Fabulous Films for Young Adults
2009 Nominations
Updated July 30, 2008
Coming of Age around the World
10 Things I Hate About You. 1999. Touchstone Home Video. 97 minutes. ISBN: 078881446X. $14.99.
A retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, it tells the story of tomboy Kat and her younger, beautiful sister Bianca. Dad tells Bianca she can date when Kat dates. So when Bianca's tutor, Cameron asks Bianca out, he find—and bribes—loner Patrick into taking out Kat.
Bend it Like Beckham. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. 2003. 112 min. UPC: 024543084266. $14.99.
The daughter of orthodox Sikh parents rebels and tries to make a name for herself in soccer.
Love*Com. Viz Pictures. 100 min. 2008. ISBN: 978-1-934244-09-8. $24.98.
This is the manga series The Lovely Complex come to life. Tall Risa meets short Otani in their sophomore year of high school and from the very first they hit it off. Neither is dating as they are having trouble finding the right person because of their respective heights.
Orange County. Paramount Pictures. 2002. 82 minutes. ISBN: 079217514X. $9.99.
Shaun Brumder, who wants to be a writer after finding an inspiring book on the beach, applies to Stanford but is rejected due to a mix up with his application. Shaun, his girlfriend and his brother do everything and anything they can think of to get him accepted. Along the way, Shaun experiences change what he believes is his right path, and even finds some unexpected guidance
Radiant City. Koch Lorber Films. 2008. 85 minutes. UPC: 741952315599. $24.98.
Surrealist filmmaker Gary Burns joins journalist Jim Brown on an outing to the ‘burbs. Amidst the fresh foundations of monster homes, the two explore the dark side of suburbia and create a provocative reflection on why we live the way we do.
The Secret of Roan Inish. Columbia Tristar Home Video. 2000. 103 min. ISBN: 9780767821582 $14.99
Following the death of her mother, young Fiona is sent to live with her grandparents on the Irish coast town of Donegal, across from Roan Inish, the island where her family once lived. Fiona hears stories about her family history and uncovers secrets of their past.
Shadya. National Film Board of Canada. 2005. 52 minutes. ID NO. 153C0105392. $248.00.
Shadya is the story of a Israeli, muslim teen who is the country's karate champion. Right at the height of her karate career, she is set up in an arranged marriage that takes its toll on her and her family.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Warner Home Video. 2005. 119 minutes. ASIN: B000AM4PEK. $12.98.
A story about a special summer in the lives of four lifelong friends who are separated for the first time. The young women find a pair of jeans that fits each of them perfectly and they decide to use the pants as a way of keeping in touch.
Spirited Away. Walt Disney Home Entertainment. 125 min. 2003. ISBN: 9780788844614. $29.99
Chihiro is horrified when a trip off the beaten path results in her parents being transformed into pigs and her own servitude at a magical bathhouse for natural spirits of all kinds. At first she sinks into despair, but with the help of Haku and other allies, she begins to see how to save her parents and herself.
Superbad. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. 2007. ISBN: 9781424897513. $28.95.
Seth and Evan want nothing more than to lose their virginity before they head off to college. With the help of their friend Fogell, a.k.a. McLovin, and his fake I.D. the three of them go on a hilarious chase for the ever elusive booze dodging incompetent cops, angry neighbors, and jealous boyfriends.
Whale Rider. Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. 2003. 101 Minutes. ISBN: 978-1-4049-4372-8. $14.94.
Whale Rider gives viewers a look into a little understood culture, the Maori of New Zealand, and centers around a young teen girl struggling against traditions to prove herself. She starts off unsure but driven, and throughout the film becomes more and more confident, growing as a person internally and among her peers.
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