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Don’t be scared off by the premise: Adventures in the Sin Bin — in theaters and on VOD Oct. 18 — is a thinking-teen’s sex comedy. Here, screenwriter Christopher Storer shares seven films and one TV episode that fed his inspiration. How many of these references can you spot in the Phase 4 Films-distributed feature?
STORY: ‘Adventures in the Sin Bin’ Trailer: ‘The Apartment’ as ‘American Pie’ Sex Romp
Superbad (2007), Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist (2008)
“They remind me of Friday afternoons in high school,” Storer says of the Michael Cera double feature. “It was usually that second half of the day that I broke out in a serious case of FOMO [fear of missing out]. Whether it was an all-night quest to find a girl or a band, Friday night always had the potential to be an excellent adventure, but would almost always hit some melancholy along the way.”
In Her Shoes (2005)
“When Storer tells people how much he loves Curtis Hanson‘s female-driven drama, they think he’s kidding. “It’s a fantastic showcase of how childhood shapes not only who we are, but also who we aren’t,” he says. “The film deals with what happens when one sibling is forced to grow up too quickly, while the other doesn’t at all.” He praises Cameron Diaz‘s portrayal of a woman who is coming of age while working at a retirement community, calling her work a career-best performance. “Sounds awful. It isn’t.”
Big (1988)
This is probably about as great as a high-concept script can be, right?” Storer asks, justifiably. “Not only is the supporting cast amazing, but I really think Jared Rushton and Tom Hanks are a dynamic duo. Hands-down my favorite Hanks performance. As touching as it is hilarious, as sweet as it is genuine.”
Margaret (2011)
Kenneth Lonergan’s three-hour character study took years to make its way to theaters. When it did, it became a favorite of Storer. “I can’t think of a movie that nails the weirdness and painfulness and mirth of growing up. It’s tragic and dark and awkward and strange and heartbreaking and often shockingly funny,” he says.
George Washington (2000), Ballast (2008)
David Gordon Green and Lance Hammer‘s respective directorial debuts are lyrical examinations of death, both viewing Southern Americana through an impressionistic lens.
Not what you might find in Sin Bin, but landmarks for Storer. “The children of George Washington discuss their hopes, goals, wishes and desires, while the largely absent adults of both films have seen those dreams go unfulfilled. Our teenager in Ballast walks aimlessly, protected from adulthood by a looming hulk,” he says.
Freaks & Geeks, Episode 14 “Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers” (1999)
There’s a scene in this episode where Bill rushes home from school to eat junk food and watch Garry Shandling. My parents are divorced. To this day, no scene has ever hit as hard as this one. Running home to eat crap and watch your favorite shows: There is no safer place.”
Twitter: @misterpatches
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