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Sarah (7798 KP) rated Mean Girls (2004) in Movies
Nov 22, 2020
Entertaining
Film #3 on the 100 Movies Bucket List: Mean Girls
The third film on my 100 Movies Bucket List is Mean Girls, a film I’ve seen but never had any strong emotion for. Mean Girls stars Lindsay Lohan as Cady, who after living and being homeschooled in Africa for most of her life, must now enter the terrifying world of an American high school. Here she meets Janis (Lizzy Caplan) and Damian (Daniel Franzese) who clue her into high school hierarchy, including introducing her to the Plastics: Regina (Rachel McAdams), Karen (Amanda Seyfried) and Gretchen (Lacey Chabert).
Mean Girls is a teenage movie that is unlike many others – instead of being dumb and crude, it’s surprisingly smart and humorous. From the opening scenes, it’s obvious that this is intelligent. It’s full of subtle jokes and remarks and some absolutely superb one liners, and these are all down to Tina Fey who has written an excellent script. And in the process appears to have some of the best lines as teacher Mrs Norbury, but do you blame her? Mean Girls manages to portray the high school hierarchy and social interactions perfectly. Whilst is is obviously catering more to American high schoolers, I doubt there are many that would watch this and not see something that they personally experienced at high school. It’s almost poking fun at the high school experience but in such a smart and enjoyable way. There are moments and lines in this that are almost verging on inappropriate, and likely wouldn’t be acceptable in today’s society, but even though this was made in 2004 I don’t doubt that this impropriety is still reflective of modern day high schools.
The acting on offer here is superb. Lindsay Lohan is entirely believable as Cady and this is hugely important considering the message Mean Girls is portraying. This film is entirely about the realisation that you should be happy about you are, and that putting other people down will never achieve anything. Getting this message across is done very well, in a funny yet almost heartwarming manner although admittedly it is all rather obvious. Although at least this tries to avoid as many teenage film clichés as possible, which makes for a refreshing change.
My problem with Mean Girls is the whole bitchiness of it all that underpins the second act. I know “mean” girls were to be expected, but by the end I found myself getting very irritable with how horrible these girls were and the constant sniping at each other. This may stem from my own sometimes unpleasant experiences at high school, but teenage girls stabbing each other in the backs gets very old very quickly. Fortunately the ending does at least relieve some of the meanness and provide a surprisingly heartwarming and uplifting resolution, but I’m afraid some of the damage remains. And I must admit that seeing a smart girl play dumb and risk failing for a boy really makes my blood boil, and yes I do know it’s only a film.
Overall Mean Girls is a well done teenage film which stands out mostly because of its very smart script. It’s probably one of the best high school based films out there but it isn’t perfect, and I do question as to whether it deserves a spot on the bucket list when there are so many outstanding films that have missed out.
The third film on my 100 Movies Bucket List is Mean Girls, a film I’ve seen but never had any strong emotion for. Mean Girls stars Lindsay Lohan as Cady, who after living and being homeschooled in Africa for most of her life, must now enter the terrifying world of an American high school. Here she meets Janis (Lizzy Caplan) and Damian (Daniel Franzese) who clue her into high school hierarchy, including introducing her to the Plastics: Regina (Rachel McAdams), Karen (Amanda Seyfried) and Gretchen (Lacey Chabert).
Mean Girls is a teenage movie that is unlike many others – instead of being dumb and crude, it’s surprisingly smart and humorous. From the opening scenes, it’s obvious that this is intelligent. It’s full of subtle jokes and remarks and some absolutely superb one liners, and these are all down to Tina Fey who has written an excellent script. And in the process appears to have some of the best lines as teacher Mrs Norbury, but do you blame her? Mean Girls manages to portray the high school hierarchy and social interactions perfectly. Whilst is is obviously catering more to American high schoolers, I doubt there are many that would watch this and not see something that they personally experienced at high school. It’s almost poking fun at the high school experience but in such a smart and enjoyable way. There are moments and lines in this that are almost verging on inappropriate, and likely wouldn’t be acceptable in today’s society, but even though this was made in 2004 I don’t doubt that this impropriety is still reflective of modern day high schools.
The acting on offer here is superb. Lindsay Lohan is entirely believable as Cady and this is hugely important considering the message Mean Girls is portraying. This film is entirely about the realisation that you should be happy about you are, and that putting other people down will never achieve anything. Getting this message across is done very well, in a funny yet almost heartwarming manner although admittedly it is all rather obvious. Although at least this tries to avoid as many teenage film clichés as possible, which makes for a refreshing change.
