Take the 10 (2017) User Reviews

Take the other road

[jpt-154-298566 · 5/10 · 22 January 2017]

I'm writing this review in the week that Netflix's stock surged by 10% as they beat market predictions, moving away from their 'rent-a- DVD' model to concentrate on original, quality content. Normally, this one would have slipped under my radar, but I saw it was picked up by distribution by Netflix and thought: let's give it a go.

I would describe this movie as being a sort of cross between Clerks and Superbad. It's a day in the life of two low-achieving shelf stackers at a Wholesome Foods (definitely not 'Whole Foods') store somewhere in the urban sprawl of LA. Their goal is to obtain tickets for a sold out concert, and they are not short on schemes to do so: be it ripping off a drug dealer, stealing cash from their boss, counter-ripping off a ticket forging older brother, and so on.

This movie's great strength - its random, weird, unpredictable nature - is also its greatest weakness. When watching any one scene, you have no idea what is going to happen. However, it also means the film struggles to find a consistent tone. Some characters (mostly the freeloading Chris) are very wacky and cartoonish. Others, like the conflicted Chester are more maudlin, and it doesn't work very well together. The movie's best and most consistent performance is without doubt the psychotic drug dealer Jay, played by Chester Tam, who was also the movie's writer and director. Every time he's on screen, he's like a force of nature. I was strangely reminded of Joe Pesci in Goodfellas, if he was a 6'5" tattooed Korean.

Oddly, the moments that worked the best were the more dramatic ones. The comedy sort of fell flat in a lot of places, probably due to the aforementioned problem of the film not really having a clear idea of how many feet it wanted to keep in reality. A scene where two guys dodge incoming bullets driving down the freeway in a battered Corvette does not play well with a scene where the same two guys have a serious and frank discussion about where their friendship and lives are going.

In summary, Take The 10 will probably play well for the late-night comedy (read: 'stoner') crowd, but never guns any higher than that. Bonus points for a cameo role from Andy Samberg ('The Lonely Island') who proves he can make just about anything funny.

A lot of the humour falls flat

[r96sk · 4/10 · 20 May 2020]

'Take the 10' attempts more than your average low quality comedy does, but a lot of the humour falls flat.

It is certainly a comedy first and foremost, though sadly it has too much forced sex humour - the casting is also a bit of a mismatch. Josh Peck (Chris) and Tony Revolori (Chester) aren't anything atrocious at all, there's just a lack of sizeable chemistry which I think is needed for their roles. The rest of the cast aren't really that standout-ish, they are all rather plain - with the exception of director Chester Tam's Jay, who is alright.

I do respect the plot to this. It gets contrived quickly and isn't majorly interesting, but at least they tried to add a meaningful premise to the comedy as opposed to solely relying on the comedy itself like most do.

Not something I'd recommend all that highly, though there's certainly worse films from this genre out there.

It could have been better

[konstantinos_xrysopoulos · 6/10 · 11 February 2022]

I liked the whole idea of the movie, the cast was awesome but it had some problems.

1)Andy Samberg(the star of the movie) should appear in 1 or 2 more scenes(basically at the end or at the credits). 2)Super market girl should have a biggest role. 3)Gangster girl should kiss with Josh. 4)78 minutes of the movie should've been at least 88 minutes.

The movie was good but it could have been better cause the idea was clever, but the false is that was a short movie with problems. Praise for the actors and a part of the writing.

"How to Waste Time and Hate Yourself"

[Kamurai25 · 2/10 · 9 September 2020]

Awful train wreck of a watch, will not watch again, and can't recommend.

The writing in this is awful: the structure and the character work are horrible, and the plot(s) is barely passable, but the execution could be a significant factor.

Josh Peck has clearly lucked out networking since his child acting career to even be in this piece of garbage, and Tony Revolori is so wildly unlikable I even hate him being in Spiderman as Flash, the guy you're supposed to hate: I don't even like him for not liking him. Chester Tam is completely replaceable: he doesn't do a bad job, it just is an empty role.

Kevin Corrigan is the only male actor worth mentioning in a positive light. He has the bare minimum of good acting in this and reminded me that movie COULD have gotten better at some point.

