Check This One Out! -
Adventureland
James Brennan: "I am amazed at how tiny my paycheck is. I've
been working doubles."
Joel: "Well, we are doing the work of pathetic,
lazy morons."
"Adventureland" is directed by
Greg Mottola ("Superbad", "Paul", "The
Daytrippers") and stars Jesse Eisenberg as James Brennan, Kristen Stewart
as Em Lewin, Martin Starr as Joel, Ryan Reynolds as Mike Connell, Margarita
Levieva as Lisa P., Matt Bush as Tommy Frigo, Paige Howard as Sue O'Malley, Dan
Bittner as Prete O'Malley, Barret Hackney as Munch, Bill Hader as Bobby,
Kristin Wiig as Paulette, Wendie Malick as Mrs. Brennan, Jack Gilpin as Mr.
Brennan, Mary Birdsong as Francy, and Josh Pais as Mr. Lewin.
After graduating college, James Brennan is
excited and planning for his graduation present: a trip to Europe. However, his
parents give him the news that they won't have enough money for that or to help
pay his rent when he goes to Columbia University for his master's degree after
the summer. Due to this unfortunate economical circumstance, James finds a job
back in his hometown as a games carnie for Adventureland, an amusement park
that may or may not be boring as hell. There he makes new friends, experiences
actions that he's never experienced before, and finds love. Just your average
summer job that you grow up at.
"Adventureland" really tugged on
my heartstrings. Normally, I can connect with a character when they are
vulnerable, as most people. That's when we see their inner shell exposed. James
Brennan is always true to himself, as cheesy as that sounds. He's honest, even
when he's trying to lie and I can really see myself as that person. Like James,
I'm not perfect. However, what allowed me to really step into James' shoes is
Jesses Eisenberg's ability to be an everyday man in "Adventureland". It's
almost as if the filmmakers picked up a random nerd on the streets at college
and set him in the movie. Maybe it's just how I perceive Jesse Eisenberg, but
this role was perfect for him. I've seen him plenty of times trying too hard to
play a character who is just not the right fit for him *cough, "BvS",
cough*. The screenwriters deserve some mention as well for writing an honest
movie about love and heartbreak too. It's hard to find those kinds of films
while also incorporating top notch comedy and drama, but somehow they did it
and with the help of a director whose previous film was a modern classic
comedy: "Superbad". I can say many positive comments about this
movie, but what surprised me most was Kristin Stewart. She was in the midst of
her "Twilight" career when she did "Adventureland". Boy,
oh, boy, was this a good move for her. She's blossomed into better roles
recently and I truly believe that "Adventureland" showed off a bit of
her talent and what she could be (how she is now). In most of the coming-of-age
movies I've seen, the soundtrack really kicks ass. "Adventureland" is
not one to strive away from that staple. The music is f***ing awesome! It's set
in 1987 so of course the music is going to be good.
Real love stories that are set within a
summer are probably always going to get to me. I don't know why. Maybe it's
just because I like real life situations that I've been curious about. Sorry
about getting a little personal there. "Adventureland" captures the
essence of growing up, even if it you're already an adult. You can still love,
have your heartbroken, love again, laugh, and do drugs (this one is more of an
option). Plus, the movie is f***ing funny! There's a character that always
smacks James in the kid factory (if you know what I mean by that) and every
time he shows up, I kind of cringe for the moment that he'll hit James. It's
weird moments like that that remind me that "Adventureland" is real
and beautiful. The impossibility is Ryan Reynolds being a character in my life.
"Adventureland" is rated R for language, drug use,
and sexual references
Click here to watch the
trailer
"Adventureland" is now available on DVD, Blu-ray,
digital download, and some streaming services
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