Reviews (44)

Dirty Dancing Havana Nights Is Amazing
Dirty Dancing Havana Nights is so good. I loved it. I saw it with my friend it was for our birthdays, and it was like the best birthbay ever. We saw it the day after it came out and then i saw it again a week later. Diego Luna the guy dancer whos name is Javier Suarez is amazing. He is such a good dancer and it so HOTT! Katey Miller the plays the girl dancer is also a really good dancer. Katey and Javier are so cute together. They really make it look like they are in love. Javier is so sweet, and he really respects Katey unlike the other guy James. The music in the movie is so good too. I bought the soundtrack right after i saw the movie. Dirty Dancing Havana Nights is like my favorite movie, and i highly recommend that you see it.

Awesome movie!
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. I have seen it 2x in the last 3 days. Diego Luna is a great actor besides the fact that he is very hot! He's my new fav actor. Romola Garai did a good job on this film. Their chemistry on screen is great and I am surprised that neither of them had any previous dancing experience and had to learn all of it. They did a great job! There are a couple lines that disrupted the intimate scenes, but overall it was a fantastic movie! Go see it if you haven't already but make sure you don't have expectations. It is nothing like the original. It's my new fav movie and I can't wait until it comes out on DVD!

Hot Dancing in Havana
I recently viewed the DVD Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and thought it was terrific! The dancing was extraordinary and the actors really made the scenes they were in come to life. I also thought it was a perk to have Patrick Swayze from the original movie,Dirty Dancing as a dance instructor in the movie. It is a must see movie and a must have in your DVD collection. The music was also sensational!

Horrible writing!
The only good things about this movie were the lead actors and the dancing. The writing was horrible and the background story was annoying. Despite all of this, I will buy the DVD. Im a sucker for sequel/series and it was a cute movie as long as you have no expectations past cute leads and fun dancing. The soundtrack is great, not very fitting to time/place of the film, but its got some good dancin music.

A Must See!
As a huge fan of the original Dirty Dancing, I prepared myself for a huge let down. I thought that in no way could this movie capture the magic that the first one did, but I was very wrong. Although, it really isn't a sequel, but rather more a re-write with a twist, it is a great movie worth seeing for anyone. The dance scenes were well done, and the acting was superb. The plot is great because first it deals with the problems that an interracial couple living in different social classes face and it also deals with the struggles that Cuba was facing at the time. If you are in the mode for a great, well told love story check this movie out! ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Pretty disappointed
After watching Clueless and falling for the looks of Alicia Silverstone, I thought I'd try out some of her other stuff. I have to say that as much as I like her, the film was pretty bad. The storyline was terrible and the acting was pretty poor. I only recommend watching this to get a look at Alicia, but if you want a good movie, go elsewhere.

FUNNY
only reason i gave this movie 4 stars is because its so funny. people are gona think im crazy for givin this movie 4 stars but its so cheesy that its hilarious.i recomend this dvd if you want a good laugh or you like alicia silverstone and jeremy london.i cant believe such great actors were in such a cheesy movie. i guess they didnt expect it to turn out that way but it did. the ending dosent make any sense at all. its just fun to watch all those great actors in those situations. the reviews on here say not to waste your time with this movie but i watch this movie alot and think its really funny. i like it , its so bad its good.i would recomend this movie if your a alicia silverstone fan.

Helen of Troy...NOT!!!
Watching this movie is similar to reading a term paper with no thesis statement. After the ending, you begin to understand what the writers were (maybe) trying to accomplish, but choppy editing throughout the movie only makes the viewer think that the several fantasy sequences revolving around Silverstone's character are only planted in the film to obscure the writers lack of imagination with regard to character development.

In retrospect, the Babysitter (Silverstone) is supposed to be like Helen of Troy. Men will risk thier families, jobs and freedom to sleep with her. Among the people who want Alicia are her ex (?) boyfriend and a manipulative wanna-be-a-gangster suburban rich boy, who drunkenly conspire a plan to spy on her. The manipulative rich kid dupes the ex into breaking and entering the house where Silverstone is babysitting then tries to rape her. Nuff said about the plot.

Two things make the plot unbelievable. First of all, Silverstone, taken as THE sole motive for a host of fantasies (some related and some utterly unrelated to the ending) and a rape attempt is not buyable. In reality, Silvertone is no Helen of Troy, but yet another link of good-looking hollywood sausage. More importantly, in the movie, her character is unexciting, bland and (ahem) clueless.

