Last night I finally got to hang out with my dear friends Steph and Alek who, due to various circumstances, I haven’t seen in too many weeks and we mostly had a great time together. We met up for dinner at 8oz. Burger Bar on Melrose for some amazing burgers (duhvs) and then chilled out at their place for a bit while we waited for Darion to meet us (David stayed home to rebuild his computer that had to be wiped after it got infected with a virus). En masse we made our way to the ArcLight to see the Zac Efron movie 17 Again … which, it turns out, was a terrrrrrible mistake:
I really loved the Tom Hanks film Big when it was released back in the late 80′s so I was really looking forward to this retelling of the tale. I can’t say that I was really surprised at how disappointing the film was but considering it was the #1 movie the weekend it opened, I figured there’d be some redeeming charm or value in it. Not so. The whole thing was pretty much a piece of garbage. The plot was stupid, the acting was laughable and the writing was deplorable. I think the movie was supposed to be funny … or something? Yeah, I don’t recall laughing at a single joke. The only part that I thought was reasonably funny was when the friend character and the principal were speaking Elvish during their date. As much as Zac Efron is Hollywood’s fave prettyboy I didn’t really like him in this movie. I can’t really place all of the blame on him, tho, since the script was just horrible. I usually can find the best even in the worst scenarios but there wasn’t a thing I liked in this film. Sorry Zac fans, I just hated it.
And I must state for the record that it was Steph’s idea that we see the film.
No plans yet for today … we’ll prolly keep it simple. I’m totally amped for the Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks hockey game at the Honda Center tomorrow night … that’s really all I can think about right now.
I agree with the others, this movie was cute! The cast was funny and Zac was too.
Trent – I love you but I got to go with the group on this one. Saw it this weekend b/c it was rainy and we had a tween with us so couldn’t see Wolverine or anything violent/sexy (excuses, excuses) but I thought it was cute for a teen movie. The best friend was hilarious, Zac was believable/sweet, and the requisite bully was a complete tool. Sure – it was predictable – but that is sort of comforting somehow these days! As screwed up as your life is… you can figure it out in 120 minutes and everybody will love you! Yay – happy endings – not deep but you leave with a smile on a rainy day.
I was under the impression that 17 Again was a take on 18 Again! starting George Burns from 1988???
My husband and I saw “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”. It was my turn to pick, but I must say I really didn’t do a good job. It was a rental-worthy movie. Matthew is cute as always (and plays the same part he always does), Jennifer Garner however was not believable, and Michael Douglas? Yikes! They kept a scarf and sunglasses on him the whole time for a reason. It was a cute take on the Christmas version- past, present, future. If you are looking for a somewhat romantic, but predictable film, this would be a good one! I also rented “Bride Wars” and really liked it (again, predictable but cute)!
I really respect your opinion when it comes to this kind of thing, Trent, so I’ve been looking forward to see your take on the film as I am a huge Zac fan. TBH, though, I kind of agree with you. The movie was decent, but it certainly wasn’t fabulous and had Zac not been in it, I wouldn’t have seen it.
Sorry Trent, have to say I loved the movie
Aww, I actually found it to be a cute movie. I mean, sure, it’s nothing Oscar-worthy, but it was still pretty light-hearted and silly, and I enjoyed it. Plus, I love Thomas Lennon! He was the main reason I saw the movie!
it’s not like this movie was supposed to be an oscar contender. for what it was, it was really cute, and i find zac efron really adorable and appealing! i think the acting was good and thomas lennon especially was hilarious! if there was a weak actor in the movie it was probably michelle trachtenberg, but i aint mad at her for it. lol, i think you let your dislike for zac efron ruin the movie.
Big in reverse? Call it that Fred Savage movie, Vice Versa. :)
Enough about Efron–how did Matthew Perry look & do?
at 27, i’m not in any way a HSM or cast member fan, I took my best friends 12 year old daughter and had zero expectations as to how watchable this would be.
I laughed my ass off!! The guy who plays Zachs friend/fake dad had the potential to take it too far (like rob schinder in any movie) – but he didn’t and was entertaining – Sure the script was predictable, storyline unoriginal, and when the daughter hits on zach it was really uncomfortable.. not cos of the dad/daughter thing, but by just how slutty and embarrassing she was acting, but the laughs were there in plenty and it was just what was needed – 90mins of mindless entertainment to make you smile..
Sorry Trent, my dad and I saw it this weekend and we loved it.
It made us both LOL
@Kate — why are you sorry? if you liked it, rock on!!
i expected this movie to suck, but i ended up really liking it. i am 15, however. i did think it was a bit weird with the wole mother/daughter liking him thing. but i thought it was funny and cute.