Kids
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Movie Reviews of Kids
Movie Review: A Definite Must-See Among Teenagers
Summary: 5 Stars
I started watching "Kids," written by Harmonie Korine and directed by Larry Clark, in a class at school, but I found it so compelling that I couldn't wait for the next class to finish or continue it. So I rented it and finished it tonight.
Be warned: "Kids" is an EXTREMELY disturbing movie about Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick) who wants nothing more to de-virginize any virgin he can find. One girl, Jennie (Chloe Sevigny), who was one of Telly's sex toys, finds out that she's HIV positive, and has to stop Telly from having more unprotected sex.
Although "Kids" is a bit uncomfortable (I felt like I had to take a shower in the first fifteen minutes), extremely disturbing and very graphic, it is a riveting film. It is intense, suspenseful, and is a PERFECT example of everything that happens when teenagers do the kind of things portrayed in this film
"Kids" might be the best movie I've ever seen for many various reasons: 1) It's a wonderful example (like I said before) of what happens when teenagers use this kind of stuff.
2) It revolves around teenagers
3) It takes place in an area where a lot of the things in this movie are very prone to happening, and where a lot of teenagers and younger children live
4) The acting was very good
5) Although the camera looked a little shaky, it wasn't dizzying, and it helped the film
6) It is entertaining, and that's always good
7) It mixes a variety of different genres (horror, romance, suspense, comedy, etc., etc.)
There were plenty other phenomenal things about this film, but I won't name everything or else this review would last forever. All I am saying is that it is a brilliant, brilliant movie. A must-see among teenagers, and, with parental guidance, even younger viewers, because it is a very good movie that shows teenagers how NOT to live their lives.
Anyone who says that this movie is garbage probably doesn't know what it is like to live in an area of New York City (or who don't even live in the Big Apple) that is very poverty-stricken, and don't know how easily teenagers can get into this kind of stuff. It's a great way to educate teens about not doing this kind of things.
"Kids" is one of the best movies I've ever seen because of it's brilliant message and the wonderful acting. It is a must-buy and a must-see, and will not disappoint.
Movie Review: At last a REAL teen movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Ever since I was 11 and this film first came out on the cinema, i wanted to watch it. All the contreversy surrounding it was appealing, but recently i wanted to watch it because i wanted to see if i could relate to it, being a teengager,but it was only untill a few days ago, i actually got round to renting it. Now most films you are eager to watch for so long actually turn out to be a load of rubbish, and i was afraid that this might turn out the same, but HOW I WAS WRONG!This is a REAL teen movie, a film which shows exactly what us teens get up to, although i must say as a depiction of most teenagers, it's a slightly exagerated portrail of an average teenagers every day life, but still shockingly true anyway. Just cos this is a teen movie, by no means is it a sugar coated flick like never been kissed or loser, if I was to compare it with anything, i'd have to describe it as, the breakfast club on speed and outdoors.
Now many adults spoke out about this film and spoke out about how "exploitive" and "outragous" this movie was. But the truth is they can't deal with the fact that this goes on and is happening today, it goes on the street, why not show it on screen? you show people getting mutilated,raped,you show family's being killed by their kids,you show men waking up with dead horses next to them, and that's acceptable but showing what teenage life is REALLY about is not? Come on!
If you do get shocked and upset from harsh scenes in movies however, I would advise not to watch it, It may seem harsh in some scenes in the movie,the beating in the park,the rape scene,the drug abuse,the sex scenes which are all shown in graphic detail, but if you watch it throughout right to the end, I don't care, you'll LOVE it.
All teenagers above the age of 14 should watch this, especially girls, because this is what "MOST" guys talk about, with little respect for females(i should know, i'm a guy...at least i was last time i checked!)Even if at times a little far fetched or only regarding a small amount of teens, this film has elements that every teenager can relate to. Avoid this movie at your peril, buy it NOW!
Peace.
Movie Review: Uncompromising
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, "Kids" is a phenomenal movie in absolutely every respect. Harmony Korine's script is amazing (I can already tell I am going to run out of superlatives.) It blows me away that someone so young could write something so self-assured, so masterful. The performances are impossibly real. Add to this Clark's voyeuristic, documentary style and the result is some of the most uncompromising naturalism in cinematic history. Kids is the kind of movie that makes mainstream filmmakers blanch. It is also the kind of movie that makes mainstream film goers confused and angry. Naturalism has never been a particularly popular style of theatre. If a viewer doesn't have an appreciation for the style, he/she may think the film lacking. Naturalism depicts life objectively, imposing no value judgements. The question of value is left up to the observer, the viewer. It does not shy away from ugliness or uncomfortable situations. Naturalism is often seen as nihilistic, but that is the challenge that is presents. Being truer to life than other dramatic forms, it's meaning is more obscured.
