Eighties nostalgia, young love, and the horrors of summer jobs describe the cinematic ride of Adventureland .

Although written and directed by Greg Mottola, best known for the comedic hit Superbad (2007), this film can only be loosely called a comedy. (And if you are expecting a laugh-filled movie experience like his last film, then Adventureland is not for you.) Instead, Mottola delivers a coming of age story set in Pittsburgh in the 1980s.

Adventureland is the story of college graduate, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) who has big plans to move to New York City and attend Columbia University’s graduate school. He wants to become a travel essayist and thinks a master’s degree in journalism will help him because the field is “still an old boys’ network.”

However, James’s big plans and lifelong dreams fall flat when he finds out that his parents are broke. Not only is his college graduation gift of traveling through Europe with his buddy canceled, but his parents also tell him he needs to get a summer job to save money.

After rounds of applications to every menial and entry-level job in town, Brennan finds he isn’t qualified for anything, except a “games” job at the local amusement park, “Adventureland.” So, tucking his highly educated tail between his legs, he attempts to make the best of the situation.

James soon finds there are some upsides to his rather brainless job. He develops friendships with people who are crazier and more socially awkward than he is. In some of his summer circles, James becomes the “almost-cool kid.” He also meets a girl, Em (Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame) who is the sad, often depressed, and girl-next-door plain. Yet, she is sexy enough to tug at his heart strings.

And, perhaps one of the best parts of the summer for James Brennan is his weed stash—thanks to his friend who is off in Europe. He had enough weed to make the whole summer bearable and even dim it’s memory. (And having a couple of blunts may have nabbed him a couple of friends and the interest of a hot chick.)

Adventureland is a rather predictable love story with characters that most people can relate to. Almost everyone has experienced a crappy summer job. And most of us, remember the struggles, awkwardness and pain of falling in love for the very first time.

“So, you are a virgin,” said sexually experienced Em on one of their impromptu dates. To which James said, “There were circumstances.”

The relationship between James and Em is realistic, endearing and at times even uncomfortable. The two cover a lot of ground in the movie—from sexual experiences to coping with grief to their hopes and dreams.

This script came rather easy to writer and director Mottola because it is partly autobiographical. He used his own summer job at an amusement park in New York’s Long Island in the 1980’s as the basis for Adventureland.

“I decided this is going to be a personal film and, for better or worse, base it on my recollection,” said Mottola in a recent interview. “Perhaps it is indulgent, but I wanted to draw on my own memories of the time and place. It’s just fun. I could use the music I loved and dress [the cast] in those crazy costumes and stuff like that; but I didn’t want it to be a big ‘kitch’-fest.”

And the blast-from-the-past music was notably one of the best aspects of the movie. Just when the plot slowed down or a laugh was needed, Falco’s 1986 Billboard hit “Rock Me Amadeus” came on to lighten the mood—and hell, just to make you feel good. And to punctuate the tragic nature of young love and stupid decisions, The Velvet Underground’s 1969 “Pale Blue Eyes” song with the lyrics: “Sometimes I feel so sad, but most of the times you just make me mad” were just pure genius to underscore the film’s heartbreak and pain.

Adventureland also scored points for casting characters that fit the part. As Stewart said in an interview about working with Jesse Einsenberg (who played James), “they didn’t hire someone a little more obvious — like a young Brad Pitt.” Instead, they chose ordinary but likeable Eisenberg, who has been acting for 10 years in mostly indie films like Roger Dodger and The Squid and the Whale seraphim falls download . He’s completely believable as the wannabe cool guy, who remains his well-read self but still falls for a kick in the groin from his jokester elementary school friend.

And even Stewart fit the Em character who, like her role in Twilight, has an appreciation for the morose, dark side of life.

Although the movie gets down right juvenile at times with lines like “you’ve got a boner,” you may find yourself laughing in spite of yourself.

So, if you are looking for a fun movie to relive your early twenties, first love and your crappiest summer job while listening to some great tunes – then Adventureland is the ride you’ve been looking for.

Yup. The dynamic duo of Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn took top honors again this weekend with their cheesy romantic comedy Four Christmases, taking in $18 mil at the box office. Despite completely mediocre reviews, the film continues to perform, possibly because there isn’t a whole lot else out there.

