Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-25 07:57:52

Watch it AGAIN!!!!

I assumed Orange County was just another corny, half-baked comedy that studio's release way too many of every year. I was dead wrong. Jack Black is at his absolute neurotic peak and Colin Hanks does an admirable job playing the straight man in a whirlwind of insanity that hilariously envelopes him at every turn. The supporting cast is terrific and really makes the film hum along. You feel like you're along for the craziest adventure of your life with these nuts. 4.5 stars for Orange County.

2012-05-24 22:52:04

The Best Teen Movie I've Seen In a LONG TIME!

I have been waiting for a long time for someone to put out a funny yet inspirational movie about teenagers and this movie was it. Orange County is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time! This movie will be in my collection for years to come. If you haven't seen this movie you should!

2012-05-21 12:10:44

one of THE most underrated comedies.

I hate that this movie isn't considered at least a classic for its genre. This is my favorite comedy that came out this year and it has a bit more depth than the usual teen comedy, a bit more absurdity and a lot more laughs. Truly the best cast i've seen together in a comedy.. I just don't get it. This movie is hilarious. Great performances and great laughs that are never cheap. Love it.

2012-05-21 04:04:00

I literally fell asleep on this film.

Shaun (Colin Hanks) wants to go to Stanford College so bad but has found out he wasn't accepted. So his loser brother, Lance (Jack Black), who likes to walk around in his underwear, decides to drive him there one night for registration. Of course, now it is 10:30pm so they can't really see the Dean until tomorrow morning. Lance decides to sneak into the Dean's office to put his brothers name on the computer, but instead, he gets caught, makes out with the secretary and causes a fire. Meanwhile Shaun goes to visit the Dean at his house. Cast also includes Catherine O'Hara, Chevy Chase, Lily Tomlin, John Lithgow and Kevin Kline. Don't ask me why, but i got a feeling we are going to see more of Jack Black and another scene stealer, Kyle Howard. A film so pointless and so bad they had to make 16 different trailers for this film all included on this DVD. There are also four deleted scenes and an audio commentary by Director Jake Kasdan and Writer Mike White. I literally feel asleep on this film but with Lily Tomlin and Kyle Howard, I keep one eye open.

we_are_nihilists 2012-05-19 15:56:18

Orange County does exactly what it's trying to do

Orange County is definitely off-pudding for its teen-comedy genreplacement. It still belongs there, but there is a bit more to it.Combining goofy slapstick, irony, and some actual insight with very fewgaps, Orange County manages to appeal to more than just one type ofmovie audience. Shaun, full of angst, intelligence, and most of all, difference, is onethat is easy to relate to, creating some balance with the rest of thecast. He finally wakes up to the fact that he might actually have apurpose late in his high school career, and suddenly sells hissurfboard and sets toward his goal of being a writer. The only wayShaun feels he can become a writer is by going to Stanford University. Orange County follows Shaun making attempts to put his name onStanford's acceptance list after his transcript is switched with astudent of a similar name. His alcoholic mom, junkie brother, andbrainless friends are the only thing stopping him, creating scene afterscene of disaster. There are definitely many lower-I.Q. moments, and a lot of time OrangeCounty lacks realism, but the movie doesn't care. Some great linesdelivered by Mike White, Jack Black, and Chevy Chase make up for someof the "teen-comedy" moments. The exaggerated characters are not onlyfunny, but they help to prove the point that Orange County clearlymakes (and that i don't want to ruin for you).

