Beastly

Beastly

Movie

Directed by Daniel Barnz

CBS Films, 2011

ASIN B0052QXAEK

3 (out of 5) STARS

Plot Summary

'Beastly' is an edgy teen romance about learning how to see past false surfaces to discover true inner beauty.

Kyle Kingson (Alex Pettyfer) has it all -- looks, intelligence, wealth and opportunity -- and a wicked cruel streak. Prone to mocking and humiliating "aggressively unattractive" classmates, he zeroes in on Goth classmate Kendra, inviting her to the school's extravagant environmental bash. Kendra accepts, and, true to form, Kyle blows her off in a particularly savage fashion. She retaliates by casting a spell that physically transforms him into everything he despises. Enraged by his horrible and unrecognizable appearance he confronts Kendra and learns that the only solution to the curse is to find someone that will love him as he is -- a task he considers impossible.

Repulsed by his appearance, Kyle’s callous father banishes him to Brooklyn with a sympathetic housekeeper (Lisa Gay Hamilton) and blind tutor (Neil Patrick Harris). As Kyle ponders how to overcome the curse and get his old life back, he chances upon a drug addict in the act of killing a threatening dealer. Seizing the opportunity, Kyle promises the addict freedom and safety for his daughter Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens) if she will consent to live in Kyle's Brooklyn home. Thus begins Kyle's journey to discover true love in this hyper-modern retelling of the classic 'Beauty and the Beast' story.

http://www.moviefone.com/movie/beastly/37954/synopsis

Critical Analysis

I always enjoy variations of fairy tales. I really looked forward to watching this movie but then thought it was only ok. I realize that a retelling of a fairy tale in some ways will always be predictable but this movie was even more predictable than I would have enjoyed. There was nothing special or unusual that made this telling of Beauty and the Beast unique or special. The change in the "beast" was not really very believable.

Other fairy tale movies that I enjoyed more are Red Riding Hood (released March 11, 2011), Tangled (released November 24, 2010) and Ever After (released July 29, 1998).

Reader’s Annotation

Another basic retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in modern time.

Information about the director

A veteran of Ivy League Yale University and the University of Southern California Film School, writer-cum-directorDaniel Barnz spent almost a decade circulating his original scripts among the studios, and culled interest from a substantial roster of A-list talent including Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson, but could never actually cross the line and get one of the scripts produced. Barnz's fortunes shifted in late 2006, when his Phoebe in Wonderland -- an offbeat drama about a troubled young girl drifting ever more deeply into a fantasy world of her own design -- received a greenlight from executive producers Chris Finazzo and Doug Dey, with Barnz himself attached to direct.

http://www.moviefone.com/celebrity/daniel-barnz/2380177/biography

Genre

fantasy.

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level

rated PG-13

Challenge Issues

This movie is fairly tame. However, there is some violence, underage drinking, and kissing.

It is best to be prepared for a book challenge before it is challenged. It is important to read the book all the way through and to have read both positive and negative reviews of the book from professionals and teens as well. Be aware of the library’s collection policy. Also check for any awards the book may have won. It would be beneficial to see how other library’s may have handled challenges for this particular book in the past.

*The above information also applies to movies.

Why Included?

One of the teenage girls that I interviewed said this was one of her new favorite movies.

Red Riding Hood

Red Riding Hood

Movie

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke

Warner Home Video, 2011

ISBN 9780780677029

4 (out of 5) STARS

Plot Summary

Valerie (Seyfried) is a beautiful young woman torn between two men. She is in love with a brooding outsider, Peter (Fernandez), but her parents have arranged for her to marry the wealthy Henry (Irons). Unwilling to lose each other, Valerie and Peter are planning to run away together when they learn that Valerie's older sister has been killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village. For years, the people have maintained an uneasy truce with the beast, offering the creature a monthly animal sacrifice. But under a blood red moon, the wolf has upped the stakes by taking a human life. Hungry for revenge, the people call on famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Oldman), to help them kill the wolf. But Solomon's arrival brings unintended consequences as he warns that the wolf, who takes human form by day, could be any one of them. As the death toll rises with each moon, Valerie begins to suspect that the werewolf could be someone she loves. As panic grips the town, Valerie discovers that she has a unique connection to the beast--one that inexorably draws them together, making her both suspect...and bait.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1486185/plotsummary

Critical Evaluation

From a purely entertainment stand point I enjoyed this movie. I really enjoy fairy tales and like to see different takes on them. Unlike Beastly, I thought this movie had something new to add. The director was also the director of the huge Twilight movie and the similarities were apparent.

