Camp Rock

Diamond, Matthew, director. Camp Rock. Burbank, CA: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 2008. 90 minutes. $29.99. ISBN 9780788884795

Plot Summary: All Mitchie wants to do over the summer is go to Camp Rock, the place to be to further music abilities. When she didn't think she would be able to go, her mom decides to take on the job as camp caterer and gets Mitchie the chance to go as long as she helps in the kitchen. Everything is great until Mitchie decides to lie about who her mother is and the connections she has in the music world. Meanwhile, pop star Shane is forced to be a camp instructor by his music label to get his act together. Both Mitchie and Shane find hope in each other and begin to learn what life is all about.

Critical Evaluation: Camp Rock definitely has a good goal, encouraging kids to fulfill their dreams. But, the lip syncing doesn't help promote excellence in music. I think that really is the only downfall of the movie, the bad lip syncing. For a TV movie with relatively new teen actors, it's a good film. The music is catchy and inspiring. It's a good way to encourage kids to make goals, be themselves and follow their dreams. I'm hoping Camp Rock 2 will have improved lip syncing abilities.

Reader's Annotation: Mitchie just wants to be a musician and Camp Rock can help her be everything she can be. But will wanting to be popular get in the way of her music?

Author Bio: Joe Jonas is a member of the pop group Jonas Brothers and star of many Disney shows and movies, including the series "Jonas." Demi Lovado made her debut in Camp Rock and has since released a solo album, is the star of Sonny with a Chance series and the TV movie Princess Protection Program.

Genre: Disney, Musical

Curriculum Ties: None.

Booktalking Ideas:

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8-14

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: My nine-year-old niece loves this movie and has been trying to get me to watch it for a while.

Sky High

Mitchell, Mike, director. Sky High. Burbank, CA: Walt Disney Pictures, 2005. 100 minutes. $14.99 ISBN 0788860275

Plot Summary: Will Stronghold is the song of two of the greatest superheros Commander and Jetstream, also known as Steve and Josie Stronghold. The time has come for Will and his best friend Layla, also daughter of a superhero, to start high school at Sky High. Sky High is the high school for superhero children, where you're labeled either a hero or sidekick. Will struggles with his lack of a super power until suddenly he has super human strength. Then he is forced to choose between his best friends who are sidekicks, and being popular as a hero.

Critical Evaluation: This movie was pretty silly, for lack of a better word. I enjoyed the film for that reason. The idea that superheros have a special high school to go to is interesting and believable. It is a classic good versus evil story, it just centers on teens with super powers. It is a movie that all tweens can relate to, even without the super powers.

Reader's Annotation: Being a superhero doesn't make high school any easier, it just makes it more complicated. Will Stronghold learns that being a popular hero isn't everything.

Author Bio: Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston are established actors, both starring in several movies and TV shows over the years. Michael Angarano was already a successful young star before starring in Sky High, with roles in Lords of Dogtown, Almost Famous and Seabiscuit. He recently starred in The Forbidden Kingdom and Gentlemen Broncos. Danielle Panabaker has starred in a few Disney and Lifetime movies but is currently breaking out into the horror movie genre and even a role as a girl working a local Renaissance Faire.

Genre: Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: None

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about what superpowers they would want and if they'd rather be a hero or sidekick. Lead into the synopsis of the movie, and how it is like a comic book on film.

Reading Level/Interest Age: ages 12 and up

Challenges: Some parents may have issues with the love/dating topics.

Reason for including: This is a fun movie and stars a few young actors I've been following throughout their careers. Almost every teen loves some sort of superhero story and this is a movie they all can relate to in some way.

