Orange County

Plot synopsis:
Shaun Brumder (Colin Hanks) is a teenager from affluent Orange County, California. Although bright and intelligent, he has very little interest in education or studying, instead trying to lead a carefree SoCal lifestyle of surfing, drinking, and partying. A turning point comes when Shaun's best friend Lonny (Bret Harrison) is killed in a surfing accident, causing Shaun to rethink his own life. One day, he finds a novel on the beach by the author Marcus Skinner, which quickly inspires him to become a writer. Upon learning that Skinner is an English professor at Stanford University, Shaun makes it his goal to attend Stanford and study under him, seeing it as an opportunity to escape from his superficial life in Orange County.
Shaun dramatically improves himself academically, obtaining high grades and SAT scores as well as becoming the president of his graduating class. Following the advice of his guidance counselor, Ms. Cobb (Lily Tomlin), who tells him that he is a "shoo-in" for acceptance, Shaun applies only to Stanford. This severely backfires as Shaun later finds out that he is rejected from Stanford, ironically because Ms. Cobb mixed up his academic transcript with that of a much less intelligent student. Shaun then reaches out to his wealthy father Bud (John Lithgow), who had left his wife and family to marry a much younger woman (Leslie Mann), pleading him to donate money to Stanford in order to increase his chances of being accepted. Bud, however, disapproves of Shaun's dream of being a writer and refuses. In an attempt to help him, Shaun's animal rights activist girlfriend Ashley (Schuyler Fisk) successfully convinces her friend Tanya (Carly Pope) to allow Shaun to be interviewed at his home by Tanya's grandfather, a Stanford board member, so Shaun can explain his situation. Unfortunately, the antics displayed during the interview by his dysfunctional family members, including his alcoholic, emotionally fragile mother Cindy (Catherine O'Hara) and his dim-witted stoner brother Lance (Jack Black), cause Shaun's interviewers to storm out in anger and disgust.
In a last-ditch effort to get him accepted, Ashley and Lance convince Shaun to drive to Palo Alto and plead his case directly to Stanford Admissions Director Don Durkett (Harold Ramis). By the time the trio arrive on campus, it is nighttime and the admissions building is already closed. While Lance distracts (and seduces) the secretary on duty in the office, Shaun and Ashley steal the address to Durkett's house. They arrive at his home, where Shaun shows him his real high school transcript. Although impressed with Shaun's credentials, Durkett is reluctant to admit him, as it is already very late in the admissions process. After much groveling, Shaun finally convinces Durkett to go back to his office in the Admissions Building and give it a second thought. Disaster strikes again, however, when Ashley drugs Durkett by accident with Lance's ecstasy, stored in an Excedrin bottle, thereby causing Durkett to become high. Things go from bad to worse when Shaun and Ashley arrive at the Admissions Building and find it engulfed in flames, caused by Lance starting a fire while he was seducing the receptionist to distract her; Lance is now wanted for arson. They abandon the hallucinating Durkett and flee the scene to avoid being arrested.
Ashley finally becomes frustrated with Shaun's obsession of only getting into Stanford, and points out that his attending would mean they would be separated, thus ending their relationship. She then angrily leaves Shaun on his own. Depressed, Shaun wanders the campus and meets a female student who invites him to a frat party. There, he witnesses the behavior of the Stanford coeds and is disappointed to learn that they are just as vapid and ditzy as the girls he knew from Orange County. After leaving the party with a more cynical view of college, Shaun, by chance, runs into Professor Skinner (Kevin Kline) and is invited to his office to chat. Skinner is amused with Shaun's belief that he must study and work in a highly intelligent environment in order to become successful, pointing out that many famous authors such as James Joyce and William Faulkner grew up in places that were not intellectually stimulating, but still became great writers. Having an epiphany, Shaun realizes his previous misguided intentions and seeks out Ashley to apologize to her. After catching up with her, the two also pick up Lance (who is still hiding from the police) and drive home.
