Unspooled 10 Things I Hate About You
Feb 13, 2025
Celebrate Valentine's with a deep dive into a beloved 1999 teen classic. Find out how Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew' became '10 Things I Hate About You.' Discover the film's cultural impact, complex relationships, and the evolution of female characters in rom-coms. The hosts reflect on themes of vulnerability, authenticity, and personal growth while reminiscing about nostalgia in adaptations. Plus, there's a humorous take on tax returns and a nod to a new TV adaptation inspired by this iconic film.
01:03:19
Musical Encounters
- Amy Nicholson saw Kim Shattuck crush a beer can on a heckler's head.
- Paul Scheer saw Courtney Love perform an impromptu show after Kurt Cobain's passing.
Teen Movie Trend
10 Things I Hate About You, a remake of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, followed the teen movie trend started by Clueless. This trend involved adapting classic literature into teen films.
Unexpected Success
Despite opening against The Matrix, 10 Things I Hate About You gained popularity. It's highly ranked on Teen Vogue's list and has a large Letterboxd fanbase.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Exploring Film Adaptations and Unspooled Movie Awards
02:03 • 2min
Adapting Shakespeare: The Legacy of '10 Things I Hate About You'
04:07 • 10min
Shakespeare Meets High School
13:51 • 13min
Complexities of Romance and Realistic Resolutions
26:29 • 3min
Vulnerability and Authenticity in Film
29:10 • 14min
Romantic Comedies: From Dislike to Love
42:50 • 9min
Navigating Finances and Recommendations
52:13 • 2min
The Evolution of Rom-Coms and Strong Female Leads
53:47 • 6min
Casting Insights and Story Explorations
01:00:00 • 3min
Election
Tom Perrotta
Set in 1992, the novel revolves around the election for the president of Winwood High School in suburban New Jersey.
The story centers around Tracy Flick, an ambitious and intelligent but unpopular student, and her campaign.
Her history teacher, James 'Jim' McAllister, attempts to sabotage her campaign by persuading Paul Warren, a popular student, to run against her.
The narrative unfolds through multiple characters' perspectives, revealing their personal struggles, sexual confusions, and the intrigue surrounding the election.
The novel critiques the American democratic process as reflected in the high school setting, highlighting themes of ambition, power, and the complexities of human relationships.
Magnolia
Diana Palmer
Magnolia is a 1999 American anthology drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
The film features an ensemble cast and tells interconnected stories of various characters in Southern California.
The film explores themes of love, loss, and redemption.
Fight Club
Chuck Palahniuk
James Colby
Jordi Cussà Balaguer
Javier Calvo Perales
The novel follows an unnamed protagonist struggling with insomnia and a meaningless corporate job.
He finds relief by attending cancer support groups, but his life changes when he meets Tyler Durden, a mysterious and charismatic figure.
Together, they establish an underground fight club, which evolves into 'Project Mayhem', a cult-like organization aimed at dismantling modern society through chaos and public unrest.
The book explores themes of toxic masculinity, consumerism, and the search for meaning in a postmodern world.
Mean Girl
Ayn Rand and the Culture of Greed
Lisa Duggan
The matrix
Valdamar Valerian
Eyes wide shut
Eyes wide shut
Martin Brand
The Taming of the Shrew
William Shakespeare
The play is presented as a play within a play, with an initial 'induction' where a lord tricks a drunken tinker, Christopher Sly, into believing he is a nobleman.
The main story revolves around the courtship of Katharina, the shrewish older sister, and Petruchio, who uses various tactics to tame her.
Meanwhile, several eligible bachelors vie for the hand of Bianca, Katharina's younger sister.
The play culminates in a wager where Petruchio proves Katharina to be the most obedient wife, and she delivers a sermon on wifely obedience.
Timon of Athens
Timon of Athens
Thomas Middleton
William Shakespeare
The play follows Timon, a wealthy and generous Athenian who hosts lavish banquets and gives away his wealth to his friends.
However, when he falls into debt, his friends abandon him.
Betrayed and disillusioned, Timon renounces humanity and retreats to a cave, where he discovers a cache of gold.
He uses this gold to fund Alcibiades' revenge against Athens and to spread misery among his former friends.
The play explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and misanthropy, culminating in Timon's death in isolation, despite the later recognition of his worth by Alcibiades and the people of Athens.
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius.
Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude.
Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge.
The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others.
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
Written around 1603, 'Othello' is a tragedy that delves into the destructive nature of jealousy and the vulnerability of trust in relationships.
The play follows Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, whose marriage to Desdemona is manipulated by his ensign Iago, leading to tragic consequences.
Iago exploits Othello’s insecurities about his race and marriage, sowing seeds of doubt that ultimately result in the death of Desdemona and Othello's own downfall.
The play is renowned for its exploration of racial and cultural issues, as well as its nuanced portrayal of human nature and the complexities of love and trust.
Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare
The play revolves around Antonio, a wealthy merchant of Venice, who takes a loan from the Jewish moneylender Shylock to help his friend Bassanio woo the wealthy heiress Portia.
