This Is the Year

I just streamed this and have all the nostalgic feels! Lorenzo Henrie does a banging job playing Josh. And Vanessa Marano (one of my faves) steals every scene she is in as Molly. I'd pay to see an entire spin off with her just screaming at Jared (Josh Rhett Noble) in the theater. What a fun escape!

So I wanted something easygoing that won't ruin my day or make me sad. For that purpose This Is the Year was the correct choice.

Yet it's also quite forgettable. You can watch it even more than once. How do I know? Somewhere after 20 minutes I realized that I knew the movie already. Usually I remember a movie after a scene or two.

The characters are likeable, the story somewhat a new take on an old story. There are more or less predictable ups and downs. There is some visible character development.

So why just 6 of 10 stars? The movie is not memorable because it tries too hard to make everybody happy. All the kids and young adults are likeable. The alcohol drinking, conflicts and problems are too timid to feel real.

The only "bad guy" is for some reason the older "spiritual" boyfriend who's only a caricature of spirituality ("positive vibes only"). That ruined it a bit for me. Why pick on being spiritual? They could have made him a bit more career-driven. That would be more likely and relatable.

For a road trip movie leading to a festival there was not enough "sex, drugs and rock and roll."

So watch this harmless coming of age movie with your preteen kids if you want. The insights are valuable but too Captain Obvious for an adult audience IMHO. Otherwise it's a guilty pleasure for a slow day or when you're sick.

Also kudos for the leads: they were both in their late twenties yet played teens and I didn't even notice until I looked it up here.

Wasn't sure what to fully expect, but I actually really enjoyed this movie. Was looking for something fun and age appropriate for teens without being too agressive. Great pick for my kids and they loved it. I caught this the first time around on their initial launch. Really fun, enjoyable ride. Thought the acting was great, found myself rooting along for the characters. I watched this as a mom with younger kids and highly suggest for those with preteens and teens looking for fun clean content.

This Is the Year is a nostalgic, feel-good film that hits all the right notes-literally! The story has all the charm of a classic coming-of-age road trip, with plenty of humour, heart, and a dash of romance. What really elevates this movie, though, is the fantastic music. The soundtrack perfectly captures the energy and emotions of the characters as they navigate through life's ups and downs, and it's a key part of what makes the film so enjoyable.

The songs are catchy, well-placed, and add so much to the overall vibe of the movie. Whether you're a fan of indie rock or pop, the soundtrack will stick with you long after the credits roll. It's a mix of modern tracks and timeless tunes that really help set the mood for each scene.

The cast does a great job, and while the plot may follow familiar territory, it's done in such a heartfelt way that you can't help but get wrapped up in it. If you're looking for a movie that's fun, has great music, and leaves you with a smile, This Is the Year is definitely worth checking out.

Personally, I don't see this becoming a cult classic. The film started off so fast paced I didn't think anything would peak my interest. I soon realized that the movie was appropriate and genuine, and I was so comfortable getting to know these characters.

I did like the premise of this high school senior living his life like a movie, and learning hard lessons on this cross-country road trip while he professed love to his best friend's cousin. I liked the homage to 1980s John Hughes classic movies as well. Lorenzo James Henrie and Vanessa Marano are so likable, attractive, and fun together- I really enjoyed their chemistry.

Some sections like the music/dance scenes and the conflict between Zoey and Kaleb didn't work for me. Also Jeff Garlin as the English teacher was an odd casting choice- he's more humorous on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Those were minuscule observations that didn't affect my rating.

It's a medium grade film, but with enough heart for me to give a recommendation for families.