Tag Archives: 90s

Movie Review: 10 Things I Hate About You

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  • SPOILERS AHEAD

10 Things I Hate About You is a teen romance film that is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare The Taming of the Shrew. It takes place in the late 1990s at an American high school, following Cameron James, a new student played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. A guide takes him around the school, explaining the different cliques and how they work in the high school hierarchy. Cameron then sees Bianca Stratford, which then kick-starts the conflict of the movie. Bianca, a sophmore, is not allowed to date unless her outspoken, feminist older sister, Kat, does.

Cameron then goes on a journey to find somebody to date Kat, who everybody thinks of as a shrew, a bad-tempered or aggressively assertive woman. They enlist the help of a narcissistic, student model Joey, who is attempting to court Bianca, to find somebody for Kat. They pick infamous bad boy Patrick Verona. The rest of the movie follows Patrick trying to woe Kat, while also getting bribes from Joey and information about Kat from Cameron.

Joey bribes Patrick with more money to take Kat to prom, but she is still angry with him for rejecting to kiss her when she was drunk. In response, he organizes an elaborate celebration with a marching band and embarrassing himself to ask her out. Kat reveals to Bianca her past with Joey and why she is trying to protect Bianca from him. Bianca listens to her sister’s side , but is angry at her for not allowing her to make her own decisions. Kat sees how much this affects her sister so she then agrees to go to prom with Patrick to allow Bianca to go. 

Bianca decides to go with Cameron, instead of Joey. This angers Joey and he reveals the arrangement between Patrick, leaving Kat heartbroken. Patrick surprises her with a guitar to apologize and her father allows for her to attend her dream school, Sarah Lawrence. 

Overall I would give this movie a 9/10! It is a beautifully done rom-com and great adaptation. Even though Patrick is being bribed, we can tell throughout the movie he feels guilt for it and even tries to give the money back at some points. It is a little bit sad because we know his alternative motives , but aside from that, I think it’s beautiful in the ways Patrick tries to charm her. He does this by learning her favorite bands, respecting her battle for autonomy, thoughtful dates, and embarrassing proposals of love. I think it really speaks to how his understanding of her deepens throughout the movie as he gets to know her. I can emphasize with Kats complete rejection of conformity that allows for her to have a clear understanding of herself and how this could demonize her to other people.

I enjoy how they explore Bianca’s character, and that even if she presents more girly, it is clear she is not completely naive and clueless. She understands Joey’s intentions and gains revenge for her sister by beating him up at the end of the movie. I think the position the father has put them in makes for an interesting plot, but is completely unfair and causes unnecessary tension between her and her sister. I think it speaks to the prejudice women have faced in attempts to assert themselves in society. 

I believe some of the cliques in this movie to be harmful and stereotypical, but I believe the can be looked past in remembering Shakespearean dramatics, the time period the movie was made, and for plot continuation. 

I would recommend this movie to those who are looking for a strong women protagonist, a heartwarming rom-com, or a look into 90s teenage life. 

10 Things I Hate About You is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

My Favorite Rock Song-Mighty K.C.

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I’ve always loved rock music, particularly grunge. The loud, lazy, purposefully incorrect, flannel-ridden music has a special place in my heart. Yet my favorite rock song was released a year after Kurt Cobain died, often called the day grunge died. Yet it serves as an ode to grunge music, and as a reassurance of the future. 

The song is Mighty K.C. by For Squirrels. It was their breakout song, and tragically their only major song as their lead singer, bassist, and manager died in a tour bus accident. In many ways, the song reflects this tragedy and the lives taken before they could reach greatness. 

He lies in an empty room

With his hair burnt to the back

It sure sounds funny

When you say his name like that

Within the first 10 lines of the song, we reach the subject of Kurt Cobain’s death. His suicide is portrayed in these lines, a man alone, with hair burnt to his back. They find it ironic to refer to him in this way when his name meant so much more. To them, he was and will always be Mighty K.C. 

Ship me off to the morgue

I’m ready to be buried

Away down in my bed, bed

And I’m alone without the sun

Please just take one

Here they describe how the grunge movement felt, both in general and after his death. They are suffering, some want to die or copy him, others feel dead and alone suffering from depression in their bed. They don’t have their light anymore, they are without hope.

And by the grace of God go I

Into the great unknown

Things are gonna change in our favor

And if we gather, if we fall

Over the great unknown

Things are gonna change in our favor

Yet despite their struggles, despite the all-encompassing depression, For Squirrels have faith in their future. The world is lost, grunge is lost, but they can escape this unknown. It’s a very optimistic outlook on an otherwise depressing topic. The song becomes a sort of happy grunge, which seems like an oxymoron

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600

Oh they are found dead, dead

And I am numb from watching TV

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600

Oh they are just there, there

And I am numb from watching TV

Please don’t break me

This references many events of the time, and many argue what exactly it means. To me, he is referencing how it feels to hear about the many artists and legends who have died. Or the many fans who copied Cobain and committed suicide themselves. It could also simply reference the negativity of television, how it can break our spirits. Yet again it could be referencing the Rwandan genocide that occurred around this time. How hundreds had to watch but could do nothing to stop it, they were just there. Despite all of this they still sing.

And by the grace of God go I

Into the great unknown

Things are gonna change in our favor

And if we gather, if we fall

Over the great unknown

Things are gonna change in our favor

I’ll always wonder what would have happened if God had allowed them to go past the great unknown. Things were already changing in For Squirrels favor, but now they’re just another number, another life cut short on the road to greatness. But their words will always resonate with me. This is why Mighty K.C. is my favorite rock song. 

-Parker K.