Katarina Stratford: Ten things I hate about you

Katarina Stratford

10 Things I hate about you

Julia Stiles

‘Why should I live up to other people’s expectations instead of my own?’

The character is loosely based on Shakespeare’s character of the same name, from Taming of the Shrew, well sorry actually the film itself is based on the play. She’s a strong willed individual, standing out within her first scene, as she pulls up alongside a gang of stereotypically perky American teenage girls, in a battered vintage car listening to Joan Jett.

I related to her, because of her reluctance to conform, she doesn’t let the fact that her father, her teachers and her sister would like her to behave in a certain way, compromise what she wants for herself, and her own preferences. It was probably one of the first characters that I saw in a high school film, that I actually connected with on that level.

I loved her dry wit, and the fact that she will stand up for people that she cares for, the scene when Patrick’s in detention for singing to her on the football field, showing that particular quality, clip uploaded by Raphaella Grego. However, it’s the fact that she has the strength to be vulnerable emotionally, the scene when she reads her poem always touches me, due obviously to Stiles’ performance, clip uploaded by nalbi dat.

I found this great article on Buzzfeed which sums up several of the admirable qualities that Katarina possesses, entitled The Kat Stratford Guide To Being An Awesome Feminist.

Another article which expresses some of the reasons that I still really like this character, and use her as a template for my own strong female characters, is 10 reasons why Kat Stratford should still be your #1 hero.

Fan videos dedicated to the character

Background song: Misfit video created by mcflygaga

Background song: Bitch video created by Natália Tamaio

Buffy Anne Summers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy Summers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy Anne Summers

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Buffy was a extraordinary character, written to want nothing more or less than everyone wants, just to have a normal high school experience when we first meet her. The emotional strength and selflessness which remains a strong part of her character is glimpsed throughout the first season, and is especially evident in the final episode, when she decides to face the Master. It’s Sarah Michelle Gellar’s delivery of the character, and handling of the scene when Buffy realises what Giles doesn’t want to tell her, which was the definitive moment for me. I admired the character before that, but that moment was when I truly empathized with her.

 She’s never written to be perfect or without negative qualities, which could have been the case in the hands of another writer. She’s obviously very physically strong, athletic, very pretty, with a quick wit and a kind heart, but she’s also just finding her way.

She makes missteps, and gets things wrong, just like we all do. The independence and determination to keep things neatly compartmentalised is what leads to the end of her romantic relationship with Riley. Although Buffy is essentially driven by her emotions, the break up with Angel, and the brief relationship with Parker seemed to make her more reserved, keeping Riley at arms’ length even during her mother’s initial illness.

The amount of things that Buffy was seen to deal with throughout the seven seasons, would have caused most to collapse, and Buffy did have phases when her duty was too much for her, most notably during the first season finale, third season premiere and fifth season finale, but she always picked up the burden. That level of responsibility and selflessness are definitely two traits to be admired.

There are loads of fan videos and fan sites dedicated to Buffy Summers, but this one seems to distill most of the reasons that she was and is a incredible character. Not just a remarkable female, or a fantasy character but a remarkable character full stop.  A fan video created by Yatta13694

Amy Pond: Doctor Who

Amy Pond

Doctor Who

Karen Gillan

It took me a while to warm properly to Amy. I liked her well enough, in her first few episodes as she followed the trend of the modern era Doctor Who of having the companions initially be people who weren't quite sure of where their life was heading. She was clearly wanting to have something more exciting to do, than living in such a small place, and working as a kissogram.

She was funny, sure, and clearly quite forthright. She didn't seem to be nervous about showing her attraction to the Doctor, and it provided a few comedic moments particularly in her first episode.

It was the episode with Vincent Van Gogh that I really connected with her, though. Gillan portrayed Amy's confusion over the fact that she was sad, about Rory's loss, even though she didn't remember why, brilliantly. The connection that was developed between her and Van Gogh, the two confused redheads was brilliantly played and written, and the scene in the art gallery was wonderful uploaded by Doctor Who

I liked the fact that Amy is, so far, the first companion to travel alongside her husband, and the Dinosaur on the Spaceship episode showcased all three members of the Pond-Williams family to be seen on screen very well. It showed Amy's forthright nature and the fact that she refused to allow the big game hunter to dismiss her, simply because of her being a young woman.

She remained strong-willed throughout her character arc, but like Rose before her slowly came to realise that she needed to allow others in a bit more. It became clear throughout her tenure as a companion, just how important Rory was in Amy's life, and I loved the fact that the two of them travelled as a married couple. I think that it might be the first time that the series has had a married couple travelling together with the Doctor. The final moment before they decide to jump and remain in the past was incredibly emotionally affecting, both Darvill and Gillan were remarkable in the scene, uploaded by Doctor Who

It's her sarcastic nature and her ability to empathise with people that really won me over, and that's the reason that she is one of my favourite characters.

Fan Videos

Background song: Katy Perry's Roar. created by redhairandbowties1

Background song: The Power of Love created by Annie The Fan Girl

Urban Legend

Urban Legend

Starring Alicia Witt, Joshua Jackson, Tara Reid, Jared Leto, Rebecca Gayheart, and Michael Rosenbaum

This horror movie revolves around a group of college students, who are being targeted by a killer in a parka who uses urban legends to kill. Stories like the man with an axe in the backseat, and the dog who is dried in the microwave, are included.

Witt’s Natalie is the hero of the story, it’s her that we really follow, as she tries to solve who is responsible both for the deaths of her friends, and the mystery of what happened on the campus in 1973, when students were murdered. She’s a reasonably likeable character, and I did feel pity for her when her high school friend dies at the beginning of the movie.

It’s a reasonable film, albeit one with generic characters. I mean Witt’s the quiet girl with the dark past. Rosenbaum’s Parker Riley is the party animal. Jackson’s character Damon Brooks is the joker. Leto’s the earnest reporter Paul Gardner. Tara Reid plays the sexually confident radio host Sasha. Rebecca Gayheart’s Brenda is Natalie’s best friend with a crush on Paul. There’s also Danielle Harris’ Tosh, Natalie’s goth roommate, among the college aged characters.

I think the idea of having a killer using urban legends to exact revenge, was kind of a good idea in theory, but wasn’t great in reality, especially the idea to have them wear a parka as their disguise for the majority of the film.

There were a few humorous moments, especially when Damon pretends that his stomach is going to explode from eating popping candy mixed with coke. There are some gross moments, particularly bad for me was the dog in the microwave.

Trailer uploaded by CappaZack