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‘Adventureland’: The marketing behind this coming-of-age comedy had us thinking it was basically “Superbad” rewired as a late-’80s period piece. Boy, were we wrong. Quietly, Greg Mottola delivered one of the most achingly honest depictions of growing up in the Reagan years we’ve seen, with all the awkwardness, pathos and humor intact -- and great music too. Our Gen X cup runneth over.

Deadspin.com: We’re not hard-core sports fans, but as a variety of athletes (hello, Mannywood) disappoint us in one form or another, it’s nice to know there’s a blog to treat our variety of athletic entertainment options with the irreverence they deserve. Given its frequently lowbrow tone, it’s certainly not for everyone, but neither are most center-field bleachers after the sixth inning.

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TV morning news: What with our usual rush out the door in an explosion of coffee and wrinkled clothing, we haven’t caught much TV in the a.m. lately. But when did the “news” go from being “perky” to “aggressively chatty”? Not that we need to return to the genial ‘80s calm of David Hartman, but information may not be best served via a hopped-up cocktail party.

Robin Thicke: We’re prepared to live in a world where the son of the “Growing Pains” dad can become the new Justin Timberlake or George Michael (check the ‘80s shades he rocked on “The Daily Show”). But let’s rein in the praise, oh, vocal online fan base. Singing falsetto does not make him the next Marvin Gaye. But if all goes well, someone someday may be called the new Robin Thicke.