Reviews (27)

Knife in the head = a stabbing headache
As "Jesus' Son" began, I braced myself for yet one more depressing character study of low-life, substance-addicted losers a la "Panic In Needle Park", "Barfly", "Sid and Nancy" or "(insert name of your favorite Gus van Sant film here)". However,as the movie unfolded I realized that I was watching the kind of subtle yet picaresque tale that has been MIA in American cinema since the 70's..."Scarecrow", "Two-Lane Blacktop", "Rancho Deluxe", etc. The chameleon-like Billy Crudup scores as the chronically underachieving antihero, delivering his first-person voiceover in a non-linear "verite" style. Samantha Morton ("Sweet & Lowdown") gives a notable performance as Crudup's enabling junkie girlfriend. The irrepressible Jack Black continues his reign as the Thinking Man's Chris Farley with a memorable turn as a manic,pill popping hospital orderly with interesting ideas about "prepping" patients. Great cameos abound, including a virtually unrecognizable Denis Leary (who for once goes a little deeper than just playing himself). Quite rewarding for patient viewers.

A Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s
It's hard to believe that Drugstore Cowboy was released as long ago as 1989. Just as Trainspotting was described as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '90s", it's tempting to describe Jesus' Son as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s". Like Gus Van Sant's now-classic film, the story revolves around two heroin addicts (Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, both excellent), it's set in the somewhat recent past (the '70s instead of the '60s) and it's based on a previously existing literary source; in this case, Denis Johnson's short story collection of the same name. But despite everything -- mostly bad -- that "FH" (Crudup) experiences throughout the course of the film, Jesus' Son is more of a character study (Crudup also serves as the narrator). Some may still find it just as off-putting as Drugstore Cowboy, which didn't seem to judge its characters. But Jesus' Son isn't as concerned with FH's drug use as much as his very character, his nature -- his "essence", if you will. And if you can't find anything to love about the hapless FH, you'll probably feel the same way about Alison Maclean's striking film (after the well received, but little seen Crush). As in High Fidelity, Jack Black provides much of the humor, although Crudup proves himself surprisingly adept at comedy in a few choice moments. Dennis Hopper, Denis Leary and Holly Hunter (in a well acted, but not particularly convincing role) also star. Fans of The Panic in Needle Park (featuring Al Pacino in his first lead performance), Vincent Gallo's loopy Buffalo 66 and, especially, Drugstore Cowboy should find much to enjoy. Joe Henry's fine soundtrack only sweetens the deal, the highlight of which must surely be Tommy Roe's funky "Sweet Pea", to which Ms. Morton (as Michelle) does *quite* the dance, drawing FH into her dangerously compelling world without saying a word.

Sidenote: The Velvet Underground's "Heroin", in which Lou Reed proclaims that he feels "just like Jesus' Son" when he's "rushing on [his] run", isn't featured in either the film or on the soundtrack.

Dark laughter: tears: redemption
My first take on first viewing was: right, I want to watch a movie about some disgusting, sleazy, young idiots. The sex. The violence. The drugs. And then, you start to pay attention to the narrator's voice, and you begin to understand the intelligence, the attempt at a philosopy of life that lies behind the voice. And you laugh as a dead guy gets beat up in a corn field.
I own two movies--the other is John Huston's "The Dead". I only buy movies that have enough complexity in script, acting, and production, that you can watch over and over and still see new things.
This is a movie that changes gears on you constantly. One viewing will not suffice.
I still scream with laughter when I see it, and I still weep.

"Have your ticket in your hand...
. . .Before it is too late" ~ That line comes from the Woodie Guthrie tune, Airline To Heaven,(performed by Wilco)that plays over the end credits of Jesus' Son. It captures the flavor of this movie, & it sums up the blend of hope, loss, faith & acceptance of life ~ not only for drug guzzling "losers", but for any & everyone.

The late 60's/early 70's didn't exactly corner the market on lost weirdo's who found solace behind a substance-induced mask of happiness. One of my closest friends IS that character that Denis Leary plays ~ sometimes comical, sometimes tragic. Just like this movie.

Jesus' Son offers the really straight, by-the-numbers people a little insight into the people & lives that those folks usually avoid & disregard; "only bad people use drugs".

Not so.

It's also interesting to watch a movie that has character's using a variety of street drugs that was made at a time, currently, that is, when most young people in this culture have been heavily bombarded with anti-drug/"War On Drugs" propaganda, & have been steadily for about twenty yrs or so . . yet the story is of an era where that level of propaganda wasn't as pervasive & all encompassing as it is today.

Well, anyway, other people have already written better reviews of this than I could, or have, but I had to write something about this heartfelt little movie.
"Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by & by"

"I Feel Just Like Jesus' Son"
If you came of age (or nearly did) in the 60's, you may recall a moment--very likely sometime in the early 70's, unless you were extremely prescient and saw it coming earlier--when all the hippie idealism pretty much just dissolved before your eyes and was replaced by...well, whatever it was replaced by. I recall being actually kind of angry at all these small town stoners whose only countercultural value was, quite frankly, drug taking. Society was not about to undergo a profound spiritual transformation at their hands. Of course, it was scarcely about to at anyone else's either...but who knew back then?