Secondly, the antagonist rich hood's rape attempt is paradoxical. He has sense enough to manipulate the Babysitter's boyfriend like an expert (a la Cruel Intentions), yet the during the last scene of the movie he smashes lamps on peoples heads and tries to rape Alicia in front of 2 small children. Any criminologist could tell you that most psychotics are usually not silver-tounged manipulators and vice versa.

On a final note, the writers could have used some of the time they spent on the fantasy sequences to develop the characters' backgrounds and motives. At least then the film might not have been such a pile of garbage.

seduced by the sitter
good movie with some ok twists and turns. Nicky Katt, the one who gets hit with the car at the end is great. though Jeremy London seems misplaced but Alicia Silverstone is great in the imagination. though it lags but it's older cast.

Don't watch this movie
This movie is the worst piece of ... I have ever seen. I'm still looking for a reason why they made this movie. Suicide is a great alternate solution to watching the Babysitter. Alicia Silverstone may look good, but she don't look that damn good to waste your time watching this piece of sh*t. Too bad I can't give it 0 stars. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

An Incredible Movie That was Snubbed by Oscar
This is the kind of film that has those moments of depth and power that make one wish to watch the film again and again. The cast is magnifacent. In my opinion it is the incredibly talented Brad Renfro that really carries the film. Kevin Bacon has received a lot of deserving praise, but it is Renfro who steals many a scene. He was 14 or 15 when he made this film, but his character is 17. He gives a very mature performance from the opening to the end's moving and inspiring freeze frame shot. Another notable player is Calista Flockhart in a pre-Ally McBeal role. And she is tremendous. It is a shame that Oscar nominations did not go to the three. Another stand-out element of the movie is the beautiful score. The music is completely in tact in its goal to provide an appropriate backdrop to the bittersweet mood of the film. I wish the movie had a soundtrack! I also wish that this movie would come back to shelves again! I want it for Christmas. This is definitely a film that one can not watch just once!

OK, 4 1/2 stars! :)
Two words: GREAT MOVIE! Both Kevin Bacon and Brad Renfro (who just became my new favorite actor, I think!) were excelent, and the story is wonderful. Nice to see Calista Flockheart looking relatively normal, and not rail-thin. I really liked the part Brad goes to Calista when his whole world seems to be crashing down around him. Also, when the one woman said that he was "gentle." Very sweet moment. If you haven't already, SEE THIS MOVIE! The only reason I saw it was because Jonathan Rhys Meyers was in it, but he kinda had a small part. I would have liked to see more of him, and I would have liked to see about what he talked about in confession (if you've seen it, you know what I mean). Anyhoo, great flick, and I highly recommend it!

The immigrant experience in America is updated...
from a surprising source! Joe Esterhaz, not a particular favorite of mine, shines in the telling of his autobiographical "coming of age" story as a teenage immigrant in the early 60's. Much has been made of the immigrant experience in the earlier part of the century, but this film gives us insight into what it was like for Europeans to be transported to America's "golden age".

Maximillian Schell is back on the screen, and welcome as the father of Esterhaz' alter-ego, Karchy Jonas. He is a bit puzzling until you learn that he was a highly educated man in his native Hungary, forced into menial labor in his new country of choice. He has instilled his belief in the power of being an American citizen in his son, Karchy, played by Brad Renfro. Renfro is believable and gives a delicious naivete to the role of Karchy, both in his words and deeds. His relationship to an older woman, Diney (Calista Flockhart looking real, not just cute) makes sense when you see how much she yearns for his honesty and his sense of wonder. Despite a high ethical standard set by his father, Karchy is a noted fabricator of fibs. Everyone who hears his stock line "Lots of times", knows he is lying.

Enter Kevin Bacon, the perfect Svengali for a boy looking to become a man in the "coolest" way possible. Bacon is a hot disc jockey, whose personal code of honor is questionable. There is no question that this is one of his strongest performances ever. From body language to his Texas twang, his regret at how his life turned out (from a brief glimpse he shares late in the movie) makes him a standout playing an early 60's "lounge lizard". Bacon has a fine portfolio of work, but this is his ultimate role.

Music and set are perfect for this nostalgic look back to the 60's. A great film, underappreciated by many.

