Nov 24: 10 Things I Hate About You

"A film inspired by the classic Shakespeare play "The Taming of the Shrew.", set in a modern day high school."

Directed by: Gil Junger, Rated: PG-13, 97 minutes

Back in July, when I discussed my six favorite Joseph Gordon-Levitt films, I included 10 Things I Hate About You, the 1999 teen comedy adaptation of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. I called it an underrated masterpiece and after re-watching it for about the 20th time, I still can't deny that fact. It's an incredibly smart comedy that does a lot more for teenagers in high school than a lot of the other countless movies that came out the same time. It's a movie that's elevated by its ever-so talented cast and introduced the world to not only Julia Stiles and the previously mentioned Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but to Heath Ledger as well.

Come on... hit me?

Rich with Shakespearean references and quotes, 10 Things I Hate About You is a story of young love and the pursuit of happiness. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Cameron, a new kid to a Washington high school who's quickly taken in by Michael (David Krumholtz), a AV Club nerd who knows the ins and outs of the school's cliques and social elite. Cameron quickly takes a liking to the beautiful Bianca (Larisa Oleynik), a popular sophomore who's a bit too conceited for her own good. Unfortunately for Cameron, the only way Bianca can go on a date (her controlling father is played by the perfect Larry Miller) is if her older rebellious/anti-social sister, Kat (Julia Stiles) goes on one as well. So Cameron does the only logical thing and hires the mysterious, Aussie, Patrick (Heath Ledger) to date Kat, thus allowing his foot in the door for Bianca. You can only imagine what comes out of that.

One of the many gems of Larry Miller's character. 

10 Things I Hate About You is a film that, I feel, has been slowly hidden in the past and continues to be looked over as one of the best comedies of the 90s. It's a movie that combines the charm of the 80s Hughes Movement and the punk-edgier bits of the 90s, while giving us an insight to so much young talent that would still be relevant today. While most teenage comedies star forgettable faces or B-list actors, the majority of the cast of 10 Things have gone onto star in worthwhile films and even earn awards. I think this is one of its biggest strengths when you look back on it, because you know where everyone has gone with their careers and can appreciate their earlier stuff a lot more. On paper, 10 Things I Hate About You is far from original, but in its execution and acting that makes it memorable. Heath Ledger is great as Patrick, bringing his own mystery and charm to the role. He's easy to believe as the badass turned smitten young man and has surprisingly good chemistry with Julia Stiles. Speaking of her, Stiles does a solid job as Kat, even if her character gets a little too over-the-top crazy at times (she's TOO anti-everything). But, she fits the role and becomes likable by the film's conclusion. As for the rest of the cast, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's part becomes much smaller as the film progresses, but his own innocence and likability still add a lot to the film. I also have to admit that after watching it again, I forgot how great Krumholtz is in his role and need to give him some much needed recognition as well.

Even today, Mr. Universe is very underrated. 

Have you not seen 10 Things I Hate About You already, go watch it right now. It's a movie that's much greater than what you'd think at first and it really grows on you. It's smart, well-acted, and genuinely funny. It's a comedy that's efficient because of the performances and it doesn't rely on the usual raunch you expect in something involving teenagers. It has a fun soundtrack and an incredible high school campus on which it's filmed (Stadium High School), giving a bit more character to an already memorable movie. I would highly recommend 10 Things I Hate About You and plan on keeping it in my canon of favorite high school comedies for as long as I can. I don't see anything taking its spot anytime soon. 

The Good:

clever, funny script and great performances from a very, very talented young cast

The Bad:

very dated soundtrack and clothes

The Ugly:

being reminded again of the talent of Heath Ledger and sadly knowing he is no longer with us

Overall: 8.4/10

Discussion Question:

What are some of your favorite teen comedies of the 90s that aren't American Pie? 

Trailer:

Nov 20: Two Days in New York

"Manhattan couple Marion and Mingus, who each have children from prior relationships, find their comfortable family dynamic jostled by a visit from Marion's relatives."

Directed by: Julie Delpy, Rated: R, 96 minutes

I have always been a fan of Julie Delpy and her films. She has an interesting look at things, from children to the afterlife, and although she may seem pretentious at times, I think she's just more unique than anything else. She also manages to portray real romance very well, to the point that it can be hard to watch, even if it's funny. In 2 Days in New York, a film she also wrote and directed, Delpy steps back into the role of Marion, a role she previously portrayed in 2 Days in Paris. Co-starring Chris Rock, the film paints an interesting look at a relationship in New York. Unfortunately, it's really hard to picture Delpy with anyone but Ethan Hawke.

You have no idea how much this picture makes me happy. Before Midnight- 2013!!

