playnext.fm

That Kind of Nerd

Retro Review: 10 Things I Hate About You

·30 min·2 clips
The hosts launch Retro Reviews by picking Heath Ledger's first American movie, a 1999 Shakespeare adaptation, for February's romantic comedy theme.
The episode begins with the hosts introducing Retro Reviews, a new exclusive segment for Patreon subscribers where they pick a movie based on a monthly theme. For February, the theme is romantic comedies, and they select '10 Things I Hate About You', released in 1999. They note it was Heath Ledger's first American movie and an adaptation of Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew'. The hosts share personal connections to the film, with one recalling watching it in high school and college for Shakespeare classes. They praise the cast, including Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and David Krumholtz, highlighting Krumholtz's performance as memorable. The discussion touches on Shakespearean nods in the movie, such as the setting in Verona and character names like Bianca. They mention Allison Janney's cameo as a guidance counselor and the film's music, including ska influences. A host reveals an IMDb fact that Heath Ledger singing 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' makes him the third actor to do so before playing a Batman villain, after Christopher Walken and Michelle Pfeiffer. The hosts analyze the movie's humor, noting its slapstick elements and how it contrasts with modern comedies. They debate whether the 90s romantic comedy genre can be revived, mentioning failed attempts like 'Friends with Benefits' and 'No Strings Attached'. The conversation shifts to the film's box office performance, with a $30 million budget and $38 million gross, emphasizing its success on home video. The hosts recommend the movie, calling it nostalgic and enjoyable. Finally, they tease next month's Retro Review of 'Green Lantern', tied to Captain Marvel's release, and thank Patreon supporters.

As heard by us

A warm rewatch finds comic timing and early star power in 10 Things I Hate About You.

This Patreon Retro Reviews episode frames 10 Things I Hate About You as a February romantic-comedy revisit, setting up its 1999 release, Taming of the Shrew roots, and Heath Ledger's first American movie before settling into the fun of watching it again.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play for a warm Retro Review of 10 Things I Hate About You, with scene-by-scene affection, dry dad jokes, and that pregnant-belly detour.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Listen to the show on
Apple PodcastsSpotify
Play clips from this episodeMore from That Kind of Nerd