Lyrical Remembrance
When he wasn't writing trashy, empty thrillers (Basic Instinct, Jade, Sliver), Joe Eszterhaz must have been reminiscing about his childhood, modulating what would eventually become Telling Lies In America, a great, tender, beautifully rendered film. Set in the early 1960s Cleveland Ohio, it is the story of Karchy Jonas (Brad Renfro), a 17-year-old son of a Hungarian mill worker (Maximilian Schell) who had been a PHD in law in the old country. Something, Karchy never fails to mention to all the authority figures in his life. All the father wants in life is for he and his son to become naturalized citizens. Duly, Karchy goes to the expensive school the old man has obviously strained to pay for where, unpopular, he bluffs about all the things there are to bluff about. He works nights at a grocery store where Diney (Calista Flockhart) also works in a pained saddened silence. He comes on to her with his obvious bluffs, the little lies that are so obvious to the worldly Diney that she pities him, or is amused by him. At night he comes home to the little house he shares with his father, looks in the mirror and desperately tries to pronounce "the" which without exception always seems to come out "da".

Its fair to say that Telling Lies In America has its fair share of cliches. Those little cornets every coming of age film has to play. You have your hypocritical teacher/priest, your unattainable female Diney, her overbearing suitor Henry (Luke Wilson) and most importantly, Billy Magic (Kevin Bacon). Magic is one of those characters most filmgoers could draw from memory; the slicked back hair, the envy inducing array of lady-friends, babbling on his radio show in his all important "slanguage" while he offers his listeners some "ear conditioning" on a particularly hot day. Karchy is in awe of him. Except that the film wastes no time in exposing Magic as damaged goods. And Bacon, in some wry moments lets some of the man's bitterness show. Magic seems to like Karchy too, maybe he sees himself in the kid who can't help but showoff all the time. Or more ominously, he sees a profitable way to employ Karchy's masterful aversion to telling the truth.

The director Guy Ferland gives the film a luminous, late 50s early 60s memorabilia rich look. The score by Nicholas Pixe, a trickling of organ, is stated only in the film's key scenes. It's a good sign, especially in a period film, when the direction and the music only impress in retrospect, rather then stick out and draw attention to themselves. They work in congruence with the story. The effect is that of nostalgia. Not hokey nostalgia, but the memories of growing up, with its highs and lows compressed into a hypnotic two hours. The cliches are not cliches if they're happening to and around people you know.

Telling Lies in America will touch those nerve endings that responded to Barry Levinson's Diner. Even if this one isn't as witty with its dialogue or as generous with its guffaws, I like it better. I like the way Eszterhas weaves the humor of the Spanish fly episode, the familiar tale of a self-loathing bully into the story of a kid who just wants to be liked, without stepping into one saccharine puddle. Right up to it bittersweet ending, the film never hits a false note. It maybe ironic, that Karchy who is essentially a stand in for Esztherhas learns that he "doesn't have to showoff so much", has spawned the writer who would write a lot of showoffy trash. You'd think that it would take a very special film for me to forgive Showgirls. Luckily for him, this one is.

Brad is so sexy!
I was suprised at how great this movie was. I've been a fan of Brad Renfro for a long time and I knew he would be great. Telling Lies is not your run of the mill coming of age story. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Telling Lies in America is one of the few films in recent yearswritten by shlockmeister Joe Eszterhas that wasn't specifically about kinky sex, murder, or worse. Semi-autobiographical, the story centers on a Cleveland teen (Brad Renfro) in the early 1960s, a Hungarian immigrant and school outcast who befriends the town's hottest disc jockey (Kevin Bacon), becoming his assistant and go-fer. But he eventually comes to realize that the DJ is unscrupulous and on the take with payola--and his involvement with him may jeopardize his and his father's dream of becoming naturalized citizens. Standard stuff, but a sharp-edged performance by Bacon and a complex one by Renfro rescue it from cliches. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (10)

An Incredible Movie That was Snubbed by Oscar
This is the kind of film that has those moments of depth and power that make one wish to watch the film again and again. The cast is magnifacent. In my opinion it is the incredibly talented Brad Renfro that really carries the film. Kevin Bacon has received a lot of deserving praise, but it is Renfro who steals many a scene. He was 14 or 15 when he made this film, but his character is 17. He gives a very mature performance from the opening to the end's moving and inspiring freeze frame shot. Another notable player is Calista Flockhart in a pre-Ally McBeal role. And she is tremendous. It is a shame that Oscar nominations did not go to the three. Another stand-out element of the movie is the beautiful score. The music is completely in tact in its goal to provide an appropriate backdrop to the bittersweet mood of the film. I wish the movie had a soundtrack! I also wish that this movie would come back to shelves again! I want it for Christmas. This is definitely a film that one can not watch just once!