The ladies are the best parts of this movie. Stella Maeva ("The Magicians") and Cleopatra Coleman ("Last Man on Earth") have the best characters: empowered even without authoritative roles, and they're so underwritten that they basically get paid for looking beautiful and doing a days worth of decent acting.

I really wish I had anything else positive to say about the movie, but when the best thing you can say about a movie is, "I like x" or "x is gorgeous", it's a high sign that the movie isn't worth the time.

Not worth the time

[wilhelmdanielg · 2/10 · 28 September 2020]

The story is fine but the acting is subpar and the humour is not existent. I think I chuckled once or twice in the whole thing. It felt like a chore to finish it.

Garbage plot and acting

[burgerman93 · 1/10 · 4 December 2020]

The trailer didn't look half bad and since I'm a Drake & Josh fan and enjoyed Revolori's performance in The Long Dumb Road, I figured why not give this a go. The storyline made no sense and the stereotyping wasn't humorous. I only lasted 20 minutes before shutting it off.

funny film

[sukhib · 7/10 · 30 November 2017]

The film is in no way a masterpiece, but for the short run time(1hr,20mins)it is worth as watch. It has some great moments and features Andy Samburg in a small supporting role.The film is worth a look,on a boring day.There is not much else I can say about it,overall a 6.5 or 7 out of 10.

One of the Worst Films I Ever Watched!

[philosopherst · 1/10 · 23 January 2017]

This film was so badly written and directed that I seriously can't believe someone backed this financially nor that Netflix made this one of their original films. In short... it sucks in every way imaginable and isn't the least bit entertaining! The story line makes no sense whatsoever and is a bad investment of your time to even watch. THIS FILM WAS ANYTHING BUT FUNNY not possessing a funny line anywhere in its cliché and pathetic script, or ridiculous antics. Boring would be a compliment to describing this sorry piece of work. Its just so bad it seems to be career assassination for Josh Peck (actor from Drake and Josh) who was one of the two stars in this film, and yet isn't even listed as a star in the credits (not that it helps him in any way). It was such a bad film that I made it a must do task to get online and write this review to warn the next person, which is something I never do.

Save yourself the time and money, and simply find yourself something else to watch. Eventually you'll thank me for it later.

Funny slacker movie

[robcat2075 · 7/10 · 19 October 2017]

It was free on Netflix so I watched it, needing a comedy.

Characters amusing for their foolishness and mutual unreliability. It recalls Houston's "Beat the Devil" with Bogart.

Everyone has a serious problem. You might say their problems get resolved, not solved.

I admire actors who can create work for themselves and that is what has happened here. Produced, written and directed by one of the leads.

Don't believe the reviewer who said this was gay propaganda. There's about 20 seconds of superficial gay angle, purely as a joke.

Not for the "Stoner Crowd" either

[Trupiaar · 1/10 · 22 January 2017]

This movie is garbage. Another review said something about how this will probably play well with the Stoner crowd. Just wanted to say: heck no, this certainly doesn't represent me or any stoner I know. Hollywood is such a shame these days. Tons of good actors and actresses, great work on visuals and scenery, but apparently not a single producer left wants to hire anything but the oldest tired hacks, or total space cases. Awful and out of touch. How do they spend so much producing these movies without bothering to hire decent story writers? Who watches these things? I don't get it. This is right up there with every other tired movie out there right now in terms of horrible.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and am surprised at these other hateful reviews!

[ziz_02 · 9/10 · 22 January 2017]

I actually reactivated my account to post this review. While this movie is by no means a thinker's movie, I found it to be a very fun watch! Don't listen to these other reviews and give it a try - you won't be sorry.

For people who can enjoy movies like the Hangover at the right times, give this one a go. I stumbled onto this movie on Netflix right when it was put up, and got hooked watching it. The narrative is similar to Crash in that its a story that is told in pieces, only to be slowly pieced together as the movie goes on. However, the plot is similar to Harold and Kumar. Lots of funny characters, with actors that put on a genuinely enjoyable performance.

Enjoy the surprises!

Definitely would recommend!

