10 Things I Hate About You

Title: 10 Things I Hate About You
Director: Gil Junger
Studio: Touchstone Pictures
Copyright: 1999
ASIN: B00000K31Q

Age Level/Interest Age: Grade 7 and up

Genre: Comedy

Viewer’s Annotation: In this modern take on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, Kat (Julia Stiles) refuses to date until Patrick (Heath Ledger) wins her over.

Plot Summary
Kat and Bianca are sisters, but they could hardly be more different. Kat, a senior, has just been accepted to Sarah Lawrence. She is a staunch feminist, listens to alternative music, and has exactly one friend at school. She is uninterested in dating. Bianca, a sophomore, is beautiful (and vain), popular, and eager to date. Though the girls don’t get along very well, they’re united in their frustration with their father. He won’t allow Kat to go to Sarah Lawrence and he won’t allow Bianca to date. He finally relents slightly with a new rule: Bianca may date if and when Kat does.

Meanwhile, Cameron, the new kid in school, has fallen for Bianca and arranged to tutor her in French (even though he doesn’t really speak French). When Bianca tells him about her father’s rule, he comes up with a plan. He convinces Joey, a rich, popular senior who’s also interested in Bianca, to pay someone to date Kat. But first they have to find someone crazy enough to do it. Enter Patrick, an outsider with a reputation for wildness. With some coaxing, he gets Kat to go out with him a few times. Bianca starts dating Joey, but Cameron is still looking for his chance with her. Unflattering revelations about both of the sisters’ beaux lead to a dustup at the prom. 

Critical Evaluation
Though 10 Things I Hate About You doesn’t avoid all the teen movie clichés, it is still smarter and funnier than most of what passes for teen romantic comedy. It also wins by having a female lead who has interests and aspirations beyond beauty and boys, and by not forcing her to change to get the guy. (Okay, she changes a little bit. But just by opening up to people.) Julia Stiles is very appealing as Kat, playing her as unusually serious for this type of role. Heath Ledger as Patrick is a very cute, warm-hearted bad boy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron is funny and endearingly dorky. Less successful are the stock side characters, especially the overprotective father and the geeky AV kid, who are more annoying than funny. There many shout-outs to the source material, from characters' names to actual quotes from Taming of the Shrew. The overall effect is one of earnestness. One other quibble: though the movie is set in Seattle, it never rains. Realism FAIL.

Curriculum Ties: English--Shakespeare--The Taming of the Shrew

Booktalking Ideas: N/A

Challenge Issues: Language, alcohol, sex talk

In the defense file, I will include my library's selection policy, ALA's Library Bill of Rights, ALA's guidelines on free access to libraries for minors (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/freeaccesslibraries.cfm), and ALA's strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to library materials (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/copingwithchallenges/strategiestips/index.cfm). I will also include my library's reconsideration form, in case challenges to this book cannot be defused with "tea and sympathy." I'll include a positive review from the Edinburgh University Film Society, mixed reviews from The New York Times and Roger Ebert, and negative reviews from The San Francisco Chronicle and The San Francisco Examiner.

About the Author: N/A

Why is this title included?
This smart comedy has appealing leads. It's very re-watchable.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Director: David Yates
Studio: Warner Bros.
Copyright: 2011
ASIN: B001UV4XIS

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grade 7 and up

Genre: Adventure

Viewer’s Annotation: In the final installment of the blockbuster movie franchise, Harry and friends race toward a final showdown with Voldemort.

Plot Summary
With three Horcruxes down and four to go, Harry, Ron, and Hermione leave the seaside house where they buried Dobby and go back on the hunt. They first head to Gringotts bank, where they break into Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault with the help of a goblin. They find a Horcrux there—Helga Hufflepuff’s cup—but are nearly caught when the goblin betrays them. Next they go back to Hogwarts, where Harry believes they will find the next Horcrux. Harry learn’s that it is Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem, and goes to search for it in the Room of Requirement while Ron and Hermione go to the Chamber of Secrets for basilisk fangs. Soon only two Horcruxes remain, and Harry realizes that Voldemort’s snake, Nagini, is another. But time is running out as Voldemort and the Death Eaters converge on Hogwarts. Believing Snape to be the true owner of the powerful Elder Wand, Voldemort seeks out and mortally wounds him. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who followed Voldemort, rush in to hear Snape’s final words. Snape gives Harry some of his memories, which Harry takes to the Pensieve in Dumbledore’s office as the battle rages. From Snape’s memories, Harry learns that he is the final Horcrux and must die in order for Voldemort to be defeated.