Years after her failed relationship with Jack (from 2 Days in Paris), Marion how found herself in a relationship with Mingus (Rock), a radio host living in New York City. They live together in a small apartment, each with a kid from a previous relationship. When Marion's father (played by Delpy's real dad, Albert Delpy), her sister, Rose (Alexia Landeau), and Rose's awful boyfriend, Manu (Alexandre Nahon), visit, everything goes wrong. Mario becomes more stressed then usual, much is lost in translation between her family and Mingus, and the kids are introduced to a variety of things they are far too young for. Unfortunately for Marion, this is all in time for her art show that's about to premiere, and everything starts unraveling faster than she can put it back together.

Even an awkward sauna scene that looks entertaining, just becomes repetitive. 

2 Days in New York and 2 Days in Paris are both films that aren't for everyone. They are unusual combinations of comedy and drama and work for the most part. However, the few moments each film escalates into obscurity, it feels way too out of place. 2 Days in New York tends to go a bit more out of the box than its predecessor and just doesn't work as well as you'd hope. Chris Rock and Delpy manage to have great chemistry and all, but the story is really messy and rather bipolar. It's very dramatic some moments and then is riddled with ridiculous parts right after. Sure, a lot of the humor comes in the out-of-place-ness of Marion's father and sister, but a joke about the French's hygiene or their lack of English speaking abilities get old after we hear them over and over. Luckily, there's enough charm emitted from the entire cast to keep the entire thing afloat and tolerable.

Yes, that's a cutout of Barack Obama. Yes, Chris Rock talks to it throughout the film. Yes, it's awesome. 

While it's not a perfect film and is severely flawed, 2 Days in New York is watchable. It's not as good as the far superior 2 Days in Paris as it overreaches too often, missing the mark more than hitting it. It's sloppy in both presentation and story-telling but has a handful of laughs that keep you engaged. Delpy and Rock work surprisingly well together and the few moments when it's actually just them (improvising) are great. Unfortunately  there's not enough of their relationship on screen and the awkward focus turns to the out-of-towners, whose presences and jokes get tiresome very quickly. If you're a fan of the first film, I'd recommend checking this one out for curiosity's sake, but if you're late to the party, 2 Days in New York is okay to skip.

The Good:

great charm from Chris Rock and Julie Delpy

The Bad:

the charm is the only thing that keeps the movie worthwhile, as the script is quite a mess

The Ugly:

the handful of times the film overextends itself into ridiculousness are really hard to watch

Overall: 6.1/10

Discussion Question:

Are Delpy and Hawke destined to be together forever? Or does Chris Rock actually stand a chance?

Trailer:

Jan 28: 50/50*

"Inspired by a true story, a comedy centered on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease."

   Joseph Gordon-Levitt is due for an Oscar any day now as he proves, yet again, that he is one of the elite actors working today. It is in his realism and honesty that makes 50/50 the rare kind of film that hits every single emotion and makes you want to hug the cancer out of him. 50/50 is a movie that knows the topic of cancer is taboo, but handles it with a reverence so real you can't help but feel for the characters on an entirely different level. A part of this may be that the film is written by Will Reiser, who wrote the film as an almost autobiography. Seth Rogen, who not only stars in the film but also produced it, is good friends with Reiser and told him to write about cancer as a way of coping. I feel that, because of this, Rogen is better than ever. 

    50/50 is a simple film with a heavy topic that pulls the hearts strings and makes you cry, laugh, and surprisingly feel good about life. The movie shows that life is hard and unexpected but, when you have family and friends, you can get through anything. 50/50 makes you appreciate what you have, be it a best friend, a significant other, parents, or life itself. It teaches you that even in the darkest of moments, humor exists, and you are never on your own. 

   When a film like 50/50 is pitch-perfect in its casting, acting, and story, there is not a lot else needed. In the simplest form, 50/50 shows that you don't need flashy special effects or explosions to make a movie worth watching. Realism and honesty go so much further than Hollywood leads on, and more films like 50/50 need to be made. Sure, a movie with as much heart as this one is rare, and it is because of that fact that we appreciate them even more, but 50/50 needs to be seen as an example of what a film should be. 

Sight: The film is almost a peek inside the lives of these characters, and it is all fun and heart wrenching to watch. 
Sound: 50/50 has a great soundtrack, with songs from Pearl Jam, Radio Head and even the Bee Gees.
Skill: Phenomenal is the best word to describe the acting. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is absolutely, utterly underrated and his work needs to be recognized and awarded as soon as possible. 
Script: The script of 50/50 is just as solid as its acting, and without it, the film would not have as much heart as it does. 

Overall: 9.6/10

Best Quote:
Adam: "See, but... that's bullshit. That's what everyone has been telling me since the beginning. "Oh, you're gonna be okay," and "Oh, everything's fine," and like, it's not... It makes it worse... that no one will just come out and say it. Like, "hey man, you're gonna die." 

P.S Levitt is not only doing a great job in Hollywood but he also has a website called hitRECord that encourages everyone and anyone to work together to make art of any kind, be it photos, films or music. 

Check it out at www.hitrecord.org