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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.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Vox Lux (2018) in Movies
Sep 18, 2019
Black Swan 2: The Return of Durant
In 1999, a middle school teenager Celeste has survived a horrific school shooting which has left multiple students and teacher dead. Through tragedy, the wounded girl triumphs through the singing of a tribute song which goes viral and becomes an anthem for heartbreak throughout the world.
She achieves instant success with her song, so much so, she gets a recording contract and her and her sister are whisked away to Sweden to record it officially and make a music video. Her manager chaperones her time there, but does not have much success. The girls have a good time partying and choosing every excess including the consequences. The video is a success and she becomes a star.
Eighteen years later, the aging pop star is trying to make a comeback and show she can still keep up. Her relationships with her sister, teenage daughter and sister as she has lived the ego-driven life of a celebrity now for too long. One the eve of a concert performance, another massive multi-person shooting happens at a beachfront, the perpetrators donning masks used in one of her videos making her the target of paparazzi and media scrutiny at a pivotal time in her life.
She tries to salvage her relationship with her daughter who is going through her own teenage angst with mixed success. It seems she is her own worst enemy questioning her choices and continuing leading the lifestyle of a demanding celebrity.
The movie seems like a tale of two halves with the teenage Celeste and the "grown up" version even having screen captures saying so. For me the first half was way more interesting than the second. The teenage Celeste was more believable, maybe because you didn't know her, but the screenplay was more interesting for her as well.
One can only imagine the emotions of having to live through such a tragedy and having to rebuild your life afterwards. Then adding on top of it, her instantaneous global stardom could not have done well to heal her physical, but emotional scars as well.
I felt Natalie Portman seemed out of place and her acting felt very wooden and dry to me unlike most of her portfolio. She even was an executive producer on the film along with her costar Jude Law, so she may have been focused on that instead of her acting performance. She doesn't appear in the film until close to an hour in and filmed her scenes over 10 days. It is unfortunate, but I really didn't believe her and took me out of several scenes as a result.
It is hard to empathize with the celebrity lifestyle of excess and demands having never lived it myself. It has certainly been portrayed onscreen much better than it is here and it really felt like the two halves of the film were disconnected and not resolved.
I certainly don't mind, or even encourage, the vague open-ended type of film generally speaking if it is left you to think about the plight of the characters their decisions, and ultimate destinations; however, this film accomplishes this only through bad writing.
The concert footage was well done and Portman certainly delivered on transforming into a Madonna/Britney Spears type icon. I was just hoping for more of a payoff and felt disappointed in the end.
She achieves instant success with her song, so much so, she gets a recording contract and her and her sister are whisked away to Sweden to record it officially and make a music video. Her manager chaperones her time there, but does not have much success. The girls have a good time partying and choosing every excess including the consequences. The video is a success and she becomes a star.
Eighteen years later, the aging pop star is trying to make a comeback and show she can still keep up. Her relationships with her sister, teenage daughter and sister as she has lived the ego-driven life of a celebrity now for too long. One the eve of a concert performance, another massive multi-person shooting happens at a beachfront, the perpetrators donning masks used in one of her videos making her the target of paparazzi and media scrutiny at a pivotal time in her life.
She tries to salvage her relationship with her daughter who is going through her own teenage angst with mixed success. It seems she is her own worst enemy questioning her choices and continuing leading the lifestyle of a demanding celebrity.
The movie seems like a tale of two halves with the teenage Celeste and the "grown up" version even having screen captures saying so. For me the first half was way more interesting than the second. The teenage Celeste was more believable, maybe because you didn't know her, but the screenplay was more interesting for her as well.
One can only imagine the emotions of having to live through such a tragedy and having to rebuild your life afterwards. Then adding on top of it, her instantaneous global stardom could not have done well to heal her physical, but emotional scars as well.
I felt Natalie Portman seemed out of place and her acting felt very wooden and dry to me unlike most of her portfolio. She even was an executive producer on the film along with her costar Jude Law, so she may have been focused on that instead of her acting performance. She doesn't appear in the film until close to an hour in and filmed her scenes over 10 days. It is unfortunate, but I really didn't believe her and took me out of several scenes as a result.
It is hard to empathize with the celebrity lifestyle of excess and demands having never lived it myself. It has certainly been portrayed onscreen much better than it is here and it really felt like the two halves of the film were disconnected and not resolved.
I certainly don't mind, or even encourage, the vague open-ended type of film generally speaking if it is left you to think about the plight of the characters their decisions, and ultimate destinations; however, this film accomplishes this only through bad writing.
The concert footage was well done and Portman certainly delivered on transforming into a Madonna/Britney Spears type icon. I was just hoping for more of a payoff and felt disappointed in the end.
Breakthrough: How One Teen Innovator is Changing the World
Jack Andraka and Matthew Lysiak
Book
An inspiring teenage memoir from globally renowned young scientist Jack Andraka. Have you ever had a...
Our Little Racket: A Novel
6.0
Rate It
Book
A captivating debut about wealth, envy, and secrets: the story of five women whose lives are...
Fiction
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Dec 2, 2017
Saoirse (pronounced Sersha) Ronan (2 more)
Charming screenplay
Slice of life
I took my 16-year-old daughter to this film instead of going to yet another superhero flick and we were both mesmerized with its joy, wit and poignancy. All the acting was top notch especially Saoirse Ronan. She completely delvers on her character in every way. She is also a dialect master as having a thick Irish accent in real life.
