The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
by Peter Care
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Emile Hirsch, Jake Richardson, Jena Malone, Kieran Culkin, Vincent D'OnofrioDirector: Peter Care
Brand: CULKIN,KIERAN
Producer: Bob Stephenson
Producer: Cheryl La Sasso
Producer: Chrisanne Mitchell
Producer: David A. Jones
Writer: Chris Fuhrman
Writer: Jeff Stockwell
Writer: Michael Petroni
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.85:1
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-11-05
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
Movie Review: A fun, beautiful teen coming-of age story
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the best teen stories of the past few years, "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" defies the current ideal for a "teen movie" and goes more in the vein of such timeless stories as "A Seperate Peace." Not only is this film a realistic look at the actions, dialogue, and thoughts of fourteen year old boys, it's a dramatic story that can bring one from hilarity to tear-dropping sadness. It is a true "loss of innocence" story, not a comedy or a drama, but the harsh reality of life and how these things can be learned.The entire Catholic motif throughout the movie is merely a backdrop, one facet of these boys. Having dealt with Catholic education, this story was more true to the way kids act than to the way people want these kids to act: outrageous, creative, and all in all still just children. Jodie Foster plays Sister Assumpta, the tormentor of Tim Sullivan (Kieran Culkin) and Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch). Aided with Vincent D'Onofrio as the chain-smoking, cussing and jovial Father Casey, the two cast a spell of Catholic education and become perfect targets for the way that fourteen year olds view it: the evil nun, the easy-going priest. The film is in no way anti-Catholic, but merely realistic and perfect in story telling.
Culkin and Hirsch become an identifiable and energetic on screen pair, exemplifying the undeniable bond between two teenage boys and the trials and tribulations of having it. They complement each other and when Jena Malone (playing Margie Flynn, Hirsch's girlfriend) comes into the mix, the strain of relationships is seen and told accurately with intensity that could make any adult reach back into his or her adolescence and identify with the characters.
With the group of four boys all artists, the film is half told in their comic world of the "Atomic Trinity", in which there is really four members. As the story progresses, the story of the Trinity changes with it, giving an existential look at the way the boys are changing, growing, and interacting with each other. It's a perfect complement to the movie and takes the viewer into Frances' world of comics and the love for the fantasy world, that the boys are always dreamers and will stay that.
When watching this movie, take it with a grain of salt. Don't expect it to be politically correct or easy to watch, and don't expect it to cater to anyones tastes. It is an eye opener to those who forget that boys will still just be boys and a reminder for many of how fun it was to be fourteen.. This is easily one of my favorites of the year and one of the most interesting movies I have seen in a long time, definitely worth repeat viewings.
Summary of The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
A group of Catholic school boys plot a series of pranks that they visualize in an obscene comic that they create.Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: R
Release Date: 1-APR-2003
Media Type: DVD
A refreshing and honest portrayal of adolescent Catholic boys. The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys follows Tim (Kieran Culkin) and Francis (Emile Hirsch) as they engage in aimless vandalism and mockery--not from malice but boredom. Sadly, the theft of a religious icon and a plan to kidnap a cougar result in far more serious consequences than either boy intends. The authenticity of the characters and dialogue make the movie work; both script and performances are genuine and consistently surprising. Jena Malone, as a troubled girl who gets involved with Francis, is particularly good, but the whole cast (which includes Jodie Foster and Vincent D'Onofrio) does excellent work. In capturing both the harm and the good that teenagers can do, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys transcends the usual rebellious-kids storyline. The movie features animated segments that depict Francis's fantasy life, created by Todd McFarlane (Spawn). --Bret Fetzer
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The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boysby Chris Fuhrman
University of Georgia Press; Published: 2001-09-28; Paperback; Book
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