Teen Dreams: Reading Teen Film and Television from 'Heathers' to 'Veronica Mars' (Paperback)

~ (Author) "For large parts of the developed world, and much of the rest of it, America provides, through the lens of Hollywood, significant parts of the..." (more)
Key Phrases: Heather Chandler, Heather Duke, Hilary Faye (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Kaveney is an inspired guide, blending academic rigour with journalistic accessibility. Her judgements are ultimately those of a fan, and all the better for it.' - Time Out 'There is a lot of insight.' - Independent on Sunday

Product Description

In this pioneering and entertaining book, Roz Kaveney examines the crucial films and television shows in the teen-driven genre and reveals the inner workings of their consistent themes. From John Hughes' early films, to the cheerleaders of Bring It On, the films and their characters deal with sex and gender relations, presenting a picture of the hidden life of teenagers. Hit teen films can also promote products, launch bestselling soundtrack albums, and be career-makers for young actors. Kaveney also shows how the teen genre has absorbed classic material in the case of Clueless, has made up gender etiquette manuals like American Pie, and how teen films and TV series deal with the tragic and comic undersides of the American dream.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris (July 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845111842
• ISBN-13: 978-1845111847
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #387,191 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yippee! Everything teen is new again!, August 29, 2006

By	Kate Bornstein - See all my reviews

Finally! A way to explain to non-believers why we LOVE teen movies, no matter our age. I had almost as much fun reading this book as I have when I watch the films it's critiquing. Roz Kaveney deftly balances postmodern feminist and queer theory with her patently clear enjoyment of the genre of teen films. For anyone who's gone head over high heels for Heathers, or ape over American Pie, this is the book that will allow you to watch your fave films yet one more time with a deeper understanding of their context and social significance... not to mention all the hidden fun moments you missed the first time. Ms. Kaveney doesn't miss a trick, and after you've read this book neither will you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What it is, What it is not, June 17, 2008

By	ALHC - See all my reviews

What this book is is an in depth analysis of several teen movies starting with John Hughes to about 2004. They are arranged by chapters in a fitting category and every bit of them is discussed in depth.

What the book is not is a relation to how these movies reflect on culture or how culture reflects on the movies.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting analysis of Teen movies, November 5, 2006

By	SFF Fan - See all my reviews

This book contains an interesting analysis of teen movies and television. It mentions 86 films&shows, and of these the following get an in-depth treatment:
10 things I Hate About You
Adventures in Babysitting
American Pie
Bend It Like Beckham
The Breakfast Club
Bring It On
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Clueless
Cruel Intentions
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The Girl Next Door
Heathers
Mean Girls
Popular
Pretty In Pink
Saved!
She's All That
Sixteen Candles
Some Kind of Wonderful
Veronica Mars
Weird Science

There's an index, which considerably increases the books usefulness. Reading the book once from cover to cover gives an overview of the genre and made me decide to check out some movies I hadn't seen, while the index let's you find the analysis for a specific movie.