Tag Archives: teenager

The Kings of Summer

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kings of summer

Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Writer: Chris Galletta

Starring:  Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Nick Offerman, Erin Moriarty

Tomatometer: 72/61/83 (all critics, top critics, audience)

Spoiler-free Summary: Sick of living with his miserable father, and hoping to impress his sweetheart, Kelly, Joe decides to run away from home and live in the woods.  He is joined by his best pal, Patrick, who is desperate to escape the claws of his own overbearing and unbearably annoying parents.  Somehow, Biaggio, a peculiar neighborhood kid, winds up on the team, as well.

Two Cents: Some movies are summer movies because they are released during the summer.  Others are summer movies because they celebrate the most wonderful blessing ever bestowed on a child – summer!  Not summer in terms of weather and Earth’s position in the galaxy, but summer in terms of vacation from school.  The Kings of Summer, as you may have surmised from its title, is in the latter category.

In this exquisite ode to the freedom and exploration (of nature and self) that are synonymous with summer vacation, three teenagers cause widespread panic as they courageously escape their mundane lives.  The only sad part of the movie is the fact that the main characters are so sheltered, they’ve never even heard of sleep-away camp, a modern and popular alternative to running away from home.  Sad as that may be, Joe, Patrick, and Biaggio make the most of their summer break by building a sweet “tree house” in the woods.  While living there, they encounter all the problems one might expect to befall a suburban teenager living on his own – lack of funds, lack of survival skills, and, most importantly, lack of deodorant.

Although the main characters seek freedom from their parents, that freedom is symbolic.  Not only do these kids live outside of their homes, but they live outside the pressures of teenage social life.  An athlete, a nerd, and a complete nut job become family, much like in The Breakfast Club, simply because they are together, and no one else is watching.  It’s a classic theme in teen movies, and Vogt-Roberts handles it beautifully.  I often remind myself that, were there no one on Earth but we two, Brad Pitt would consider me his best friend.

Robinson, Basso, and Arias are all solid in this film, but none stands out as a future star.  Arias is the most interesting, as he takes awkwardness to new heights, but his act probably isn’t sustainable.  Moriarty does a nice job as Joe’s love interest, but she may not end up being yours.  Nick Offerman is the real star of the movie, delivering his classic mean-spirited, dry sarcasm with incredible touch.  Megan Mullally puts her famously shrill voice to good use as Patrick’s insufferable mother.

Should I/Shouldn’t I: The Kings of Summer is the kind of movie that makes you long for your childhood.  If you’re not seduced by all the billboards and commercials hawking blockbusters this summer, find some time to see this indie.  It won’t be playing in many theaters, and it might not be out for very long, so get on your horse!

Sundae Rating: Two scoops with whipped cream

Disconnect

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disconnect

Director: Henry Alex Rubin

Writer: Andrew Stern

Starring: Jason Bateman, Hope Davis, Frank Grillo, Paula Patton, Andrea Riseborough, Alexander Skarsgård, Max Thieriot, Colin Ford, Jonah Bobo

Tomatometer: 71/71/83 (all critics, top critics, audience)

Spoiler-free Summary: People of all ages reach out to strangers over the Internet, as they struggle to connect with the people in their lives.  In one story arc, a couple of douchebag teenagers bully a third over Facebook.  In another, an estranged couple, dealing with the loss of a child, has their identity stolen.  In the final arc, a webcam model contemplates the possible ramifications for participating in a televised interview about his profession.

Two Cents: The most important lesson you can possibly learn during your time on this planet: If you receive a friend request on Facebook from a person whose profile picture shows a sexy, half-nude girl, do not confirm the friendship.  That person is neither sexy, nor a girl.  And, your organs will be sold on Craigslist.  Or, even worse, Angie’s List.

The second-most important lesson you can possibly learn during your time on this planet: Never divulge your credit card information over the Internet, unless you are purchasing goods and/or services from a merchant with who you have previously done business.  Or, in some situations, a very tempting pornography website.  Your credit card statement will be littered with payments for yachts, jewelry, ferrets, and other exotic toys.  Sadly, no, Visa doesn’t care.  In fact, you deserve to be punished for not purchasing two ferrets!  You think you’re the only one who craves companionship?!

And, finally, the third-most important lesson you can possibly learn during your time on this planet: Do not, under any circumstances, take, save, or share pictures of yourself in the nude.  You will regret it, your parents will find out, and you do not look as good as you think you do. No matter your race, creed, nationality, age, gender, socioeconomic status, or sexual preference, always – ALWAYS – send a picture of Brad Pitt, instead.

Disconnect is a timely warning about the dangers of partaking in the social media revolution without taking necessary precautions.  There are two dangers that exist online.  The first, of course, is the risk of sharing too much information, and subsequently, the inability to limit the extent to which that information is shared with other parties.  Sharing information digitally can ruin your credit, your reputation, and your future.  The second danger that lurks along ethernet cables and WiFi routers is loss of reality.  Every second you spend online is a second you are not spending with a real person (or a real cat!).  Everyone needs an escape, once in a while, but it is important to remember that there are people around you who appreciate your presence and attention more than SexxxQween69 appreciates your desperate compliments.

The script is not great (I read it about five years ago), but the cast does a great job with it.  Alexander Skarsgård continues to climb up the ranks, Frank Grillo is inching closer to becoming a household name, and Jonah Bobo makes it clear he’ll be around for a while (he barely speaks, but he turns in the film’s most impressive performance).  Rubin does an impressive job of weaving the various story arcs together, without forcing them to overlap too much.  You might find yourself blaming the characters for their carelessness and brazenness, but you’ll be rooting for them, because you’ll recognize that they’re only making your mistakes.

Should I/Shouldn’t I: Disconnect is not the universe-altering wakeup call it hopes to be, but it’s a fair representation of the dangers that exist in our social-centric world.  It’s the kind of movie that is enjoyable, but will also make you think for a few seconds, once the credits start rolling.  Don’t tear an ACL running to the theater for this one, but make sure to earmark it for VOD, especially if you’re a parent of teens or tweens.  It will help cement that “All people are horrible! Never trust your friends, or anyone else!  Eat your vegetables!” speech you’ve been giving, but it won’t be as depressing as those texting-while-driving commercials.

Sundae Rating: Two scoops