Lost souls like JESUS SON'S "FH" were really not uncommon back in the day. They may not have been uncommon back in any day. But the 60s and early 70s brand was perhaps a little more noticeable and, in some senses, sympathetic because of their vaguely anti-establishment stance. For a brief moment in history, outcasts were almost taken seriously. These people really did exist. As surreal as JESUS' SON sometimes gets, it remains grounded in its very vivid, very authentic characters.

Yes, there were certain junkie truths that ultimately became cinematic cliches. The numrerous OD's, the failed love relationships and the sporadic attempts at redemption are all elements of JESUS' SON. And yet, they come across as less cliched in this particular druggie film than in some others. Perhaps it's because the acting is almost uniformly excellent--with leads, Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, deserving of particular praise. Perhaps too it's, at least in part, because FH's ultimate redemption is a plausible one. Out of rehab, he gets a job in a different kind of rehabilitation center, a home for sufferers of rare neurological diseases. It is finally there that he realizes that there may indeed be a place in the world for people like him.

Many viewers will find the final, sobered up segment of the film a little weaker dramatically than the drug addled scenes that precede it. That's true, but the end is also something of a relief. FH would surely have joined the ranks of his fallen comrades in arms had it not been for rehab and the chance at a new life in a new city. It's the kind of ending you could call "bittersweet"--if you use terminology like that. It's also one of only two possible endings for someone like "FH"--and, like him, you're grateful for that much.

When I first heard of this movie, I immediately recognized the source of the title as being a line from Lou Reed's "Heroin." I was disappointed, at first, to see that that song was not incluced on the soundtrack. But on further reflection, that actually seemed the better choice. Lou Reed is the quintessetial urban poet. FH never even comes close to New York City or any other real metropolis. The Neil Young, Doug Sahm and Louvin Brothers tracks actually used in the film are actually more fitting. ... Read more

Description

'Subway Stories' ' captures the laughter, the fear, the sexiness and the strangeness of riding the New York subways. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Very , Very Pleased
I saw this movie on HBO a couple of years ago, and I have been trying to find it on DVD for a couple of months now, I finally found it on VHS and bought it anyway, cause I just had to have it. The story with Taral Hicks is my favorite, she is trying to reach her mother who is dying in the hospital. She gets stuck and eventually she ends up having to call her from the subway station. When she gets a hold of her mother she sings here favorite song to her over the phone, the song is Troubles of the World. That girl sings the mess out of that song, it will bring tears to your eyes. If you have not seen this movie, you really should.

A Wonderful Collection of Stories!
The first time I saw "Subway Stories" on HBO, it totally blew me away. The whole concept behind the film was to compile the winning short stories from a contest (all of the stories had to be connected to the subways of New York). While the stories are diverse in their plots and themes, I couldn't help but be glued to the TV anticipating the next story. There is something there for everyone. I was particularly fond of John Guare's segment about the war vet pan-handling on the train, although all of the stories were much better than average.

My only problem with this movie is that it is not yet available on DVD. IF you haven't seen this and are a fan of short stories, you will love this movie.

Waiting for the DVD
Please please please release "Subway Stories" on DVD! Its a great movie, but I'm waiting for the DVD (perhaps with some extras)!

John Rocker can't ride the subway, but i will
when i lived in maine, i was only 6 hours from NYC, and i made a habit to go to the big city whenever i could. I always rode the subway. some people may think it's crazy, but i have always been fascinated by them.the last time i was there, i rode one from greenwich village to queens at 130 in the morning and became dazzled by the wonder of gotham. This movie will leave you dazzled by the the variety of the themes presented her., from a snooty rich woman who gets locked in the subway and has to stay there over night, ending up acting like a homeless person. to the old man on the train who gives stock tips to a young trade, these stories tell people more about new york city than any travel giude could. my favorite is the one featuring rosie perez who flirts with a married man on the train

5 Star Presentation
I watched most of this while in a motel. This movie is incredible. It's very interesting and entertaining. It's one of those movies that makes you think and makes you laugh and the music by Mecca Bodega is spectacular. If you don't already own this I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

twisted sleeper, great character portrait
I am surprised by the other review posted of this film. This was the full length feature debut by Kiwi film maker Allison Maclean who was first brought to attention with her short film "The Kitchen Sink." It is at all times a dark and emotional film, and even unnervingly humorous at some points. It fully delves into the complex and generally tenuous relationships between women. It shows the intense jealousy and rivalry that can co-exist with a fierce loyalty and comraderie all at once between two intelligent and successful women. While I have read reviews of this film that hint at a lesbian relationship between the two adult female leads, I never picked up on it, but did read a strong possiblity of that attraction between Lane (Hardin) and Angela (Bossley). I think the contrast of the good and evil in the established relationship between Lane and Christina, and then getting to see the evolution of both those elements through the development of the almost perverse friendship between Lane and Angela is fascinating. This film is a beautiful portrait of the conflicted relationships that exist between women in our modern society and the fact that there is a male sexual relationship thrown in is almost secondary and not comepletely necessary for the ultimate storyline. The bleak and harsh New Zealand back-drop is a perfect setting for this story as well. I own this film personally and can without a doubt recommend this for at least a pre-purchase veiwing. Also of note: Director Allison Maclean directed the first 2 episodes of HBO's Sex and the City

A thriller that never thrills
Limp, lackluster plot with uninspired acting and uninteresting characters. The only possible point of interest is Marcia Gay Harden of 'Miller's Crossing.' She hasn't had many good parts other than that film, and this isn't one of them. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Why so few?
I've enjoyed pete and pete and artie and ellen for years. So few shows on television have humor, thought and style. Why don't they release more videos? Do they not want our money? I have Classic Petes and Farewell, My Little Viking and they shine with surreal light and great storytelling. I hear there's a third video somewhere. There should be more, many more.

