User Reviews

'TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

This 80's movie homage actually is just that: a tribute to the youth films of the 80's and it does a pretty good job. It actually feels like a film from that decade (like something John Hughes might have produced) and not just a send-up or satire of it (like the advertisements sort of implied). Topher Grace stars in the film as well as executive produced and co-wrote it (with Gordon Kaywin and Jackie and Jeff Filgo). Michael Dowse (who also directed the popular 'headbanger' film 'FUBAR' and it's sequel) directed. Teresa Palmer, Dan Fogler, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt and Michael Biehn (one of my all time favorite actors) co-star in the flick.

The film is set in the summer of 1988 after Matt Franklin (Grace) just graduated from MIT. Instead of pursuing a high paying career like his education entitles him to he takes a part time job as a video store clerk at the local Suncoast Video store in the mall, much to the disappointment of his father Bill (Biehn) who's also a local police officer. Matt is scared and completely unsure of what he wants to do with his life, all until his old high school crush, Tori Fredreking (Palmer), comes back into town and into the store where he works. Matt lies to Tori and tells her he works for Goldman Sachs. Tori is impressed and invites him to a Labor Day party hosted by his twin sister Wendy's (Faris) boyfriend Kyle Masterson (Pratt). Matt goes to the party with Wendy and his best friend Barry (Fogler) and all hell breaks loose when Barry steals a car from the dealership he was fired from the same day.

The movie really does have a classic 80's nostalgic feel to it and like I said it feels like a movie out of that time period rather than just a comedic reference to it. The script is somewhat smart and emotional and the characters are really well developed. Topher Grace is very fitting as the film's lead, Palmer looks beautiful and is equally fitting and Fogler is actually good for a change (he's still not really that funny but he gives a decent performance). Faris isn't bad as well and Pratt and Biehn (who's the perfect 80's icon touch, with nerds) give nice supporting performances. The soundtrack adds a nice touch as well. The film does a good job of pulling off a classic 80's throwback feel and definitely accomplishes what it set out to do. If it had actually came out in that decade though it probably wouldn't have been much of a standout but it could have been a mildly loved looked over gem (much like it is now).

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I saw this at a screening today and I enjoyed the movie.

I thought that all the leads did a good job, especially Topher Grace and Teresa Palmer.

They had some good chemistry, and Topher does a good job of playing an uncomfortable guy at times in the movie... Its fun and engaging, so you don't notice the time passing.

Also, it has an excellent 80s soundtrack, and even a message, which I won't give away so nothing is spoiled.

All in all, a good time will be had by all who go who like these kinds of movies!

Clearly they went all out at just trying to be an all-round 80's flashback. Fairly straight forward story of a nerd in high school with a huge crush on the prettiest girl in school, but never makes a move until now. Imagine the 'Superbad' crew in the 80's, but instead don't get their big break at the party until just after college. Which brings up another point.. I thought it was a little odd that an entire graduating class from high school are still having huge bashers even after college.

Music was of course good and very 80's, as was the clothing, though I did wonder whether it was trying too hard at times. Showing the pompous bankers was a neat touch.

The cast all seemed to do well enough. It wasn't hilarious throughout or anything, but definitely had its funny moments, mostly stemming from Dan Fogler. Micheal Biehn was a highlight in his limited role. At times it was extremely awkward, which I guess is what it was going for, but even so, somewhat painful. The final act was its best in my opinion.

I really like this movie. Set in the 1980s, and boasting an incredibly well curated soundtrack, we meet Matt Franklin, a brainy twenty something who works well below his station at Suncoast, when in walks his long lost crush Tori Fredkering. Will he get the courage to ask her out? The cast has great chemistry, and this film so well written. Excellent comic support from Dan Fogler as his best friend Barry Nathan. The period consumes are also in point. Without divulging any more plot, this will speak to many who find themselves unsure of what to do with their life, and who concern over past regrets. In that way it's uplifting, and a whole lot of fun. Kudos to everyone involved.

80s teen/young adult comedies remain so popular that it's natural to think Hollywood would try and mine the genre for nostalgic purposes. Unfortunately most attempts to recapture the spirit of those films have failed.

Unlike many such films, which often lapse into parody, 'Take Me Home Tonight' is clearly made as a loving tribute to the comedies of the era. As a result, it does a better job of recreating the unique spirit and feel of the 80s.

The cast is appealing and clearly game, the script is serviceable and the attention to detail is good despite a few glaring anachronisms. If you're a fan of the genre and you're looking for something fresh, yet familiar, 'Take Me Home Tonight' should suffice.

