10 Things I Hate About You
This is one of those “I’ve been meaning to watch it for ages” movies. Part of my reluctance was that it’s based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, which isn’t my favourite Shakespeare play, but fellow LoveCat Rachel Bailey told me it was fab, so I decided to give it a whirl. I’m glad I did!
I love, love, love that they made the heroine vulnerable, and gave her good reason for her cranky, refusing-to-conform attitude. That made the movie for me. Kat was strong and gutsy and her learning-to-trust-again character arc was perfect. I also love that they made her little sister kick-ass too (especially when I thought she was going to be a wuss). Go them!
But the one thing I really, really wanted from the movie? I wanted the hero to have a really good reason for agreeing to a money bribe to get Kat to date him. I wanted him to want/need something so badly that he’d agree to the deception…and then have to sacrifice that want/need to win Kat back.
Strictly Ballroom
I saw this movie when it first came out—BACK IN 1993!!! I still loved the story premise of a character fighting society’s expectations and doing all he can to prove himself. I loved his passion and I loved that he had talent to back that passion up.
So I had no issue with Scott. I thought him a fully rounded character. I loved Fran’s awkwardness, sympathised with her lack of confidence and self-esteem, but I wanted to know more about her. I wanted more background. What gave her the chutzpah to ask the hero to dance with her? And I want that answer to be more than she’s in love with him and wanting him to notice her (though that can certainly be an element). Maybe wanting to live up to the memory of her mother…and wanting her father to be proud of her?
For both of the above movies, I filled in those blanks for myself. ;-)
Australia
I loved the big sweep and broad canvas of this story. I enjoyed the fact that this gave the relationship between the hero and heroine a chance to go through several different mutations—dislike to friendship to becoming lovers. Actually, what I really loved is that they were lovers for a long time…and then broke up. It took them a while to work out what was really important. Once they did, though, they fought for it tooth and nail.
There was one thing I could’ve done without, though, and that was the cute-meet between Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman’s characters. The horror of seeing your undergarments flung about the street? Really? Yawn. Also, why on earth did the hero have to use her suitcases as weapons anyway? Another yawn. That just did nothing for me. In fact, the writers had to work hard to overcome my dislike of that episode. Luckily they were up to the job. ;-)
Case Histories
This series is based on the Jackson Brodie books by Kate Atkinson (who I love…and true love lasts a lifetime). I’ve wanted to watch it for an age. The great delight of this series is that the private investigator Jackson Brodie is such a complicated character. For a start, he can be seriously bad-ass. This is a guy who knows how to protect himself—ex army, ex police—but he’s an utter marshmallow beneath all that when it comes to vulnerable women. He doesn’t even need to like said women—often he actively resists getting sucked into their troubles—which doesn’t work of course and he ends out doing all he can to help them feel safe. The thing is, though, making someone feel safe and sticking to the law can be two very different things, which means our hero sometimes crosses certain ethical lines. This stuff made me think. Hard.
Not all of Jackson’s cases end happily, though, and I’ve found myself absently rewriting a couple of the storylines in my mind to give the people who deserve it their happy ever after.
So…while I’ve loved my mini film festival, I’ve also enjoyed rewriting the scripts to suit myself here and there too. Do you ever do that? And have you been watching any good films lately?
Amazon
Harlequin
Hi Michelle
ReplyDeleteIt is that long since I sat and watched a movie LOL I can sit for hours with a book but I get fidgety sitting for too long watching TV or a movie the last movie I saw was Big Hero 6 with the grandkids at the movies and I must say I did enjoy that one from your list today the only one I started to watch was Australia and it didn't grab me at all :)
Have Fun
Helen
I've been watching oodles of movies lately, Helen. The ones above are just the tip of the iceberg. It gives my eyes a rest after spending the day on the computer, though generally I'm with you -- I infinitely prefer a book. :-)
DeleteI found Australia really interesting. I know people who LOVE it and others who LOATHE it. After having watched it, I can see understand the extremes.
P.S. I bet you had fun going to the movies with the grandkids. :-)
Michelle we do and Hayley myself and my daughter Kirsty are trying to organize to go and see Cinderella ☺ and the boys want to see either Home Shaun the Sheep or Spongebob or Insideout lol decisions
DeleteHave Fun
Helen
Ooh, so there's going to be more movie magic coming your way! Have fun. :-)
DeleteOkay, now I know we're not really twins, Michelle. You'd NEVER seen 10 Things I Hate About You??? I'm gobsmacked. It's one of my favourite movies! Am glad you finally have though.
