The Crusades

As I am on a mission to watch every movie from every main Outer Banks actor, here's one of the only films Rudy Pankow is in. The Crusades is something I was really surprised by! It's a fresh take on high school comedy with some decent acting from side characters and great acting from Rudy himself. The movies funny, enjoyable, and a good time. I understand the hate that this gets, but it doesn't mind me. I liked it and I would be happy if a sequel released that was a follow up after the school merger. Either way, The Crusades is worth a watch. Maybe you like it, and maybe you won't but it's streaming on Paramount+ and Showtime! Overall a 4/5 for me!

The Crusades feels like a perfect adaptation of the quintessential 2000s teen comedy, updated for the 2020s. It is expertly acted with a break-out cast, and debut director and writer Leo Milano hit an absolute home run. Producer Brent Madison pulled together a terrific team and the film is beautifully shot by Dillon Schneider.

Nicholas Turturro stands out as the hilarious Coach Krieger, guiding Leo, Sean, and Nozak (Pankow, Everage, and Ashton) every step along the way. Leo Grecco is caught between a childhood crush on his teacher, Ms. Kerpial (Anna Maiche) and a girl from their fellow school, Ryan (Ashley Nicole Williams). Sean must decide between his friends and his girlfriend Jess (Indiana Massara). Jack Nozak is constantly trying to stay out of trouble with Dean Whitman (Greg Davis Jr.). What happens to the crew will keep everyone on the edge of their seat all throughout the film.

"The Crusades 2023" is a captivating coming-of-age film that takes place in the unique setting of an all boys private high school. The movie follows three friends who are on the cusp of a revolutionary change in their lives.

What makes this film stand out is its ability to blend various elements seamlessly. It combines the themes of friendship, rebellion, and self-discovery with a touch of romance and adventure. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their journey throughout the longest weekend of their lives is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The movie skillfully explores the complexities of teenage life, showcasing the struggles and challenges faced by the characters as they navigate authority, love affairs, and even violent foes. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping the audience engaged and eager to see what happens next.

The cinematography and direction in "The Crusades 2023" are top-notch, capturing the essence of the high school experience and creating a visually stunning backdrop for the story. The soundtrack perfectly complements the mood of each scene, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Overall, "The Crusades 2023" is a must-watch film that combines elements of drama, comedy, and adventure to create a compelling narrative. It is a relatable and heartfelt story that will resonate with audiences of all ages.

In Leo Milano's THE CRUSADES we experience a semi-autobiographically tale, told through the director's personal and artistic lens of what it was like to come of age at private all boys school in Chicago.

Those with similar backgrounds and experiences will surely resonate on a deeper level, while all audiences will take joy in seeing such a unique and personal perspective of high school brought to life in uncompromising style.

As a female viewer, I appreciate getting a ticket to ride a male coming-of-age rollercoaster that's chock full of the usual jokes and hijinks, but also emotional depth. While the film is set in all-male spaces and perspectives, it refreshingly avoids "male fantasy" tropes and offers more complex, authentic, and bittersweet takes on coming-of-age milestones.

Rather than paint over his past with happy endings and easy triumphs, Milano offers up the insecurities, neuroses, mistakes that are the true tenants of adolescence. Any confidence, personal growth, or female adoration that protagonist Leo (an irresistible Rudy Pankow) is able to cultivate for himself, is true to life: messy and hard-earned. It's a testament to the beauty of indie film and this team in particular, that THE CRUSADES brilliantly avoids the sense of entitlement and self-indulgence that oozes from so many films in this category.

Even more commendable is the fact that the filmmakers seem to genuinely care about including all audiences along for the ride. The movie manages to hit high-stakes antics and big comedic swings while also using the storytelling to give us thorough understandings of the characters and their journeys. Fans of Superbad, Everybody Wants Some!! And Ferris Bueller's Day Off will all be satisfied by this artfully told, unapologetically fun, coming-of-age chronicle and refreshed by a narrative that properly honors the rough patches of growing up.

This is just a PSA not to waste your money on this. I was fooled into it by this supposed 8.8 rating which was more obviously stacked by people involved in the movie. The acting is so so bad, there is zero storyline, and it's a giant waste of an hour and forty minutes.

There's zero laughs and there's not a single character in the movie that is likable. They all come off as completely whiny and entitled. You're supposed to root for them but at the end you actually hope they all get their asses kicked. It's the worst high school hi jinx movie I've ever seen.

If I come across a movie with any of the main guys acting in it, I'll know to immediately pass on it. They were really that bad. And if the writer is involved in another movie, I'll know there's really no storyline.