Demand the release of more Pete & Pete videos
This wonderful show is great for all ages. Well rounded plots with quirky dark comedy. Why is no one producing these videos for sale? I would gladly pay $25 for a 3 episode tape. How about reruns? Anything!

Great Series
THis was a great classic show, I just hate the fact that sleazebags here are expecting you to pay $75 for one video.

pete and pete should be on DVD!!!!
I want my pete and pete to be complete! I wish they would release all these fantastic shows on a better format that is more widely available. Pete and Pete was pure genious and should not be forgotton!!!

Rock on Pete and Pete!

Pete and Pete and Teddy
The best people in Pete and Pete are Endless Mike, Teddy,Big Pete and Artie the Strongest Man in the World!!!! I agree that they should sell a box set of the whole series. And just to let everyone know, the show comes on the "Noggin" channel. I watch it everyday and love it. It's excellentay!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

BORING?!?!
okay, that guy was stupid, anyone who ever was cultured in the ways of nick shows growing up has GOT to have loved PETE & PETE. i personally thought that this was the best show to ever come out of that network. other than ren and stimpy and rockos modern life. but pete and pete was always there for me, as was the others. and for someone to down grade it is a total bummer. they have no sense of humor and should get back to teaching their 4th grade class and prune juice smoothies. not to mention burning in hell.

Irate Pete and Pete fan
How could anyone give this classic show a 1-star rating? Sir, people like you should not be allowed to speak in public, or anywhere for that matter. Oh, and the video is really funny. Buy it, now.

Boring
"The Adventres of Pete and Pete" is boring including that it has to do with two brothers having the same name and a stupid tattoo. I give this * (1 out of 5).

Wonderful Entertainment for Everyone
The clever and highly original spelling of the title ("daze" instead of "days") gives the viewer a clue as to the sort of lighthearted tomfoolery and hilarious pranks which are to be seen in this marvelous compilation of episodes from one of Nickelodeon's greatest programs ever. The witty, engaging young Danny Tamberelli portrays "Little Pete", one of the most memorable characters in the annals of show business; the humorous antics of this merry little madcap will delight every viewer. He has, of course, since gone on to even greater fame and artistic achievement, having become a major part of the cast of "All That", another great Nickelodeon series. The role of "Big Pete" was played by Michael C. Maronna, a gifted actor who would later gain wide recognition and praise by starring in a series of wonderfully entertaining commercials. The rest of the cast was just as talented, particularly the lovely and charming Syd Straw, and the distinguished Toby Huss. This wonderful series is sure to please everyone, so it is probably a good idea to purchase at least two or three copies of each video. This is undoubtedly the greatest comedy series in the history of the world, and promises a rollicking good time for every viewer. ... Read more

Description

Each episode of Sex & the City deal with the romantic challenges that single women face when they start seeing the big three oh in the rear view mirror & start finding new suitable mates. These challenges are revealed through the eyes of several friends, each of whom has their own ideas on how to catch Mr. Right. There's Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), who pushed the envelope of dating & sex in the name of journalism; Samantha (Kim Catrall), a PR Executive who has seen (& done) it all; Charlotte (Kristin Davis), an art deal who believes love conquers all, despite a tottering marriage; & Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), a lawyer now contemplating motherhood. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sex and the City: The Complete Fifth Season
I am always impressed with the ladies and their adventures. I live viCARIously (pun intended) through them. I also GET the messages of each show, which in turn, helps me when I'm weeding out and saving me from a fate with the monkey-men I have had the misfortune of dining out with and/or starting a relationship with.

I found fault with Carrie's breakup with Aidan. I thought the script was mean and portrayed Carrie as a brat and Aidan a victim. I think it could have ended better. It colored my view of her for a while, but I got over it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The complete first season of Sex and the City is available on VHS and DVD, but those not ready to commit to that kind of long-term relationship can enjoy one-night stands with this video containing the first two episodes of HBO's Golden Globe award-winning series based on the book byCandace Bushnell. Sarah Jessica Parker earned Best Actress honors as Carrie Bradshaw, a "sexual anthropologist," who writes "Sex and the City," a newspaper column that chronicles the state of sexual affairs of Manhattanites in this "age of un-innocence." Her "posse," including nice girl Charlotte (Kristin Davis), hard-edged Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and incredibly promiscuous Samantha (Kim Cattral)--not to mention her own tumultuous love life--gives her plenty of column fodder. In the first episode, Carrie and company turn the tables on "toxic bachelors" and decide to start having "sex like a man." That will change when she meets Mr. Big (Chris Noth). Episode 2 coins the term"modelizer": a guy who is obsessed with and only dates models. Sex and the City boasts an exemplary ensemble and graphic girl talk not ready for prime time on the broadcast networks (with apologies to George Carlin, it turns out there are way more than seven words you can never say on television). Some may accuse this series of male bashing, but women, after years of enduring shows of "men behaving badly," will relish the equal time. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (8)

exellent introduction to the series
Contains the first two episodes from Season 1 of SEX AND THE CITY.

