer-dude, high-school student. His performance was spot-on for what it was. I don't ever think I'll ever look at Sean Penn the same again. I read that he went all "Daniel Day-Lewis" on set and would only allow people to call him by his character's name.

Starring: George C. Scott, Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Tom Cruise
Directed by Harold Becker

After a few TV movies that I couldn't find, this is Sean Penn's big screen debut. I thought that the movie was alright. A little far fetched for me. Young kids at a military school revolting when they find out that their school is being shut down. And one of the kids tells a national guardsman that he won't stand down because he's following orders from his superiors. The national guardsman is your superior, numbnuts!

SP wasn't the main attraction in this, but he was pretty good for a newbie. Got to see a little of his depth as an actor and what to look forward to in the future.

Directed By Leo Penn

Sean Penn's debut! Although it is a small one. I don't know if it is necessarily a debut, as he is just an extra and has no dialogue. His dad directed this episode and it must have been take your kid to work day. But this is where it all starts for SP.

SP is very believable as a young townsfolk.