5. The Notebook directed by Nick Cassavetes

1. Bibliographic Information
Emmerich, T. (Producer), Cassavetes, N. (Director.) (2004). The notebook. United States: New Line Home Entertainment.

Principle Actors: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands and James Garner

124 Minutes
Rated PG-13 for some Sexuality

ISBN: 0-7806-4883-8

2. Plot Summary
This movie begins with an older man named Duke, who reads to a woman with dementia. He begins to read her a story. Allie Hamilton is a young girl vacationing in South Carolina in the 1940s. Allie comes from a wealthy family with high expectations of her. However, when hanging out at a carnival, she meets a young man named Noah Calhoun, who is persistent in wanting to go on a date with her. Allie, though initially suspicious, finally consents to go on a date. What starts as a date turns into a whirlwind romance, and soon the young couple find themselves in love. Allie’s parents, however, disapprove of the match and essentially force them to break-up. It is seven years before Allie and Noah see each other again. Both have changed; Noah a war veteran has rebuilt an old house, while Allie is engaged to be married. Allie though is unsure about her situation and must make a decision which will affect her life forever.

3. Critical Evaluation
The Notebook definitely appeals to people’s sense of romance and love. The movie looks at a couple’s relationship throughout the course of their lives and the hardships that they endured. However, in some ways the movie is very much clichéd. It is as much about first loves as it is about the depth of love, however, this idea is very much dependent upon whether or not the viewer can connect with the characters despite a common plot. Allie and Noah’s initial relationship seems very instinctual. They have little in common with the exception of their attraction to each other. The movie even claims that they fight with each other the majority of the time. However, despite their differences, the characters claim their true love for each other. Like most films about a forbidden romance, the family does not approve, and there is a period of mistaken intent with the characters. After the characters’ reunion, their relationship seems in many ways to be dependent upon their initial feelings. Nevertheless, The Notebook does work. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the movie does show the growth of love over time. Is the movie formulaic, melodramatic, and in some ways over the top? Absolutely, however, in light of other movies of the same caliber, The Notebook does a good job for its purpose.

4. Reader’s Annotation
“Behind every great love is a great story.” –Movie tagline on DVD

5. Information about the Author
Nick Cassavete is the son of Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes. He has also directed the films John Q, Alpha Dog, and My Sister’s Keeper.

The movie was based upon the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. Sparks has written numerous books, usually quite like this one.

6. Genre
Drama/Romance

7. Curriculum Ties
N/A

8. Booktalking Ideas
-How does the movie differ from the book?
-How does this movie define love?

9. Reading Level/Interest Age
(Cross-over) I would recommend this film to teens and adults starting at the age of 15. The reason I think that this movie appeals to teens is due to its rating and the number of Teen Choice Awards it received.

10. Challenge Issues
This movie is rated PG-13 for some sexuality. If anyone wished to challenge this film, I would recommend the ALA’s website for challenge information and documents at:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

As well as the Motion Picture Association of America for more information on their ratings

http://www.mpaa.org/

11. Why was it selected?
A couple of girls at the high school I work at said that they enjoyed the book, so I thought it would be appropriate for this blog.

12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

Emmerich, T. (Producer), Cassavetes, N. (Director.) (2004). The notebook. United States: New Line Home Entertainment.

Imdb.com. (2010). Awards for the notebook (2004). Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332280/awards

Imdb.com. (2010). Biography for Nick Cassavetes. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001024/bio

Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (2010). Motion Picture Association of America. Retrieved at http://www.mpaa.org/.

Picture
Imdb.com. (2010). The Notebook (2004). Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332280/

13. Awards
2005 BMI Film Music Award
2005 MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss
2005 Golden Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Gena Rowlands)
2005 Teen Choice Awards:
Choice Date Movie
Choice Movie Actor: Drama (Ryan Gosling)
Choice Movie Actress: Drama (Rachel McAdams)
Choice Movie Breakout Performance – Male (Ryan Gosling)
Choice Movie Chemistry
Choice Movie Liplock
Choice Movie Love Scene
Choice Movie: Drama

37. The Breakfast Club directed by John Hughes

1. Bibliographic Information:
Tanen, N. and Hughes, J. (producers), John Hughes (director). (2003). The breakfast club. United States: Universal.