george.schmidt 2012-05-19 12:28:49

THE YEAR'S FIRST MUST-SEE COMEDY

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS***ORANGE COUNTY (2001) ***1/2 Colin Hanks, Jack Black, Schuyler Fisk,Catherine O' Hara, John Lithgow, George Murdock, Lillian Hurst, CarlyPope,Leslie Mann, Jane Adams, Garry Marshall, Dana Ivey, Mike White. (Cameos:Lily Tomlin, Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, Ben Stiller, Kevin Kline) (Dir:Jake Kasdan)Nepotism runs rampant - and guiltily so - as does a smorgasbord ofbig-timecameos by an incredibly eclectic assortment of onscreen talent in thishysterically funny comedy, the first of the new year and easily so far thefirst must-see.First things first: yes the film stars Tom Hanks' son Colin (best knownforhis stint on tv's "Roswell" and in one of his dad's "Band of Brothers"episodes), Sissy Spacek's daughter Schuyler and is directed by filmmakerLawrence Kasdan's son Jake but that shouldn't be a mitigating factor sinceall three have established their careers already and acquit themselvesbeautifully here in this rambunctiously outrageous comedy.Colin (who has some uncanny characteristics if not his spitting image ofhis dad) stars as Sean Brumder, a beleaguered high school senior who'slifeis in turnaround in the titular zone of California's L.A. community wherehediscovers that surfing the good life isn't all that it's cracked up to be(especially after one of his good friends drowns in a surfing accident inatsunami of "Perfect Storm" dimensions!) Sean's wake-up call comes aboutwhenhe unearths (literally) a paperback copy of "Straight Jacket" a "CatcherinThe Rye"-ish novel about the teenage condition that he absorbswhole-heartedly to the conclusion that becoming a writer will be hissalvation.Sean makes it his life's work to get the hell out of the weighted downidiocy and primping caricatures of his current existence in high schoolwithits share of bitchy cheerleaders (i.e. the Gina Gershon lite yet totallysexy hottie Pope); burn-outs and airheaded faculty members (White, whowrote the witty screenplays, co-stars as Sean's literature teacher whobelieve Shakespeare adaptations to include "Gladiator" among othermistakes.His solace and key to escape is applying to Stanford University thatshouldbe aced with his impeccable transcripts he enlists his guidance counselor(Tomlin in a dithering comic display of forgetfulness) who unbeknownst tohim fails to submit his resume correctly.Sean's homelife only adds to his misery. His older brother Lance (thealways welcome breath of anarchy, Black having a ball in sloth here), aperpetually stoned sloven couch potato and his besotted, slattern momCindy(the wonderful O' Hara) who is divorced from his money-hungry dad Bud(Lithgow as an indifferent insufferable stuffed shirt) and married to theelderly invalid Bob Beugler (Murdock). The only supportive one he canrelyon is his girlfriend Ashley (Fisk who shares her mom's freckles and sweetoptimism), an environmentalist granola and sandals type neohippie whowantsto study in one of the community colleges instead, causing someunwarrantedgrief for Sean to overcome as well.When Sean discovers he's been turned down by Stanford due to his paperworkinsufficiently forwarded he attempts several times to rectify the job andeach time with escalating daisy chain of horrifyingly funny and outlandishsequence of events largely due to the well meaning but idiotic Lance.The film works on a layered balance of clever dialogue, an engaging lead,avastly talented ensemble of characters that must be seen to be believed,anda who's who of comic talent shining brightly in this highly engagingcomedyof errors. Hanks shares his pop for gift in becoming apoplectic andchannels him with his high voice in panic mode and on occasion resembleshimin odd angles here and there. Black showcases his heir to the throne ofslobs-with-hearts-of-gold as Lance, arguably the funniest stoner sinceSeanPenn's Spicoli in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" with his unkempt hair,Nicholsonian eyebrows at full tilt and the body of Belushi via an OldTestament prophet in this latest incarnation of Gen X seediness. Thelaughsare plentiful and often come out of nowhere.White's screenplay is sneaky in its attacks and one liners (Lithgowcallinghis ex Coyote Ugly in one quick breath established a slew of laughter intheaudience I attended) and Kasdan's assured yet unassuming camerawork allowsslapstick on the peripheral - often out-of-focus- to eventually take overthe proceedings at hand. It helps that both White and Kasdan collaboratedbefore on the late, greatly lamented tv sitcom "Freaks &Geeks".A cash crop in a new year is a promising sign for comedy to come down thepike in quite some time.

