She's the Man directed by Andy Fickman

She's the Man directed by Andy Fickman
Fickman, Andy. She's the Man. Perfs. Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum, Laura Ramsey, and Vinnie Jones. Universal City, CA: DreamWorks, 2006. 105 minutes. $14.99 ISBN 1415723680
Readers Annotation: After her school's girl soccer team is cut, Viola decides to pose as her brother in order to play for his private school boys team.
Plot Summary: Viola's (Amanda Bynes) love in life is soccer. She lives and breathes soccer, much to her mother's (Julie Hagerty) dismay who insists on turner her tomboy daughter into a beautiful debutant. When her brother Sebastian (James Kirk) on a secret tour in London with his band, Viola takes her only chance at playing soccer. She enlists the help of her best friends Yvonne (Jessica Lucas), Kia (Amanda Crew) and Paul (Jonathan Sadowski) to help her transform into her brother. Viola arrives at school, paranoid that everyone will see through her disguise. Her roommate Duke (Channing Tatum) is also a soccer player and the two form a friendship, Duke helping Viola with her soccer skills and Viola helping Duke get the girl. Soon Violet realizes the she has feelings for Duke but will never be able to express them as her brother. Meanwhile, "the girl," Olivia (Laura Ramsey) falls for Viola as Sebastian and real-Sebastian's ex-girlfriend tries to find out why he dumped her. A tangled-love triangle ensues, with everyone left to "Duke" it out in the end.
Critical Evaluation: She's the Man is another modern interpretation of William Shakespeare, using Twelth Night, or What You Will as it's basis. The result is a creative film that will engage today's teens, giving them a way to relate to Shakespeare. Dealing with the drama of high school and the action of sports, instead of the world of dukes, countesses and sword play. The movie takes everything, including the name of the school, directly from Shakespeare. Viola and Sebastian are the twins, Olivia is a popular high school cheerleader instead of a countess, Duke Orsino is the popular soccer star of Illyria instead of Orsino, Duke of Illyria, and the antagonist has the name Malcom instead of outdated Malvolio. Overall the film is a successful representation of Shakespeare, and a cute romantic comedy.
Information about the Author: Amanda Bynes comes from Nickelodean fame, appearing the shows All That and The Amanda Show, and starred alongside Jennie Garth in What I Like About You. Amanda has been in several romantic teen comedies including What a Girl Wants and the Snow White inspired Sydney White. Channing Tatum went on to star in Step Up, Fighting and G. I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra. Before becoming an actor in high action films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, Vinnie Jones was a British soccer star.
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Age Level: PG-13
Curriculum Ties: When discussing Shakespeare
Book talking ideas:
Challenge Issues: The only challenge that may arise from this movie occurs toward the end. Both Viola and Sebastian flash the football fans, proving their femininity and masculinity. While nothing is seen on camera, what they are showing is implied.
Why I included it: I included this movie because it is one of my favorites. I love Shakespeare adaptations and this one is at the top of my list. Amanada Bynes is hilarious. I would have added all of her movies if I could.

10 Things I Hate About You by Gil Junger

Junger, Gil (Director). 10 Things I Hate About You. Perfs. Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik. Burbank, CA: Touchstone Pictures, 1999. 97 minutes. $14.99 ISBN 0788817795
Readers Annotation: Two sisters who couldn't be more opposite find love and friendship in high school.
Plot Summary: Bianca is the cute and popular younger sister of Kat, the rebel outcast. Cameron, the new guy in town, falls hard for Bianca and enlists the help of Patrick to take out Kat in order to date Bianca. Needless to say, Pat and Kat have a love/hate relationship while Cameron is just the friend to Bianca, whose eyes are set on Joey. After shelling out lots of money, and a few punches, Bianca realizes who she really loves, and Kat breaks through her tough exterior.
Critical Evaluation: 10 Things I Hate About You is a great modern day high school retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Bianca, Katherina and Patrick "Verona" are the only names that come directly from Shakespeare. Although it has been a while since I read The Taming of the Shrew, it would seem that it is loosely based on the play. The film will speak to teens though in a way Shakespeare cannot. The high school drama, feelings of being unnoticed, prom, raging hormones, these are the things teenager can identify with. The film doesn't ignore its roots, however. Their English teacher spouts sonnets as if they are raps, and Kat's best friend is obsessed with Shakespeare. Overall, this is a great adaptation of classic literature.
Information about the Author: Julia Stiles went on to star in O, another Shakespeare adaptation, based on Othello. She has also been in several romantic comedies, and also the Bourne trilogy. Heath Ledger, who passed away last year at 28, was in several successful movies including Brokeback Mountain, I'm Not There and Dark Knight. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus comes out later this year.
Genre:
Age Level: PG-13
Curriculum Ties: Great for comparing modern Shakespeare adaptations. Show clips of the movie in reference to parts of the play.
Book talking ideas: Talk to them about Shakespeare and how Shakespeare influences much of modern entertainment.
Challenge Issues: I was 14 when this movie first came out, and as much as I wanted to see it, my parents wouldn't let me. Once I told them it was based on Shakespeare, however, my mom and I ended up watching it together. Now it's one of our favorites. Some of the themes in the movie, like Cameron's friend Michael's obsession with sex, Patrick's comments about beer flavored nipples, and Joey drawing a penis on Michael's face, definitely wouldn't be OK with a lot of parents. Like my parents, maybe if they're informed of what the film is based on, they could change their mind. Although some parents just don't want their children to see films with a lot of sexual references in them.
Why I included it: I included this movie because it has been one of my favorites since I was in my early teens. Even those in their early teens now quote the movie, and it has just been turned into an ABC Family TV show. There can never be too many Shakespeare adaptations.