So bad it's good

[robhingston · 7/10 · 9 December 2020]

Well it definitely had me hooked, despite what everybody says on the negative reviews it deserves a lot higher then that, Very much a rollercoaster of a movie I like it. it's the kind of movie you can put on and chill out too without too much concentration or consideration, very much an indoor popcorn movie,

Good to relieve insomnia

[hvasquez-58477 · 1/10 · 14 December 2018]

My husband and I had insomnia and nothing worked until we watched this boring movie. Must watch if you're having difficulty sleeping.

Good movie if you're an idiot

[NameIrrelevant · 1/10 · 29 August 2019]

If you have an intelligence level higher than a slug don't watch this.

Worst. Movie. Ever.

[xtyhqynsm · 1/10 · 25 August 2021]

Terrible plot, terrible acting, overall the whole movie sucked. If you have an IQ higher than 2 don't watch this. Please.

Total garbage!

[bluesfan2713 · 1/10 · 22 January 2017]

I normally don't review movies, but I just had to take a few minutes to warn everyone not to go near this trash. I only started watching it solely because I'm a fan of Josh Peck and grew up watching Drake and Josh on Nick. This is not even a movie. There is literally NO PLOT! It looks like it is just a cameraman chasing around random people committing crimes and drug deals. They label it as a "comedy" but I didn't even get close to laughing once. The language is very vulgar and inappropriate, containing hundreds of pointless F bombs and frequently references pornography. Not to mention the first 10 minutes of the movie or so ends up repeating itself later on (they literally show the same footage twice). I'm pretty sure you'd have to be high while watching this to even get remotely close to enjoying it. Don't even bother as this crap was 80 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

Neglect the negative reviews, watch for yourself.

[cagamer19 · 7/10 · 27 November 2020]

If you're looking for a goofy movie to put you in a silly mood, this is the one for you. I was shocked to see the low ratings this film got after watching it and felt it deserved a better one. So here it is! The 2 leads are hilarious and deliver great performances. The chemistry between Tony Revolori and Josh Peck works and felt genuine. The situations the pair get into are insane and hilarious, and the way the narrative plays out in quite interesting since they go with the non linear approach.

Again check it out for yourself if you got Netflix!

A Pile of Junk

[robtaday · 1/10 · 27 January 2017]

Another disappointment from Netflix. As another review said, this is silliness compounded with a lot of homosexual unfunny jokes. When I was a boy, boys did not joke around about being gay all the time - if ever. There would be lines on a sports field for example, but not like these boys today or at least in this movie. And all the male characters look as if you could have them anyway for not too much persuasion. Their clothes and the way they walk and everything.

As for the plot, it is even dumber. Ripping off drug dealers etc. and not seeming to feel any danger whatsoever. "Big Time" dealers who leave strangers in their bathroom where their stash is hidden and not even noticing it is gone? And the teasing the white kid gives to the Asian one is so homoerotic you know they would do each other if either one had the nerve to just go for it. The same goes for the Tony kid and his older brother. You just get the feeling they suck each other off. The whole thing about going to Brazil? What fantasy awaits there I wonder? And on and on. I didn't wait till the end to switch channels. The only obvious thing missing was sex. For example, why didn't Tony bang the gangster's girl when he had the chance? Probably because we saw the real him at the disco when they did "moon rocks."

Alright to kill time

[Gordon-11 · 29 July 2017]

This film tells the story of two employee in a organic food store, who are broke but have dreams beyond their means. They steal money from three shop and even from a drug dealer. Hence, they get into huge trouble.

"Take the 10" seems promising from the trailer, but the initial thirty minutes or so falls a little flat. Mainly it is because the jokes are to juvenile and stupid, such as the Asian woman Patty making contorted faces while saying something really silly. Fortunately, the second half of the film is better, as it is more funny in a grown up way. Overall, it is alright to kill time, but don't have high hopes on it.

Hang on for the fun parts.

[edsherman · 7/10 · 24 February 2019]

Really not a bad movie and the actors really deliver believable characters.

Takes core plot elements from Go, and proceeds to butcher it

[dothechachame · 1/10 · 23 November 2020]

In both movies: 1. Main characters are coworkers in a California based grocery store 2. Trying to get to a rave/concert 3. Steal the drug dealers stash 4. Sell drugs at concert to pay off debts 5. Jump storylines from character to character to show all sides of same course of events while revealing a bit more information with each character, to eventually reveal the full plot

Go actually is a good movie with characters you care about and their struggles are believable. This movie is not believable and the character development is severely lacking.