Back in Orange County, Shaun's parents seek out each other to determine how to deal with Shaun's problem. They end up reconciling, realizing that they are much happier together than with their respective new spouses. They also conclude that they have not been very good parents to Shaun and, in an attempt to make amends, Bud donates enough money to Stanford for the construction of a brand new Admissions Building (ironically, to replace the one that Lance burned down). This action gets Shaun accepted into Stanford. Although Shaun is initially ecstatic, he then remembers the things that both Ashley and Professor Skinner had told him. Shaun finally decides to stay in Orange County with Ashley and his family because he loves them too much to leave them, and he is now able to view living in Orange County as a positive influence for his writing career, rather than a detriment. The film ends with Shaun going surfing with his friends again for the first time since Lonny's death.

Tags: flashback

Review:
He lives in the rich LA suburban community of Orange County, where people are more obsessed with pop culture and themselves than being happy and Shaun feels he needs to get out to go become a writer and study under his favorite author at Stanford University.
Jack Black was the reason I saw this movie in theaters, and he was as awesome as usual (up until recently, where's he has just been taking whatever is thrown at him seemingly) as the unmotivated stoner older brother Hanks' character Shaun doesn't want to be.
Kevin Kline has a great bit part as the author who inspires Shaun to become a writer and tells him exactly what he wants to hear.After that, this is just quality film-making by good people.
It's also got two young actors that need to be in more movies: Colin Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, and Schuyler Fisk, Sissy Spacek's daughter.
Jack Black is zany, and the other comic actors have good cameos: Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, and an unbilled Kevin Kline as Marcus Skinner.
To be honest I had little faith in Jake Kasdan after Zero Effect (which had Zero Effect on me) but this movie shows he has a real sense of humor and he balances it perfectly with outrageous characters and an untypically good-natured comedy plot.Shaun Brumner (Colin Hanks in a wacky performance) is refused entry to Stanford University because his dunderheaded College Counsellor mailed them the wrong the transcripts.
They actually wanted to go to college not just get laid or marry someone rich.I found the movie light and funny, full of great cameosIf you are expecting to see a lot of Jack Black you may be disappointed.
I just didn't like it.Worth the rental fee for the cameos, Jack Black, some off color jokes and some of the lines the supporting actors have.DVD has some great deleted scenes and explains why some of the ads showed things that were not in the movie..
Shaun Brumder was a likeable character and was very much like a modern day Holden Caulfield.It was laugh out loud hilarious with a different kind of comedy because it was ACTUALLY FUNNY.Overall, Orange County is a great movie if your tired and need a laugh.Or if you're a big fan of Jack Black or Ben Stiller..
The material's supported by some very good performances,  especially from leads Colin Hanks and Jack Black.Hanks plays Shaun, a high school senior who desperately wants to escape his horrible upper middle class life in Orange County for literary pursuits under his favorite writer, Marcus Skinner, who is a professor at Stanford University.
But his guidance counselor (Lily Tomlin) botches his application, leaving Shaun relying on the assistance of his stoner brother Lance (Black) and his selfish father (John Lithgow).You have no doubt heard that Colin Hanks is the son of famous acting father Tom.
Comedy stars like Catherine O'Hara, Chevy Chase, Garry Marshall, all put it nice small pieces, but it is Jack Black who owns most of the funniest moments in the film.
His mere presence in a scene can make it funny; often he brings out laughs with a look or a eyebrow twitch.The film gets a little sappy and formulaic as it heads toward its conclusion; Shaun's reaction when he meets his hero is spot-on, but their conversation about his story feels wrong; and the inevitable ending is what you pretty much expect as soon as that initial rejection letter arrives at Shaun's door.
It's close to perfect - Colin Hanks, Schuyler Fisk, John Lithgow, Catherine O'Hara and Jack Black...
The movie starts out with a young but very intelligent guy who is about to be a high school graduate but he doesn't care about school at this point nothing but hanging out with his friends and partying until Shaun discovers a book on the beach written by an author named Marcus Skinner that moves something deep inside him that encourages him to want to become this professional writer Shaun then makes it his mission to get into Stanford and to meet Marcus Skinner in person.
