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The critics missed the mark, "Take Me Home Tonight" is a total gem...

First off, I have to say, I love 80's movies.  I love "Say Anything", "The Breakfast Club", "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", and even, dare I say, "Rad"? (I totally still have a copy on VHS)

The original films released in the 80's capture a time of economic prosperity, a post modern affection for the 1950's, and a raunchiness that can only be found in that genre.

They're fun!  The angst filled romances were epic in a way only dabbled in today through medicore soap/drama television.  But in a 1980's movie, we only have "one night" to work it all out, one chance to fall in love, make wrong's right, and that makes it a blast to watch.

In the last several years, there's been attempts at this teen/post college genre.  "Girl Next Door", "Hot Tub Time Machine", "I Love You Beth Cooper", and even "Napoleon Dynamite" employed some of our favorite devices from the time period, but in "Take Me Home Tonight" they do it one step better.

"Take Me Home Tonight" feels like it was produced by John Hughes in 1988 and then locked up in a time capsule for our pleasure.  There's not a lot of references to pop culture other than Suncoast Video and the occasional image in the opening titles.  The bulk of the film is earnest to it's time.  In fact, I'd argue that right now is the perfect time to release it.  In the midst of our economic downturn, topic's like the value of higher "education" on the top of our political discussion (our hero in the film graduated from MIT), and greed taking over wallstreet (the film discusses what's "really" important in life), Take Me Home Tonight makes us think... a little, but lets us fall in love a little too with the nostalgia of being young.  Thematically the film resounates true and the critics missed the mark completely.

The music is amazing.  The soundtrack contains such hits as...

Video Killed the Raido Star by The Buggles

Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran

Situation by Yaz

Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue

Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A.

Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes

and probably my favorite Let My Love Open the Door by the great Pete Townshend

 

SPOILER ALERTS FROM HERE ON...

SPOILER ALERTS FROM HERE ON...

SPOILER ALERTS FROM HERE ON...

Anna Ferris ("Scary Movie", "Observe and Report")  is perfectly cast as Topher Grace's ("That 70's Show", "Spider Man 3", "In Good Company") twin sister, Wendy Franklin.  They feel earnestly like siblings through the writing.  Teresa Palmer (as Tori Frederking) is about the most beautiful woman I've seen on film in a while, she's pitch perfect as the Matt's (Topher's) sweet but seemingly unatainable high school crush.  Filling out the cast is Mr. Chris Platt ("Parks and Recreation") as Kyle Masterson and Dan Fogler ("Mars Needs Moms") as the first time cocaine snorting/car stealing Barry Nathan.

And extra props to Imagine Entertainment for using the old school logo at the beginning.  Awesome.  Director Michael Dowse did a brilliant job capturing the 80's without being a spoof of it.  Clearly everyone involved in the production gets it.

Is "Take Me Home Tonight" an A++?  Absolutely not, it's a B+ at best.  But it's a solid, film and those of us who enjoyed the films of the 1980's will absolutely fall in love with this little gem.

Parent's don't take your kids to see it, it's only for us 80's kids.  There's sex, nudity, cocaine and drug use, violence and more.  Everything you'd expect from and 80's movie, just not appropriate for the little one's as dictated by it's MPAA R rating.

What did you think of "Take Me Home Tonight?"

Check the trailer here...

Max Mayer's "ADAM" coming soon

One of the best joys of the Sundance Film Festival every year is that a few films pop out of the pack that will likely make a mainstream mark.  Fox Searchlight made the wise choice to snatch up Max Mayer's "ADAM", a beautifully whimsical film about a young man Adam (Hugh Dancy) who meets a young woman Beth (Rose Byrne) after she moves in a few floors above.  After a couple of unusual encounters, Beth finds herself falling in love but confused with Adam's behavior.  Adam confesses that he has Asperger Syndrome, which is an autism spectrum disorder, and the real life challenges of a relationship take on a whole new experience.

The film could have gone the route of a sappy, tele-drama, but it doesn't.  In fact it's smart, warm, funny, and deals with the conflict in a fair way, even when conflicts get dark.  If you like Hallmark movies, you adore this film, if you hate them, I promise you'll be hooked and enjoy it.  It plays like a modern day "Say Anything" and fans of that film will likely be pleased with the upgrades.

It should be noted that Peter Gallagher and Amy Irving round out the cast as Beth's parents and are both wonderful to watch.  Frankie Faison also plays Harlen, Adam's best friend, as a wise advisor and father figure to Adam when he most need support.

If you're not familiar with Autism Spectrum Disorders, it's time to learn.  The statistics are striking and require massive research.  Every year the Walk for Autism raises money to support.  I volunteered last year in Los Angeles and had a great time.  It was one day of work and we raised millions at the Rose Bowl.  If you have a chance, check into your local chapter, drop some cash or volunteer, and if you don't know why it's so important go here and learn.  It'll make watching Adam, even more enjoyable.

Ok, here' the trailer...