I Like Movies

Watching this film, I couldn't help but forgive its shortcomings. It was clearly made on a shoestring budget, with unremarkable locations and occasionally amateurish performances. However, the story's universal appeal overshadowed these flaws. As a film lover and someone who struggles with socializing, I found myself deeply moved and able to relate. The film tackles the theme of moving on and growing up, a familiar territory in cinema. Despite lacking groundbreaking elements, it exudes a nostalgic charm that captivates. The writing, direction, and acting are surprisingly strong, which adds to its merit.

I can't say enough good things about this movie! It's a charming, heart-breaking coming-of-age story that will make film lovers everywhere laugh with recognition. And I love how specific and true it is to its Southern Ontario setting. A masterpiece.

Anyone who says the protagonist is unlikeable, just doesn't get it. He's flawed and human and it's delightful to watch him learn the errors of his ways and grow as a person.

Director Chandler Levack is in full control of her story, period details are spot on and the acting is superb.

This is one of the best Canadian films I have ever seen hands down.

This movie had the title going for it. The storyline sounded interesting as well: back to the days of the video store, which only folks above 30 will probably remember.

More good: the dialogues were interesting as well, with many namedrops of classic movies from the past.

The characters were kinda interesting, but there the good news ended, because the actors were lacking in actor's chemistry. They for sure werent terrible actors, merely just not charismatic enough to carry this movie.

Half way through I began to get somewhat irritated by these actors, who usually would only star in cheaply produced television movies.

Not terrible, but certainly not recommended either...

It's a Canadian comedy-drama set in 2003, primarily in Burlington, Ontario, with a few scenes at the end in Ottawa. It follows a teenager in the last year of high school obsessed with Saturday Night Live and commercial movies but is socially inept.

Lawrence Kweller (Isaiah Lehtinen) is a pudgy, smart-mouthed teenager who attends a large high school in Burlington, Ontario (a suburb of Hamilton, Ontario, on the Toronto side). He lives with his single mom (Krista Bridges); his father's absence is explained partway through the film. His best friend, Matt (Percy Hynes White), and Lawrence spend every Saturday night (Rejection Night) watching Saturday Night Live. They've agreed to produce the school's yearend memory movie but have trouble getting started and get in trouble with their teacher (Anand Rajaram). Nevertheless, Lawrence dreams of getting into the film program at New York University, despite the cost being far beyond his family's means.

The film follows Lawrence's efforts to make money for university by working at the local outlet of a big-chain video store. He becomes enamored with his manager, Alana (Romina D'Ugo), who is attractive but pushing age 30. His friendship with Matt changes because of his work schedule and Matt's decision with an accomplished female classmate (Eden Cupid), who is an experienced film editor. The film climaxes with a crisis at the video store and Lawrence's ultimate post-secondary decision.

"I like Movies" was more drama and less comedy than I expected. The dialogue was well-done, and Lawrence's personality was a teenager with whom you could develop a real love-hate relationship. Isaiah Lehtinen, Krista Bridges, and Romina D'Ugo were excellent. Eden Cupid was outstanding in a minor role. However, I found the film's ending too facile to be believable and the film's opening a bit jarring. The core storyline was good, though Lawrence was more naive about university than someone knowing the details of NYU's film program would be.

I found this quirky film a gem. It's authentic, not pretentious.

The main character is wonderfully portrayed - he's lovable, insufferable, a brat, rude - everything that a teenager can be. His relationships with his friends, co-workers and teachers were so real and not contrived a la Hollywood.

Sometimes it goes over the top. Sometimes it's hilarious. It's about the love of movies and teenage dreams of being the next great director.

I give it an 8 because it does have a Canadian feel (a positive thing for me) and it's never boring. I'll remember it the next time I go through Aldershot!

The ending has a happy resolution - our star is growing up!