His brother is played by the famous Jack black who is the person who truly makes the movie so interesting and funny.
Shaun has a girlfriend that tries to help him along the way to get into Stanford but somehow terrible things keep happening but if you will stay tuned you will fall in love with this movie, it has great humor and it will be a movie that you will be talking about for years to come don't miss out on this one!
This flick confirmed many lingering suspicions, and none too pleasant:  1) Jack Black is a great comedic character actor who can easily be strangled by a poor script (he's at his best when he can bounce off of comedy writers like David Cross and Bob Odenkirk);  2)anything produced by MTV pictures is destined to suck;  3) an all-star cast (John Lithgow, Kevin Kline, Catherine O'Hara, Harold Ramis, Chevy Chase, Lily Tomlin) should be a signal that the material can't stand on its own.What else can we expect from a parent company whose idea of "music television" is softcore porn (_Undressed_) and _the Real World_ in a Winnebago (_Road Rules_)?This is one of those rare cases where if you've seen the commercials you haven't seen the movie.
And for two reasons:  1) there are very few jokes, and 2) most scenes in the ads aren't even in the movie ("I'm this guy...I'm not getting into your college...," "You have to make love to the camera, like 'Hey Stanford, what's up?
Maybe coz Jack Black is in it, and as usual he is very good, but man the film is complete shit, boring, cliched, and every other negative word you can think of.
When you're expecting Jack Black to actually say or do something funny, he makes the movie even more horrid by feeling sorry for his antics.
I have seen the movie Orange County,brace your self,4 times!I saw it the day it came out,the next day(saturday),and the next day on Sunday twice!It may sound obsessive but I loved that movie.It has a great cast,plot,screenplay,characters,and outline.It stars my all time favorite actor the son of the wonderful Tom Hanks,Colin Hanks,also jack black,catherine o` hara,john lithgow,and schuyler fisk.It also has many camio`s by Ben Stiller,Kevin Kline,Chevy Chase,and lily tomlin.It is a light hearted movie with so many great laughs that will leave you on the floor and cracking-up.It does not have those gross jokes only one or two.The acting is very good and by the end of the movie you will love all the characters.I hope that you will enjoy this movie and not put in down like all the critics have.ORANGE COUNTY ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!.
One thing that becomes the top priority on his list is escaping the inherently listless and seemingly mundane town of Orange County, where nobody takes anything with an ounce of seriousness and everyone seems to be self-indulgent and careless.This is a film with a big agenda, a clear heart, but an often misunderstood soul, mainly because its headliner, Jack Black, doesn't deliver the laughs you would expect.
Orange County has an indescribable beauty and charm to its screenplay, one that offers an experience that is fresh and viable, and definitely unconventional.Starring: Colin Hanks, Jack Black, Schuyler Fisk, Catherine O'Hara, John Lithgow, and Lily Tomlin.
The semi-serious base story of Shaun, a high schooler trying to get into Stanford is a good enough drama on its own, but then you ad the social commentary (albeit exaggerated...maybe)on the southern California mindset with an all star cast including Jack Black Lily Tomlin and Chevy Chase the movie becomes outrageously funny.
Where as this isn't an original Coming of Age story, "Orange County" brings about a dynamic story line, that transforms the classic Coming of Age tale, into a new breed that similar movies follow in it's footsteps such as "Sex Drive" and "I Love You Beth Cooper".With an intricate set of characters, including a very hairy Jack Black, and a dilemma that has even the main character worried whats not to love about "Orange County".Had me laughing, and truly enthralled in the characters and what scheme they were going to come up with next.Not only does this movie have a developed story line but it is filled with an all star cast such as Colin Hanks and Jack Black, with some special appearances from John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the Sun) and Chevy Chase (Caddyshack).Like I said before truly a new comical breed or the Coming of Age tale..