Critical Evaluation
I was initially skeptical when I learned the final Harry Potter book would be made into two movies. It seemed like nothing more than an attempt to squeeze every last possible dollar out of the blockbuster movie franchise. But I was pleasantly surprised by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Cutting the book in half gave the filmmakers the flexibility they needed to actually make a good movie while remaining true to the book. The previous three movies were so busy stuffing in all of the action that there was no time for reflection or feelings. Part 1 has feelings in abundance. Part 2 is almost non-stop action. Taken together, Part 1 and Part 2 make one balanced movie, but Part 2 on its own feels a bit unbalanced. Nevertheless, there is emotion here too—Neville’s impassioned speech is thrilling and Fred’s death is heartbreaking.

As they have been for the last several movies, the three leads, Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, Emma Watson as Hermione, and Rupert Grint as Ron (who’ve been making these movies since they were 11, 9, and 11, respectively), are competent but uninspiring. Critics often rate Rupert Grint as the most talented, but I find his Ron rather dopey and lacking in emotional range. The supporting cast (especially the adults) is as excellent as ever. Helena Bonham Carter is perfectly insane and deliciously evil as Bellatrix. Mrs. Weasley, played by Julie Walters, gets a well-deserved moment in the spotlight when she takes on Bellatrix with a cry of “Not my daughter, you bitch!” Alan Rickman once again makes Snape the most interesting character with a nuanced performance. My only serious complaint is that Bonnie Wright is utterly wrong for Ginny Weasley. She has none of the sparkle and sarcasm that make Ginny a great character.

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: N/A

Challenge Issues: Violence, mild language

In the defense file, I will include my library's selection policy, ALA's Library Bill of Rights, ALA's guidelines on free access to libraries for minors (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/freeaccesslibraries.cfm), and ALA's strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to library materials (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/copingwithchallenges/strategiestips/index.cfm). I will also include my library's reconsideration form, in case challenges to this book cannot be defused with "tea and sympathy." I'll include positive reviews from Roger Ebert, The Washington Post, and The Daily Telegraph and mixed reviews from The Boston Globe and New York Magazine.

About the Author: N/A

Why is this title included?
Harry Potter is wildly popular among teens of all ages. This movie's dark tone puts it firmly in young adult, rather than children's, territory.

Whip It

Title: Whip It
Director: Drew Barrymore
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Copyright: 2010
ASIN: B002VPTJOA

Age Level/Interest Age: Grade 7 and up

Genre: Comedy

Viewer’s Annotation: Reluctant beauty pageant participant Bliss discovers the world of roller derby and becomes "Babe Ruthless."

Plot Summary
Ellen Page of Juno fame plays Bliss, a seventeen-year-old dying to get out of her tiny Texas hometown and the beauty pageants her overbearing mother forces her to compete in. She finds her passion in an unlikely place: an Austin roller derby team called the Hurl Scouts. Lying to her parents about her activities and the team about her age, she adopts the name Babe Ruthless and becomes an overnight star, giving the Hurl Scouts their first shot at a championship in a very long time. Bliss juggles school, roller derby, and her waitressing job at the Oink Joint, a barbecue diner, where she works with her best friend, Pash. At a post-game party she meets Oliver, a cute boy from a local rock band, and they begin dating. Everything comes crashing down when Bliss thoughtlessly leaves Pash behind in Austin, resulting in her parents learning what she’s been doing and the league learning that Bliss is underage. On top of all this, Oliver stops calling. With a little encouragement from her roller derby friend Maggie Mayhem, though, Bliss sets about mending all of the hurt feelings, including her own.