Many have interpreted "Kids" to be a "wake up call" concerning the growing menace AIDS poses to young people (I think it was even printed on the box cover.) That is one interpretation. I see a much more sinister theme at the heart of "Kids." For me, AIDS just served as a metaphor for a diseased culture. These kids are sick mentally and emotionally. To me, these hopeless characters represent an entire generation of lost youth. Their general apathy and animalistic hedonism is a perfectly understandable response to the empty, violent, plastic, consumer/commercial culture that raised them. Yes, they are contracting AIDS; but what about those that escape it? What are they going to do with their lives? Of course, this is just my interpretation. The film itself remains objective and impartial. In fact, I think Korine would disagree with me and that is why I love this movie so much.
Watch this if you like powerful, unflinching films that challenge assumptions and make lasting impressions.
Movie Review: Lord of the Flies: Urban Edition
Summary: 5 Stars
More troubling than Kathy Bates' nude scene, Kids is a raw, voyeuristic look at the ever-decreasing morality of teenagers, sinking lower with each successive generation of degenerates. Like a sucker punch to the stomach, this film shocks the senses and leaves a nauseating aftertaste, like the acid reflux of disgust.
Following the daily meandering of delinquents, cotton-mouthed Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick) and soullessly bankrupt Casper (Justin Pierce), an inside look at every parent's nightmare is provided. Between massive sessions of drug and alcohol abuse, the two manage to squeeze in time for a savage beating at a skate park, breaking and entering, and non-stop parties. The shock of this movie, however, is obviously its brazen look at teen sexuality, as Telly and Casper talk ad nauseum about their desire for virginal conquests, regardless of the ever-increasing danger of AIDS. It takes the life-changing tragedy for Jennie (Chloe Sevigny) - one of Telly's former sexual partners - to expose the truly despicable nature of Telly and Casper's actions. Welcome to the urban edition of Lord of the Flies.
The acting and teen life is jaw-droppingly realistic and accurate. Every day, teens seemingly get worse and worse, and Kids amps it up quite a bit. The sugar and spice of yesteryear is gone; the fly on the wall ate it, and puked. I'm still sickened at not only the actions of Telly, but also by the thought that such a goofy, ugly, mush-mouthed kid could accomplish what he so easily does (which I'm positive happens in reality). It's not just the morals declining; standards are dropping at an alarming rate.
The best aspect of this eye-opening piece is the introduction of two young stars: Sevigny and Rosario Dawson. Their talent shines through, and causes a viewer to despise the actions of Telly and Casper that much more.
Highly recommended for those interested in controversy.
Movie Review: Challenging
Summary: 5 Stars
As someone the same age as the main characters, I recognize that this, first off, is a realistic movie. There's a caveat- I've never known anyone personally who has drudged through their life with the recklessness portrayed in KIDS. But contrary to the claims of many positive reviews, I don't see this as a cautionary tale for parents. KIDS seems a graphic presentation of hopelessness, a directionless agitation that's perhaps more prevalent in inner-city teens than in other kids. But no teenager is a stranger to the sense of emptiness and desolation that KIDS details, if theatrically. The kids you know probably don't behave like Telly. But whatever void Telly can only fill by deflowering prepubescent girls sucks away at all of us.
As for the graphic sex and accusations of child pornography-one reviewer claims the entire movie "could easily pass for a kiddie porn film"-I think the hideous images are at once the most successful and the most sickening aspect of the movie. Sex to these kids is hardly the artistically shot, passionate whirlwind we're used to watching in films. It's quick, animalistic and, most importantly, dull. Watching the sex scenes hollowed me out; Clark manages to make us feel the same desolation that drives his characters to sex and drugs. If this is a movie for parents, its message isn't: "your children are doing all this right now! Lock them up!" It's: "being a human is difficult and heart-wrenching. Being a teenager is almost impossible." I recommend KIDS to any 16+ kid with a strong stomach and to any adult with an open mind.
on a side note: Rosario Dawson's eagerness, Chloe Sevigny's numbness, and Leo Fitzpatrick's doe-eyed villainy are fantastic. The acting was a huge selling point.