SEX AND THE CITY - At a "thirty-something" birthday party, Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her friends dicuss the age-old question: Can women have sex like men? Directed by Susan Seidelman

MODELS AND MORTALS - Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) makes the mistake of going out with a man who's obsessed with models. Carrie experiments with a handsome model and researches the question: How much power do beautiful people have? Directed by Alison Maclean.

Featuring Kim Cattrall (Samantha Jones), Kristen Davis (Charlotte York), Chris Noth (Mr Big) and Willie Garson (Stanford Blatch).

Don't stop after just 2 episodes!
I was one of those who blindly bought the entire first season. I was hooked after about 10 minutes! I have recently purchased the entire second season set and can hardly wait until the third season comes out on tape. I don't have cable TV nor do many of my friends--but we've all gotten to be big fans of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte. It is so refreshing to see 4 beautiful 30-something females going through life with all its road bumps and saying exactly what's on their minds. You go, girls!!

The best show on TV
I love this show and I can relate to it tons like a lot of other women also can. This show makes me feel secure about being a women and about being in my own skin. I say if you havent seen any of the shows then get this and start watching.

Sophisticated, Witty and Very Adult
These two first episodes of the 'Sex and the City' series are very, very funny and very adult. There IS a place for truly grown up humor and, unlike some other HBO series, the language and sexual situations on 'S&C' are not there for shock value, they're there because that's how some people (these very sophisticated, privleged New Yorkers) talk and act. Perhaps with a little exaggeration, but how lucky you are to be a fly on the wall! So you may, at first, be pushing your jaw closed or squirming in your seat--but hang in there. It's addictive and bet you can't just watch two.

A Little Taste of Naughtiness
If you're a person not willing to shell out the bucks to purchase the entire first season either on VHS or DVD, then this small taste of the popular, Golden-Globe winning series will probably make you change your mind.

"Sex and the City: The First Two Episodes" feature a great cast of some of today's hottest young actresses, doing what the average urban professional does, talk about sex. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) will make you smile, laugh, and savor the wittiness and power the modern woman possesses when it comes to affairs of the bed.

This tape, which contains the premiere episode "Sex & The City" and the second episode "Models & Modelizers" will introduce you to their world of female naughtiness. Chris Noth who plays Mr. Big is wonderful as usual, and if he doesn't make you swoon with his charm and personality, then you have a problem. Sanford, Carrie's best gay friend is also great, and he gives viewers of what it is to be gay and single in New York City.

Purchase this videocassette if you'll like a small taste of what has to be the best show for adults on television. If you do like these episodes, then I encourage you to purchase the entire first series. You'll be a bonafide fan in no time! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Superb Entertainment
This series is the greatest cultural phenomenon of all time. The premise is absolutely brilliant; two brothers have the same first name, the younger one has a tattoo and wears a plaid hunting cap (how utterly cool)! He also frequently addresses others as "blowhole", a charming habit, to be sure. The cast is brilliant, particularly Toby Huss and Syd Straw, who are legends in the world of show business, as exemplified by their continuing popularity throughout the world. Of course, the brilliance of Polaris, the world's greatest band, helps to make this a marvelous addition to the world of culture.

Magnificent
Throughout its long and successful run on Nickelodeon, "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" boasted perhaps the finest aggregation of talent ever assembled in one cast. Leading the way, of course, was the amazing Danny Tamberelli, probably the most gifted comic actor of all time. A great show became even better when the fabulous Michelle Trachtenberg was added to the cast. This captivating young lady, undoubtedly the most talented child actor since Shirley Temple, added great charm to an already marvelous series.

Despite the much-lamented departure of distinguished actor Toby Huss from the cast, the series was strong enough to withstand the blow, and go on to even greater artistic triumphs. With the marvelous scripts, thrilling plot devices, and the genius-inspired music of Polaris, this show surpasses every other program in the history of TV comedy. Everyone should own at least two copies of this video. This wonderful show should be required viewing for everybody.

The best t.v. show ever made
this show is so super rad!! Nothing beats Pete and Pete, and Iggy Pop is awesome!! ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Knife in the head = a stabbing headache
As "Jesus' Son" began, I braced myself for yet one more depressing character study of low-life, substance-addicted losers a la "Panic In Needle Park", "Barfly", "Sid and Nancy" or "(insert name of your favorite Gus van Sant film here)". However,as the movie unfolded I realized that I was watching the kind of subtle yet picaresque tale that has been MIA in American cinema since the 70's..."Scarecrow", "Two-Lane Blacktop", "Rancho Deluxe", etc. The chameleon-like Billy Crudup scores as the chronically underachieving antihero, delivering his first-person voiceover in a non-linear "verite" style. Samantha Morton ("Sweet & Lowdown") gives a notable performance as Crudup's enabling junkie girlfriend. The irrepressible Jack Black continues his reign as the Thinking Man's Chris Farley with a memorable turn as a manic,pill popping hospital orderly with interesting ideas about "prepping" patients. Great cameos abound, including a virtually unrecognizable Denis Leary (who for once goes a little deeper than just playing himself). Quite rewarding for patient viewers.

A Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s
It's hard to believe that Drugstore Cowboy was released as long ago as 1989. Just as Trainspotting was described as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '90s", it's tempting to describe Jesus' Son as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s". Like Gus Van Sant's now-classic film, the story revolves around two heroin addicts (Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, both excellent), it's set in the somewhat recent past (the '70s instead of the '60s) and it's based on a previously existing literary source; in this case, Denis Johnson's short story collection of the same name. But despite everything -- mostly bad -- that "FH" (Crudup) experiences throughout the course of the film, Jesus' Son is more of a character study (Crudup also serves as the narrator). Some may still find it just as off-putting as Drugstore Cowboy, which didn't seem to judge its characters. But Jesus' Son isn't as concerned with FH's drug use as much as his very character, his nature -- his "essence", if you will. And if you can't find anything to love about the hapless FH, you'll probably feel the same way about Alison Maclean's striking film (after the well received, but little seen Crush). As in High Fidelity, Jack Black provides much of the humor, although Crudup proves himself surprisingly adept at comedy in a few choice moments. Dennis Hopper, Denis Leary and Holly Hunter (in a well acted, but not particularly convincing role) also star. Fans of The Panic in Needle Park (featuring Al Pacino in his first lead performance), Vincent Gallo's loopy Buffalo 66 and, especially, Drugstore Cowboy should find much to enjoy. Joe Henry's fine soundtrack only sweetens the deal, the highlight of which must surely be Tommy Roe's funky "Sweet Pea", to which Ms. Morton (as Michelle) does *quite* the dance, drawing FH into her dangerously compelling world without saying a word.

Sidenote: The Velvet Underground's "Heroin", in which Lou Reed proclaims that he feels "just like Jesus' Son" when he's "rushing on [his] run", isn't featured in either the film or on the soundtrack.

Dark laughter: tears: redemption
My first take on first viewing was: right, I want to watch a movie about some disgusting, sleazy, young idiots. The sex. The violence. The drugs. And then, you start to pay attention to the narrator's voice, and you begin to understand the intelligence, the attempt at a philosopy of life that lies behind the voice. And you laugh as a dead guy gets beat up in a corn field.
I own two movies--the other is John Huston's "The Dead". I only buy movies that have enough complexity in script, acting, and production, that you can watch over and over and still see new things.
This is a movie that changes gears on you constantly. One viewing will not suffice.
I still scream with laughter when I see it, and I still weep.

"Have your ticket in your hand...
. . .Before it is too late" ~ That line comes from the Woodie Guthrie tune, Airline To Heaven,(performed by Wilco)that plays over the end credits of Jesus' Son. It captures the flavor of this movie, & it sums up the blend of hope, loss, faith & acceptance of life ~ not only for drug guzzling "losers", but for any & everyone.

The late 60's/early 70's didn't exactly corner the market on lost weirdo's who found solace behind a substance-induced mask of happiness. One of my closest friends IS that character that Denis Leary plays ~ sometimes comical, sometimes tragic. Just like this movie.

Jesus' Son offers the really straight, by-the-numbers people a little insight into the people & lives that those folks usually avoid & disregard; "only bad people use drugs".

Not so.

It's also interesting to watch a movie that has character's using a variety of street drugs that was made at a time, currently, that is, when most young people in this culture have been heavily bombarded with anti-drug/"War On Drugs" propaganda, & have been steadily for about twenty yrs or so . . yet the story is of an era where that level of propaganda wasn't as pervasive & all encompassing as it is today.

Well, anyway, other people have already written better reviews of this than I could, or have, but I had to write something about this heartfelt little movie.
"Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by & by"

"I Feel Just Like Jesus' Son"
If you came of age (or nearly did) in the 60's, you may recall a moment--very likely sometime in the early 70's, unless you were extremely prescient and saw it coming earlier--when all the hippie idealism pretty much just dissolved before your eyes and was replaced by...well, whatever it was replaced by. I recall being actually kind of angry at all these small town stoners whose only countercultural value was, quite frankly, drug taking. Society was not about to undergo a profound spiritual transformation at their hands. Of course, it was scarcely about to at anyone else's either...but who knew back then?

Lost souls like JESUS SON'S "FH" were really not uncommon back in the day. They may not have been uncommon back in any day. But the 60s and early 70s brand was perhaps a little more noticeable and, in some senses, sympathetic because of their vaguely anti-establishment stance. For a brief moment in history, outcasts were almost taken seriously. These people really did exist. As surreal as JESUS' SON sometimes gets, it remains grounded in its very vivid, very authentic characters.

Yes, there were certain junkie truths that ultimately became cinematic cliches. The numrerous OD's, the failed love relationships and the sporadic attempts at redemption are all elements of JESUS' SON. And yet, they come across as less cliched in this particular druggie film than in some others. Perhaps it's because the acting is almost uniformly excellent--with leads, Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, deserving of particular praise. Perhaps too it's, at least in part, because FH's ultimate redemption is a plausible one. Out of rehab, he gets a job in a different kind of rehabilitation center, a home for sufferers of rare neurological diseases. It is finally there that he realizes that there may indeed be a place in the world for people like him.

Many viewers will find the final, sobered up segment of the film a little weaker dramatically than the drug addled scenes that precede it. That's true, but the end is also something of a relief. FH would surely have joined the ranks of his fallen comrades in arms had it not been for rehab and the chance at a new life in a new city. It's the kind of ending you could call "bittersweet"--if you use terminology like that. It's also one of only two possible endings for someone like "FH"--and, like him, you're grateful for that much.

