Hollidaysburg (2014)

So much average

Admirable film.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

I'm going to keep it short. If you're from Pennsylvania, you'll love this movie by default - especially if you're from Western PA or a coal town in Eastern part of the state.Beautifully shot, scripted, and acted. Lots of insider stuff for the locals as well.Sticky buns.John Updike.Greasy spoons and diners.Abandoned industrial buildings that have seen better days.Hollidaysburg is what small town America is all about. You can go home again.

I want to give this a 6.5 but they don't allow decimal point ratings and im a tough grade so not willing to step up to a 7 . This film doesn't habe quite the budget or acting or writing talent of thr above listed films ..but it most definitely captures the essence of that coming of age phase in a young adults life when they are at a lifes crossroads...searching for something with meaning , despite not knowing what meaning that may be and only caring that somehow they find something that allows them to remember how to FEEL ...some of the comedy is forced but the relationship dynamics and events are very real and close to home fkr anyone whos ever been in that place...there is a striking resemblance to Garden State here and I only wanted to post for those of you who adored that movie as I did this is a nice low budget way to scratch the surface of connecting to another group of characters in a way we haven't been able to do to too often since Garden state was released. And in fairness this is virtually a first or second run for most of this cast and in that regard they held their own absolutely fine and there is a clear light at the end of the tunnel for what looks to be several promising young careers ...if you're looking for something light and refreshing with ever so slightly slivers of introspection being offered give this one a shot ...

I watched both this, and "Not Cool" to officially do the "Chair" experiment, and neither film was great, and neither film was terrible either.After seeing the trailers for both I definitely had much higher hopes for "Hollidaysburg" over "Not Cool". In the end though the film was nothing amazing as the trailer might suggest. It really wasn't that funny, I didn't feel much chemistry between the leads, and it was a little bit slow and awkward, but not in a good way. It did have some moments though, it was shot nicely, and I did really like the music. Beyond that it was just OK. The best part about it though would be how it captured the FEELING of being home on break and some of that drama, which is the only thing the film really did well, and did better then "Not Cool" in that regard. Beyond that though "Not Cool" was silly, but had a few jokes and actually surprised me a little after I Watched it in that I actually did care about the characters a little by the end, and that film had a few moments as well. (I also though felt no chemistry between the characters in Not Cool for the most part as well.) "Not Cool" was also not particularly funny after the first 10 minutes, and not a particularly good film either.So, bottom line, "Not Cool" gets an OK 5, and Hollidaysburg gets a slightly better, but still "OK" 7. Thats about all I can give it, as neither film was great, but they both had some decent moments and some (occasional) laughs. Hollidaysburg's FEELING of thanksgiving break was much more authentic then "Not Cool"s though and that was the difference for me.Definitely no masterpiece, and better then "Not Cool", but that really isn't saying much. It was OK.

Hollidaysburg is HILARIOUS, honest, and beautiful!! It has been a long time since I've seen a love story/coming of age movie this good. It is SO FUNNY and it has SO MUCH HEART. Exceptional storytelling and directing by Anna Martemucci, and superb breakout performances by a young cast of unknowns... soon to be KNOWNS! The acting is a real stand out in this film. Rachel Keller and Tobin Mitnik are stunningly comfortable performers, and bring such charm to this love story...that is truly funny throughout! Tristan Erwin and Claire Chipelli have an incredible ability to command an audience to go along with the subtle pointed performances they give. Phil Quinaz, who plays Mitnik's brother, is totally impressive in his handling of the comedy in this piece as is Brian Shoaf, who plays Chipelli's step-father. Shoaf has a moment in the movie that I was shout laughing ...but I'll let you watch it for yourself. These Actors!!! They are some of the best. I laughed and listened through the entire movie, which expertly takes an audience through the growing pains of young adult life, and let's us laugh the entire time, while really feeling for their stories. Martemucci's refreshing voice is balanced and uncynical, an updated John Hughes! It also... is beautifully shot, and you really get a sense of Pennsylvania and what is so charming about it! I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!! WATCH IT EVERYONE!!!!!!!!