ASIN: B0000A98ZP
Original Release: 1985
Running Time: 1 hr 38 min
Rated R

2. Plot Summary:
Five students from Shermer High School in Shermer, Illinois, arrive at 7am on Saturday morning for their detention. Clare Standish is a spoiled teenager, popular and manipulates her fighting parents to get what she wants. John Bender is known at the high school for his criminal reputation, but is trying to deal with his abusive home life. Allison Reynolds is quiet and quirky trying to be noticed. Andrew Clark is a wrestler whose father determines what Andrew does in life. Lastly, Brian Johnson is a nerd, somewhat depressed and unsure about his future. These very different kids from different social standings both in high school and life are force together until 4 pm. None of them really know each other, and none of them really care to find out. Can these five students learn from each other and be friends, or have their stereotypes and adult prejudices tainted their opinions of each other?

3. Critical Evaluation
Made in 1985, The Breakfast Club should still be considered an influential high school comedy/drama. It is interesting to see how the issues brought up in this movie still seem fresh despite today’s changing society. While the movie’s costumes, music, and slang appear dated, modern themes such as prejudice, abuse, parents and authority figures, drugs, depression, and violence are still just as prevalent today as it was then. In fact, the movie embodies much of the elements that Cole states is prevalent in realistic fiction: imperfect characters, adolescent settings, atmosphere, language, and style. The Breakfast Club shows each student with their warts and all, showing their shortcomings and conceit, yet also showing a more vulnerable side. Additionally, the movie takes place in high school. The atmosphere is constantly changing, from boredom to volatile to respect, which is consistent with the language used. Although the language in this movie can be a bit dated, it does represent the type of language which most teens use. Profanity, slang, insults and contempt is often displayed by all of the characters in the movie. Lastly, style is another element of realistic fiction. The style of this film is interesting. In hindsight, this movie captures the style of teenagers; however, it is easy to get caught up in the fact that the clothes are dated. Nevertheless, I think that teenagers should still be able to connect with the characters, and its view on high school life as well as family life.

4. Reader’s Annotation
Five students are sent to Saturday school, each one from different backgrounds and cliques in high school. Can these students get past the stereotypes of prejudices or will they find that they have nothing in common?

5. Information about the Director:
John Hughes has been credited with revolutionizing movies about high school. Born in Lansing, Michigan in 1950, he directed 8 movies, and wrote 40 other films. His other popular titles include Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty in Pink, Weird Science and Sixteen Candles. He died of a heart attack in 2009.

6. Genre
Realistic Fiction

7. Curriculum Ties
N/A

8. Booktalking Ideas
-Do you think that this story is realistic in terms of how high school students are portrayed?
-Do you think that these students would have banded together if it were not for Principle Vernon?

9. Reading Level/Interest Age
Due to the rating of this film I think that it would be more appropriate for 16 to 18 year olds, however, I could see teens at 15 still finding a connection with this film.

10. Challenge Issue
Since this film was rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for pervasive language, sexual references and some drug use. The characters do speak all sorts of offensive language and the sexual references focus on virginity and prostitution.

Therefore, I would advise parents to look at the rating system and its reasoning before letting their children watch it. If there was a challenge issue I would refer them to the American Library Association’s website:

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/

11. Why was it Selected?
My sister loved this movie growing up, and I remember watching it with her throughout her teen years.

12. Citation

Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm

Cole, P. B. (2009). Young adult literature in the 21st century. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Internet Movie Database. (2010). John Hughes. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000455/

Picture from:
Internet Movie Database. (2010). The breakfast club. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088847/

13. Awards

No awards known.