When I first heard of this movie, I immediately recognized the source of the title as being a line from Lou Reed's "Heroin." I was disappointed, at first, to see that that song was not incluced on the soundtrack. But on further reflection, that actually seemed the better choice. Lou Reed is the quintessetial urban poet. FH never even comes close to New York City or any other real metropolis. The Neil Young, Doug Sahm and Louvin Brothers tracks actually used in the film are actually more fitting. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Very , Very Pleased
I saw this movie on HBO a couple of years ago, and I have been trying to find it on DVD for a couple of months now, I finally found it on VHS and bought it anyway, cause I just had to have it. The story with Taral Hicks is my favorite, she is trying to reach her mother who is dying in the hospital. She gets stuck and eventually she ends up having to call her from the subway station. When she gets a hold of her mother she sings here favorite song to her over the phone, the song is Troubles of the World. That girl sings the mess out of that song, it will bring tears to your eyes. If you have not seen this movie, you really should.

A Wonderful Collection of Stories!
The first time I saw "Subway Stories" on HBO, it totally blew me away. The whole concept behind the film was to compile the winning short stories from a contest (all of the stories had to be connected to the subways of New York). While the stories are diverse in their plots and themes, I couldn't help but be glued to the TV anticipating the next story. There is something there for everyone. I was particularly fond of John Guare's segment about the war vet pan-handling on the train, although all of the stories were much better than average.

My only problem with this movie is that it is not yet available on DVD. IF you haven't seen this and are a fan of short stories, you will love this movie.

Waiting for the DVD
Please please please release "Subway Stories" on DVD! Its a great movie, but I'm waiting for the DVD (perhaps with some extras)!

John Rocker can't ride the subway, but i will
when i lived in maine, i was only 6 hours from NYC, and i made a habit to go to the big city whenever i could. I always rode the subway. some people may think it's crazy, but i have always been fascinated by them.the last time i was there, i rode one from greenwich village to queens at 130 in the morning and became dazzled by the wonder of gotham. This movie will leave you dazzled by the the variety of the themes presented her., from a snooty rich woman who gets locked in the subway and has to stay there over night, ending up acting like a homeless person. to the old man on the train who gives stock tips to a young trade, these stories tell people more about new york city than any travel giude could. my favorite is the one featuring rosie perez who flirts with a married man on the train

5 Star Presentation
I watched most of this while in a motel. This movie is incredible. It's very interesting and entertaining. It's one of those movies that makes you think and makes you laugh and the music by Mecca Bodega is spectacular. If you don't already own this I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Laugh out loud!
This comedy will knock you down as you see all the seven little pieces of movies wich are all one of the seven deadly sins. Another movie from National lampoon, hilarious, but unfortunatly it is not well known, so very hard to get. If you can actually buy one, grab it and enjoy as it is not produced anymore! Have a great time! ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Knife in the head = a stabbing headache
As "Jesus' Son" began, I braced myself for yet one more depressing character study of low-life, substance-addicted losers a la "Panic In Needle Park", "Barfly", "Sid and Nancy" or "(insert name of your favorite Gus van Sant film here)". However,as the movie unfolded I realized that I was watching the kind of subtle yet picaresque tale that has been MIA in American cinema since the 70's..."Scarecrow", "Two-Lane Blacktop", "Rancho Deluxe", etc. The chameleon-like Billy Crudup scores as the chronically underachieving antihero, delivering his first-person voiceover in a non-linear "verite" style. Samantha Morton ("Sweet & Lowdown") gives a notable performance as Crudup's enabling junkie girlfriend. The irrepressible Jack Black continues his reign as the Thinking Man's Chris Farley with a memorable turn as a manic,pill popping hospital orderly with interesting ideas about "prepping" patients. Great cameos abound, including a virtually unrecognizable Denis Leary (who for once goes a little deeper than just playing himself). Quite rewarding for patient viewers.

A Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s
It's hard to believe that Drugstore Cowboy was released as long ago as 1989. Just as Trainspotting was described as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '90s", it's tempting to describe Jesus' Son as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s". Like Gus Van Sant's now-classic film, the story revolves around two heroin addicts (Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, both excellent), it's set in the somewhat recent past (the '70s instead of the '60s) and it's based on a previously existing literary source; in this case, Denis Johnson's short story collection of the same name. But despite everything -- mostly bad -- that "FH" (Crudup) experiences throughout the course of the film, Jesus' Son is more of a character study (Crudup also serves as the narrator). Some may still find it just as off-putting as Drugstore Cowboy, which didn't seem to judge its characters. But Jesus' Son isn't as concerned with FH's drug use as much as his very character, his nature -- his "essence", if you will. And if you can't find anything to love about the hapless FH, you'll probably feel the same way about Alison Maclean's striking film (after the well received, but little seen Crush). As in High Fidelity, Jack Black provides much of the humor, although Crudup proves himself surprisingly adept at comedy in a few choice moments. Dennis Hopper, Denis Leary and Holly Hunter (in a well acted, but not particularly convincing role) also star. Fans of The Panic in Needle Park (featuring Al Pacino in his first lead performance), Vincent Gallo's loopy Buffalo 66 and, especially, Drugstore Cowboy should find much to enjoy. Joe Henry's fine soundtrack only sweetens the deal, the highlight of which must surely be Tommy Roe's funky "Sweet Pea", to which Ms. Morton (as Michelle) does *quite* the dance, drawing FH into her dangerously compelling world without saying a word.