deadsenator 2012-05-16 18:56:53

Ack! More garbage! - 3 of 10

Not Jack Black nor all the rest of the talent represented in this filmcouldsave it from the dung heap. Jack has one or two funny scenes, but notenough to make this film enjoyable. I cringed more and more as the movieprogressed. What it needed was more of Jack's antics and less of thecrappyplot. Don't bother.

jjgolding 2012-05-16 04:19:13

Film is somewhere between average and classic, but Jack Black is Fantastic

If you read a summary of the plot you would think it this film was apile of dodo doo doo, but it is well funny and although the storylineis not great and predictable in parts its a great comedy. I don't thinkI would have liked this film half as much if Jack Black hadn't been init, I am a big fan of his, and he is definitely the best thing aboutthe film. The other actors are pretty good, they all play their partswell, especially the parents; John Lithgow (from 3rd rock from the sun)is wicked and Catherine O'Hara backs him up well. Overall the film is greatly average but the comedy makes it well worthwatching at least once, especially when Lance (Jack Black) and the girlhe just slept with walk out the door of the building they just setalight, wearing only underwear and fucked off their heads, where Lanceproceeds to talk rubbish to Ben Stiller (playing a cameo fireman).OK script, very well filmed with some very funny acting performances

2012-05-12 10:44:40

Let's get naked and start a revolution..........

Orange County is one of the best and most hilarious movies I have seen. The story about a sane kid trapped in a dysfunctional family with a drunk mom and stoned brother, whose friends hint at being gay and more. His dream is to be a writer and he wants to escape Orange County. Easier said then done especially when the wrong transcript is sent. Real funny movie. The title comes from a scene in the movie.

Shavo 2012-05-12 00:10:17

Good, but the only thing that kept it funny was Jack Black

I love Jack Black movies, so i went to see this movie but it wasn't asgoodas other movies he's been in. (Saving Silverman, Bongwater)****Spoiler****The story is that Shaun Brumder is struggling to get into StanfordUniversity, but his family keeps getting in the way. So his brother (JackBlack) helps him out by driving to Stanford and demanding to get in. Buthisbrother just makes it worse for him by burning down the building andgettingthe dean high on some drug. Then he realizes that he doesn't have to go tocollage to become a writer so he stays at orange county.****End of Spoiler****The movie itself was kind of boring, but Jack Black does his best lightenupthe movie. 6/10

Omar_Sharaf 2012-05-10 02:23:59

Underrated

Well it looks like another typical teen movie but actually its not.Under the regular teeny style story there is some deep messages aboutfriendship, love, appreciation, and never giving up on dreams. Thecharacters are well drawn and the cast is very well selected. Thecolors are great and the general atmospher is joyfull. The events arepacey in a good way so don't worry as you wont get bored at all.What make this movie great is that for example we oftenly hear thingslike ''Life is worthless if you're not going to do what you like'' butthe movie make you live the experience and actually give these words areal thought and find out yourself if they are actually true or not.Its much better if you watch this one with friends or family. Irecommend this for young people and trust me whatever your taste is youwill like it.

Van Roberts 2012-05-09 14:32:41

Silly, Sentimental Satire about a high school graduate . . .