I like classic comedies ("Animal House"), slapsticky stage-to-screen stuff ("Noises Off"), and even low brow comedies, such as Wet Hot American Summer, which was over the top, yet did a nice job satirizing the typical 80's comedy and it's absurdity.But dear God, I have no room for the utter stupidity and lameness that is Orange County.I like Jack Black, but let's face it--the guy has no middle ground.
You can't even sit through this movie knowing it's mere entertainment and enjoy it.Every joke seemed to rival one that you'd find on the current incarnation of Saturday Night Live (which is not saying much), and it's humor generally resulted in our lead character getting buried in a frustrating situation, and chaos ensuing, whether it be the grandpa banging on the door after not getting his pills, or Jack Black's "pee" being served and him crawling out in his underwear.
** 1/2Starring: Colin Hanks, Schuyler Fisk, Jack Black, and Catherine O' Hara.A smart teenager's transcript is switched with the wrong guy, and when it's sent to Stanford, guess who gets accepted.
The over-achieving genius and his drug-addicted brother travel to Stanford to get things straight and get him into college.Jack Black and Colin Hanks do the best they can to make this blue comedy funny.
To perversely underscore the movies unintended, super-amplified "danger of nepotism" message, it's directed by the son of Lawrence Kasdan.The big ending where Colin decides to bail on college (the motivation you were supposed to care about for the duration of the film!) might seem like a viable message to someone who owes his ability to get the lead role in a film to the influence of his famous parents.
I rented this movie because (a) I come from Orange County, CA, and (2) I wanted to see how Colin Hanks did in his first starring role.
On the bright side they've managed to make three fantastic movies-Election, School Of Rock, and Orange County.Colin Hanks the son of Tom Hanks gives a riveting performance as Shuan Braumder who is a character almost all people can relate to as he strives for a better future as he embarks on a mission to get accepted into Stanford University to become an author while dealing with his hilariously dysfunctional family and the angst of teenhood.Ornage County is emotionally inspiring, hilarious and features great performances from Catherine O'Hara, John Lithgow, Schuyler Fisk, and Jack Black.
The reason I think this movie tends to be under-rated is because of the title and the fact that slacker surfing culture is the sub-strata of the story.Orange County could have been better (and perhaps taken more seriously) if the character of Shaun Brumder had been developed more fully: 1.) Why did he acquire an attraction, nay obsession, with writing?
Fisk's acting ability is definitely equal to the task.I laughed out loud at least six times during this movie: My loudest coming when a single phrase was uttered by Shaun's surfer friend as he sees a towering, mammoth wave curling over him, ready to crash, and ultimately, kill him.Don't get me wrong: Although I think Orange County could have been better by writing a more in-depth character around Shaun, it is still a well-acted, cohesive, seamless comedy that compels us to think twice about our ambitions and how they may conflict with the relationships we have established and should honor more.Jack Black is as funny as ever.
The movie starts out kind of stupid, but Jack Black was kind of funny in his same old roll as a fat crazy guy.
Some great lines delivered by Mike White, Jack Black, and Chevy Chase make up for some of the "teen-comedy" moments.
There's been times when I've felt exactly like the main character and his actions are exactly what I wished I'd have done.If your a serious film watcher, give this one a miss, but if you want a easily enjoyable film experience go and watch Orange County..
Jack Black as Lance Brumder is a big part of the humour in the film, doing some insane things, like accidentally setting a university building on fire, though he's certainly not responsible for ALL the laughs.
The other half is about the characters, the family surrounding protagonist Shaun (played by Colin Hanks, who is great and in my opinion under-rated) and his friends and girlfriend.Let me just tell you one thing: this movie is funny.
Schyler Fisk and Colin Hanks play their parts wonderfully, and even though they are the 'straight' characters in the film they are still a joy to watch.Although secretly I'm a huge fan of Shaun's surfer buds, those guys are hilarious, if you've already seen the movie you'll know what I mean.If you haven't, well then you should!!!Orange County is a great movie, okay so it's not going to change the face of film comedy and probably isn't going to receive a cult following.
