Summer of 8

This movie was slow. Too slow. The plot had potential and the scenes had beauty, but the movie dragged. Acting was dull.

Luckily, someone else did when they said the film is like a (admittedly beautifully photographed and designed - although that really just adds to the artificiality) feature-length Beach Boys ode to youth, but it portrays an 'awareness' that real young people don't grasp until long after that time has passed." That pretty much sums it up. Reminded me of something I heard once: "Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth - oh, never mind . . . you won't appreciate the power and beauty of youth until yours is gone." And yes, these are late-20-somethings (one of whom was Miss Teen USA - you know, just like in your high school clique) playing 17 year-olds. But to be fair - they usually are. Nice try, but it's been done. Better.

The way the actors talk is very realistic (though they look a bit old for the part). The writers did an amazing job portraying the differences in individual perspectives and how they act with one another. Though I can see how someone can get bored of it, for those who can relate to a similar situation, Summer of 8 will trigger emotions you feel in such moments. As a recent high school graduate enjoying my last summer before adulthood, this movie truly reached me, thus earning a 10 star rating from me.

Summer of 8 is far from a masterpiece, but I've always enjoyed movies or stories that take place in one day, with a large group of friends. If you watch this movie and try to enjoy it for what it is, I promise you it's entertaining.

I can also guarantee that most people only dislike it because the cast is all white. Sadly, everyone expects these movies to be cast like a beer commercial but this is more realistic. Just because one group is represented it is misunderstood as racist and I'm sick of that narrative. I hate to break it to some of you, but every group of friends doesn't have every race represented. I can also watch a movie where the cast is primarily black and enjoy it just the same. So grow the hell up. It's 2020. If we want the race debate to ever go away, people need to stop bringing it up as a reason to piss and moan. It's a movie, relax. Okay rant over.

The cast is a little old to be portraying high school seniors, but this is nothing new. So it didn't bother me. The cinematography and score were excellent. I really felt the moment and could feel what they were feeling. I can't say I've ever experienced a day like this, but we've all had the day before a big change and this movie brought those feelings back for me.

Check it out for yourself and keep an open mind. Enjoy!

If this was about two or three out of the eight trying to reach a benchmark before college, that could have been feasible, but all eight? That's simply contrived.

The film plays out like a feature-length Beach Boys ode to youth, but has an awareness of what's happening that people usually don't grasp until long after the time has passed.

Shame, really, the cast is appealing and seems up to the task of a lighthearted last-day-before-college day at the beach, maybe some sexual intrigue, maybe a regret or two; but these are eight actors tasked with playing one role. This film could have been about them realizing just how divergent their personalities are, now that high school is behind them.