"Matt, take a shot at something, don't think about it too much. Just take the shot." When the girl that Matt (Grace) has had a crush on since high school comes in to the video store where he works he decides its finally his chance to make a move. Matt's best friend and sister decide to help him in any way they can. I enjoyed this, but it wasn't what I expected. Judging by the preview for this I was expecting more of a straight comedy, while this had funny moments, it was a little more dramatic then I expected. This movie was set in the 80's, and I think that was to add a little something different to the over done plot, since the 80's aspect was not really discussed at all. This movie had the feel of a John Hughes movie, and was very fun to watch. Not really anything new, but Topher Grace and Anna Faris are a good pick for brother and sister, and the guy who plays Matt's best friend is really funny and over the top in this. Overall, a really good movie that is fun to watch, but the type of movie that has been done over and over, not usually as good as this one though. I give it a B+.

Would I watch again? - I might.

*Also Try - Sixteen Candles

Simpler times. I forgot how much I really enjoyed this movie.

Great music, great performances, and a little bit of cheesiness. If not for the widescreen photography I would think this movie was actuay made in the eighties. I worked at a Suncoast Video in the early 90s, and I could relate a lot to Matt's dilema.

It's a look at early adulthood and how things don't go the way you plan. A great movie for folks who grew up in the eighties as well as young adults just out of high school. It has an upbeat ending which leaves you hopeful and somewhat satisfied.

They must be passing around some real good kool aid because this movie was a stinker. It is so completely unoriginal, it's painful and while it brings back 80's music and 80's hair and an ugly old K car it doesn't feel like it's set in the 1980's, it feels like a bunch of 20-somethings going to an 80's themed party where 15% of the people dressed up for it.

Topher Grace seems to respond when you pair him with talent like McGuire or Dennis Quaid. He obviously had no chemistry with anyone other than occasional moments with the "love interest". He seemed almost wooden, like a major leaguer playing with Double A talent. Michael Ian Black could have been hysterical but they gave him one scene, just weak. Heck to me Michael Biehn stole the show and he was in 5% of the movie. This mess was riddled with transparent plot devices you saw coming from a mile away. I agree Anna Farris was completely wasted. Then there is this Fogler fella. I think he is a guy who casting people meet and he must be funny in person. I see him in action and all I see is someone who is a cheap knockoff of Jack Black with a little dash of Belushi and others. He didn't make me laugh once in the entire movie and I have a pretty decent wide ranging sense of humor.

No wonder it took four years to put this thing out.

There was an attempt to follow up That 70s Show with a disastrous and thankfully short lived That 80s Show. This should have been it.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High is the first name that comes to mind when one thinks of the 80s movies about kids in high school/college. Take Me Home Tonight takes it a step forward going for 'what next?'. And it succeeds, while not going too serious and keeping it feel-good in the lines of the aforesaid movies. Topher Grace, one of the co-writers of the story, naturally fits into the character drawing from the perfection with which he fitted Eric Foreman of That 70s Show. You can't help feel this i exactly Eric in the 80s (apart from the fact that the character's apparently an MIT grad). One can't help notice the resemblance of Teressa Palmer to Kristen Stewart, but thankfully, she can act a bit. Rest of the cast fit their roles perfectly, with a huge cry to Chris Pratt and Dan Fogler.

Saw this movie at a free screening (woot!) followed by a Q&A session with Topher and Teressa where Topher said the first thing they did was make a mix-tape of 80s classics and then set on doing the story and henceforth. You totally get that, with some pretty rad soundtrack which brings a smile to all 80s fans.

All in all, went in expecting a no-brainer to get a good relief from the lab-work, got out pretty satisfied and rejuvenated. Sure it still is a no-brainer, but seeing it once in a while will bring a smile to the face. And I'm always up for reruns on headcramped days.

I really was surprised by this. Topher Grace and Teresa Palmer both in it, but no German cinema release date. While that was not the surprising part, I didn't expect to like it as much as I did, when I rented it. It's a nice little movie. And while it has a certain blueprint, you still can see the work and effort that has been given to keep it as fresh and original as possible.

Another fact that surprised me, was the name Anna Faris. While she isn't really leading (don't let the picture on the poster/cover fool you), I am not her biggest fan (acting-wise). She was in this movie and I liked it? Now that is a big surprise (to me)! The other actors on the other hand (the best friend, also known as one really big "Fanboy" amongst other things) are all on their best game. Enjoyable enough for at least one watch then

This movie started out slowly, but about 20 minutes in really started to kick off.

To start, the plot was way better than what the commercials revealed, and it was just a feel good fun movie.

Although it wasn't non stop laughter through the whole movie, it was great humor and the right times.