Critical Evaluation
Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut is entertaining and very sweet. Though its plot is predictable—the Hurl Scouts rise from underdog status to having a shot at the championship, the star player is disqualified just before the big game—it’s executed with smart writing and sensitivity. And the characters may be stereotypes—the wisecracking best friend, the domineering mother forcing her own dreams on her daughter—but the excellent acting gives them life and believability. Alia Shawkat is hilarious as Pash, Marcia Gay Harden brings complexity to the mother role, Kristen Wiig nails the wise but funny mentor, and Juliette Lewis is great as the arrogant and aggressive (but not too villainous) rival team’s captain. Barrymore has a modest role as a lovable goofball who goes by Smashley Simpson. Page uses both her trademark sharp tongue and wonderfully expressive eyes to great effect, creating a character that, though similar to her breakout role in Juno, is distinct. What makes this movie especially winning, though, is that all of the performers seem to be having the time of their lives. I knew nothing about roller derby before I saw Whip It, but the Hurl Scouts make it look like most fun a girl could possibly have.

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: N/A

Challenge Issues: Language, sexual content, drugs and alcohol

In the defense file, I will include my library's selection policy, ALA's Library Bill of Rights, ALA's guidelines on free access to libraries for minors (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/freeaccesslibraries.cfm), and ALA's strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to library materials (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/copingwithchallenges/strategiestips/index.cfm). I will also include my library's reconsideration form, in case challenges to this book cannot be defused with "tea and sympathy." I'll include positive reviews from The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, and Roger Ebert, a mixed review from Salon.com, and a negative one from USA Today.

About the Author: N/A

Why is this title included?
This a funny, smart girl power movie that teens are likely to enjoy even more as they get older.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Title: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Director: David Slade
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Copyright: 2010
ASIN: B0042MEQVG

Age Level/Interest Age: Grade 7 to adult

Genre: Drama

Viewer’s Annotation: An army of "newborn" vampires is after Bella, and Edward and Jacob are fighting for her heart.

Plot Summary
In this third installment of the highly lucrative Twilight film franchise, Jacob and Edward compete for Bella’s love and an army of newly created vampires converges on Forks. At the beginning of the movie, we see Edward proposing (again) and Bella refusing. When Bella returns home, her father reminds her of his disapproval of Edward and encourages her to spend time with Jacob. A confrontation between the Cullens and the wolf pack results when the evil vampire Victoria runs through both of their territories. Because the conflict among her pursuers, she escapes. Jacob finally responds to Bella’s request to see him and carries her off on his bike in front of Edward. Meanwhile, the Cullens are concerned about reports of violence in Seattle, and seer sister has visions of a growing army of “newborns.” At some point, Bella finally accepts Edward’s proposal. Tension between Edward and Jacob is at an all-time high, but the vampires and wolves team up to first protect Bella and then intercept the vampire army. Bella’s scent is used as bait, but she is carried (by Jacob) high up into the mountains to stay clear of the battle. In the night (with both of her suitors watching over her) she becomes dangerously cold, and Jacob takes her in his arms to warm her up. Bella admits to her conflicting feelings before Jacob goes off to the battle the next day.

Critical Evaluation
Critics consistently praise Kristen Stewart’s acting (even in the Twilight movies). I’m sure they’re right, but I just don’t see it. I find her bland and boring. Her two male co-stars, though, are inarguably much worse. As in the first two films, their work here barely qualifies as acting. The supporting cast is better, but doesn’t get much screen time, as most of the movie is taken up with (endless, repetitive) discussions of feelings among Edward, Bella, and Jacob. The movie barely has enough plot to fill 90 minutes, but clocks in at 124. There’s no mystery for the audience about who is behind the newborn army, and it’s obvious from the beginning that it’s only a matter of time before they head to Forks. The battle is saved for the end, though, and all the action is over in just a few minutes.

Along the way, Eclipse demonstrates a bit of self-awareness. Jacob’s almost constant shirtlessness is played for laughs along with the usual sighs when Edward asks, "Doesn't he own a shirt?" The scene in the tent on the mountaintop is hilarious, and some of the humor is even intended. Jacob quips to Edward, "Let's face it, I am hotter than you." After Bella falls asleep, Jacob and Edward have a cringe-worthy conversation about their mutual liking (hypothetical, of course) that brilliantly showcases the deficiencies of both the script and the actors. Although Eclipse is as billed the best Twilight movie yet, that’s not saying much.

