Orange County (2002): Dir: Jake Kasdan / Cast: Colin Hanks, Schuyler Fisk, Jack Black, Catherine O'Hara, John Lithgow: A place or happening for the good of inspiration as Colin Hanks discovers a book in the sand that spellbinds him into pursuing a career in writing. He applies at Stanford but the counsellor sent the wrong transcript thus leading to the standard road adventure to set the record straight. The screenplay is simplistic but director Jake Kasdan plays up screwball references. This is his second film, his first being Zero Effect. Hanks does a superb job at mirroring his frustration at family, school and the yearning to succeed. Schuyler Fisk uses blackmail to assist Hanks. It is obvious that she is set up as the potential girlfriend by end credits, and her dog rescue scene is totally unnecessary. Jack Black is hilarious as Hanks's drug addict brother who means well but often makes bad situations worse. Catherine O'Hara plays his alcoholic mother who further complicates Hanks's dream of emotional peace. John Lithgow plays his wealthy father who divorced his wife and married a much younger woman. Strong theme regarding inspiration reflected here as Hanks draws upon personal issues with his family to visualize his work. In the end one can appreciate the people in their life because, as reflected here, they are the ones that create life's most noticeable plot turns. Score: 6 ½ / 10

Shaun Brumder is from Orange County, and dreams of going to Stanford to become a writer, and to get away from his dysfunctional family household. Except he runs into one complication after another starting when his application is rejected after his guidance counsellor sends the wrong application. So, Shaun goes to great lengths with a little help from his girlfriend Ashley and his drugged-out loser brother Lance to get into Stanford any way they see fit....This was another case of bad advertising here in the UK. When it was first released, it was heralded as a stoner movie, with Black being the focus of the whole movie.Eleven years down the line, I decided to give it a chance, and while its nothing special, just another caper about some wrong papers being sent, and one mans journey for his dream, it's the wealth of support that the film has.Not to mention that the film has so many prolific actors in it, probably because the director is Lawrence Kasdan. It isn't a bad thing, but its a case of not what you know, but who you know.So all in all, it's pretty generic stuff, but not including credits, the film last for just over 72 minutes, so it comes and goes swiftly.

Generally, I don't enjoy comedy films. Slapstick is lost on me and I don't buy into OTT and/or unlikely plot devices. It was, as always, the comedy aspect of this movie that ruined it for me. The premise of an aspiring writer endeavouring to be accepted to his dream university after being rejected isn't bad and I was definitely optimistic at the outset. However, most of the events leading to his rejection (his adviser sent the wrong transcript) and inability to change that (his brother burning down the university) aren't particularly plausible or realistic. I found the frustration / unbelievably dynamic quite awkward most of the time too. Thee somewhat trite realisation that he didn't have to leave home at the end of the movie didn't ring true for me either. This movie was saved from being really bad by some pretty funny Jack Black moments. I didn't think there was much else here, though. In its favour, I suppose it is easy enough to get through.

This movie reminds me a lot of the woman that i went to see this movie with. Every time I see "Orange County" come onto the television sett I laugh I get nervous and I cry. The storyline goes as follows, Shaun Brumner aka Colin Hanks applies to Stanford after reading a book that he finds on the beach wash ashore, he soon realizes that not getting into Stanford ruined his life and that he is doomed a life hopelessly in is dreaded home town of Orange County California. Jack Black plays his drugged up dazed and confused brother Lance who helps Shaun along side his girlfriend,(Spacek) to drive to help Shaun explain his situation of getting into Stanford. The overall dynamic of the movie and overall tone for being released in 2002 around the time I started college made it a sentimental film for me to watch. My girlfriend a month later had broken up with me and at times I had felt like Shaun from this movie. Hanks gets a little stir crazy at points but the entire movie and actors help bring him down to earth. The cast all has its funny parts and some embarrassing moments arise, along with the soundtrack featuring The Offspring The Foo fighters and Crazyland this makes for an unbelievably good evening of laughter and tears that will remind me of when i started on my life's journey.