Grind directed by Casey La Scala

La Scala, Casey. Grind. Perfs. Mike Vogel, Vince Vieluf, Adam Brody, Joey Kern and Jennifer Morrison. Burbank, CA: Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, 2003. 105 minutes. $9.99 ISBN 0790778270

Readers Annotation: After graduation, college and the working world are farthest from these skaters minds.
Plot Summary: Most high school graduates are busy figuring out what college to go to or out applying for a job, but for Eric Rivers (Mike Vogel) that's not on his agenda. What he wants to do is skate, and make it big. Eric and his friend Matt (Vince Lieluf) decide to kidnap hard working Dustin (Adam Brody) on a road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica. They pick up the smooth talking Sweet Lou (Joey Kern) along the way and his decked out van that includes a removable skate ramp. They head through a couple small towns, taking on young teenage skaters, picking up hot girls, and getting their van stolen. The quartet attempt to enter into any skate competitions they can and force their way onto the great Jimmy Wilson's tour band to leave a tape of their skate tricks. Eric falls for cute Jamie (Jennifer Morrison), who ends up being a phenomenal skater. The boys, with help from Matt's circus family, finally make it to the big competition in Santa Monica, but the question is, will they be able to enter and win?
Critical Evaluation: Grind isn't an award winning movie, but definitely has some memorable moments. Six years after I first saw this movie, at 18, I still quote some of the funnier lines. As far as post-graduation adventure movies go, this one is on the more believable side. They encounter problem after problem, including getting their van and all their gear stolen, but yet they keep on going. I suppose there are many teenage boys out there wishing the same thing, to be signed by some skate company and make mad cash skating everyday. What this movie is all about, however, is gross humor, meeting girls, and skating your heart out, and it surely accomplishes this.
Information about the Author: Mike Vogel went on to star in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Poseidon and Cloverfield. After being in several tv shows, most famously being The OC, Adam Brody has starred in several more feature films including Mr. & Mrs. Smith, In the Land of Women, Thank You for Smoking and will be in the comedy horror Jennifer's Body in September. Jennifer Morrison also starred in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Star Trek and has been Dr. Allison Cameron on House, MD. Casey La Scala was executive producer for teen greats like A Walk to Remember, Donnie Darko, and What a Girl Wants.
Genre: Comedy, Sports-themed
Age Level: PG-13, crude humor
Curriculum Ties: No curriculum ties.
Book talking ideas: Talk about the benefits of a good laugh and the skills involved in skateboarding.
Challenge Issues: The crude humor might be an issue for some parents.
Why I included it: I included Grind because its a good all around teen movie, and one of my favorites from my teen years. As someone who always wished she could skate, watching other people skate is just as good.

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.

Penelope directed by Mark Palansky

Palansky, Mark (Director). Penelope. Perfs. Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, and Reese Witherspoon. Universal City, CA: Summit Entertainment, 2008. 90 minutes. $19.99 UPC 025195037952

Viewers Annotation: Penelope is like any other girl, except that she was born with a pig snout for a nose. All she wants is to break her curse, and hopefully find true love.
Plot Summary: After a curse falls on the Wilhelm family, Penelope's parents end up the only Wilhelms to have a daughter. Because of the old family curse, Penelope is born with a pig snout for a nose. Fearing the humiliation it would bring their daughter, and themselves, they hide her in their mansion during her childhood. When she is a teenager they begin to find suitors for Penelope in hopes of breaking her curse. Once they glimpse Penelope, however, they run away leaving Penelope with out hope. One day a young man named Max comes to meet the infamous Penelope, under the influence of an aristocrat and a reporter, and is not scared away by her pig nose. When Max eventually breaks her heart like the rest, Penelope sets out on her own and ends up finding herself. She makes true friends along the way and soon realizes that she must love herself before she can hope to break the curse.
Critical Evaluation: This film is a clever modern day fairy tale. The quirky characters and dialogue keep the viewer interested in what happens to Penelope. The appearance of many established actors make this a great film, however the soundtrack and costume design create the whimsical fairy tale. It truly is Beauty and the Beast for the modern day. Although this is a PG film, and very family friendly, it will appeal to any hopeless romantic. At the heart of the story is the ability to love one's self, even when no one else seems to, which is a lesson all teenagers should take to heart. definite must watch for a light hearted distraction.
Information about the Director and Actors: Mark Palansky
Genre: Fairy Tale
Age Level: PG, All ages
Curriculum Ties: Discuss fairy tales and the use of old fairy tales to convey modern situations. Also discuss the differences of movies from their books. Compare selections from the book to the movie.
Book talking ideas: Talk about the book and the benefits of reading the book before watching a movie based on it. Read a chapter of the book and play that scene from the movie.
Challenge Issues: No challenge issues.
Why I included it: I included Penelope because there are so many raunchy romances out there, often pushing cute light-hearted romances to the wayside. With so many great actors like James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon, Catherine O'Hara, Christina Ricci, Peter Dinklage and a minor appearance by Russell Brand, it is a great film that was overlooked in theatres. For the hopeless romantics, Penelope is an essential film.