Reader’s Annotation

Another retelling of Red Riding Hood.

Information about the director

Born in the border town of McAllen, TX on Oct. 21, 1955, Hardwicke studied art in Mexico and received her degree in architecture from the University of Texas at Austin. Among her post-graduation projects was a 20-acre solar townhouse complex built around a manmade lake, complete with waterfalls and swimming pools. Despite her success in her chosen field, she saw her true calling in film, so she relocated to Los Angeles to study at UCLA.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800196628/bio

Genre

fantasy

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level

PG-13

Challenge Issues

violence, sex, swearing, drinking.

It is best to be prepared for a book challenge before it is challenged. It is important to read the book all the way through and to have read both positive and negative reviews of the book from professionals and teens as well. Be aware of the library’s collection policy. Also check for any awards the book may have won. It would be beneficial to see how other library’s may have handled challenges for this particular book in the past.

*The above information also applies to movies.

Why Included?

It is a new movie just released this year that looked like it appealed to teenagers.

500 Days of Summer

500 Days of Summer

Movie

Directed by Marc Webb

Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2009

ASIN B002U1F32M

3 (out of 5) STARS

Plot Summary

He's Tom, from New Jersey, working in L.A. writing greeting cards even through he's an architect by training. She's Summer, in from Michigan. Day one is her first day as an AA in Tom's office. We jump back and forth in time: by day 67, they've become an item when she decides to put aside the lovemaking and just be friends. Tom, a romantic who's sure Summer is the one for him, wallows in self pity. We go back to the early days and see the relationship begin. Summer tells him right away that she doesn't believe in love. He mopes well past day 100. Then, as day 500 approaches, they find themselves at a wedding together. Does the old flame rekindle? Is Tom right that destiny controls love?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1022603/plotsummary

Critical Evaluation

When I was searching for movies to watch for this class I went two different directions. First, I used the movies that the teenage girls that I had interviewed suggested. One girl loved Beastly, which I watched and thought was okay. Another girl suggested Just Go With It. But that movie had Adam Sandler in it and I just wasn't up to Adam Sandler. So the next place I checked was Indie films. I did not know what Indie films meant but have since learned it means Independent films. I find these films are often quirky and unusual. 500 Days of Summer was no exception. I found a list of best indie films for teens at http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-lists/indie-films.

500 Days of Summer was quite enjoyable. Tom is mopey and cute. Summer is perky and not inclined to get emotionally involved. They are actually a very bad pairing. I really enjoyed the timeline of the movie. It jumps back and forth in time throughout their dating experience. Each new time shown is indicated by what day it is in their relationship.

Reader’s Annotation

A romantic comedy about a girl who does not believe in true love and the boy who falls in love with her.

Information about the director

An in-demand music video director for nearly 10 years, Marc Webb's career path changed dramatically after his first feature, the endearingly bittersweet romance "(500) Days of Summer" (2009). The film brought him to the attention of the critical community, which showered his debut effort with praise; it also ushered him into the Hollywood inner circle, where, in 2010, he was granted the keys to the "Spider-Man" franchise. Webb's visual skill and boundless imagination made him a talent to watch and admire for film fans worldwide.

Born Aug. 31, 1975, Webb was the son of academic parents, but his own tenure in higher learning was short-lived; he reportedly attended Colorado College for only a semester before delving into the professional side of filmmaking.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1809864220/bio

Genre

romantic comedy.

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level

PG-13

Challenge Issues

drinking, swearing, sex

It is best to be prepared for a book challenge before it is challenged. It is important to read the book all the way through and to have read both positive and negative reviews of the book from professionals and teens as well. Be aware of the library’s collection policy. Also check for any awards the book may have won. It would be beneficial to see how other library’s may have handled challenges for this particular book in the past.

*The above information also applies to movies.

Why Included?

I looked for unusual and quirky teen movies.

