Lawn Dogs
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.31 You Save: $7.67 (51%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.50 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Lawn Dogs
Movie Review: Bold, Tragic, and thought-provoking... Oh Nooooooooo!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's tragic how some of Hollywood's greatest films are doomed from the start, by efforts to conceal the serious subject matter with confusing or misleading box covers, or by presenting subject matter that requires brain matter activity. I agree with all reviews of the well-delivered performances by the then virtually unknown Barton and Rockwell (at least to me). Barton's performance, akin to the seemingly natural talent of Dakota (please don't screw Dakota's head up... I'm counting on oscar performances after the awkward years -- but I digress.) The beauty of the film was in what was not spelled out, like a novel that people still can't figure out why, is better than the movie. Aside from the short-lived ego rush of sharing the fact that you can read, it's the imagery unique to our own life experinces that makes a novel a personal experience, that often conflicts with the director's life experiences (plus he/she has more money for crack and other mind altering substances). Ok, my point! Our society's heinously counterproductive view of sex, sin, and alas child molestor profiling has taken us back at least 100 years. In 1914, the age of consent for sex was 10. NFW you say? Yeah way! Wrong, yes. Geared toward safe sex with kids --- bad. Lawn Dogs reminds us that the human mind is fully developed at age 8, and kids have intelligent, idealistic, regretless, and raw opinions, a need to be heard and understood, and guess what else? They like to touch their peepees, and they know it. In 2006, they still like to touch their peepees, but society (and Mom and Dad) relieve them (to the long-term detriment of their children) of the ability to reason and manipulate their environment until at least 16. In essence, we discredit their abilty for rational thought with regard to sex, but empower them with the ability to manipulate someone into jail, with the mere mention of the only crime that requires "no intent or forethought", and true or not, a life sentence of "societal periah". This movie struck a nerve -- ya think? We need to stop the "perves"! Mistake not my words for anything short of this. Lawn Dogs dares to go where few film makers dare, even if mostly left to us to conclude that molesters seldom meet our expectations and place of origin. We can get a better handle of what we are up against without the kneejerk reactions, mob thinking, and the removal of the concept of personal accountability for their innocent, but real actions, that can draw an unlikely and previously unblemished molester from his primative "Id-ish" shell. Like this film, it will require thought and above all honesty about what goes on in a child's mind where normal sexual curiousity is alive and well, and about where we came from to arrive at this "civilized", yet God-alienating society. Ask yourselves this question. Which is scarier? 28,000 (Ca only) registered sex offenders or "wienee waggers" all waiting to catch you with your guard down, or a few hundred [...] with long lascidious pasts, that you WILL recognize from a mile away clad in trenchcoats, and you wouldn't let your daughter have contact with a stranger anyway. Sex offender is not synonymous with child molestor, except with the network NEWS. You'll remember this when your son or close relative is registered for hanging a BA from a bus on the way to a football game in college. Yaweah.Movie Review: GRASS ISN'T ALWAYS GREENER
Summary: 5 Stars
LAWN DOGS is a surprisingly original and exceptionally well done independent film.
Mischa Barton as Devon is amazing. Her face is pliable and ultra expressive, and even though she's the strangest little 10 year old captured on film, her adult mannerisms and dialogue show us a little girl who has been treated like a China doll by her parents; she's had a rough life and heart problems, which she explains with a dippety dit, etc. She wants to show that she is still a person and quite capable of doing the things her parents are trying to spare her from. Sam Rockwell is equally effective as the "poor white trash" who mows the rich people's lawns, a put upon young man, surprised at his friendship with this odd little girl.
When watching the film, though, watch the subtle portraits that are painted: when Devon wants to give Trent a glass of water, she reaches for one of the better glasses whereupon her mother tells her there's a glass for him under the sink---when Trent takes Devon to meet his parents, the mother offers them iced tea--in her best glasses; when Trent interrupts a barbecue at Devon's house, daddy offers him a couple hot dogs while the rest of the guests are eating steak and baked potatoes; when the community's fancy lantern shades are being stolen, they blame Trent, when it's really the nasty little boy who's doing this; when CDs are stolen from the golden boys' car, it's Trent who is blamed, when again, it's our little cowboy/indian/monster.
The supporting performances are very good: Kathleen Quinlan, as Devon's mom, who is messing around with one of the golden boys; Christopher McDonald as her dad, lost in the political workings of the development; Eric Mabius as one of the golden boys obviously interested in Rockwell's body as well.
There's no real dramatic big scenes and it's a leisurely film, but Barton and Rockwell are remarkable and the movie has a sense of realism to counteract the fantasy elements.
Movie Review: Brutally honest, and powerfully real.
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched this movie last year, during our "Free Sundance-Channel Weekend". It immediately struck me as a movie unlike any other, a movie that was dreamy yet down-to-earth, a movie that showed prejudice, pain, adultery, and emotion- without blinking an eye. And recently, when I found out that the girl who played 10-year old Devon (I apologize, I have forgotten the actors name) also played the dead girl in "The Sixth Sense", I went and watched "Lawn Dogs" again on a whim. Again, it mesmerized me. How well it all blended together, the little girl with her wagon walking down hazy summer streets, the old trailer of the man who everyone called "white trash", the shady dealings of Devon's upper-scale neighborhood, and the ignorance of the rich and prosperous. It struck me how the upper-class citizens would sit around and snicker at the lawn care "white-trash" while sipping brandy and cooking hot dogs. Normally, I'd recommend this movie to everyone, but after the second time, many parts struck me as shocking and very, very inappropriate. Of course, I believe this is what holds so much in the movie, the fact that the camera stands it's ground, unflinching to what is on screen. Many would find this movie extremely offensive, no matter how good it is. Do yourself a favor: Go and see this movie, but not if you take offense to nudity, aldultery, or language.Movie Review: A surprising fantasy grounded in reality
Summary: 5 Stars
How can one movie be so surprising? John Duigan's "Lawn Dogs" is worth watching over and over again. While some of Duigan's movies, most notably "Sirens" fall flat, "Lawn Dogs" leads the pack that also includes the wonderful and equally under appreciated "Flirting" and it's predecessor, "The Year My Voice Broke." It is amazing to find movies that are truly well written and unpredictable. Sam Rockwell and Misha Barton give amazing performances. Rockwell has proven in so many roles that he can "act" and take on a new persona. His range is impressive from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to his goofy/smug role in "Galaxy Quest." Misha Barton is one to watch for in the future. Since "Lawn Dogs," I've only seen her in one other movie, "The Sixth Sense." The DVD of Lawn Dogs is great with clever menuing and looping of the scenes to the poignant soundtrack.Movie Review: Film Is Great but Photo on Box Misleads
Summary: 5 Stars
The photo on the box indicates that this is a movie about a man and a woman, probably sexual or romantic in orientation. The woman (Kathleen Quinlan in a minor role) is actually the mother of the movie's female lead, a ten year old girl, played by Mischa Barton as Devon. Her family is rich but obnoxious as is her whole gated subdivision. She desperately needs a friend and makes one with Trent (Sam Rockwell), who is one of the guys who cuts the grass in her subdivision. He lives in a trailer on the wrong side of the tracks. Trent and Devon's developing friendship is the arc of the film. That friendship takes unexpected turns, some magical realistic in nature. Devon's ability to make personal sacrifices in order to protect her one and only friend increasingly come into play as the film advances too. Excellent film.