Movie Reviews
Film and television reviewed the way I’d want to read them — with a rating that means something, an honest accounting of what works and what doesn’t, and craft notes for writers who want to understand how the machinery operates.
Each review includes a craft notes section for writers — specific observations about structure, character, world-building, and what the film does that you can actually use. Not theory. Technique you can steal.
Teen (16)
May 15, 202610 Things I Hate About You (1999) — Review
10 Things I Hate About You is one of the great teen romantic comedies of the late 1990s and one of the more thoughtful Shakespeare adaptations in contemporary cinema. Gil Junger directed. Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith wrote the screenplay. The film was released in March 1999. It grossed...
May 19, 2026American Graffiti (1973)
George Lucas's 1973 1962 California teen ensemble. Dreyfuss, Howard, Ford, Le Mat. Soundtrack establishes nostalgia template.
May 19, 2026Carrie (1976)
Brian De Palma's 1976 King adaptation. Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, John Travolta supporting. Prom telekinesis. The split screen.
May 19, 2026Clueless (1995)
Amy Heckerling's 1995 Beverly Hills Emma adaptation. Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd debut. As if. Whatever. Defined 1990s teen aesthetic.
May 15, 2026Cruel Intentions (1999)
Cruel Intentions is the best classical adaptation American teen cinema has produced. Seen it five times. The 10 rating is honest evaluation. Roger Kumble wrote and directed. Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn Merteuil. Ryan Phillippe as Sebastian Valmont. Reese Witherspoon as Annette Hargrove. Selma...
May 19, 2026Dazed and Confused (1993)
Richard Linklater's 1993 last-day-of-school 1976 ensemble. Affleck, McConaughey, Adam Goldberg breakthroughs.
May 19, 2026Dead Poets Society (1989)
Peter Weir's 1989 prep school drama. Robin Williams as the unorthodox English teacher. Carpe diem, O Captain my Captain.
May 11, 2026Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) — Review
Sean Penn as Spicoli, Cameron Crowe's undercover research, Amy Heckerling's first feature. Fast Times at Ridgemont High reviewed at 9/10.
May 11, 2026Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) — Review
Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, and John Hughes's most ambitious teen film. Ferris narrates Cameron's story. Ferris Bueller's Day Off reviewed at 10/10.
May 19, 2026Heathers (1988)
Michael Lehmann's 1988 dark teen comedy. Winona Ryder, Christian Slater murder high school cliques. Pre-Columbine context shifted reception.
May 19, 2026Lady Bird (2017)
Greta Gerwig's 2017 directorial debut. Saoirse Ronan as Sacramento teenager. Laurie Metcalf as mother. Both Oscar nominated.
May 19, 2026Mean Girls (2004)
Mark Waters' 2004 high school satire. Tina Fey screenplay. Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams. The plastics. Cultural reference standing.
May 19, 2026Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Nicholas Ray's 1955 James Dean defining role. Sal Mineo, Natalie Wood. Chickie run, planetarium, foundation of every teen film since.
May 19, 2026Stand by Me (1986)
Rob Reiner's 1986 Stephen King novella adaptation. Phoenix, Wheaton, Feldman, O'Connell. Twelve-year-old boys looking for a body.
May 11, 2026The Breakfast Club (1985) — Review
Five teenagers, one library, one Saturday detention. John Hughes's bottle-episode masterpiece with Paul Gleason as the principal. The Breakfast Club reviewed at 9/10.
May 19, 2026The Outsiders (1983)
Coppola's 1983 S.E. Hinton adaptation. Howell, Lowe, Macchio, Dillon, Cruise, Estevez, Swayze. Greasers versus Socs. Stay gold.