Kalamazoo?

'Kalamazoo?' opened in its hometown on April 7 and has registered several "sold out" shows. Coverage in the local media report that audiences are loving this movie. The comedic scenes draw huge laughs while the more dramatic scenes have sparked a few tears. Getting to see a local town on the big screen is pretty cool and references to various businesses showcase the producers' pride in their hometown.

The cast -- including Joanna Clare Scott, Mayim Bailik, Josie Davis and Michael Boatman, spent the weekend mixing and mingling with crowds during a series of public appearances and Q&A sessions.

This film is currently running in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Holland, Grand Haven and Lowell. Even though the premiere festivities have passed, directors Joanna Clare Scott and Dana E. Kowalski continue to speak locally (4/13 at 6:30 p.m. at Herrick Library, Holland). Dates for the next release cities will be announced soon.

I was afraid of this movie. As a Kalamazoo resident, I was afraid I would only like it because it was in Kalamazoo. Then I realized I was afraid that I wouldn't like it ONLY because it was in Kalamazoo. The time it took me to work through that was the same time it took for me to get over the novelty of seeing my town on the big screen and the time it took for the characters to start to develop. And develop they did. Just having come from a high school reunion -- a few decades past the 10th -- I was pretty receptive to the theme, but I really wasn't prepared for the warmth and emotion surrounding the characters and found myself pulling for them. I was pleased that the high level of cinematography didn't make this feel like a small picture, and I was pleased with the brightness of the surrounding cast that helped strengthen the fact that growing up is about relationships, something that it takes several reunions for a lot of people to get. In that regard, the criticism that females were focused on the family part of their lives was off the mark. I would encourage our children, who are just in that 10th-range, to see the movie for just that message. Ultimately, though, it's not a message-movie, per se, but a movie that builds to make you feel for these specific characters. Very cool.

Where can I find this movie? I have looked everywhere and looked on alot of movie apps and Googled where to possibly find it or order it.

I went to see the movie in my hometown of KALAMAZOO. It was great to see a film made in the town where I grew up and live. It was fun to see how many of the places I could recognize. The show I went and saw had a nice surprise after the movie was over. The stars of the movie and the producer showed up for a question and answer session. After that, there was a CD autograph session in the lobby. You could purchase the sound track (made by all local KALAMAZOO musicians) and have them sign it. I was able to get all 5 signatures. They were Michael Boatman, Mayim Bialik (SP?), Josie Davis, Joanna Clare Scott and David O'Malley. It was a great time after a great movie.

As a former Kalamazoo resident with a fondness for the town I was looking forward to seeing this movie. But, what a disappointment! Although the acting and the production values aren't bad, the script is awful, the plot is unrealistic, and the theme is disturbing.

The main message of this film is that Women are nothing without husbands and children. I can hardly believe how regressive it is in it's view of women. Has the writer been living under a rock?

Although I enjoyed seeing my beloved city on the big screen, I wouldn't suggest this movie to anyone. It's terrible. It's an embarrassment to the city it's named after.