Big Time Adolescence: This comedic coming-of-age story centered around the close friendship of a 16-year old high schooler (Griffin Gluck) and the 20-something screwup (Pete Davidson) that he idolizes captures a very specific slice of the suburban youth experience that doesn't make it to the screen too often. There are people like Davidson's Zeke who spend the early part of their 20's reliving their past glory by partying with kids that are 5-6 years younger than them as a way of postponing the painful responsibility of adulthood and just as many, if not more like Gluck's Mo whose justifiable naivety allows them to view these people as role models in most places around the world. Writer/director Jason Orley is smart enough to avoid glorifying or demonizing this type of relationship by sniffing out the small, teachable moments that can come from engaging in irresponsible behavior as well as portraying the big brother/little brother bond that exists underneath all of the debauchery. Seeing this dynamic played out on screen made Big Time Adolescence a comforting, authentic hangout movie that shouldn't flyer under the radar for much longer.
Grade: B+
Uncorked: Is calling a movie that's been out for 10 days on Netflix a hidden gem ridiculous? Probably, but I feel like Uncorked has gotten completely buried as a result of all the hype surrounding Tiger King. Prentice Penny's debut effort is an impressively assured family drama that tackles the age old dilemma that faces a young person (Mamoudou Athie, in a beautifully understated performance) that has to choose between following tradition by being groomed to take over the family business (a Memphis barbecue restaurant) or potentially alienating their loved ones by trying to forge their own unconventional path (becoming a master sommelier). Penny does a terrific job of highlighting how life can get in the way of achieving goals without ever feeling contrived, exploring the differing goals/perspectives/personalities of each member of the family and slowly building to a moving conclusion that gives his actors (in addition to Athie, Courtney B. Vance and Niecy Nash are terrific as his parents) ample opportunity to show off their range by weaving well-deployed moments of comedy into the serious narrative. It's the perfect low-key, pick me up for these trying times and I highly recommend anyone that could use a smile or two right now to go check it out.
Grade: B+
Coffee & Kareem: Michael Dowse has followed up Stuber with another thrifty, unapologetically crass buddy action comedy that feels like it was lifted straight from the 80's. While some of the gags (particularly in the middle of the film) are tasteless and hacky, I'll be damned if I wasn't laughing pretty often during this tightly-paced throwback sleazefest. The aloof cop (Ed Helms)/vulgar kid (Terrance Little Gardenhigh) dynamic works pretty well, the supporting cast is full of fully engaged scene-stealers (Taraji P. Henson, Andrew Bachelor, RonReaco Lee, David Alan Grier, Betty Gilpin-who is quickly building a rock solid quip-spewing action star resume) and the final sequence is bloody, outlandish poetry that features some of the more outrageous on-screen deaths in recent memory. The fact that there is still a place for proudly trashy entertainment like this in 2020 continues to make me happy, so a big thank you to Netflix for providing this completely non-vital public service.
Grade: B
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