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: N/A

Challenge Issues: Sexual tension, mild violence

In the defense file, I will include my library's selection policy, ALA's Library Bill of Rights, ALA's guidelines on free access to libraries for minors (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/freeaccesslibraries.cfm), and ALA's strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to library materials (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/copingwithchallenges/strategiestips/index.cfm). I will also include my library's reconsideration form, in case challenges to this book cannot be defused with "tea and sympathy." I'll include negative reviews from Roger Ebert, Rolling Stone, and The San Francisco Chronicle and mixed reviews from The New York Times and School Library Journal.

About the Author: N/A

Why is this title included?
The Twilight movies are wildly popular with teens of all ages.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Title: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Director: Edgar Wright
Studio: Universal Studios
Copyright: 2011
ASIN: B0041T52S6

Age Level/Interest Age: Grade 9 and up

Genre: Comedy

Viewer’s Annotation: Scott, a pretty average guy, wants to date the awesome Ramona. Unfortunately, he has to defeat her seven evil exes first.

Plot Summary
Scott Pilgrim is a bum. Though he’s in his early twenties, he doesn’t have a job and lives rent-free with a wealthy roommate. He spends much of his time playing in a rock band, Sex Bob-Omb, that’s on the verge of success. At the beginning of the movie he has started dating a high schooler, Knives Chau, because it’s easy. Then he meets the awesome new girl in town, Ramona Flowers. With a little persistence he gets her to go out with him, but soon learns that if they’re going to date he will have to defeat all seven of her evil exes in video game-style combat. At the same time, Sex Bob-Omb is competing in a battle of the bands and Scott is busy avoiding Knives. Among the exes Scott must defeat are an action-movie star, the bass player in Scott’s ex-girlfriend’s famous rock band, and a big shot record label owner. He uses a combination of trickery, skill, and musical prowess in the battles, and later gains the “powers” of love and self-respect by taking responsibility for his actions and committing to his feelings for Ramona.

Critical Evaluation
Scott Pilgrim is a frenetic romp of a movie with a unique visual style, loads of pop culture references, and near-constant laughs. The plot may be thin and nonsensical, but the lightning dialog and video game-style action make it hard to care. The characters are thin, too, but intentionally so—some of them even go by epithets that convey all the information we ever get about them, such as Stephen “The Talent” and Young Neil. Thinness of character is a problem, though, when it comes to the two leads. Scott is supposed to be crazy enough about Ramona to risk his life seven times over, but all we know about her is her looks and her dating history. And why Ramona would like Scott is even more of a mystery—he’s not only a bum, he’s also goofy looking and not particularly nice. The actors can be divided into two groups—those who ham it up (most of the exes and the hilarious Kieran Culkin as Scott’s gay roommate) and those who speak their lines in snarky voices with limited acting involved (notably Michael Cera as Scott, who, though he’s turned down the sweetness here, plays essentially the same character in every one of his movies).

The script is fast-paced and consistently funny, combining sarcasm, puns, and rhyming with absurd situations. In my favorite scene Scott fights an evil ex with “vegan powers” (earned at the “Vegan Academy,” of course). His vegan powers make him too strong for Scott, who tricks him into drinking dairy (by claiming the coffee he’s offering contains only soymilk). This breach brings the “Vegan Police” into fray, and Scott crows in triumph, “You once were a ve-gone, but now you will be gone!”

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: N/A

Challenge Issues: Sexual and homosexual content, language, mild violence

In the defense file, I will include my library's selection policy, ALA's Library Bill of Rights, ALA's guidelines on free access to libraries for minors (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/freeaccesslibraries.cfm), and ALA's strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to library materials (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/copingwithchallenges/strategiestips/index.cfm). I will also include my library's reconsideration form, in case challenges to this book cannot be defused with "tea and sympathy." I'll include positive reviews from The New York Times, Christianity Today, Rolling Stone, USA Today, and The Village Voice.

About the Author: N/A

Why is this title included?
This popular, well-reviewed movie is based on a popular series of graphic novels and has a popular young actor as its lead. Its PG-13 rating indicates that it targets high school students.