OK, 4 1/2 stars! :)
Two words: GREAT MOVIE! Both Kevin Bacon and Brad Renfro (who just became my new favorite actor, I think!) were excelent, and the story is wonderful. Nice to see Calista Flockheart looking relatively normal, and not rail-thin. I really liked the part Brad goes to Calista when his whole world seems to be crashing down around him. Also, when the one woman said that he was "gentle." Very sweet moment. If you haven't already, SEE THIS MOVIE! The only reason I saw it was because Jonathan Rhys Meyers was in it, but he kinda had a small part. I would have liked to see more of him, and I would have liked to see about what he talked about in confession (if you've seen it, you know what I mean). Anyhoo, great flick, and I highly recommend it!

The immigrant experience in America is updated...
from a surprising source! Joe Esterhaz, not a particular favorite of mine, shines in the telling of his autobiographical "coming of age" story as a teenage immigrant in the early 60's. Much has been made of the immigrant experience in the earlier part of the century, but this film gives us insight into what it was like for Europeans to be transported to America's "golden age".

Maximillian Schell is back on the screen, and welcome as the father of Esterhaz' alter-ego, Karchy Jonas. He is a bit puzzling until you learn that he was a highly educated man in his native Hungary, forced into menial labor in his new country of choice. He has instilled his belief in the power of being an American citizen in his son, Karchy, played by Brad Renfro. Renfro is believable and gives a delicious naivete to the role of Karchy, both in his words and deeds. His relationship to an older woman, Diney (Calista Flockhart looking real, not just cute) makes sense when you see how much she yearns for his honesty and his sense of wonder. Despite a high ethical standard set by his father, Karchy is a noted fabricator of fibs. Everyone who hears his stock line "Lots of times", knows he is lying.

Enter Kevin Bacon, the perfect Svengali for a boy looking to become a man in the "coolest" way possible. Bacon is a hot disc jockey, whose personal code of honor is questionable. There is no question that this is one of his strongest performances ever. From body language to his Texas twang, his regret at how his life turned out (from a brief glimpse he shares late in the movie) makes him a standout playing an early 60's "lounge lizard". Bacon has a fine portfolio of work, but this is his ultimate role.

Music and set are perfect for this nostalgic look back to the 60's. A great film, underappreciated by many.

Lyrical Remembrance
When he wasn't writing trashy, empty thrillers (Basic Instinct, Jade, Sliver), Joe Eszterhaz must have been reminiscing about his childhood, modulating what would eventually become Telling Lies In America, a great, tender, beautifully rendered film. Set in the early 1960s Cleveland Ohio, it is the story of Karchy Jonas (Brad Renfro), a 17-year-old son of a Hungarian mill worker (Maximilian Schell) who had been a PHD in law in the old country. Something, Karchy never fails to mention to all the authority figures in his life. All the father wants in life is for he and his son to become naturalized citizens. Duly, Karchy goes to the expensive school the old man has obviously strained to pay for where, unpopular, he bluffs about all the things there are to bluff about. He works nights at a grocery store where Diney (Calista Flockhart) also works in a pained saddened silence. He comes on to her with his obvious bluffs, the little lies that are so obvious to the worldly Diney that she pities him, or is amused by him. At night he comes home to the little house he shares with his father, looks in the mirror and desperately tries to pronounce "the" which without exception always seems to come out "da".

Its fair to say that Telling Lies In America has its fair share of cliches. Those little cornets every coming of age film has to play. You have your hypocritical teacher/priest, your unattainable female Diney, her overbearing suitor Henry (Luke Wilson) and most importantly, Billy Magic (Kevin Bacon). Magic is one of those characters most filmgoers could draw from memory; the slicked back hair, the envy inducing array of lady-friends, babbling on his radio show in his all important "slanguage" while he offers his listeners some "ear conditioning" on a particularly hot day. Karchy is in awe of him. Except that the film wastes no time in exposing Magic as damaged goods. And Bacon, in some wry moments lets some of the man's bitterness show. Magic seems to like Karchy too, maybe he sees himself in the kid who can't help but showoff all the time. Or more ominously, he sees a profitable way to employ Karchy's masterful aversion to telling the truth.