ReplyDeleteSo, are you saying the hero didn't have a good enough reason for you? Interesting.....shall have to go and watch it again. For the 20th time...
Thanks to you I recently re-watched When Harry Met Sally and also the other night In Her Shoes. Both these movies are in my "fav eva" list.
I think the only script I've ever rewritten was Love Actually, the vinette with Laura Liney with the mentally disturbed brother. Even after all these years and about 20 viewings it still breaks my heart :-(
LOL. Well I love the movie now, so maybe that'll reinstate our twin status (and When Harry Met Sally is one of my fave ever movies...and I adore In Her Shoes too). ;-)
DeleteHis reason was okay, but I'd have liked him to have a better one. It worked because he spent all the earned money on her, but...I'd have just liked it better if he'd had a stronger motivation is all. Also, I was being deliberately analytical while watching it -- looking for things to love, but also things to ponder. :-)
OMG! In my alternate movie world, Laura Linney gets everything! She gets the seriously hot guy AND her brother gets better. She gets promotions, gets to go to lots of flash parties, drinks champagne whenever she wants to and wear cute designer everything.
In mine too!
DeleteSecret twin powers reactivate! :-)
Whew!
Delete;-)
What fun, Michelle! And odd too, because there was a movie on TV that I recorded and watched the other day where I'd have loved to be able to re-script the end. Sadly it was based on a true story so no re-scripting allowed. It was In Love and War. Set during WW1 and it's the story of Ernest Hemingway and Agnes von Kurowsky. I would love to have given them a happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen Case Histories - I'm going to have to look for it.
I did feel that Australia dragged on a bit. Feeling traitorous as I say it because what's not to love about seeing more of Hugh Jackman! But... well, from memory because it's been a while... it seemed to have an ending... and then just kept going some more! Perhaps it's time I went back to re-visit it.
OMG, Sharon, true stories can be so utterly heartbreaking! Maybe it's why we invented fiction. Still, I'm going to keep an eye out for In Love and War -- sounds really interesting.
DeleteAustralia is an odd-bod of a movie, but I still liked it. The villain in it is a SERIOUS villain. Had me thinking about the necessity of having a strong antagonist. I really relished his comeuppance.
Case Histories the book is even better if you felt like reading and then watching as a comparison. Just saying. I expect your TBR pile, like the rest of us, is too high to jump over.
Funnily enough, I don't rewrite movie elements the same way I do books. I'm easier on them, I think, because I see them as purely entertainment. When I do sit down to watch, that is my only motivation they either work or they don't. I love them or not. I am MUCH harder on books because, esp those in the genre I write, because I can't disconnect from the "work" feeling.
ReplyDeleteLast movies I watched: The Grand Budapest Hotel, for the 2nd time, and I found it just as entertaining the second time around. And Gosford Park, which I'd been meaning to watch forever, and found slightly disappointing. Not up to the Downton Abbey standard.
A late thought: I watch more out-of-genre in movies, and perhaps that helps with my lack of critical input. Haven't watched a romance in ages.
Ah, interesting that you turn your "work" brain off while watching movies, Bron. And your out-of-genre movies observation probably has merit. 3 of the 4 movies mentioned above are romances of one kind (so perhaps I feel qualified to analyse them more closely than I would a suspense film). I've developed that "work" brain for movies and TV series ever since I went to a Michael Hauge workshop -- mostly it's just idle ponderings and meanderings, though, which I find fun.
DeleteOh! I want to see The Grand Budapest Hotel. So glad you enjoyed it--twice! I haven't seen Gosford Park in a very long time, but I remember enjoying it. That said, if I'm comparing it to Downton Abbey it'd probably come off as a rather poor second.
I loved 10 Things I Hate About You when I saw if when it first came out at the movies and still do, so much so that it's a keeper and I own a copy on DVD. Can't remember when I first watched Strictly Ballroom but I love the story even though it's not a keeper.
ReplyDeleteI never managed to watch Australia all the way though - for some reason that I can't put my finger on I just can't seem to connect with the film.
Had never heard of Case Histories, sounds interesting.
Shakespearean 'remakes' or modernisations seem to be the exception to me not particularly liking books turned into movies. As a general rule if I've read the book and then watch a movie that has been based on the book, I usually find that movie disappoints me.
