The Kings of Summer (2013)

After the boys of summer have gone

Teenager Joe is struggling at home and struggling at school.  Feeling the need to get away from his life, he has a plan.  Recruiting his friends Patrick and Baggio, the trio builds their own cabin away from civilization.  I am a sucker for coming of age films like this one.  This film has echoes of so many of my favorite kid and teenage films (The Goonies, Super 8, Adventureland).  The overall positive tone of this film is tempered by the black humor and real sadness felt by everyone in the film.

The Kings of Summer reigns supreme with 4 out of 5 Poblanos!

Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Writer: Chris Galletta
Starring: Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Nick Offerman
Rotten Tomatoes: 76%
Metacritic: 61%

Adventureland

One crazy summer
James' summer plans fall through.  Instead of going to Europe, he ends up at home with his parents, working in an amusement park called Adventureland.  This film is laugh out loud funny.  It is also a bit heartbreaking.  Overall, it is very entertaining.  Its fun to see these actors outside of their big films - Twilight, The Social Network, and Buried.

Adventureland has thrills and spills and lots of laughs to get 4 out of 5 Poblanos!

Director: Greg Mottola
Writer: Greg Mottola
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart and Ryan Reynolds
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Metacritic: 76 out of 100