The director Guy Ferland gives the film a luminous, late 50s early 60s memorabilia rich look. The score by Nicholas Pixe, a trickling of organ, is stated only in the film's key scenes. It's a good sign, especially in a period film, when the direction and the music only impress in retrospect, rather then stick out and draw attention to themselves. They work in congruence with the story. The effect is that of nostalgia. Not hokey nostalgia, but the memories of growing up, with its highs and lows compressed into a hypnotic two hours. The cliches are not cliches if they're happening to and around people you know.

Telling Lies in America will touch those nerve endings that responded to Barry Levinson's Diner. Even if this one isn't as witty with its dialogue or as generous with its guffaws, I like it better. I like the way Eszterhas weaves the humor of the Spanish fly episode, the familiar tale of a self-loathing bully into the story of a kid who just wants to be liked, without stepping into one saccharine puddle. Right up to it bittersweet ending, the film never hits a false note. It maybe ironic, that Karchy who is essentially a stand in for Esztherhas learns that he "doesn't have to showoff so much", has spawned the writer who would write a lot of showoffy trash. You'd think that it would take a very special film for me to forgive Showgirls. Luckily for him, this one is.

Brad is so sexy!
I was suprised at how great this movie was. I've been a fan of Brad Renfro for a long time and I knew he would be great. Telling Lies is not your run of the mill coming of age story. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

An Incredible Movie That was Snubbed by Oscar
This is the kind of film that has those moments of depth and power that make one wish to watch the film again and again. The cast is magnifacent. In my opinion it is the incredibly talented Brad Renfro that really carries the film. Kevin Bacon has received a lot of deserving praise, but it is Renfro who steals many a scene. He was 14 or 15 when he made this film, but his character is 17. He gives a very mature performance from the opening to the end's moving and inspiring freeze frame shot. Another notable player is Calista Flockhart in a pre-Ally McBeal role. And she is tremendous. It is a shame that Oscar nominations did not go to the three. Another stand-out element of the movie is the beautiful score. The music is completely in tact in its goal to provide an appropriate backdrop to the bittersweet mood of the film. I wish the movie had a soundtrack! I also wish that this movie would come back to shelves again! I want it for Christmas. This is definitely a film that one can not watch just once!

OK, 4 1/2 stars! :)
Two words: GREAT MOVIE! Both Kevin Bacon and Brad Renfro (who just became my new favorite actor, I think!) were excelent, and the story is wonderful. Nice to see Calista Flockheart looking relatively normal, and not rail-thin. I really liked the part Brad goes to Calista when his whole world seems to be crashing down around him. Also, when the one woman said that he was "gentle." Very sweet moment. If you haven't already, SEE THIS MOVIE! The only reason I saw it was because Jonathan Rhys Meyers was in it, but he kinda had a small part. I would have liked to see more of him, and I would have liked to see about what he talked about in confession (if you've seen it, you know what I mean). Anyhoo, great flick, and I highly recommend it!

The immigrant experience in America is updated...
from a surprising source! Joe Esterhaz, not a particular favorite of mine, shines in the telling of his autobiographical "coming of age" story as a teenage immigrant in the early 60's. Much has been made of the immigrant experience in the earlier part of the century, but this film gives us insight into what it was like for Europeans to be transported to America's "golden age".

Maximillian Schell is back on the screen, and welcome as the father of Esterhaz' alter-ego, Karchy Jonas. He is a bit puzzling until you learn that he was a highly educated man in his native Hungary, forced into menial labor in his new country of choice. He has instilled his belief in the power of being an American citizen in his son, Karchy, played by Brad Renfro. Renfro is believable and gives a delicious naivete to the role of Karchy, both in his words and deeds. His relationship to an older woman, Diney (Calista Flockhart looking real, not just cute) makes sense when you see how much she yearns for his honesty and his sense of wonder. Despite a high ethical standard set by his father, Karchy is a noted fabricator of fibs. Everyone who hears his stock line "Lots of times", knows he is lying.

