The Crusades

In Leo Milano's THE CRUSADES we experience a semi-autobiographically tale, told through the director's personal and artistic lens of what it was like to come of age at private all boys school in Chicago.

Those with similar backgrounds and experiences will surely resonate on a deeper level, while all audiences will take joy in seeing such a unique and personal perspective of high school brought to life in uncompromising style.

As a female viewer, I appreciate getting a ticket to ride a male coming-of-age rollercoaster that's chock full of the usual jokes and hijinks, but also emotional depth. While the film is set in all-male spaces and perspectives, it refreshingly avoids "male fantasy" tropes and offers more complex, authentic, and bittersweet takes on coming-of-age milestones.

Rather than paint over his past with happy endings and easy triumphs, Milano offers up the insecurities, neuroses, mistakes that are the true tenants of adolescence. Any confidence, personal growth, or female adoration that protagonist Leo (an irresistible Rudy Pankow) is able to cultivate for himself, is true to life: messy and hard-earned. It's a testament to the beauty of indie film and this team in particular, that THE CRUSADES brilliantly avoids the sense of entitlement and self-indulgence that oozes from so many films in this category.

Even more commendable is the fact that the filmmakers seem to genuinely care about including all audiences along for the ride. The movie manages to hit high-stakes antics and big comedic swings while also using the storytelling to give us thorough understandings of the characters and their journeys. Fans of Superbad, Everybody Wants Some!! And Ferris Bueller's Day Off will all be satisfied by this artfully told, unapologetically fun, coming-of-age chronicle and refreshed by a narrative that properly honors the rough patches of growing up.

This is just a PSA not to waste your money on this. I was fooled into it by this supposed 8.8 rating which was more obviously stacked by people involved in the movie. The acting is so so bad, there is zero storyline, and it's a giant waste of an hour and forty minutes.

There's zero laughs and there's not a single character in the movie that is likable. They all come off as completely whiny and entitled. You're supposed to root for them but at the end you actually hope they all get their asses kicked. It's the worst high school hi jinx movie I've ever seen.

If I come across a movie with any of the main guys acting in it, I'll know to immediately pass on it. They were really that bad. And if the writer is involved in another movie, I'll know there's really no storyline.

I watched this for Rudy Pankow but eventually was robbed of 90 minutes of my life. This movie is so badly written, the story line was an awful mess and the acting was unexpectedly poor if you compare it to Pankow's performance in Outer Banks!!! I cannot even look at him anymore without being reminded of his poor performance in this horrible movie. I wouldn't be surprise if this pick is going to kill his career. He should consider changing his management. When we were laughing, while watching it, we did it for all the wrong reasons. I am sorry, but the actors embarrassed themselves starring in this, so did screenwriters and the director (who supposedly graduated from Notre Dame?!). I cannot believe this was fit enough for release. More like a really bad Highschool production made by amateurs. I feel a bit sorry writing this because I recognize that there is always a lot of work involved, but the poor quality of the film genuinely upset me. Do yourselves a favor and give it a miss.

The Crusades feels like a perfect adaptation of the quintessential 2000s teen comedy, updated for the 2020s. It is expertly acted with a break-out cast, and debut director and writer Leo Milano hit an absolute home run. Producer Brent Madison pulled together a terrific team and the film is beautifully shot by Dillon Schneider.

Nicholas Turturro stands out as the hilarious Coach Krieger, guiding Leo, Sean, and Nozak (Pankow, Everage, and Ashton) every step along the way. Leo Grecco is caught between a childhood crush on his teacher, Ms. Kerpial (Anna Maiche) and a girl from their fellow school, Ryan (Ashley Nicole Williams). Sean must decide between his friends and his girlfriend Jess (Indiana Massara). Jack Nozak is constantly trying to stay out of trouble with Dean Whitman (Greg Davis Jr.). What happens to the crew will keep everyone on the edge of their seat all throughout the film.

I did not know what to expect of this film since I haven't seen any marketing. Stumbled across it and decided to give a watch and honestly was shocked ive never heard of it. Some really funny moments with a really solid young up and coming cast not to mention a couple veterans. This feels like a completely fresh take on the high school genre. Was not excepting the amount of violence in the film but really made it feel realistic. By the end of the movie there is a perfect balance of heart that makes you feel for these characters while still being ridiculous in the best way. Rarely have I been pleasantly surprised when clicking on a random film but The Crusades is definitely worth the watch!