adventureland

[cutout]

This movie was surprisingly good. The main kid definitely has Michael Cera aspirations. What did you guys think?

[moderate rock]

I agree. I also really liked the soundtrack, and wonder how many people had to blow Lou Reed to get him to give them the rights to use all those song plus image/name rights.

[Denim Gremlin]

i loved it.

i agree on the soundtrack one of the first times i've seen a movie that incorporates "cool" music like that with out it seeming forced in. the characters felt like they might actually be into those bands, maybe it being the 80's helped.

[break]

The main kid definitely has Michael Cera aspirations.

He was Michael Cera before Michael Cera came along.  He was great in Roger Dodger which was pre-Arrested Development.  I agree though, he probably wishes he had Michael Cera's career at this point. 

[DoodleJump!]

I honestly was a little wary about seeing this movie...for many reasons that may or may not include Ryan Reynolds.
But this thread makes me less hestitant- there is a greater chance of me seeing it now. And, I do like Bill Hader.

[Denim Gremlin]

I honestly was a little wary about seeing this movie...for many reasons that may or may not include Ryan Reynolds.
But this thread makes me less hestitant- there is a greater chance of me seeing it now. And, I do like Bill Hader.

ryan reynolds in it for like 5 minutes total.

the commercials really don't do it justice.

I'd say it's less like superbad and more in the vein of something like say anything...  it's funny but also sweet and romantic and about not knowing what the fuck you're doing with your life.

also the time period and music and realistic feeling gave me a real freaks and geeks impression.

i don't know if that description makes you want to see it more or less.

[Phantom Hugger]

I liked this movie quite a bit; having said that I have some reservations.

This movie was definitely aimed at the (relatively) over literate rock snob. all the main characters were either reading Russian novels or quoting Shakespeare, they all had  impeccable taste in rock music (Velvet Underground, Big Star albums, Husker Dude shirt, Bowie, etc.).

All the other folks were on the other end of the scale (tired old disco to show how shallow they were, Judas Priest concert goers, Loverboy cover bands, and no prospects for their future), throw away trash as far as our heroes were concerned.

The "villain" character was decidedly not really a villain. Just a guy in a loveless marriage whose only transgression is not knowing the title of a Velvet Underground song (asshole!).

A little too precious, for my tastes. The same way that Watchmen catered to the comic nerd, I felt that this movie catered to the rock snob/grad student nerds. I guess the difference is that those nerds won't complain when a movie is aimed at them.

Again, I really liked this movie.
I guess I just felt sorry for Martin Starr's character at the end.

(EDIT: Ive worked at a regional amusement park very similar to this when I was in my formative years, so it made me nostalgic and very uncomfortable at the same time.)

 

[hugman]

Jessie Eisenberg (you know him as the main kid) is a very talented actor, and I, too, thought he was awesome in Rodger Dodger. However, he definitely lacks the snuggleability of a Michael Cera.
I think Squid and the Whale ruined him for me.  I hated that movie.

[Kim Kelly]

HAVERCHUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Joe Rogaine]

AO Scott was right it is a little Linklateresque. I thought it couldve been a really awesome movie if it would have ended one scene earlier. Its worth it just to see the Bill Haverchuck character in his college years.

[Joe Rogaine]

I honestly was a little wary about seeing this movie...for many reasons that may or may not include Ryan Reynolds.
But this thread makes me less hestitant- there is a greater chance of me seeing it now. And, I do like Bill Hader.

I hate Ryan Reynolds and this may be the best movie hes been in.

[break]

Saw it, I love it more and more every time I think about it.  As someone else mentioned, it gave me Freaks and Geeks-style warm fuzzies. 

[Fido]

Adventureland is also the name of the only theme park in the state of Iowa. It seems like every kid in Iowa goes there sometime, but I never had the chance. Not that I was deprived. I guess I already had a bad attitude toward theme parks ever since grade school.

http://www.adventureland-usa.com/

[Bryan]

Yo La Tengo did the score for this thing. Also, before Superbad, the director Greg Mottola made the excellent "The Daytrippers." Pretty good pedigree. I'm looking forward to it.

[jbissell]

I thought it was great.  More proof that Martin Starr deserves bigger roles.