We've been spoiled by some comedies lately that have you laughing when you enter til you leave, and the newest movies that are coming out are trying to replicate that and usually fail by going way over the top. For example, the other guys, get him to the Greek.

Take Me Home Tonight went back to just being a simple good comedy that NEVER went over the top. Topher Grace does an awesome job, and Dan Fogler is absolutely hilarious in it. It only gets an 8 because nothing ever gets a 10 and 9's are impossible. I would give it an 8.5 if I could though. Very pleased. Go see it!

Topher Grace took time off from his role as Eric Forman in the hugely successful That '70s Show back in 2004 (you know, that Dennis Quaid movie he totally phoned in on) and left the show in 2007 for a supporting role in Spider-Man 3. Following those two debacles was a role in a small-time, box office disaster of a movie called Take Me Home Tonight, a film completed in 2007 that sat on the shelf for four years because the studio was unsure of how to handle the on-screen drug use. But if my addiction to all movies great and small has taught me anything, it's that it isn't always about the Benjamins.

Grace plays Matt, a recent MIT graduate who has yet to choose a path in life, instead earning just enough money to get by as a video store clerk. His sister Wendy (Anna Faris) is in a similar situation, unsure of whether or not to open a letter from Cambridge University, acceptance into which would mean leaving her old life and long-term boyfriend behind. When the twins, along with best friend Barry (Dan Fogler) are invited to a high school reunion/house party, the former sets his sights on teenage crush Tori (Teresa Palmer) while the latter grapples with the choice between her fiancé and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

As you can probably tell from the synopsis, there's nothing new going on here. The comedy is hit and miss, but that means little coming from one person, considering the natural subjectivity of what's funny and what's not. But, at least for me, the appeal of Take Me Home Tonight was that it did a lot of important things pretty well, despite missing that extra effort in creativity that would have really driven it home.

The performances are solid all round, helped by the fact that each character is given a clear backstory and purpose. Everyone has a fairly well developed arc, and nobody ever acts without motive. This might not be the case for Barry, but because his reason for existence is to serve as the comic relief, I feel an exception can be made for him. Overall, the result is a collection of likable individuals, and although the end product doesn't quite match up to the empathy we felt for, say, the Breakfast Club kids, writers Jackie and Jeff Filgo deserve credit for a respectable script and development of each character.

The film virtually plays out scene-for-scene in the following manner: a comedic set piece involving Barry getting into all sorts of shenanigans courtesy of his burgeoning love affair with cocaine, cutting to an either serious or socially awkward moment between Matt and Tori. The attempt to recreate what John Hughes did for teen dramedies in the '80s is obvious, yet it feels real, not forced in just for the sake of paying homage.

What does feel forced is the ending, and the entire Final Act while we're at it. Excluding opening and closing credits, the film comes in at a touch above ninety minutes. In the modern age of 'bigger is better', sometimes films with a short runtime are refreshing, but in this case more should have been done to flesh out the ending in a more character-driven way, rather than writing in a series of unlikely events that offer a convenient alls-well-that-ends-well conclusion, lacking in realism and, frankly, a poor reward for those who had developed any sort of interest in the characters.

In retrospect, it even seems unnecessary to have made this film a period piece in the first place, considering the same themes could have just as easily been addressed in a contemporary setting. I suppose it does allow for a fun soundtrack, and maybe it serves to parallel the cultural shift from the 'me generation' to the growth of the faceless corporations that shaped the 'go-go nineties'. Sounds bleak, doesn't it? Well, Take Me Home Tonight never gets quite that heavy, so if you like films that are lighthearted, but still convey a message, you might be pleasantly surprised by this one.

*There's nothing I love more than a bit of feedback, good or bad. So drop me a line on jnatsis@iprimus.com.au and let me know what you thought of my review.*

That said, it's a long 97 minutes. The fact that this movie has a generally positive rating makes me worry about the state of our country. Topher Grace continues his tradition of being unfunny in his role as Matt, a total jerk off who for some reason we're supposed to identify with. He pines after random hot chick Tori (Teresa Palmer), who looks alarmingly like Amber Heard from the Playboy Club and Pineapple Express. He pretends he works for Bear Stearns, and really, who cares. We get it. He's trying to fake his way into her heart. Well, guess what, it works. There's your lesson. Be a total dickwad and lie to women and they'll fall in love with you. But then, plot twist! She finds out! But really, at this point, you just want the movie to end. But it doesn't. There's some stupid side plot about an American Gladiators style steel ball that rolls down a a hill and nearly kills Eric Foreman. If you're like me, you wish he'd died. The high note of this movie, other than a cliché 80's soundtrack, is Dan Fogler, who I'd imagine might be funny in something else. He plays Topher's over-the- top coke head friend. Whatever. This movie sucks hard.