The situations Lady Bird finds herself in are real and touch you in your heart especially if you have teenage children. The way she handles things and the way the story winds itself along keep you enthralled the entire time and not wanting it to end.
Highly recommended for those seeking more than just comic book blockbusters.
The situations Lady Bird finds herself in are real and touch you in your heart especially if you have teenage children. The way she handles things and the way the story winds itself along keep you enthralled the entire time and not wanting it to end.
Highly recommended for those seeking more than just comic book blockbusters.
James Powers (11 KP) rated Dazed and Confused (1993) in Movies
Jun 5, 2017
Killer soundtrack (1 more)
Great ensemble cast
Alright alright alright
Love this movie!
Possibly my favourite movie and have watched and rewatched countless times.
The beauty of the movie is the familiarity of the subject matter, I was not born until 1979 but the trials and tribulations of teenage life presented here will be comfortable and accessible to any viewer.
The cast of (then) unknowns largely seem custom made for each individual character, and the casting of even the small roles was nailed with perfect execution.
The soundtrack keeps everything ticking over like a movie score, so much so I find that hearing a song from the movie will always bring my mind back to that scene (Bob Dylan "Hurricane" a standout)
Linklater would go on to do bigger films, but for my money... None better
Possibly my favourite movie and have watched and rewatched countless times.
The beauty of the movie is the familiarity of the subject matter, I was not born until 1979 but the trials and tribulations of teenage life presented here will be comfortable and accessible to any viewer.
The cast of (then) unknowns largely seem custom made for each individual character, and the casting of even the small roles was nailed with perfect execution.
The soundtrack keeps everything ticking over like a movie score, so much so I find that hearing a song from the movie will always bring my mind back to that scene (Bob Dylan "Hurricane" a standout)
Linklater would go on to do bigger films, but for my money... None better
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Jenny Pox (The Paranormals, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Jenny Pox]by [J.L. Bryan] is a different twist on teen paranormal. No stupid sparkly vampires here! Instead teens with special powers all in the same small town.
Jenny can kill with a touch but does her best to protect everyone even though it brings her ridicule and bullying.
Seth can heal people with his touch.
Ashley can control people with hers and she does for her own benefit.
No one knows about these powers except the person with them until an accidental encounter between Jenny and Seth. All the pieces begin to fit.
This was a really enjoyable story and the fact that the teenagers had normal teenage personalities and issues made it all the better. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Jenny can kill with a touch but does her best to protect everyone even though it brings her ridicule and bullying.
Seth can heal people with his touch.
Ashley can control people with hers and she does for her own benefit.
No one knows about these powers except the person with them until an accidental encounter between Jenny and Seth. All the pieces begin to fit.
This was a really enjoyable story and the fact that the teenagers had normal teenage personalities and issues made it all the better. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated One is Come (Five in Circle, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I am looking forward to the next one in the series. [One is Come] by [C.H. MacLean] is a wonderful mix of magic, adventure and lore. The characters suffer from the typical teenage angst that is common everywhere and similar growing pains. The difference is the issue of puberty brings with it a secret that normal kids don't deal with.
The only people around the kids that can understand are their parents who have taken an oath not to speak of the magic. The conflicting powers fighting for control over the kids and their gift leads to more intrigue. I am still not sure who is good and who is bad, or even if there is a good or bad. Any book that has magic and dragons is always a good bet.
The only people around the kids that can understand are their parents who have taken an oath not to speak of the magic. The conflicting powers fighting for control over the kids and their gift leads to more intrigue. I am still not sure who is good and who is bad, or even if there is a good or bad. Any book that has magic and dragons is always a good bet.
Liliannar (58 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books
May 29, 2018
This was an incredibly fun and nostalgic read. Though I wasn't born in the 80's, I did (and still do) enjoy a great deal of the material discussed in this book. I listened on Audible and it was narrated by Wil Wheaton which significantly added to the enjoyment factor. I would absolutely recommend that anyone interested in this book listen to it aloud. Each character is clearly identifiable through the voice acting.
The biggest difficulty for me in this book was getting into the mindset of a teenage boy. There were chunks of time where I just didn't care about the main character and really wished someone else was giving their perspective. Given that this is my only complaint, it was a fantastic book and one I would certainly enjoy again another time.
The biggest difficulty for me in this book was getting into the mindset of a teenage boy. There were chunks of time where I just didn't care about the main character and really wished someone else was giving their perspective. Given that this is my only complaint, it was a fantastic book and one I would certainly enjoy again another time.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in Video Games
Dec 8, 2018
Nintendo has struck again!
Picked up this game last night and can't stop playing.
I love these games so much since Nintendo does a great job of playing homage to itself with these. Not too far along yet, but it is so much fun for sure. I even got my teenage daughter to play with me so that is saying something. I like the unlocks so far as it keeps you engaged.
The variety of stages and characters is amazing. I'm glad you have to work for unlocking stuff as that makes you want to keep playing.
Haven't done adventure mode yet, but looks like so much fun!
I'm actually going to buy an additional controller today.
For anyone who loves Nintendo, this one is a must!
I love these games so much since Nintendo does a great job of playing homage to itself with these. Not too far along yet, but it is so much fun for sure. I even got my teenage daughter to play with me so that is saying something. I like the unlocks so far as it keeps you engaged.
The variety of stages and characters is amazing. I'm glad you have to work for unlocking stuff as that makes you want to keep playing.
Haven't done adventure mode yet, but looks like so much fun!
I'm actually going to buy an additional controller today.
For anyone who loves Nintendo, this one is a must!