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California Dreaming (2007)
Released By: MTI Home Video   Rating: Not Rated   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: MTI Home Video
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Linda Voorhees
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: 1/15/2008
Cast: Lea Thompson, David Foley, Patricia Richardson
Published ID: 344856
UPC: 039414581744,
Plot: Dave Foley and Lea Thompson star in first-time feature filmmaker Linda Voorhees' comedy drama about a middle-class family from Omaha who slowly slide to the end of their rope during a cross-country trip to Doheny Beach. Stu and Ginger Gainor are your typical American family: Stu is the kind of guy who thrives on the status quo lest he offend anyone by rocking the boat, and Ginger is a highly motivated real estate agent with ambition to spare and an optimistic outlook for the future. Their daughter Cookie is a goth princess whose obsession for her loser boyfriend serves as a constant source of frustration for her parents, and their son Milo scarcely ventures outside of the house without his trusty GameBoy firmly gripped in sweaty palms. As Ginger's fortieth birthday approaches, the family decides that a special celebration is in order. While most years the Gainor's venture out for a week in Branson, this year they have decided to fulfill Ginger's lifelong dream of visiting Doheny Beach. Piling into a decked out SUV, the Gainors remain blissfully unaware of the chaos that lies just outside the city limits. From the constant attempts by Ginger's mother-and-sister-in-law to sabotage the trip to Kevin's parent's desire to impose themselves on the vacationing clan, one thing is for certain - this isn't going to be your typical family road trip. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Why can't Amazon allow a zero rating...
Added 7/4/2008

That is what this movie deserves. Zero. After the house alarm gag going on for over 10 minutes, I thought I will give it another 15 minutes, and then if it does not get better I will turn it off. It did not get any better--in fact the situations dragged on and on. Each time something funny could have happened, it dragged out into not being funny. Now, maybe this was supposed to be a comedy mixed with some serious points? All I could do was cringe over neurotic women (as presented in the film), dysfunctional families and situations, -- eventually I just started fast forwarding. It never got better, and I found myself mumbling, "ok, now this is happening...", "next this will happen" as I skipped forward. I feel like I just wasted over 1 hour of my life.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Mediocre but satisfying road-trip comedy
Added 4/30/2008

Lea Thompson is over-the-top and fantastic in a role that finds her playing an uptight mother who is at times the underdog and other times the villain. Poor Mrs. Gainor just wants to relive a sort-of mysterious perfect vacation she had in Doheny Beach, California, during her high school years. It slowly becomes evident that nobody but her wants this out-of-the-way vacation. Everyone else would be happier settling for their perpetual crash pad: Branson, Missouri.

Everyone in this ensemble piece--including "Home Improvement" alumna Patricia Richardson as a well-meaning aunt--is adequate. The plot is relatively predictable and the gags are commonplace, but a few funny scenes and an energetic Thompson may win this one a few fans in the audiences of understanding indie film fans.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Omahaulin'
Added 2/14/2008

A fun romp with some meat to the story. Check out the cute teenage daughter! Every family will see something of themselves here.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
comedy
Added 2/12/2008

Granted, not everyone will like this movie, especially if they are looking for over-the-top comedy like that of RV. I found it very entertaining, perhaps because I live in Nebraska and have experienced these attitudes and behaviors. Yes, Foley is a bit bland and Thompson ascerbic and the inability to leave the city ridiculous, but the rest works for me. Loved the kids, the relatives and the dog. At times the movie reminded me of About Schmidt in its slice-of-life approach.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
unentertaining
Added 2/10/2008

This movie was so bad that I wanted to go back to the video store and ask for my money back. Then, I wanted to contact the director, producer and writers and tell them that I wanted my money back. And I'd like my money back from the studio, DVD distributor and anyone else who had anything to do with the creation of this movie.

I'm a pretty open-minded and fair person but I had to warn others about the wrath of this movie. Dave Foley is the only thing about this movie that kept me from stopping the DVD after the first 10 minutes.

Lea Thompson's character gets all the lines. Her character is so shallow and annoying you hope this All-American working mom gets ran over by a bus! Or I guess it would be nice if she wasn't allowed to verbally communicate in this movie.

I usually make myself watch an entire movie even if it's horrible but this movie I couldn't finish. And the sad thing is I probably watched half of it and there was no climax... yet... and I could have watched only 30 minutes of it or maybe 60 minutes... I don't know. It's pretty bad when a movie makes you feel suicidal (as in, to end your misery of watching this film) and it's supposed to be a comedy!!!

And if you want to see a funny movie about a family of four traveling West via rental RV and you want to laugh, watch the movie RV with Robin Williams, Cheryl Hines and Jeff Daniels.

I hate to give bad reviews but OH, MY... this movie was the pits!

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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