Joyland (2019) User Reviews

Get Ready to Laugh a Lot!

[debijohess · 8/10 · 20 August 2019]

What this film lacks in budget is made up for with a highly entertaining comedy sure to have you cackling throughout. Well, why not throw a big bash celebrating the end of your house arrest? And why not invite all your cra cra friends to the par-ta. It just might put your release in jeopardy, but that is what all the fun is about. Very funny characters and situations. Check out this indie comedy hit. I'm glad I did!

Funny independent film

[mamoss-83553 · 7/10 · 10 February 2020]

Funny independent film. It's a cross between Friday and plug love! I'd definitely watch it again and again.

Truly Unique and Homegrown

[mentalrev · 7/10 · 10 September 2019]

This movie has a really unique tone, it's not Boys in the Hood and it's not Friday either, but probably closer to the latter as it's funny and satirical while at the same time authentic to it's community, a hard feat for sure. The banter and dialogue was outstanding, I really enjoyed the supporting characters throughout and the performance by lead Jamikel Scott was terrific. Scott's delivery and comedic timing alone was worth tuning in for, I hope to see more of him in the future.

This movie feels homemade, but in a good way. Too often the hood is portrayed through a lens of fear or mockery, but Joyland is different, it's a film that says we can make our own damn movies and don't need the permission of the gatekeepers, a commendable feat for sure.

I hope to see more movies with bigger budgets from this talented director.

"Banned from theaters!"

[Ink789 · 9/10 · 26 August 2019]

Super indie comedy, with a claim of "banned from theaters." It's like the film Friday, but the Atlanta version. Great cast with undeniable verisimilitude. Film is somehow better than the trailer, and well worth a watch.

Very Funny

[vigilant56 · 9/10 · 2 August 2019]

This is a good comedy with well written familar characters that can be found in many big city neighborhoods. I reccomend this film.

HORRIBLE

[Atlanta2020 · 1/10 · 20 June 2020]

It's not funny at all. One of the worse movies I have seen in my life. Don't waste your time. If only I could have given it a negative rating.

Dope

[bcmaskot · 10/10 · 28 July 2019]

I know the struggle of the process behind the situation so for bra to put out a whole movie speaks volumes. Big s/o to him , it's up from here

Love it‼

[curneshiatoppin · 10/10 · 27 July 2019]

A great, comical movie written and produced by a great young African American who put his talents and gift to great use. And I love the fact that this movie includes people who never left his side. THAT'S A SALUTE!!

Original indie comedy hits its mark

[freyamoran · 10/10 · 21 August 2019]

A humorous take on the day in the life of Joyland Atlanta. A gritty update on classics such as Friday and Don't Be A Menace...Stellar performance by the lead actor J Mike Scott. A great soundtrack sets the tone for Pooda's last few days on house arrest. The cinematography and soundtrack come together marvelously in the scene at Pooda's kick back, to put you right in the middle of a bangin friday night. A great, original film to watch. I enjoyed this a lot.

Fun comedy

[jason-scepter · 9/10 · 29 September 2019]

Joyland is an Indie comedy about a guy who's having a party to celebrate the end of his house arrest. But this wild party could jeopardize his freedom. Nice blend of funny moments and real ones in this well-paced movie.

Quirky and funny

[kisiel-1 · 9/10 · 13 September 2019]

Very enjoyable comedic indie film with a solid cast and interesting storyline. Really enjoyed watching!

Joyland

[kenidras · 9/10 · 30 July 2019]

Hilarious from the beginning to the end. I enjoyed it.

Loved it

[jack-42024 · 10/10 · 28 July 2019]

Magnificent movie very funny wonderful story line.

Funny, vivid and enjoyable

[jblockbuster · 9/10 · 19 August 2019]

For me, Joyland was a nice insight in a totally different world. Funny, vivid and enjoyable to watch! The actors really know how to capture the moment and drag you right into it. Go, and see it for yourself :)

Very real, but also funny!

[directortim2012 · 9/10 · 1 August 2019]

I'm really glad I took a chance on this movie. I watched the trailer and it looked kind of fun. The film was actually even better than the trailer! How rare is that?

The lead character is having a party to celebrate the end of his house arrest. But as the party gets going, things happen that could mess with his shot at freedom. Tonally, the work this film most reminded me of is Donald Glover's brilliant Atlanta on FX. Similar mix of realism with lol moments here as well. I will totally recommend this movie to my friends!

I LAUGHED FROM BEGINNING TO END!!!

[alexusscott · 10/10 · 28 July 2019]

Great movie it definitely has potential to be a cult classic!!

I literally laughed from beginning to end! FIVE STAR COMEDY!!

[alfoniescott · 10/10 · 31 July 2019]

Joyland was endlessly entertaining and is great reminiscent of Friday. All of the characters are unique & funny in their own way. These movie needs to be seen by everyone!!

Hyper Saturation Mixed with Style

[emperorsnewmind · 10/10 · 12 August 2019]

From the get go, Joyland pulls you into its world with the hyper saturation and superb sound track. Following the delightful protagonist Pooda Johnson, we embark on his journey of neighborhood bootlegging, to being released from house arrest, to his celebration that could end it all. With a very nuanced and detailed portrayal, director, J Mike Scott does a fantastic job of combining the two genres of comedy and drama into one.

Genuine hilarity

[Phil_Chester · 4 August 2019]

There's some genuine hilarity to be had in this ultra-low budget offering from Atlanta. Having visited the city before, I was struck by how evocatively the film had such a strong sense of place. The comic juxtapositions of many of the scenes were very entertaining and kept me glued to the screen throughout. Worth a watch for sure.

Such a fun movie!

[craigahrens · 9/10 · 1 August 2019]

What a fun and funny film! I really enjoyed myself. I was literally laughing out loud. My wife enjoyed the film too! Bravo to the writer/director J Mike Scott. He did a terrific job telling the story and kept things moving along at a good pace. I watched the credits... he wore a lot of hats in making this film. That's what I love and appreciate about indie filmmakers. This film for sure gets a big thumbs up from me!!

A refreshingly original comedic vision!

[Anmer93 · 9/10 · 8 August 2019]

This was such an entertaining and surprising film. The Director clearly has a refreshingly original comedic vision, the leads have great chemistry and are a joy to watch. With quit wit on the writing side and heart and soul in the visuals this is well work checking out.

Ambitious And Hilarious

[TheAll-SeeingI · 10/10 · 1 August 2019]

The Atlanta-shot Joyland is the kind of film that proper Hollywood probably realizes it could make a fortune from if it had the courage to drive down from the Hills and dip its squeaky-clean hands in all the rich material real-life living has to offer.

Pooda Johnson is about to get out from under the thumb of house arrest, and it's a reason to celebrate - even though it might put his pending freedom in the margins. It's a great premise, and even better execution, as director Jamikel Scott builds a killer, spontaneously-flowing cast around the storytelling, shattering the contrived, sometimes even phony veneer of over-amped "real acting" offered by so many big-budget blockbusters.

Joyland is a ton of great things; above all else, it's a straight-up, laugh-out-loud funny film. And its relaxed pace, drifting camerawork, and naturally-delivered dialogue are all expertly-made creative decisions which further authenticate the storytelling: This is a carefully plotted out film with a knowing, high-level intelligence driving the humor and the execution. The film's key art boasts, "Banned In Theaters Throughout America." Whether that's true or not, it's hard not to get the sense that this is a representation of culture that those in the apology departments of major studios may still be too frightened to fully exploit in such a funny-as-hell way.