Amazing !

[dynamitedanmc · 10/10 · 24 January 2017]

After seeing this film the trending tab of Netflix I decided I would check it out on IMDb, at first I saw many negative reviews (ranging from about 0/10 to 1/10).

I couldn't be bothered to find something else so I watched it. Definitely exceeded expectations and above.

If you watch the first 58 seconds and don't laugh this movie is not for you as this defying moment of the film as it sums up the entire movie. Definitely give the first minute a try.

PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO OTHER REVIEWS! (people don't know how to enjoy a fun, just weird film like this)

Just an empty movie

[RobTheWatcher · 4/10 · 30 December 2021]

This movie is really just a collection of random things happening over the course of 80 mins. It's not terrible but it is by no means worth your time.

Yaaay Weeee

[sukasa-75952 · 8/10 · 25 January 2017]

I like that this movie is honest. I identify and relate to it. I feel also, it's a nice thing to have this up and viewable, I don't tend to see films honestly representative of population and life as it is for some folks. And so, ya it is super hella nice to just be refreshed with an honest movie with writing that someone wanted to write, and less crap about editing an art piece to some idea of pretense as though it ought be anything non-what it is.

I Love it, appreciated it, and enjoyed the experience watching it.

Mwah, also actors, I think y'all did an honest well done job in the project. I imagine also, ya had helpful direction ;) Liked the writing, which I also audibly said aloud while watching the movie. Just plain moved to utter. I think I like that it seems like someone's honest flow of writing, like looking into someone's cosmos or how they see, which is more why I am captivated by writing, if it is just honest to the experiencer of how they experience and create.

Viva liberation en media! xo

I created an account to contribute a review for this film. Not that I want to believe anyone ought to be swayed to think my think, yet that I want to share my think at this.

So, I says, "Hey, I likey a lot!"

Humanizing to the characters each as real humans each their own within a group cast. So, I appreciate that scope and lens the film takes. Humanization for the win! Often, I think films like to create bit characters and objectify their existences into props for satisfying some story line of one person's experience. Yet, life is actually more dynamic, etc. Each human an own Universe, which is pretty amazing to think about it. And I think this kind of lens and take on film is more humanizing, and can help that kind of conditioning or option of viewing humanity. More diffuse, as it is, comes, leaves, goes ... marvel-worthy at all that any of it even is existing

Later y'all

*****I chose editing some natural flow of words including redeeming expletives, in order to meet IMDb's regulations on posts. I was a bit frustrated because being honest in one's own expression as it is is thematic to the sentiment of the post and I wished I could have done that as it was that moment. Wah wah. As it is, I chose to take a chip in order to leave a review and a reach out to the project. Whooop!

Why is it called that? What does this title mean? I have no idea.

[GiraffeDoor · 8/10 · 20 August 2022]

Non-linear recount of how the lives of apparently aimless people collided viscously on one hot California day.

The use of non-diegetic time is justified given the back tracking to follow a new character though I'm not sure what they thought they were doing by 7:13 visibly changing to 7:14. It's fine I guess. What doesn't really work is the "last-time-on" style montages that skate over the things we have already seen and it is very inelegant.

That might be my worst criticism of this bombastic ride of unfortunate meet ups, misunderstandings and a lot at stake.

It's so good to see Josh Peck now playing unscrupulous slacker that didn't make me think of Josh Nichols (you know, Drake's brother) once.

He is juxtaposed to his reluctant best friend who thinks he's going somewhere and that somewhere is Brazil for reasons that are never disclosed. He does not even speak the language.

There is a surprise triteragonist though in the form of the boys' boss; an apparently straightlaced man that goes further and further down into insanity, partly for the acting, is a nauseating treat to watch.

Slick and dynamic cinematically, at one point they do split screens in the food store, I suppose to evoke the advertisements used for it.

I wonder if the bawdy, often pointless dialogue exchanges between highly tightly wound people is a nod to Pulp Fiction but this is so much more engagingly written than anything he has ever done.

Overall an unflinching but still somewhat life affirming tale but I am ticked off that the cops never got what's coming to them.