In the 80's, in Los Angeles, the video store clerk Matt Franklin (Topher Grace) is graduated in MIT but is kind of lost and does not know what he wants to be for the great deception of his father, the police officer Bill Franklin (Michael Biehn), who has invested one quarter of his savings to pay the MIT. Matt has a crush on the gorgeous Tori Frederking (Teresa Palmer) since the elementary school but he has never invited her to date and she moved to Europe. His twin sister Wendy Franklin (Anna Faris) has made an application to the master's degree in Cambridge but she is engaged of the brainless Kyle Masterson (Chris Pratt) and afraid to open the Cambridge's letter with the answer. Matt's best friend is the salesman Barry Nathan (Dan Fogler) has just been fired from his job at a car dealer. Out of the blue, Tori comes to the mall and stops at the video store to rent a video and Matt poses of banker to impress her. Tori invites him to go to a party in Kyle's house and Matt, who does not have a good relationship with Wendy's boyfriend, decides to go with Barry. However, he is decided to impress Tori and they rob a Mercedes Benz from Barry's former firm, in the beginning of a very crazy night.

"Take Me Home Tonight" is an entertaining feel good comedy that works mainly because of the chemistry between Topher Grace and Teresa Palmer. There are funny, but also silly situations and the surprising conclusion when Tori gives her phone number in her business card makes the viewer think whether it was normal, for this generation in the USA, pretend to be more than they really are or it is just a story. The talented Teresa Palmer is very gorgeous and Anna Faris is more restrained than usual. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Uma Noite Mais Que Louca" ("One More than Crazy Night")

For a comedy set in the wonderful, plastic-coated 1980's, this movie hit it right on the head.

The story in "Take Me Home Tonight" is pretty standard for a romantic comedy. You have your sort of dorky main character (played by Topher Grace) who is in love with the hot girl (played by Maddie Cyrus). And of course the main character have a strange, extreme sidekick (played by Dan Fogler). Matt Franklin is given a chance to hook up with his high school crush, but of course things escalate out of proportions as the evening progress.

There is a good amount of laughs and odd situations through the course of the movie, and it kept me thoroughly entertained. However, what impressed me the most was the essence of the 80's was totally captured and brought to life in this movie. It was like a trip back in time. So thumbs up for that.

The cast in the movie is quite good. Topher Grace (playing Matt Franklin) really carried the movie well on his back. Dan Fogler (playing Barry Nathan) did a wonderful job as Matt's goofy friend. And Michael Biehn (playing Bill Franklin) really was a good cast for the role, it was nice to see him in this movie. One thing that threw me off was Anna Faris (playing Wendy Franklin). She seemed so very different in appearance and acting-style compared to her previous comedies. Not saying she was bad in this movie, I just had a difficult time buying into it.

"Take Me Home Tonight" is a great comedy with a romantic touch to it. And if you are into this genre, then you definitely should check out this movie.

Matt (Topher Grace) and Wendy (Anna Faris) are twins living in the Los Angeles area. Matt, a graduate of M.I.T., is afraid to take chances and has wound up working in a video store. On the other hand, Wendy has aspirations to be a writer but has a very controlling boyfriend. She thinks she loves him and can make sacrifices for their future. A close friend of the two, Barry (Dan Fogler) is an very odd duck, who has just gotten fired from his job as a car salesman. Now, the girl of Matt's high school dreams, Tori (Teresa Palmer) walks into the mall where his store is located. She has come back for a party that their class is throwing. Thinking quickly, Matt goes out the back and into the front of the store, pretending to be a customer, like Tori. During small talk, he tells her he works for Goldman-Sachs and is an investment banker, like she is. They both end up later at the wild party but how long can Matt keep up his deception? This is a lame film, underwhelming in everything but its cast, which is talented. However, the story, direction, photography and all other movie aspects are less than average indeed. Even romcom fans, like me, will be upset at its crudeness and general ineptitude. So, don't take it home unless you are that proverbial glutton of punishment or a fan of Grace.