When Antonio's ships are reported lost at sea, he is unable to repay the loan, and Shylock demands his pound of flesh as per the bond.
The play culminates in a trial where Portia, disguised as a lawyer, intervenes to save Antonio's life.
The play explores themes of debt, mercy, and the complexities of human relationships in 16th-century Venice.
Save the last dance
Gerald Stern
Save the Last Dance, a 2001 teen romantic drama, follows a white high school student who falls in love with a black student.
The film explores themes of race, identity, and self-discovery.
Save the Last Dance is known for its memorable characters, exploration of interracial relationships, and exploration of social issues.
It features a stellar cast, including Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas.
The film's success established it as a cult classic, praised for its emotional depth and exploration of social issues.
10 Things I Hate About You
David Levithan
10 Things I Hate About You is a 1999 teen romantic comedy film based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
It follows Kat Stratford, a rebellious and independent high school student, and Patrick Verona, a charming and mysterious bad boy.
Their relationship develops amidst high school drama, societal expectations, and personal growth.
The film explores themes of love, identity, and self-discovery, with a focus on female empowerment and challenging traditional gender roles.
It features a memorable soundtrack and iconic scenes that have resonated with audiences for years.
The film's success launched the careers of several actors, including Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger.
American Beauty
Edna Ferber
American Beauty, a 1999 critically acclaimed drama, explores the lives of a seemingly ordinary suburban family.
The film delves into themes of disillusionment, infidelity, and the search for meaning in life.
American Beauty is known for its stunning visuals, memorable characters, and exploration of human relationships.
It features a stellar cast, including Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening.
The film's success earned it numerous awards, including Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
American Beauty's cultural impact is undeniable, with its themes and imagery still referenced today.
Can't hardly wait
Can't hardly wait
Ray Garton
Can't Hardly Wait, a 1998 teen comedy, follows a group of high school students as they navigate love, friendship, and the challenges of graduation night.
The film is known for its ensemble cast, memorable characters, and exploration of teenage life.
It explores themes of identity, social status, and self-discovery, with a focus on female empowerment and challenging traditional gender roles.
Can't Hardly Wait's success launched the careers of several actors, including Jennifer Love Hewitt and Seth Green.
The film's cultural impact is undeniable, with its characters and catchphrases still referenced today.
Clueless
Lesley Speed
Clueless, a 1995 teen comedy, is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma.
It follows Cher Horowitz, a popular and stylish high school student, as she navigates love, friendship, and social dynamics.
The film is known for its witty dialogue, memorable characters, and fashion.
It explores themes of identity, social class, and self-discovery, with a focus on female empowerment and challenging traditional gender roles.
Clueless's success launched the careers of several actors, including Alicia Silverstone and Brittany Murphy.
The film's cultural impact is undeniable, with its fashion and catchphrases still referenced today.
The breakfast club
The breakfast club
John Hughes
The Breakfast Club, a 1985 teen comedy-drama, follows five high school students from different social groups who are forced to spend a Saturday in detention together.
The film explores themes of identity, social class, and self-discovery, with a focus on female empowerment and challenging traditional gender roles.
The Breakfast Club's success launched the careers of several actors, including Molly Ringwald and Emilio Estevez.
The film's cultural impact is undeniable, with its characters and catchphrases still referenced today.
Ghostbusters
Ann Digby
Ghostbusters, a 1984 supernatural comedy film, follows a team of parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business.
The film explores themes of friendship, teamwork, and the supernatural.
Ghostbusters is known for its memorable characters, witty dialogue, and special effects.
It features a stellar cast, including Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd.
The film's success established it as a cult classic, praised for its humor and action sequences.
Office Space
Office Space
Dept.of Environment
Office Space, a 1999 cult classic, satirizes the monotony and frustrations of corporate life.
It follows Peter Gibbons, a disgruntled software programmer, as he navigates the absurdities of his workplace.
The film explores themes of alienation, rebellion, and the search for meaning in life.
Office Space is known for its witty dialogue, memorable characters, and relatable portrayal of office life.
It features a stellar cast, including Ron Livingston and Jennifer Aniston.
The film's success established it as a cult classic, praised for its dark humor and insightful commentary on societal expectations.
Fast times at Ridgemont High
Cameron Crowe
Art Linson
Irving Azoff
Amy Heckerling
Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a 1982 teen comedy, follows a group of high school students as they navigate love, friendship, and the challenges of adolescence.
The film is known for its realistic portrayal of teenage life, memorable characters, and exploration of teenage sexuality.
It explores themes of identity, social status, and self-discovery, with a focus on female empowerment and challenging traditional gender roles.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High's success launched the careers of several actors, including Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
The film's cultural impact is undeniable, with its characters and catchphrases still referenced today.
Paul & Amy are celebrating Valentines with the 1999 film, 10 Things I Hate About You! They discuss the many careers this film started, Julia Stiles Shakespeare movie run, and, of course, that oh so good ending poem. Plus: they get into why this film is so beloved by fans.
You can rent 10 Things I Hate About You on all platforms but don't forget to check your local library or apps like Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy!
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