In its fourth week, Twilight held tough at number 2, bringing in an additional $13 mil. Pretty good for a movie that only cost Summit $37 mil to make (and $30 mil to promote, chump change in H’wood-speak).

Bolt brought home $10 mil, followed by Australia with a disappointing $7 mil. Quantum of Solace rounded out the top five, adding $7 mil to its $151 mil domestic take.

If that list looks familiar, don’t be surprised. It’s the same top five as last week (although Kidman overtook Bond this round). Like I said: Not a lot out there.

On the other hand, for those higher-minded and specific-urban-dwelling viewers out there, Milk and Frost/Nixon are both playing to rave reviews. F/N is in “select cities” (read: New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto), but Milk to 57 cities this weekend.

When you’re hot, you’re hot: Variety is reporting that production company Atlas (The Dark Knight) has inked a deal with Ryan Kavanaugh’s finance company Relativity Media to produce six films in the next three years… Meanwhile, the New York Times is reporting that new charges have been brought against Kavanaugh stemming from an October drunk-driving arrest, including probation violations, which could land the 34-year-old investor in the clink.  Strikes and gutters, as the Dude would say.

In case you hadn’t heard, Twilight completely sucked at the box office. Yes, it sucked the young, female blood of American capitalism in the dark, cool night of the weekend to the tune of $71 million. This is, in the land of Hollywood power brokers, big news. More on that, as Marketplace says, “after the numbers…”

Apparently, so-so reviews didn’t sap too much of Bond’s strength. Quantum Of Solace pulled in over $27 mil in its second domestic weekend. US total: $110 mil. Worldwide: $418 million!

Poor Bolt. Not only did he get lost and have to find out he wasn’t really a superdog, he also had to open against a bunch of vampires and Bond’s second week. He did okay, pulling in $27 mil. Hardly a success by Disney standards, for now, but execs are expecting it to do well over the family, er, holiday, weekend.  (Side note: I have been seeing commercials for Bolt for what seems like months, but it wasn’t until last week that I finally caught that this movie is IN 3-D! Two points: A) Seriously, crap job marketing that, Disney. I definitely should have realized that earlier. B) Is 3-D really going to make it? I saw Beowulf last year, and, yes, it was absolutely friggin’ horrible, but the 3-D was kind of cooooool! I dug it. Kind of makes me want to go see Bolt…)

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa continued to bring the crowds over the weekend, adding $16 mil to its coffers. Perhaps it’s maintaining momentum on the basis of its “So nice, you should see it twice” ad campaign. The flick has a lot going for it: franchise name-recognition, famous voices (Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer), and, obviously, talking animals, which tend to do well (see: Chihuahua, Beverly Hills).

Finally, Role Models rounded out the pack, taking $7 mil from whatever audience was left. Not exactly Anchorman status, but RM is doing pretty well in the face of some tough competition.

Now, back to Twilight: If you haven’t noticed, ladies aren’t the treasured audience that the boys are. Transformers, James Bond (although one could argue he’s for the ladies, these days), Hellboy—all marketed to the swinging dicks that produce them. Warner Brothers made news earlier this year by saying they would no longer produce movies with female leads.

Sell now, WB stockholders.

Twilight’s stellar opening, with 65 percent of the audience female, suggests that women can drive box office success, a notion that was hinted at when Sex and the City and Mamma Mia broke into the top ten grossers earlier this year. (In contrast, zero movies with female leads made it into the top ten in 2007… or in 2006… in 2005, Mr. and Mrs. Smith eeked its way into the ten spot. 2004: none. 2003: none. 2002: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (!). 2001: none. 2000: none. Seeing a pattern here?)

Unlike those other two movies, though, Twilight has neither big-name stars nor an audience over 30. This is not your mom’s chick flick. With a box office take of $71 mil in its first weekend, and reportedly costing about $35 mil to produce, you can expect Hollywood’s movers and shakers to take note, and a rash of pics marketed to young women to hit the market in three… two… one…

That is, if there is anyone left to act in them! SAG leadership is seeking authorization from its members for a walk-out since the weekend mediation session stalled. Tucked inside this little nugget of gossip are allegations that the AMPTP hasn’t been honoring its residuals deal with the WGA, which, if you recall, went on strike last year over the same issue.

Given the economic conditions, the failure of last year’s strike, and the apparent unwillingness of the AMPTP to budge on the issue, SAG leadership might want to ask themselves if this is really the best next step.