Enter Kevin Bacon, the perfect Svengali for a boy looking to become a man in the "coolest" way possible. Bacon is a hot disc jockey, whose personal code of honor is questionable. There is no question that this is one of his strongest performances ever. From body language to his Texas twang, his regret at how his life turned out (from a brief glimpse he shares late in the movie) makes him a standout playing an early 60's "lounge lizard". Bacon has a fine portfolio of work, but this is his ultimate role.

Music and set are perfect for this nostalgic look back to the 60's. A great film, underappreciated by many.

Lyrical Remembrance
When he wasn't writing trashy, empty thrillers (Basic Instinct, Jade, Sliver), Joe Eszterhaz must have been reminiscing about his childhood, modulating what would eventually become Telling Lies In America, a great, tender, beautifully rendered film. Set in the early 1960s Cleveland Ohio, it is the story of Karchy Jonas (Brad Renfro), a 17-year-old son of a Hungarian mill worker (Maximilian Schell) who had been a PHD in law in the old country. Something, Karchy never fails to mention to all the authority figures in his life. All the father wants in life is for he and his son to become naturalized citizens. Duly, Karchy goes to the expensive school the old man has obviously strained to pay for where, unpopular, he bluffs about all the things there are to bluff about. He works nights at a grocery store where Diney (Calista Flockhart) also works in a pained saddened silence. He comes on to her with his obvious bluffs, the little lies that are so obvious to the worldly Diney that she pities him, or is amused by him. At night he comes home to the little house he shares with his father, looks in the mirror and desperately tries to pronounce "the" which without exception always seems to come out "da".

Its fair to say that Telling Lies In America has its fair share of cliches. Those little cornets every coming of age film has to play. You have your hypocritical teacher/priest, your unattainable female Diney, her overbearing suitor Henry (Luke Wilson) and most importantly, Billy Magic (Kevin Bacon). Magic is one of those characters most filmgoers could draw from memory; the slicked back hair, the envy inducing array of lady-friends, babbling on his radio show in his all important "slanguage" while he offers his listeners some "ear conditioning" on a particularly hot day. Karchy is in awe of him. Except that the film wastes no time in exposing Magic as damaged goods. And Bacon, in some wry moments lets some of the man's bitterness show. Magic seems to like Karchy too, maybe he sees himself in the kid who can't help but showoff all the time. Or more ominously, he sees a profitable way to employ Karchy's masterful aversion to telling the truth.

The director Guy Ferland gives the film a luminous, late 50s early 60s memorabilia rich look. The score by Nicholas Pixe, a trickling of organ, is stated only in the film's key scenes. It's a good sign, especially in a period film, when the direction and the music only impress in retrospect, rather then stick out and draw attention to themselves. They work in congruence with the story. The effect is that of nostalgia. Not hokey nostalgia, but the memories of growing up, with its highs and lows compressed into a hypnotic two hours. The cliches are not cliches if they're happening to and around people you know.

Telling Lies in America will touch those nerve endings that responded to Barry Levinson's Diner. Even if this one isn't as witty with its dialogue or as generous with its guffaws, I like it better. I like the way Eszterhas weaves the humor of the Spanish fly episode, the familiar tale of a self-loathing bully into the story of a kid who just wants to be liked, without stepping into one saccharine puddle. Right up to it bittersweet ending, the film never hits a false note. It maybe ironic, that Karchy who is essentially a stand in for Esztherhas learns that he "doesn't have to showoff so much", has spawned the writer who would write a lot of showoffy trash. You'd think that it would take a very special film for me to forgive Showgirls. Luckily for him, this one is.

Brad is so sexy!
I was suprised at how great this movie was. I've been a fan of Brad Renfro for a long time and I knew he would be great. Telling Lies is not your run of the mill coming of age story. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Chilling and heartbreakingly true
This movie had me in tears. I feel it needs to be shown at the highschool I went to. While I was not picked on I witnessed so many things that are potrayed in this film. I knew kids who fantasized about killing way before Columbine happned, who imagined their own public suicides. In fact when Columbine happened I not only was horrified and sickened over those that were murdered but I also couldn't help but feel sorry for those that did the killing and shot themselves. Someone close to me was going through extreme torment at highschool and the injustice of the administration ignoring the problem can make you understand how people can go so far. With the combination of nihlism, bullying, and the over all obsession with violence this culture has it is not suprising that things like this happen. This film should be mandatory viewing in every highschool in America. Since I left highschool I fear things are only getting darker. Guns and bullies have always exsisted--something else is going on in society that is causing our children to capable of such violence...on both sides. Just look at Mepham High school...not too far from where i grew up. Rape is now added to the list of highschool torment. Sick Sick Sick.

