Tim Timmerman could earn a cult following

Movie Title:   Tim Timmerman, Hope of America

Grade:  B+

Rating:  PG-13, 94 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Brought to us from the clever peeps at VidAngel Studios, Picture Picture, and Purdie Distribution, this quirky film will take you back to high school in the 1990’s and make you laugh out loud.

Considering it only opened in Utah theaters (to sell-out crowds, mind you!), it has already earned a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.  Director Cameron Sawyer presents a fun family flick that is loosely based on his own life.  Test-screening audiences have described the film as Ferris Bueller's Day Off meets Napoleon Dynamite.  That actually does describe it pretty well!  I love both of those silly celluloids!  If the filmmakers of Tim Timmerman continue to win awards and fill seats in theaters, this movie could earn itself a cult following.

Uplifting theme: 

• “Knowledge is power, dude.” – Garrett Stubbs
• “Time heals all wounds.” – Bill Clinton 
• Actions have consequences.
• Friendship, loyalty
• Persistence, focused determination
• Service

Things I liked:

• Eddie Perino is fantastic as the charming slacker Tim Timmerman.  Even though Tim Timmerman has a lot of flaws, he is adorable and extremely likeable.  I'd like to see Eddie Perino in more films.  You may have discovered him in Disney XD's "Lab Rats."
• Chelsea Maidhof is lovely as Sydney Anderson.  She and Eddie Perino find an innocent chemistry together that is so charming.
• I love that the movie features a deaf girl.  You get to learn how the Telecommunications Relay Service works.  The first time I had to make a phone call with that service, I was so confused!  I thought it was so endearing when Tim strikes up a friendly relationship with the TRS operator, like he did with everyone.
• The Assassins League running gag of the guy with the toy pellet gun chasing Tim around was awesome and hilarious.  I wish my high school had that when I was a teenager!
• Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t the girl who sings a patriotic song in one of the scenes Aaliyah Rose?  She recently got a three-chair turn from the judges on The Voice!
• Keep watching until after the rolling credits at the end for a funny glimpse at what happens one year later.  I love it when movies include that.
• The movie’s website includes a list of the characters, along with their favorite bands, foods, and hobbies.  Hilarious.  www.timtimmermanmovie.com
• "Save Tim Timmerman campaign" ala Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  ha ha

Things I didn’t like:

• I didn’t like how Tim smugly uses people, but I was impressed by his focused ambition.
• There is some reckless, dangerous, and even illegal behavior that parents won’t want their kids getting any crazy ideas from.
• Inappropriate flirting of a female teacher to a male student.
• I would have liked to see them do something more with the theme "Hope of America" since that was in the film's title.  There's actually an award called "Hope of America" for service and leadership organizations.
• Wait, wasn't Tim Timmerman a real guy who played baseball?
• There's a slam on Salt Lake Community College.

Things that really take you back in time to the 1990’s:

• Pagers
• Instamatic camera
• Cassette tape
• Walkman CD
• President Clinton
• Tab
• Boom box
• Girl overalls
• Flannel

Funny lines:

• “Fetch!” – Tim Timmerman
• “Did you guys see that white suit?  Crisp!” – Garrett Stubbs

Tips for parents: 

• You’ll want to talk to your kids about how they should NOT ride on top of a moving car, leave a dead animal in the hall at school, etc.
• Teens make out in a van.
• Other than the few items I listed above in things I didn’t like, this film is very family-friendly.
• Point out to your kids how Tim prevents his friends from smoking marijuana.  Nice job Tim!  (Just don't put their joint in your pocket.)
• Thank you for the lack of profanity!

@trinaboice