Watching director Jake Kasdan's take on teenage comedies in the PG-13rated "Orange County" reminded me of those contemplative coming-of-ageyouth yarns John Hughes cranked out in the 1980s with Molly Ringwaldand Matthew Broderick. This silly, sentimental satire about a highschool graduate who dreams about attending Stanford University in sunnyCalifornia, so he can study creative writing under an author heidolizes amounts to a contrived, half-squeezed comedy of errors.Refreshingly, "Orange County" relies less on gross-out body fluidsbuffoonery and more on crazy character flaws for its mirth.Unfortunately, "Zero Effect" director Jake Kasdan (son of "The BigChill" helmer Lawrence Kasdan) and his wacky writer Mike White of"Chuck and Buck" fare better as comedians than as storytellers. Whenthey serve up their laugh-out {-loud jokes, they deliver them withcrackerjack comic timing. On the other hand, their tale about a youngwriter who wants to move away from insulated Orange County, California,with its liberal lifestyles to seek greater things for himself and theresolution of conflicts in his far-out, dysfunctional family lifequalifies as the typical pulp of a Walt Disney potboiler.Everything that can go wrong for goal-oriented Vista Del Mar HighSchool class president Shaun Brumder (Tom Hanks' son Colin of "WhateverIt Takes") in "Orange County" does. Although he is a straight-Astudent, all Shaun lives for is surfing the waves with buds Chad (R.J.Knoll of "Turbulence") and Arlo (Kyle Howard of "House Arrest") untilone of their pals perishes when a wave of tidal proportions washes himaway. This tragedy prompts Shaun to take stock of his life. He sellshis surfboard and takes up writing. One day at the beach, Shaunliterally unearths a copy of Marcus Skinner's novel "Straitjacket" (nosuch book exists; it's a plot gimmick) and reads it repeatedly until hehas every line memorized. When he discovers Skinner (Kevin Kline in acameo) teaches creative writing at Stanford, Shaun asks his flaky highschool counselor (Lily Tomlin at her hilarious best) to mail his scoresto the university. Incredibly, she mixes up Shaun's A-plus transcriptwith another student's F- minus transcript. Naturally, Stanford rejectshim. Nothing Shaun's animal activist girlfriend Ashley (Schuyler Fisk,Sissy Spacek's daughter of "Snow Day") can do helps. Eventually,Shaun's black sheep, ten-toed sloth of a brother Lance (Jack Black of"High Fidelity") comes to his rescue. Lance piles Ashley and Shaun intohis truck, and they recklessly careen off to Stanford in a last ditcheffort to crash the admissions office. Instead, pyromaniac Lance burnsit down. Colin Hanks could easily follow in his father's footsteps. He makes abelievable, ordinary, fall guy whose world tumbles down around himdespite his best efforts, but somewhat manages to triumph.Nevertheless, heroic as the younger Hanks is, he cannot compete withsubversive comic genius of Jack Black who swipes every scene as slobbyLance. Had the story been as ripe as the ridiculous gags, "OrangeCounty" might have been a fresher farce.

2012-04-30 11:02:48

Welcome To Orange County

I have to say that this movie captured the spirit of a growing up in Southern California more than any movie I have ever seen, and this creates a bias for me because when I watch this movie, I am a teenager in California again. However, all admitted bias aside, this movie is not only a must see, but a must buy. Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks) is a surf punk that discovers he wants to be a writer, and his inspiration, Marcus Skinner (Kevin Kline), is a Stanford professor. This, of course, inspires Shaun to apply to Stanford. His guidance counselor (Lily Tomlin), messes up his chances with a terrible mix-up with a loser of a student. From there, Shaun is determined to make things right, and with the help of his brother, Lance (Jack Black), who is hardly a help at all, and his girlfriend, Ashley (Schuyler Fisk), they set off for Northern California to do what they can.Jack Black steals this show. He is hilarious, and there are scenes in this movie where I swore that if I laughed any harder, I would lose control of my bladder. Catherine O'Hara plays Shaun and Lance's mom, and her performance is just classic. She makes for another "wet your pants" moment in this movie, as well as some hilarious scenes with the housekeeper. Each and every character in this movie is funny. Even the potentially annoying Fisk as the tree hugging Ashley, comes off as funny, and not annoying, as one's first impression might lead one to assume.Overall, this is a thoroughly enjoyable movie that contains some important lessons about growing up, and every kid's desire to get away from the those that they love, but can't generally stand. Even more important, it's funny.