S. Darko directed by Chris Fisher

S. Darko directed by Chris
Fisher, Chris. S. Darko. Perfs. Daveigh Chase, Briana Evigan, Jackson Rathbone, and Ed Westwick. Beverly Hills, CA: 20th Century Fox, 2009. 103 minutes. $14.99 UPC 024543575184
Readers Annotation: Seven years after the death of her brother, Donnie, Sam is haunted by his same visions.
Plot Summary: Seven years after the death of her brother, Donnie, Sam (Daveigh Chase) travels across the country with her friend Corey (Briana Evigan) in search of answers. Instead she finds people who are haunted by the same visions as her brother. Sam becomes involved in the drama of the small town she and Corey stop in, and captures the interest of two of the local boys (Jackson Rathbone and Ed Westwick). There seems to be something dark taking hold of the small town, especially after a meteor strikes nearby. The young town war veteran keeps to himself and his visions, but he towns people think he is responsible for the disappearances of two boys. Sam soon uncovers the mystery, and ends up dying just as she figures it out. Or does she?
Critical Evaluation: For fans of the cult classic Donnie Darko, this film may disappoint. It seems that its purpose is to follow Sam as she tries to find herself despite her grief, but it gets lost in the random events of the small town. There are so many Sam as ghost visions and points where they go back in time, that is tends to get a little confusing. What is that awful rash and where was the meteor from? How did the Iraqi veteran come to the town and how ironic is it that his mother wrote the infamous book that cause Donnie's insanity? Why did it take them so long to make a sequel? Maybe these things don't really matter when all a viewer wants is some shock, gore and twist endings.
Genre: Horror, Drama
Age Level: Ages 13 and up, however some of the imagery would not be suitable for younger teens
Curriculum Ties: No curriculum ties.
Book talking ideas: No book talking ideas.
Challenge Issues: The graphic imagery would be a concern for parents of younger teens.
Why I included it: I included S. Darko because I am a fan of Donnie Darko and was excited by the idea of a sequel. I'm still not sure if I liked it or not.

Style Remix DVD

Style Remix DVD
Style Remix: 21+ Fashion Projects. Little Rock, AR: Leisure Arts, Inc., 2007. 100 minutes. $19.95 ISBN 1601405618
Readers Annotation: More than 21 projects to revamp your wardrobe and create your own style.
Plot Summary/Critical Evaluation: Style Remix is an instructional DVD that includes projects of all kinds to create a unique wardrobe using what you already have. The hosts are friendly and informative and give great directions. The projects give great examples of what can be done but also give tips on how they can be changed and personalized. The projects are fun and up-to-date, no out-dated early 90s scrunchies here! There are ideas for purses, skirts, and many other fashion pieces.
Genre: Arts and Crafts, Fashion
Age Level: Ages 12 and up
Curriculum Ties: Could be used in a home economics class for extra instruction on crafts and sewing.
Book talking ideas: Talk about the many ways they can express themselves. Fashion is one way to express yourself that everyone will see and can be changed everyday. A great way to personalize your fashion and express yourself is by altering what you have and creative something totally new.
Challenge Issues: No challenge issues.
Why I included it: I included this instructional DVD because there seems to be a big DIY movement through teens and 20s. There are many websites the give tips and patterns on DIY projects, and a DVD is a great addition to any arts and crafts collection.