Just... wow...
This is the sort of movie people NEED to watch. The first, and even second time I saw this movie, I had almost cried. I'm a high school student, sophomore right now, and I remember I used to go through that a lot. Parents, if you feel like you and your kid(s) got some distance between you and you ask them that dreaded question, "how was school?" and they don't answer back, watch this movie and you might be a step if not completely understanding your kid. And for those that take a shock after seeing this movie, welcome to real life. This is how it is. And goodness forbid that you're kid should be the bully who tries to act tough; we got too many inflated egos here, let's try to deflate them in a peaceful manner, eh? To even go further, kids, don't be afraid of your teacher. If your teacher's one of those few, cool ones that you get along with then talk to them. Also be careful of the crowd you may hang out with. If it's unavoidable, don't be a puppet/follower, be the puppeteer/leader and steer them in the wrong direction. If they try to steer you, leave and let the wolves wipe themselves out as Denzel said in Training Day.

Feelings provoked that no other movie has done.....
A few years ago (2001) I played the title role of Josh in 'Bang Bang You're Dead' the play in Massachusetts at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts High School, and it was the most challenging role I have ever played and the most rewarding experience of my life, no joke. The play was so amazing and brought out my emotions, that are normally kept hidden, in ways I've never known before. I feel in the very short time that I did the show, I tapped into so many emotions that I didn't know I had. It was so utterly real, that it was frightening for me to play Josh and to become (even for a few performances) the person that he was. I never shared his feelings before or had been through what he has in high school (thank god) and I feel so fortunate for my life. The screenplay is so exciting, thought-provoking, slap-in-face realistic etc. It spoke to me and impressed me more than any other play I have ever read or played in. The very same goes for the movie. I have seen many movies in my life (some pretty amazing ones are out there, ie. Donnie Darko, my favorite) but when I saw the movie two years after my portayal of Josh, the same emotions were brought out of me like the play. The play and the film are both amazing, and though may not stand out in special-effects or cinematography, it is a mind-boggler and not in a stupid- Vanilla Sky what-the-hell-is-going-on way but in a realistic, this is really life for thousands of people out there way. I highly suggest this movie and I highly suggest that every high school should either show this movie for the student body or, more importantly, put on the play for the community. It speaks out to everyone and you'd have to be heartless to scoff at this movie. It may feel like an exaggeration of realism to people who can't relate with this character, but you have to understand from his point of view because there are so many people out there that feel just like Josh and nothing being done about it. Maybe I am being biased because I was Josh in the play and really got into who he was and how he felt, nevertheless this movie is a must-see. Truly.

Words cannot describe or explain how this movie made me feel
I had never heard of this movie, or the play, until yesterday when I happened to be channel surfing. I stopped, and I watched it. I am so glad I did. I'm going to be a junior in high school next year, and about five or six years back my school had an anthrax threat. Which was scary... we also had a lot of people with "hit lists" that were caught after that. Sometimes I can feel the tension within my school... there are people when I see the way they act that I just think they would be the ones to fly off the handle one day. Columbine made me sad beyond words; I was younger when that happened, and as I get older it just pains me more and more to think of the violence going on in schools. When I was in elementary school I was picked on and teased, although not to the extent that Trevor (Ben Foster's character) was picked on. My school isn't that big and they always had a strict non-violence code. It would be so easy for someone to plan a shooting at my school, and that is why next year I am going to not only show this DVD to the board of education and tell them to show the students, but also talk to the drama club president and see if we could put on the play "Bang Bang You're Dead." This movie moved myself and all of my friends to tears - being in high school, we can directly relate and feel empathy toward the characters in this movie. This movie shocked my parents and opened their eyes to what really goes on in high school - now, instead of saying, "Ignore them," when I tell them about somebody bothering me, they actually care and talk about it. There is some real violence and pain in schools today, and I think that if this was a required viewing, many of those students would feel different about what they fantasize about doing.

One of My Favorites
For a movie that was made for Showtime, a friend and i watched this and found it to be absolutely outstanding. A movie about how teen violence and it how Trevor is affected by his surroundings. I recommend this movie to everyone. ... Read more