Andrew Howard 2012-04-29 17:25:12

'Orange County' Not Your Typical Teen Fare

After recently seeing `Not Another Teen Movie,' I was understandably alittle leery of seeing another teen movie. But last weekend when `OrangeCounty' came out, I figured that since nothing much else was in theaters,then I'd might as well take my chances. Good move by me.`Orange County' opens with our hero, Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks) acting,ashe would describe it, as a typical Orange County teenage guy-goingsurfing.Calamity strikes, however, one day when he and his buddies try to surf atsunami, thus causing the death of one of his friends. While reflectinguponthis terrible twist of fate, Shaun comes across a book that will changehislife-instead of wanting to surf for the rest of his life, he will be awriter, but the thing is, he can only become the writer he wants to be byattending StanfordShaun is a talented writer and a bright guy (1520 on his SAT's), so hisguidance counselor (Lily Tomlin) tells him that he should only apply toStanford where he will be a lock to get in. But in a perverse twist offate,she sends in the wrong transcript, which lists his SAT as 900. But all isnot lost. Perhaps he can convince a regent of the university of hisworthiness, so Shaun invites his seemingly last chance to his home. Bigmistake. At best, the Brumder family is.dysfunctional. With an alcoholic,hysterical, scene-stealing mother (Catherine O'Hara) and a perpetuallydrunk, drugged-out, and scantily clad brother (Jack Black), the impressionthat he will make will turn out to be quite negative.With seemingly nowhere else to turn, he goes to his absentee, yet well-offfather (John Lithgow), who is preoccupied in HIS world and predictablyturnsShaun down. Now Shaun is grasping at straws when he resorts to making alast-ditch trip to Stanford in hopes of convincing the admissions directorof his worthiness of admission. Accompanying Shaun on this noble `quest'areAshley (Schuyler Fisk), his animal-loving and devoted girlfriend alongwithhis brother. What ensues is best described as a melee of confusion anddestruction.As every other critic has found issue to mention as if he/she was thefirstto break the news, are the famous parents of the two stars and thedirectorso I guess that I'll follow the trend. Colin Hanks (Son of Tom), SchuylerFisk (daughter of Sissy Spacek) and director Jake Kasden (son of thefamousdirector Lawrence Kasden) all have served their families well in theirroles. Hanks is able to pull off a nerdy well-grounded youth in search ofhis dream; Fisk is excellent as an animal/cause-loving activist; andKasdenjust lets everything flow along with little, if any turbulence.But the actor that I really want to talk about is Jack Black. If he can beamovie star, then so can everyone else. To start with, he looks as if hehasbeen lost in the Boundary Waters for several years and has only now madeitback to civilization. And in `Orange County' he has the (painful)distinction of revolting the audience in multiple appearances clad only inhis underwear. Despite all this going against him, Black turns in ahilarious performance every time he is on screen. Not quite at agut-rippinglevel of humor, but impressive nonetheless. Another performance to watchforis Catherine O'Hara's presence whenever she is onscreen. Personally, Icannot think of anyone else better suited at playing a neurotic motherthanMs. O'Hara.`Orange County' marks a dramatic change from the recent teen films thatwereskewered in `Teen Movie.' Instead of a focus on prom, sex, and sports,`Orange County' chooses to focus on what most high school students arestressing about-going to college (for an insightful look at the process,besure to read Sarah Voskuil's columns on the College Search Saga). Itmagnifies the fear of a clerical error causing a rejection to one of yourdesired colleges. I am confident that this will not befall me, after all,the Guidance Office here at Lourdes seems to be extremelycompetent.In the end, `Orange County' marked a renaissance from the dire straitsthatteen movies have entered in the past five years. Here's to hoping thatthisis a permanent shift in quality rather than an aberration. I would give itahigh percent, but its weak ending doomed it to a lower rating of 90 out of100.

2012-04-26 01:05:23

Give It A Closer Look....

I saw Orange County when it came out on DVD, and only then for the sole purpose of Jack Black. I was impressed with what i saw.most would expect a typical teen movie, as i did. but there is more to been seen with a critical eye. it's about a boy named Sean Brumner who undergoes a change. he lives in Orange County, California, an area known for it's shallow, conservative, surf-n-sand (albeit VERY hip) lifestyle. his senior year of high school, he decides he wants to become a writer, and that he wants to go to Stanford. the movie's action centers around his desperate attempts to be better than where he came from, and his family and school's well-meaning (and sometimes unintended) attempts to hold him back. sprinkle in some classic Jack Black (who plays Sean's druggie brother, Lance), and it's smooth sailing.as always in MTV films, the music was very artfully chosen. Crazytown's "Butterfly" is used very, very effectively. also, the promotional extras are effing hilarious. if you craved more Jack Black in the film, as i did, then here it is. it wasn't over-the-top, as many "teen" movies are these days, and had less (almost nothing) to do with relationship woes and bodliy fluid jokes, and more to do with post-high school expectations. moral of the story? i think it had more Ferris Bueller in it than American Pie. anyone stressed out by college applications or final exams could watch Orange County and gain something from it, even if nothing more than a good laugh.