This is one of my favourite films of all time, its funny, charming, dramatic, and all in excess.Jack Black as the druggie was hilarious he got just the right balance of being stupid and then looking like an actually druggie.
Movie includes good characters by Jack Black, John Lithgow and some others + some nice cameos.
Add freaking John Litgow, Catherine O'Hara and Lily Tomlin, and you've got yourself a great movie right there.I expected Jack Black to play his usual idiotic character, and in that, I was right.
Orange County is about a boy desperate to get into Stanford University where he believe is the only place that could make him a professional writer after inspire by the book written by the professor there; and also to get away from his family.The movie has many up coming star including Colin Hanks, Jack Black and Kyle Howard as the main attraction.If you ask me, I would say that this movie is ain't that funny but of charming and that what make it watch able otherwise this is a very average Californian teenage movieRecommendation: Charming teen movie but it ain't funny so it not really workRating: 6/10 (Grade: C-).
The only character who is not funny is the main character's girlfriend, Ashley, but all the others are hilarious, especially Catherine O'Hara as the alcoholic mother, Jack Black as the loser brother, and Lily Tomlin as the inept guidance counselor.
Overall the film is greatly average but the comedy makes it well worth watching at least once, especially when Lance (Jack Black) and the girl he just slept with walk out the door of the building they just set alight, wearing only underwear and fucked off their heads, where Lance proceeds to talk rubbish to Ben Stiller (playing a cameo fireman).OK script, very well filmed with some very funny acting performances.
Like most other films of this genre its not got a lot going for it, unless you have one actor which is without a doubt one of the funniest men about at this time, jack black, this film really has nothing going for it the topic isn't really interesting, its not taking the viewer anywhere, and the acting really isn't that great its average, but what makes this film a much better than average film is jack black who plays Shaun's brother (Colin hanks).
Although everything is made to the poorest standards of teen movies Jack Black is absolutely hilarious (I think this guy could make the dead burst into hysterical laughter) and simply steals the show as the drugged out loser of a brother who only wants to help but ruins everything.
Jack Black was  funny, also good to see Ben Stiller still doing cameo's like in Happy Gilmore.
In the end, however, Shaun realizes that he doesn't need to escape Orange County to be a great writer, because his greatest inspirations (his friends and family) are right there at home.Ahhhhhhhhh.Jack Black, who has a tendency to be a little bit over the top for my taste, was absolutely hilarious as the drugged-out wastoid older brother.
Jack Black (Shallow Hal) is really establishing himself as a comedic actor and new actor Colin Hanks does a pretty good job as the lead character.
"Orange County" isn't nearly as bad as the majority of teen movies out today, but that isn't a saying a lot - and that's about all there is to say for it.I can sum of the good aspects of this movie in two words: Jack Black.
"Orange County," directed by Jake Kasdan (son of famous director Lawrence Kasdan), and starring Colin Hanks (son of famous actor Tom Hanks), Schuyler Fisk (daughter of famous actress Sissy Spacek), and Jack Black is a great movie.
If you like Jack Black, then, check out "Orange County."B+ ****1/2 (out of ****** stars) 10/13.
ORANGE COUNTY / (2002) CBy Wes AlexanderFrom a film that stars Jack Black, the son of Tom Hanks, the daughter of Sissy Spacek, Catherine O'Hara, John Lithgow, Harold Ramis, Gary Marshall, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Kline, and Chevy Chase, you'd expect a little effort.
Sure, there was SOME funny parts, and like everyone else was saying, Jack Black was the best part, but I don't see where the movie went, I mean really!!!
When I saw the ads for the new movie Orange County, I thought, not another teen comedy.
Though Black was pretty funny, the best performance was from Catherine O'Hara, who is hilarious as a neurotic, alcoholic mother who doesn't want her college-bound son (played satisfactorily with a bit of overacting by Colin Hanks) to leave the nest.