Just perfect...

Boring

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Ping Pong summer is a bit of an uneven movie yet there is a certain charm to it. The overall story arch is one that permeated most 80s movies and in this case seems to be a direct homage to The Karate Kid (1984). Essentially it's about an awkward teenager Rad Miracle (Marcello Conte) who's obsessed with ping-pong and the at-the-time hip-hop craze that doesn't fit in and hasn't really ever pushed himself to accomplish anything. With the help of former ping-pong champion mentor Randi Jammer (Susan Sarandon) he's able to beat the town bully in a ping-pong match.Speaking of underdog stories and movies in the vein of Karate Kid, this movie bares a strong resemblance to the cult film, No Retreat, No Surrender (1987 - Jean Claude Van-Damme's first movie), a movie about a teenager who stands up to bullies except replacing ping-pong with martial arts. Is it no coincidence that the protagonist's sidekick is an african-american teen obsessed with hip-hop just like in Ping-Pong Summer? Another bizarre connection this movie has to martial arts movies is that it utilizes a song called "Friends" from a super obscure martial arts movie, Miami Connection (1987). The version heard in Ping-Pong Summer however isn't the one heard in MC but a very identical one that was recorded in the 2010s for the video game Far Cry 3. By the mid 80s hip-hop was in the public eye and this movie is really reaching for that "electric boogaloo" feel. Something that further helps accomplish this 1985 feel is that it takes place in Ocean City, Maryland. OC is a place, though well maintained and nice, hasn't really changed its look and even businesses for the past 30 years especially when looking at the skyline of condominiums and hotels. So if you're a regular vacationer to the resort town you'll have a fun time seeing all of the familiar locations and landmarks utilized throughout including a bizarre shot of the boardwalk where you accidentally see the massive 9/11 firefighter memorial. A cheesy nod to nostalgia goes to Lea Thompson, who plays Rad's mom, when Rad and friend Teddy (Myles Massey) walk pass a parked DeLorean. I don't think I have to explain that reference. One big problem I feel that the director and screenplay came in short on is that this movie is almost too dark and depressing to be an 80s movie. Rad doesn't have that likable or vibrant archetype that Daniel (Ralph Macchio) has in Karate Kid or Marty (Michael J. Fox) has in Back to The Future as well as the cast of The Goonies have. He's rendered in a way that's way too depressing and even pathetic. In some cases you almost sympathize with the bullies as to why they pick on him. A key part of 80s cinema is for it to be upbeat even if the main character is troubled. It also doesn't help that his sister, Michelle (Helena Seabrook) is a full blown goth chick. I had no idea goth was even a thing in the 80s. I have to admit that I cannot think of one likable character throughout the entire movie. The movie also tried its best to capture an 80s movie look with the at-the-time usual refined grain look photography. They even shot on original vintage equipment to give it this look but since the movie is lit so dark it looks like some odd grain effect was pasted over it. That's another problem I have with it. It's lit and photographed too dark and dull. It should've had more of a bright and punchy look to it especially since it takes place at a beach. All in all I'm not really sure if it's worth checking out. It seems like a lot of people only did because Susan Sarandon is in it. Get ready to sit through pretty much the entire movie before you just even see her let alone act. I think it would actually be more exciting to see if you're familiar with Ocean City in my opinion. The charm definitely comes from the nostalgia not the characters or even story. Remove the nostalgia and there's nothing special about it.

I really liked this film. I am the same age as the protagonist, and I loved ping pong and rap music. We vacationed in Rehobith Beach which is not far from Ocean City.But the movie itself has a low key, realistic feel to it; and it makes you feel good. I put it in my top 10 list. Those scenes on the boardwalk feel real to me. The protagonist was awkward, but likable. The best friend was nerdy, but cool--if that makes sense. The montage when they become best friends seemed heartfelt. They feel like real kids in the 80's. The arcades, the clothes, the family; it was just believable, innocent, and fun. If you are into mainstream films you probably won't like it. But if you fall into my demographic this film may appeal to you. I liked it better than "The Way Way Back" that everyone else compares it to. That movie just didn't resonate with me; but this did. The family seemed more like mine; and more likable.

Ping Pong Summer, at the time I'm writing this, has only a 5.3/10 rating. Apparently it's not too popular with viewers, but I loved it. Why? Hmm, maybe it's because I hate the 21st century, I hate the digital age and it's nice to see a movie where there's not a single damned cellular phone in sight. Maybe I'm happy to find a movie made in 2014 that doesn't have any crude humor in it. Maybe it's all the Eighties nostalgia, how the fashion, makeup, cars, music and script all matches up to the era, or maybe it's the far out animation featured in the title credits? If you're looking for a funny, old school-style movie with decent acting and a good plot, this is definitely one you'll want to see! The plot follows a very eventful summer in the life of Rad (Radical, poor kid) Miracle, a teenage boy growing up in 1985 who gets dragged along with his mom, dad and slightly gothy-looking sister to a summer house in Maryland. It's right up there with movies like The Ice Storm (1997), Harold and Maude (1972), Super 8 (2011), National Lampoon Vacation (1983), Sleepaway Camp (1983) and My Girl (1991) for memorable coming-of-age movies. I was sorta dreading Ping Pong Summer at first but I'm glad I watched it; it was hilarious without being rude, and the characters were all really original, odd in a good way, and it honestly deserves a better rep.

This movie is an interesting study if you compare it to last year's "The Way Way Back" (2013)- it has almost identical premise, a dorky teenager going on summer holiday with family with a pushy/pissy older sister. Somehow along the line this movie just gets worse and worse, as nothing is happening and you are hoping something is going to happen and suddenly it is the end.First, there is no character growth, the movie's protagonist is a "dork" that came of age, and you expect there is something happening in the plot that force this dorky teenager out of his comfort zone for some real character growth, and meet some mentoring type who pity him and take him under his or her wing. But instead the movie is just all fluff - its like the director decided to do a period piece (early 1980s) and forgot about the plot - its almost like he let these clueless actors to improvise on the spot - nothing is happening, nothing is structured, its all just bits and pieces that are not funny nor entertaining to watch, its worse than some of the historical documentary I have seen - at least these documentary are edited to appear interesting, and structured. this here, is not.Susan Sarandon was hugely underused in this movie - this movie is 1 hour 30 minutes including the credits - and 1 hour in (2/3 of the movie) and her character is finally kicking into gear. The whole time I was waiting for her to do something like Sam Rockwell's character in "The Way Way Back" - and she only appeared briefly for less than a few seconds. So 1 hour in, she appeared for less than 10 minutes as the "mentor" to teach the main character from getting out of embarrassing situation - and she is gone again.Overall, this movie is just a dull uninteresting tedious affair. Its just like watching paint dry.I got an advice for you director Michael Tully - if you don't have an interesting story to tell, shut the hell up and stop wasting people's time!