That said, the Harry Potter movies worked for me even though I read the books first. Additionally, I enjoyed watching the first 50 Shades movie - Dakota and Jamie don't fit my mental image of Ana and Christian, however I found that the changes that they made to the story actually made the movie different enough that I can separate it from the books but also in my opinion actually benefitted the story. (as a side note, I re-read the first two books before seeing the film, and found that since I've started writing, the issues of bad writing that are often cited by critics of the book were more evident to me).
Lyn, I'm kicking myself for not getting to the movies to see 50 Shades, but it was gone before I knew it. Glad you enjoyed it. I mean to watch it on dvd when it comes out. I also find it interesting that as a writer you noticed weaknesses in the writing of the book that you didn't as a reader. I wonder how much readers care about slick, good quality writing as opposed to a damn good story. And the answer to that would probably be different for everyone. :-)
DeleteI'm like you too -- generally preferring the books, which is why I haven't given the Harry Potter movies a chance. Might change my mind on your recommendation. The one exception where I love the movies as much as the books is The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Love both!
Oh gosh, I'm 2 glasses of wine down (its been a week, I think I deserve a little reward!) and now I'm coming back to comment again because I forgot to say this.
ReplyDeleteA lot of Australian movies really shit me. Even when I love them. Because like Priscilla and Strictly Ballroom and Kenny and The Castle and Muriel and Australia too (and I've *loved* all of these) they go out of their way to be so bloody ocker. We are more than kangaroos and Ayres Rock and bloody sheilas and prawns on the barbie. I hate that they're not more contemporary and urban because, you know, most of us live in major cities. One of the best Aussie films I think I've ever seen is I Love You Too. It was set in Melbourne and nobody was trying to bash anybody over the head with "hey we're Australian". It was a contemporary "bromance" that could have been set in any city around the world. The story didn't focus on the setting it focused on the *story*. I wasn't distracted by the huge big flashing "coloquial reference" signs, I was just into the story.
And now I'm going to shut up.....
So now I'm channeling Crocodile Dundee, which I really enjoyed...but yeah the Ocker-ness does set my teeth on edge. I'm not sure I'd say Strictly Ballroom fits into that category...and I'm searching my mind to find another Aussie movie that doesn't. You know what? You make me want to watch Picnic at Hanging Rock again. The setting of the bush is, obviously, very Australian, but I wonder if it's guilty of being Ocker? Also, have never heard of Love You Too, but I'm going to keep my eye out for it!
DeleteIt's "I Love You Too" and here's a link. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1376709/
DeleteWould be really interested to hear your take on it. It has a good Aussie cast and was writen by Peter Hellier who I find grating at the best of times but was blown away by the script. It also has Peter Dinklage in it. I developed a serious crush on him in that movie long before he was Tyrien in Game Of Thrones but after watching him as Tyrien my love for him is complete :-)
Ooh, thanks, AA!
DeleteWow, Michelle, you have been busy. I love Strictly Ballroom. Such a fun, fab movie. I know I've seen 10 Things I Hate About You, but can't really remember it!! Must go and watch it again. I wasn't that fussed on Australia and haven't seen the others.
ReplyDeleteOMG, yes re the Laura Linney character in Love Actually!!! Too sad.
When Harry Met Sally is one of my all time favs.
Now, that Gone with the Wind. Obviously one of the best final lines in a movie ever, but really...Rhett leaves! Obviously he has very good reasons...but!!!!
Jen, it seems to me that lots of people have been less than impressed with Australia. I think perhaps the depth of the story has been sacrificed for the breadth (if that makes any sense).
DeleteGONE WITH THE WIND!!! My take -- who seriously believes Scarlet is going to let Rhett walk away? Not a chance. She'll follow him, and she'll win him back with her passion and resourcefulness. End of story. ;-)
Michelle, congratulations on the release of 'The Millionaire and the Maid'. I'm so looking forward to reading this one! It sounds right up my alley.
ReplyDeleteRecent movies? The one that sticks in my mind was one I resisted seeing several times as I thought it wouldn't be good and then found myself giggling through it (in a good way). 'The Love Punch' features Emma Thompson, Pierce Brosnan, Celia Imrie and Timothy Spall'. It's about an almost retired ex-couple who find their pension fund has been ripped off by a ruthless businessman. They decide to get their money back (and those of the colleagues) by taking action into their own hands. It's silly and cute and stretches the probable outrageously but it was fun, with a great cast. If you're up for something light and fun, I can recommend it.
Thanks, Annie. When you get to it, I hope you enjoy it. :-)
DeleteI love Emma Thompson, but I haven't heard of "The Love Punch." Sounds like such fun so will definitely keep an eye out for it!