The Namesake

The Namesake

Movie

Directed by Mira Nair

Fox Searchlight Pictures & Mirabia Films, 2007

ASIN B001023N1A

3 (out of 5) STARS

Plot Summary

American-born Gogol, the son of Indian immigrants, wants to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers, despite his family's unwillingness to let go of their traditional ways.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433416/

Critical Evaluation

I read this book a few years ago but had not seen this movie yet. It appeared on the list of good Indie films for teens. I, of course, enjoyed the book better than the movie. But I still liked the movie. One theme of the movie was isolation and loneliness. Gogol's family is isolated from their neighbors as they keep their traditional ways. I don't necessarily think giving up their traditions is the right thing to do but it can cause assimilation problems.

Reader’s Annotation

Chronicles the life of Gogol from boy to adult.

Information about the director

The highly acclaimed director from India, Mira Nair leapt into the world's spotlight with her film Salaam, Bombay! This film is considered by many to be her best work although she may be better known for the controversial subject matter of her latest film Kama Sutra: A tale of Love.

Mira Nair was born in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa to a civil servant in 1957. She went on to attend the University of New Delhi where she studied Sociology and Theater. Dissatisfied with the quality of the education, she applied elsewhere. As result she came to Harvard in 1976 on full scholarship to continue studying Sociology. While at Harvard her focus drifted to documentary film. She describes documentary as "a marriage of my interests in the visual arts, theatre, and life as it is lived"

http://english.emory.edu/Bahri/Nair.html

Genre

realist fiction

Curriculum Ties

cultures. immigration

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level

PG-13

Challenge Issues

sex, swearing, drinking, smoking

It is best to be prepared for a book challenge before it is challenged. It is important to read the book all the way through and to have read both positive and negative reviews of the book from professionals and teens as well. Be aware of the library’s collection policy. Also check for any awards the book may have won. It would be beneficial to see how other library’s may have handled challenges for this particular book in the past.

*Above information applies for movies as well.

Why Included?

I had read this book a few years ago and was curious to see the movie.

I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four

Movie

Directed by D.J. Caruso

Disney, 2011

ASIN B004Z2TUGE

3 (out of 5) STARS

Plot Summary

Extraordinary teen John Smith (Pettyfer) is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. Changing his identity, moving from town to town with his guardian Henri (Olyphant), John is always the new kid with no ties to his past. In the small Ohio town he now calls home, John encounters unexpected, life-changing events-his first love (Agron), powerful new abilities and a connection to the others who share his incredible destiny.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1464540/plotsummary

Critical Evaluation

I am guessing that the book was better than the movie. Although I did enjoy the movie. Some parts of the movie were a bit confusing and seemed to not flow smoothly. But I believe that is a common problem when taking a 440 page book and converting it into a movie. This movie had action, interesting characters, and a bit of romance. It was nicely done and a great teen flick.

Reader’s Annotation

A young man with great powers from another planet is next in line to be killed.

Information about the director

Date of Birth: January 17, 1965

A graduate of Pepperdine University with a B.A. in film and television, Caruso started working in film as an associate producer for a number of John Badham films such as Point of No Return (1993), Another Stakeout(1993), Drop Zone (1994) and Nick of Time (1995). After working as a director on the television series VR.5, Caruso directed a short film entitledCyclops, Baby (1997) that was featured at various film festivals.

In 1997, Caruso was the executive producer on the critically acclaimed telefilm Rebound, which was nominated for an Image Award. Later that same year, he directed four episodes of the ABC/Dreamworks television series High Incident for executive producer Steven Spielberg.

Caruso spent several years working on the small screen, directing episodes of Martial Law, The Strip, Dark Angel, Smallville and The Shield.

He returned to the big screen with his first feature film director's credit inThe Salton Sea (2002) starring Val Kilmer, followed by Taking Lives (2004) starring Angelina Jolie, Disturbia (2007) and Eagle Eye (2008), both starring Shia LaBeouf. His most recent film, the thriller I Am Number Four(2011), stars British actor Alex Pettyfer.

Caruso and his wife, Holly, have four children.

http://www.tribute.ca/people/dj-caruso/7448/

Genre

science fiction

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level

PG-13

Challenge Issues

some violence and swearing.

It is best to be prepared for a book challenge before it is challenged. It is important to read the book all the way through and to have read both positive and negative reviews of the book from professionals and teens as well. Be aware of the library’s collection policy. Also check for any awards the book may have won. It would be beneficial to see how other library’s may have handled challenges for this particular book in the past.

*Above information also applies to movies.

Why Included?

My daughter read the book a few months ago and really enjoyed it. I thought the movie looked like a great teen action/science fiction movie. I hope to read the book soon.