Project Almanac MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

Johnny Weston, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Virginia Gardner. Directed by Dean Israelite.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Refusing to be rejected for a scholarship to MIT, brilliant science/math student David Raskin (Weston) finds his “pot of gold” in the basement. Before his scientist father mysteriously disappeared 10 years earlier, he had hidden what David recognizes as a time machine in progress. Enlisting his three best buddies to help him launch this invention to ensure a full scholarship, David has no idea what lies ahead. David’s sister Christina (Virginia Gardner), who video tapes the project in progress, and his new girlfriend Jessie (Sofia Black-De’Elia) are the only girls included in the top-secret alliance.

PREVIEW REVIEW: Certainly Project Almanac targets teenagers and does not pretend to be anything more. The whole film is viewed through Christina’s video camera, which means 109 minutes of jerky images. The teens are resourceful and smart, but their immaturity sometimes overrides their brains. Jessie seems to have been added for her looks and sex appeal only, and Christina has very little to say of any substance, implying girls are to be appreciated only for their physical attributes. The concept of a time machine is intriguing, but this group of immature scientists learns that changing the past creates mayhem for the present and future. Even in real time the next 20 years will no doubt hold promises and threats for the world, just as the past 20 years have. “Ho hum, what else is new?”

No one, not even David and Christina’s mom (Amy Lamdecker), has a clue as to where there kids are and what they are doing. They are not bad kids, just immature and things get out of control. The more they try to manipulate the past, the more complicated the future becomes. Project Almanac has no violence, but there are many s-words and perhaps one f-word. Implied sex once is disappointing and out of character for these wholesome teenagers. On the plus side, these teenagers’ scholastic ambition, curiosity and creativity are refreshing. The lessons they learn through their mistakes just makes them stronger.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Paramount Pictures