Back in the Day

This film was much better than I expected it to be. I was constantly laughing at the crazy jokes and situations. The movie just seemed like it followed the lives of average people, the kind of people you were friends with in high school. Some of the situations were a little cheesy, but the movie ends differently than you would probably suspect. Michael Rosenbaum's character is an actor in L.A. who's having a difficult time finding work, so he goes home to get away from that for a while and go to his high school reunion. We meet his friends and his ex-girlfriend who he is still in love with. Good to watch a movie that doesn't give you the bs that everything will just work your way if you want it hard enough. Watch this film, you won't regret it.

I really did like the concept of the film. Michael Rosenbaum plays an actor unhappy with the way his life went, and when he comes back home to his high school reunion and tries to relive his glory days, which includes rekindling the magic with his high school sweet heart. It sounds like the regular formula but it's actually done more sophisticated than expected.

Much props to Rosenbaum who was able to direct and act at the same time getting a lot from his character.

The movie is filled with a few laughs, the best I feel come from a character named Ron, played by Nick Swardson who peaked in Jr. High after everyone was able to grow facial hair like he could.

Although all the characters are interesting not all the actors were. I did not feel the chemistry that would suggest these guys are friends, yet alone for 20 years. I did not feel it click.

Plus, this may be me nick picking, but the movie suggest that they are the class of 1994, yet I kept getting a late 80s vibe from the whole thing. I feel they really missed an opportunity to make fun of the 90s that could have added some much needed jokes.

Overall it was good.

I had reservations heading into this film considering it's low score and lack of user reviews. In fact the lack of user reviews is what prompted me decide to write this, so that people had an idea what they were in for.

Obviously this movie isn't a big budget Hollywood comedy, however, it is far better than any generic comedy thrown your way this year. The film is filled with unique and original jokes that feel completely realistic as well as simultaneously unexpected and outrageous. The film really has an air of familiarity about it, you can really connect with the characters and goofs (despite some of the obvious clichés such as the arch nemesis Principal).

This isn't meant to be an extensive review and honestly I haven't really done that. But I do want to convey to anyone sitting on the fence - about whether or not to watch this film - that it is a thoroughly entertaining flick. Sort of like a more original, mature and actually watchable version of American Pie: Reunion, just without all the toilet humour and pointless gimmicks.... So actually nothing like AP:R at all.

Trust me, you will enjoy this film, give it a go and have fun!

I had never heard of this movie until recently. I decided to watch it because it was shot in Newburgh and Evansville, Indiana which are located about 40 miles from where I live in Southern Illinois. Being familiar with the area was the main reason I wanted to watch this.

Jim lives a life in Hollywood. He decides to return to his hometown of Newburgh, Indiana for his twentieth class reunion at Castle High School. Jim gets to hangout with his childhood buddies and get reaquainted with the girl who got away. This movie was pretty funny. Most of the humor is pretty juvenile. What you expect from a film with Harland Williams and Nick Swardson? Again being familiar with Newburgh and Evansville probably made the film a bit more enjoyable to me since it was filmed "locally" and features Washington Square Mall and Green River Road of Evansville, Indiana.

If you're expecting an ordinary but overly silly romantic comedy, and not a masterpiece, this is pretty good.

As in most movies where the guy is marrying the wrong girl or the girl is marrying the wrong guy, there is one of those exciting and bizarre scenes.

After the reunion comes one of the movie's funniest scenes, which involves vomiting. No, it's not the vomiting that's so funny, but just the outrageous situations.

Morena Baccarin shows the talent that later got her a role in the respected TV series "Gotham". Her character is really likable, and she's one of the few intelligent people in the movie.

Michael Rosenbaum actually wrote and directed this, in addition to starring. My expectations of him may be a little high because of his outstanding role in "Smallville", but he does a good job here.

During Jim's commute on the 405 we are subjected for what passes for music in today's world. In a flashback there is actual music by Air Supply.

Is this fun for the whole family? Not even when cleaned up for broadcast. I hope I've provided enough hints. If not, let me say that at times every other sentence has a character's mouth blurred briefly with no sound. Skunk and his wife like S & M. One of the characters does Sharon Stone's move from "Basic Instinct". There are several scenes with nudity because of pranks or whatever.

Still, if you can handle Seth McFarlane's Fox sitcoms, you might be able to enjoy this.

Be sure and stay around for the outtakes with the closing credits!