When it comes to commerce, Hollywood knows that nothing sells like familiarity. Adolescent moviegoers have proven that making money in Hollywood can be as easy as one-two-three. Some series get stronger (The Bourne Ultimatum), while other three-quels produce diminishing returns (Rush Hour 3). A generation raised on a succession of High School Musicals may need to be challenged by films produced outside the sequel system.
Once is the warmest, most inspiring musical in years. It is an unlikely love story between a fading Irish rocker and a Czech immigrant. Together, their voices reach majestic heights, leaving audiences “Falling Slowly” under their spell. Rooted in the rundown streets of Dublin, Once challenges the notions that sex equals love. The emotions that fuel Once are mature, muted and refreshing. This ultra-low-budget indie hit could inspire youth groups of all ages to create their own musicals. All you need is love (and a camcorder).
Across the Universe’s greatest asset is the music—33 whimsical Beatles songs. It is filled with a trippy, giddy energy reminiscent of the manic Moulin Rouge! of 2001. Some critics carped at Julie Taymor’s rosy-colored view of the ’60s. But a new generation of moviegoers will fall in love with the best sequences of Across the Universe. It could spark discussions about hope, idealism, and an America that is almost ancient history. Beatles-lite is still better than no Beatles at all, and Bono even makes an appearance.
While Superbad was introducing teens to the joys of underage drinking, the smart and subtle Rocket Science slipped in and out of theaters. It delves into a neglected side of the adolescent experience—the debate team. Director Jeffrey Blitz turns his own painful struggle with stuttering into a comedic slice of high school frustration. Rocket Science echoes the quirky style of Wes Anderson films, but crafts its own sweet and surprising finale. Blitz proves that making an original teen comedy isn’t Rocket Science. You just have to try a little harder.
For a real-life revenge of the nerds, check out The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. This winning documentary takes viewers into the arcade, where teens in the ‘80s spent hours playing Donkey Kong. Billy Mitchell relishes his reign as the “King of Kong,” until his title is challenged by an unemployed interloper, Steve Wiebe. Set amidst seemingly frivolous video games, the machinations behind The King of Kong reveal plenty about cutthroat competition. Money matters even when it is wasted one quarter at a time.