Up In Smoke is a feature where I will be reviewing the latest movie I have seen.

Why don’t movie studios make feel good movies anymore?

Nowadays its all about the big summer blockbuster with a gazillion dollar budget. With explosions thrown in just for the fun of it and so many plot holes, Arnold could drive his Hummer through them.

Not the case with Adventureland. Its simple, fun and has a heart. This is how a feel-good movie should be made. From the very start, you can feel that the vibe of this movie is different. Add to that the fact that the movie starts with someone smoking some bud and you have a pretty good start if you ask me!

Ok so here’s the deal:

Boy meets girl…. well, you know the rest. But this movie is about the journey these guys take together, not the destination. And the characters in this movie are not the ‘typical’ ones we come across is most other teen films. There’s no jock or nerd or prom queen. These characters are genuine and there will definitely be viewers who will relate to at least one of these characters.

Where this movie shines is with the small details. Details such as the awkwardness just before a first kiss, details such as how it feels to work a crappy summer job, and details such as how it feels to have your heart broken. These small details are all part of growing up and this movie captures them perfectly.

There’s plenty of laughs along the way too. Bill Hader is as loud and eccentric as ever. One scene in particular he looks like he may just explode any second. My Boy Martin ‘Bill Haverchuck’ Starr also plays his part perfectly as a quiet but wise co-worker at Adventureland. The scene after the pot cookies is reminiscent of many dope-fueled fun times with friends! Plus, there’s plenty of pot smoking too (bonus points there)!

At the end of the day, this movie doesn’t try and be something its not. It simply tells the story of a boy and a girl. We get to experience their highs and lows as they take us on the journey of the best summer of their lives.

With a great mellow soundtrack to boot, Adventureland is a must see for anybody who likes great feel-good movies and not just the stuff which is thrown down our throats each and every summer.

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