2012-04-25 09:33:06

Dumb is Good...And Very Entertaining

Colin Hanks, son of Tom, plays a suburban teenager from Orange County, who applies to Stanford University in the hopes of studying with his idol (a very tweedy Kevin Kline) and becoming the next great American novelist.The movie, directed by Jake Kasdan, leans heavily on the pot-head humor found in "Animal House," "Road Trip" and at least 110 other movies. But that's ok. Laughs are plentiful. The film never bores. And it is chock full of sight gags, great comebacks and inspired farce. I had so much fun, I even hit the rewind button to playback some of the film's wackier moments. You'll probably do the same.

2012-04-25 05:12:22

ORANGE COUNTY ROCKS!!!!!!!!!

I have seen the movie Orange County,brace your self,4 times!I saw it thedayit came out,the next day(saturday),and the next day on Sunday twice!It maysound obsessive but I loved that movie.It has a greatcast,plot,screenplay,characters,andoutline.It stars my all time favorite actor the son of the wonderful TomHanks,Colin Hanks,also jack black,catherine o` hara,john lithgow,andschuyler fisk.It also has many camio`s by Ben Stiller,Kevin Kline,ChevyChase,and lily tomlin.It is a light hearted movie with so many greatlaughsthat will leave you on the floor and cracking-up.It does not have thosegross jokes only one or two.The acting is very good and by the end of themovie you will love all the characters.I hope that you will enjoy thismovieand not put in down like all the critics have.ORANGE COUNTYROCKS!!!!!!!!!!

2012-04-24 10:46:10

Better than expected

The only big problem with the movie is that Jack Black isn't in it enough. Otherwise, an above average crass teen comedy that balloons up the the insanity of a dysfunctional family to fantastic proportions, but those of us with one will recognize ourselves anyway. The whole of Orange County seems to be conspiring to stop a high school grad from going to Stanford to become a writer's protege. Those included in the conspiracy are Catherine O' Hara, playing his drunk, emotionally dependent mom who has married a graying invalid to keep the family's bills paid(or avoid doing housework?), a dad played by John Lithgow who is a wealthy businessman with a 20 year old wife and couldn't be bothered to help, two surfing pyromaniac lushes as best friends, an incompetent guidance counselor, and of course, Jack Black as his dunced out, perpetually hungover older brother who tries a little too hard to offer unwanted help. Something as silly as all this must have a happy ending, and it definitely does. High points: Harold Ramis takes Ecstasy. Jack Black. Jack Black. Not enough Jack Black. I'm 30, but I still think this guy's stoner irony and physical looniness is funny. Sue me.

M_Cobretti 2012-04-23 08:06:36

Ouch!

As many you will surely have guessed, this movie is terrible. You haveyourstandard jokes here, the cup of bodily fluid, hot cheerleaders, and a lamerap-rock laden soundtrack. One question: I think Chevy Chase plays tworoles, one of which is a frat-boy, Kip I think. Can anyone confirmthis?

Spanner-2 2012-04-22 17:28:13

dumb

A silly comedy starring Colin Hanks (son of Tom, fomerly of the TV show"Roswell") and Jack Black (who is one of those actors who thinks he is socool that he is actualy anoying). The story is dumb and the performancesare uniformaly bad, with the exception of Catherine O'Hara as thedimwittedmother who is entertaining. A misfire that does occasionaly provoke alaughor two, but not enough to reccomend it. GRADE: D+