My problem with Mean Girls is the whole bitchiness of it all that underpins the second act. I know “mean” girls were to be expected, but by the end I found myself getting very irritable with how horrible these girls were and the constant sniping at each other. This may stem from my own sometimes unpleasant experiences at high school, but teenage girls stabbing each other in the backs gets very old very quickly. Fortunately the ending does at least relieve some of the meanness and provide a surprisingly heartwarming and uplifting resolution, but I’m afraid some of the damage remains. And I must admit that seeing a smart girl play dumb and risk failing for a boy really makes my blood boil, and yes I do know it’s only a film.
Overall Mean Girls is a well done teenage film which stands out mostly because of its very smart script. It’s probably one of the best high school based films out there but it isn’t perfect, and I do question as to whether it deserves a spot on the bucket list when there are so many outstanding films that have missed out.
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Doctor Who: Forever Autumn in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Hurray! I finally get to chime in on a book for the book club! Full time work and school is putting such a dampener on my social life!
I remember being suitably impressed with this one when we reviewed it for the podcast last year. Its a fun read, a relatively quick read, and combines the best elements of scary Who to make it the perfect Halloween offering. Enjoy everyone!
I remember being suitably impressed with this one when we reviewed it for the podcast last year. Its a fun read, a relatively quick read, and combines the best elements of scary Who to make it the perfect Halloween offering. Enjoy everyone!
CaseyB (43 KP) rated Where the Red Fern Grows in Books
Mar 6, 2019
I read this book as a child in elementary school and I loved the story. It is a wonderful tale that pulls you in, but is heartbreaking too. If you are an animal lover it will definitely tug at your heart strings. I'm not an overly emotional person, but it did make me cry. It was definitely worth the read and I may read it again as an adult.
Auburn (57 KP) rated In Some Other Life in Books
Apr 10, 2019
Kennedy's life was just odd? I feel like this would be a high school required reading or something. Then you should write a paper on how a decision could have gone in a different direction. Which funnily enough was in the story ( no that's not a word, but I like it). In the end it was happy and you thought about your decisions but beyond that I really wasn't impressed.
Trish (4 KP) rated The Zen of Fish: The Story of Sushi, from Samurai to Supermarket in Books
Feb 8, 2018
A non fiction book that read more like a fiction novel. I learned so much about sushi and fish. I now have a much better understanding when I go to my local sushi restaurant. I enjoyed the characters and following their journey through sushi school. If you have any interest in sushi, pick this up. You learn the facts while getting to know the characters. best of both worlds.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Hatchet (2006) in Movies
Feb 11, 2018
Tagged as an old school American horror this definitely felt like watching an older horror film along the lines of Friday the 13th. However mixed with some very over the top gore from more recent horror films and you get this. Featuring cameos from Robert Englund, Tony Todd and Kane Hodder. There are plenty of jokes, gore and all the other ingredients that horror fans love about slasher films in this.
Dean (6925 KP) rated National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) in Movies
Mar 2, 2018
Really don't understand the fuss, this is suppose to be the best of the genre? It has no real plot to speak of and wasn't that funny, just odd. Have to say I would pick American Pie, Porky's, Van Wilder even Old School over this. Good to see a strong cast in their younger days, a very young Kevin Bacon! Overall have to say it was a miss with me!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Ramona the Pest (Ramona, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ramona is thrilled to finally be starting kindergarten. But the first year of school is filled with all kinds of trials for the anxious kid. This kid's book is just as funny and tender as I remembered. Well worth a read or reread no matter what age you are.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-ramona-pest-by-beverly.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-ramona-pest-by-beverly.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Jackson Jones goes from hero to zero when he gets braces. But that's also how he finds out about the super spies operating out of his elementary school. This book is funny and creative while still delivering a credible plot (well, for a spy spoof). Kids of all ages will love it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-nerds-national-espionage.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-nerds-national-espionage.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Most Dangerous Game in Books
Mar 15, 2018
<i>So. Many. Short. Stories.</i>
Sometimes these kinds of weird, old school, random books really hook me, but I can't explain why. This is one of them. This story has the most simple of plot lines, yet it does so well to inflict fear and excitement into the reader.
I loved the writing. I loved the tension. I loved the plot. I loved the psychopath. I loved the ending.
Sometimes these kinds of weird, old school, random books really hook me, but I can't explain why. This is one of them. This story has the most simple of plot lines, yet it does so well to inflict fear and excitement into the reader.
I loved the writing. I loved the tension. I loved the plot. I loved the psychopath. I loved the ending.