Take Me Home Tonight was much better then I thought it was going to be, now don't get me wrong, from seeing the trailers I wanted to see this film and was excited to. The film itself has much the same feel as Superbad, two friends on an epic one night quest and one focusing on "the girl". The film has a great, tight script that stays focused throughout. Topher Grace gives an awesome performance, I really enjoy him as an actor and think he's kind of overlooked. Dan Fogler also gives an awesome performance as the crazy friend. This also has a good amount of heart, especially right when it needs, Anna Faris and Topher Grace give great performances as twins, and the ending won't disappoint, it leaves a very John Hughes feeling at the end, which I think is what they were going for. Now the reason I gave the film an 8 is because it's not an instant classic, for instance American Gangster or The Departed gets a 10/10 for me. Also you might think from the commercials that this is going to be a parody of the 80's. Yeah, everyone wears their crazy 80's clothes and there's ton's of 80's references and a kick ass soundtrack, however if 5 years from now someone were to sit down and not know when the film was released and not recognize any of the actors as being from the late 90's/00's they would definitely think that this was made in the 80's. If they had tried to make this a parody of the 80's it would have been terrible, it would have had more of Wedding Singer feel to it, and I'm glad that that's not what they went for. The fact that it's set in the 80's and everyone is wearing the cloths and their hair like that, it's almost more like a they're saying "this is how people dressed", not "THIS, is how people dressed", that said this was a pretty good movie, if you enjoyed any 80's movie made by John Hughes and more recent films like Superbad, you'll really enjoy "Take Me Home Tonight"

... just how much Topher Grace can you take at one time? I do not ask this question lightly.

If you run Topher through the IMDb filter, you will find that this is the #1 film he is "known for." Which makes sense because here he is the co-producer, the co-writer, the star, and he has the most screen time.

It is almost but not quite a vanity project (see for example how Will Smith wrapped his son up in the Karate Kid redux) and frankly those seldom end well.

Personally I think the IMDb rating tells the story better than I can.

The reviews are simply not that positive.

In other words, Topher is no Ferris Bueller. His odd screen persona, he is sort of a nerd who not only seems uncomfortable in his own character, he makes the audience uncomfortable as well, does not endear itself to you the longer you watch.

It's like a high school comedy with college graduates, but it has the immaturity of high school and lacking the intelligence that some college grads are supposed to have. "Take Me Home Tonight" is about Matt (Topher Grace) trying to win over his dream girl in a night full of parties with old high school classmates. It's also about him not knowing what to do with his life, but it's not thoughtful enough to be meaningful.

It wasn't funny enough to be a flat-out comedy, but it also didn't have much heart for a movie that wanted to occasionally take itself seriously. It had a strange mix of wild, immature partying just for fun, and a deeper side when smarts doesn't add up to success. I do think they were trying to juxtapose the two for a reason, but I couldn't find that reason.

The characters were all either smart or successful, or if both, they weren't happy. Most characters were just one-off jokes, but Topher Grace as smart, but directionless and insecure is a joy to watch. I always want him to succeed.

I reluctantly admit that the '80s angle actually worked here. It wasn't just about crimped hair, bangles and bandanas. It also had the success of the financial sector and the desire to get into it, which was a big part of that era. But I don't think they mentioned Reagan or Reaganomics once. Surely, that's a writer's mistake. A soundtrack of music that was once popular but shouldn't have been couldn't carry the movie, but then again good, popular music from the '60s couldn't even save "Pirate Radio".

"Take Me Home Tonight" wasn't very funny and it couldn't even be taken seriously when it wanted to be, but I was amused. And even though I don't necessarily know what they were, I still think they had a reason for everything that they did. And I suppose that is one step up for Hollywood.

If you didn't know any better, you'd actually think you were watching an 80s movie with Take Me Home Tonight. While not delivering the strong emotional depth of a John Hughes film, it still possesses the same qualities in its zany humor, incredible retro soundtrack and at its heart as Matt Franklin (Topher Grace) leaves his position at a lab and much to his father's disapproval begins working at a video store where Matt's young life crisis takes a bigger turn when his twin sister (Anna Faris) gets engaged, his best friend (Dan Fogler) gets fired from his job and Matt's high school crush, Tori Frederking (Teresa Palmer), comes back into his life. In true, hilarious 80s fashion, the ensemble is thrust into a crazy night of partying, mischief and self-discovery. It is a simple, unoriginal story that seems almost contained, but yet is this great adventure with characters you feel a connection to. With what seems like the perfect cast, it is only a movie of this styling (a homage to the great films of the 80s) that can have absolutely no point and still be enjoyable. From the awkward moments to those that are more sentimental, this film is just a fun time that is more or less forgettable but you have a great time with it!

It was a well written movie that didn't need to resort to cheap nudity -- unfortunately.

'If you want to see n 80's movie through the eyes of a 2000 something this movie is for you! For the rest of us that lived through the 80's you should watch something with a mullet, dogtags, and playing vball while looking for treasures with an asian friend looking for treasure. Way more heart in that storyline than this big pile of a movie.