Sadly Over-hyped

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

I really liked how it started: Quality filming, acting, and music. But then it got a little convoluted. The main actresses looked too much alike. And the dialogue referenced too many names of characters we couldn't possibly have known well enough to follow.As the stories unfolded, everything went downhill. Protagonists were written to do dubious things with insufficient justification for the audience. It seemed like the drama was being "set up," as opposed to organic and justified.Further actions taken by the characters were frustrating, and also didn't seem natural given the circumstances we'd been given (doing things that didn't make sense in the moment). Maybe if we had been given more background for the dubious and frustrating behavior, things would have felt more understandable and appropriate, but I don't think any amount of background could have been sufficient to justify all the weird actions and reactions by the characters.

What is it with movies that take place in Pennsylvania? They're kind of depressing. Dreary landscapes, gloom and doom skies, snow, cheap housing. If you've seen All the Right Moves, Wonder Boys, and Out of the Furnace, you know what I'm talking about. Well add 2014's Hollidaysburg to that list. This is another bleak outing filmed entirely in the Quaker State.Directed by first timer Anna Martemucci, well acted by a cast of virtual unknowns, and harboring two female leads that almost look too identical (this will only confuse you at first), Hollidaysburg is the Generation X next, a sort of washed out, existential version of Garden State mixed with 1998's Whatever. It's a plethora of character studies involving some college students and townies who meet up for a five day Thanksgiving weekend. Scott (played by Tobin Mitnick) is a former Prom King turned UCLA student. He flies back to his Pennsylvanian hometown with the help of money via his student loans. Heather (Scott's ex- girlfriend played by Claire Chapelli) is also in town fresh from a semester at Penn State University. Then we have Petroff (Tristan Erwin) as Scott's good friend who lives at home, works at a pizza parlor, and is hush hush about his supposedly stellar SAT scores. There's Scott's brother Phil (played by Philip Quinaz) who is heavily inebriated and loves making tons of pumpkin pies. Finally, we have Rachel Keller as Tori, Scott's outsider love interest and unlikely best friend. That's the unofficial blueprint. The rest of the proceedings involve the lives of these five young adults intersecting over periods of heavy pot- smoking, binge drinking, and bad sex. Thanksgiving is supposed to be a family holiday but in this dirtied-up town, every night's a party (the cold, sentiment-free parents of these twenty-somethings are rarely seen to begin with).Hollidaysburg gives its novice actors plenty of raunchy, suggestive dialogue that relegates a new spin on the seven dirty words (the name "poopdick" is something I've never heard before anywhere). And the loud, coffee house-induced background music sometimes drowns out these words. There is even a scene where a seventy-year old woman runs completely naked while threatening someone with a shotgun (that's a gray area where you might wanna hit the fast forward button on the DVD player, stat). But make no mistake about it, every misunderstood character is somewhat likable and despite various flaws, empathetic. You sense that they don't want to grow up into adulthood. And as you take in "Burg's" dialogue- driven, 87 minute running time, you also sense that they're content on not wanting to leave their drab, colorless environment. The town at which they inhabit for a few sunshine-free days, sucks them in just like with every other vehicle containing a Pennsylvania backdrop. Steel mills, Primanti Brothers Sandwiches, expensive turnpikes, and Iron City Beer. Ah, who can resist.In conclusion, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite time of the year. I mean, I don't cook so basically watching football, drinking spirits, and eating turkey all day is heaven for me. As for movies taking place on the pilgrim-themed holiday, I haven't seen many. Plains, Trains, & Automobiles would probably be right up at the top of a very short list. Is the current flick I'm reviewing in the same league as Steve Martin's classic 1987 comedy? Not quite. But it's worth a look. Its one word title is the actual name of a Central borough right outside of Altoona, PA. I've never been there so I can't tell you what it's like. I will say this though: Hollidaysburg as a lowbrow, coming-of-age yarn, is an interesting, earthy place to visit. Result: 3 Stars.

Spoiled Rich kids who look like they never touched a drug in their lives sitting around getting high for no reason...all the time. The drug use in this film just did not fit the storyline that was happening. Its like they put it in just to appeal to a certain audience who would never go to see this kind of move to begin with. Plus most of the all WHITE female cast looked alike. In the beginning its confusing because you can not tell who is who. I am not a fan of Shane Dawson's version of this movie either. But this move was just as bad if not worse. I do not feel like I know these characters, I don't feel like I got to know who they were. Which means I could care less about what was going on with them. I liked the core idea of the film. That is why I gave it a 2.

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!!!!!!!!