The new film, Pitching Tents, by indie production company Meritage Pictures (“Take Me Home,” “Not Since You”) is out now and we’ve had the chance to bring you our thoughts on the new film.
This Coming of Age Comedy is set in Oil City, Pennsylvania in 1984, the movie, starring Michael Grant (“The Secret Life of the America Teenager”), comedian Jim Norton (“Inside Amy Schumer,” “Louie”), Booboo Stewart (“Descendants,” “Twilight Saga”), Eric Allan Kramer (“Good Luck Charlie”), Jonathan Lipnicki (“Jerry Maguire”) and newcomer, model Samantha Basalari.
Pitching Tents finds high school senior Danny Whitaker (Grant) at a crossroads – will he do what his working-class father (Kramer) thinks is practical and take a job at the local metal factory, or will his “loose cannon” guidance counselor (Norton) convince him to enroll in college to save his own job.
Pitching Tents – Thoughts
The film is certainly one that reminds me of a couple of other movies in the genre, but the first thing that stood out in the movie was the script, there are some really funny parts written in for the characters, loved Mr Mulligan (played by Jim Norton), his advice to other kids is priceless.
“But before you know it you’re getting lost in the woods drunk by yourself, dreaming of a goddess and masturbating in a poison ivy bush, there’s nothing worse than your mother dabbing calamine lotion on your grapefruit sized testicles!”
But the advice he gives to Danny about being a bright kid and for him to start dreaming to get out of the town and live a little.
To escape reality, Danny and his band of misfit buddies (Stewart, Lipnicki) head to the woods for the town’s annual rite-of- passage fishing trip. It’s after a wild party that Danny stumbles upon Goddess Camp, the urban legend of “skinny-dipping chicks” that so many horny high-school boys have fantasised about for years. Here he meets Alison (Basalari), who helps him find the strength he needs to take charge of his own destiny.
The movie does have the 80s feel, which is great as it is set in the 80s, the film is up there with the genre of films with horny teens looking for the chance to get away, drink beer and meet girls. It’s a comedy formula that works well in Pitching Tents, the comedic moments work well along with the banter between characters.
A nice touch is we don’t see the teens all the time, we jump back and forth to other characters, such as Danny’s parents to see what they think he and his friends are up to, if only they knew the truth.
Imagine American Pie meets Dazed and Confused, well that’s what you have with the movie.
Pitching Tents also stars are Spencer Daniels (“Mom”), Vincent Pastore (“The Sopranos”) and Richard Riehle (“Office Space”).
Pitching Tents is available to watch now on Amazon Video.
Movie title: Pitching Tents
Movie description: A mysterious goddess, a vulgar guidance counsellor and a no-nonsense father all want to help Danny figure out his future while he sneaks off to the woods with his buddies for a weekend of girls, beer and THE party of 1984.
Date published: March 31, 2017
Country: USA
Duration: 1h 30m
Director(s): Jacob Cooney
Actor(s): Michael Grant, Jim Norton, Booboo Stewart
Genre: Comedy
Summary
A comedic look at teens in the 80s taking a road trip to meet girls, drink beer and have the time of their lives.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