Sidenote: The Velvet Underground's "Heroin", in which Lou Reed proclaims that he feels "just like Jesus' Son" when he's "rushing on [his] run", isn't featured in either the film or on the soundtrack.

Dark laughter: tears: redemption
My first take on first viewing was: right, I want to watch a movie about some disgusting, sleazy, young idiots. The sex. The violence. The drugs. And then, you start to pay attention to the narrator's voice, and you begin to understand the intelligence, the attempt at a philosopy of life that lies behind the voice. And you laugh as a dead guy gets beat up in a corn field.
I own two movies--the other is John Huston's "The Dead". I only buy movies that have enough complexity in script, acting, and production, that you can watch over and over and still see new things.
This is a movie that changes gears on you constantly. One viewing will not suffice.
I still scream with laughter when I see it, and I still weep.

"Have your ticket in your hand...
. . .Before it is too late" ~ That line comes from the Woodie Guthrie tune, Airline To Heaven,(performed by Wilco)that plays over the end credits of Jesus' Son. It captures the flavor of this movie, & it sums up the blend of hope, loss, faith & acceptance of life ~ not only for drug guzzling "losers", but for any & everyone.

The late 60's/early 70's didn't exactly corner the market on lost weirdo's who found solace behind a substance-induced mask of happiness. One of my closest friends IS that character that Denis Leary plays ~ sometimes comical, sometimes tragic. Just like this movie.

Jesus' Son offers the really straight, by-the-numbers people a little insight into the people & lives that those folks usually avoid & disregard; "only bad people use drugs".

Not so.

It's also interesting to watch a movie that has character's using a variety of street drugs that was made at a time, currently, that is, when most young people in this culture have been heavily bombarded with anti-drug/"War On Drugs" propaganda, & have been steadily for about twenty yrs or so . . yet the story is of an era where that level of propaganda wasn't as pervasive & all encompassing as it is today.

Well, anyway, other people have already written better reviews of this than I could, or have, but I had to write something about this heartfelt little movie.
"Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by & by"

"I Feel Just Like Jesus' Son"
If you came of age (or nearly did) in the 60's, you may recall a moment--very likely sometime in the early 70's, unless you were extremely prescient and saw it coming earlier--when all the hippie idealism pretty much just dissolved before your eyes and was replaced by...well, whatever it was replaced by. I recall being actually kind of angry at all these small town stoners whose only countercultural value was, quite frankly, drug taking. Society was not about to undergo a profound spiritual transformation at their hands. Of course, it was scarcely about to at anyone else's either...but who knew back then?

Lost souls like JESUS SON'S "FH" were really not uncommon back in the day. They may not have been uncommon back in any day. But the 60s and early 70s brand was perhaps a little more noticeable and, in some senses, sympathetic because of their vaguely anti-establishment stance. For a brief moment in history, outcasts were almost taken seriously. These people really did exist. As surreal as JESUS' SON sometimes gets, it remains grounded in its very vivid, very authentic characters.

Yes, there were certain junkie truths that ultimately became cinematic cliches. The numrerous OD's, the failed love relationships and the sporadic attempts at redemption are all elements of JESUS' SON. And yet, they come across as less cliched in this particular druggie film than in some others. Perhaps it's because the acting is almost uniformly excellent--with leads, Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, deserving of particular praise. Perhaps too it's, at least in part, because FH's ultimate redemption is a plausible one. Out of rehab, he gets a job in a different kind of rehabilitation center, a home for sufferers of rare neurological diseases. It is finally there that he realizes that there may indeed be a place in the world for people like him.

Many viewers will find the final, sobered up segment of the film a little weaker dramatically than the drug addled scenes that precede it. That's true, but the end is also something of a relief. FH would surely have joined the ranks of his fallen comrades in arms had it not been for rehab and the chance at a new life in a new city. It's the kind of ending you could call "bittersweet"--if you use terminology like that. It's also one of only two possible endings for someone like "FH"--and, like him, you're grateful for that much.

When I first heard of this movie, I immediately recognized the source of the title as being a line from Lou Reed's "Heroin." I was disappointed, at first, to see that that song was not incluced on the soundtrack. But on further reflection, that actually seemed the better choice. Lou Reed is the quintessetial urban poet. FH never even comes close to New York City or any other real metropolis. The Neil Young, Doug Sahm and Louvin Brothers tracks actually used in the film are actually more fitting. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Knife in the head = a stabbing headache
As "Jesus' Son" began, I braced myself for yet one more depressing character study of low-life, substance-addicted losers a la "Panic In Needle Park", "Barfly", "Sid and Nancy" or "(insert name of your favorite Gus van Sant film here)". However,as the movie unfolded I realized that I was watching the kind of subtle yet picaresque tale that has been MIA in American cinema since the 70's..."Scarecrow", "Two-Lane Blacktop", "Rancho Deluxe", etc. The chameleon-like Billy Crudup scores as the chronically underachieving antihero, delivering his first-person voiceover in a non-linear "verite" style. Samantha Morton ("Sweet & Lowdown") gives a notable performance as Crudup's enabling junkie girlfriend. The irrepressible Jack Black continues his reign as the Thinking Man's Chris Farley with a memorable turn as a manic,pill popping hospital orderly with interesting ideas about "prepping" patients. Great cameos abound, including a virtually unrecognizable Denis Leary (who for once goes a little deeper than just playing himself). Quite rewarding for patient viewers.

A Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s
It's hard to believe that Drugstore Cowboy was released as long ago as 1989. Just as Trainspotting was described as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '90s", it's tempting to describe Jesus' Son as a "Drugstore Cowboy for the '00s". Like Gus Van Sant's now-classic film, the story revolves around two heroin addicts (Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, both excellent), it's set in the somewhat recent past (the '70s instead of the '60s) and it's based on a previously existing literary source; in this case, Denis Johnson's short story collection of the same name. But despite everything -- mostly bad -- that "FH" (Crudup) experiences throughout the course of the film, Jesus' Son is more of a character study (Crudup also serves as the narrator). Some may still find it just as off-putting as Drugstore Cowboy, which didn't seem to judge its characters. But Jesus' Son isn't as concerned with FH's drug use as much as his very character, his nature -- his "essence", if you will. And if you can't find anything to love about the hapless FH, you'll probably feel the same way about Alison Maclean's striking film (after the well received, but little seen Crush). As in High Fidelity, Jack Black provides much of the humor, although Crudup proves himself surprisingly adept at comedy in a few choice moments. Dennis Hopper, Denis Leary and Holly Hunter (in a well acted, but not particularly convincing role) also star. Fans of The Panic in Needle Park (featuring Al Pacino in his first lead performance), Vincent Gallo's loopy Buffalo 66 and, especially, Drugstore Cowboy should find much to enjoy. Joe Henry's fine soundtrack only sweetens the deal, the highlight of which must surely be Tommy Roe's funky "Sweet Pea", to which Ms. Morton (as Michelle) does *quite* the dance, drawing FH into her dangerously compelling world without saying a word.

Sidenote: The Velvet Underground's "Heroin", in which Lou Reed proclaims that he feels "just like Jesus' Son" when he's "rushing on [his] run", isn't featured in either the film or on the soundtrack.

Dark laughter: tears: redemption
My first take on first viewing was: right, I want to watch a movie about some disgusting, sleazy, young idiots. The sex. The violence. The drugs. And then, you start to pay attention to the narrator's voice, and you begin to understand the intelligence, the attempt at a philosopy of life that lies behind the voice. And you laugh as a dead guy gets beat up in a corn field.
I own two movies--the other is John Huston's "The Dead". I only buy movies that have enough complexity in script, acting, and production, that you can watch over and over and still see new things.
This is a movie that changes gears on you constantly. One viewing will not suffice.
I still scream with laughter when I see it, and I still weep.

"Have your ticket in your hand...
. . .Before it is too late" ~ That line comes from the Woodie Guthrie tune, Airline To Heaven,(performed by Wilco)that plays over the end credits of Jesus' Son. It captures the flavor of this movie, & it sums up the blend of hope, loss, faith & acceptance of life ~ not only for drug guzzling "losers", but for any & everyone.

The late 60's/early 70's didn't exactly corner the market on lost weirdo's who found solace behind a substance-induced mask of happiness. One of my closest friends IS that character that Denis Leary plays ~ sometimes comical, sometimes tragic. Just like this movie.

Jesus' Son offers the really straight, by-the-numbers people a little insight into the people & lives that those folks usually avoid & disregard; "only bad people use drugs".

Not so.

It's also interesting to watch a movie that has character's using a variety of street drugs that was made at a time, currently, that is, when most young people in this culture have been heavily bombarded with anti-drug/"War On Drugs" propaganda, & have been steadily for about twenty yrs or so . . yet the story is of an era where that level of propaganda wasn't as pervasive & all encompassing as it is today.

Well, anyway, other people have already written better reviews of this than I could, or have, but I had to write something about this heartfelt little movie.
"Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by & by"

"I Feel Just Like Jesus' Son"
If you came of age (or nearly did) in the 60's, you may recall a moment--very likely sometime in the early 70's, unless you were extremely prescient and saw it coming earlier--when all the hippie idealism pretty much just dissolved before your eyes and was replaced by...well, whatever it was replaced by. I recall being actually kind of angry at all these small town stoners whose only countercultural value was, quite frankly, drug taking. Society was not about to undergo a profound spiritual transformation at their hands. Of course, it was scarcely about to at anyone else's either...but who knew back then?

Lost souls like JESUS SON'S "FH" were really not uncommon back in the day. They may not have been uncommon back in any day. But the 60s and early 70s brand was perhaps a little more noticeable and, in some senses, sympathetic because of their vaguely anti-establishment stance. For a brief moment in history, outcasts were almost taken seriously. These people really did exist. As surreal as JESUS' SON sometimes gets, it remains grounded in its very vivid, very authentic characters.

Yes, there were certain junkie truths that ultimately became cinematic cliches. The numrerous OD's, the failed love relationships and the sporadic attempts at redemption are all elements of JESUS' SON. And yet, they come across as less cliched in this particular druggie film than in some others. Perhaps it's because the acting is almost uniformly excellent--with leads, Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton, deserving of particular praise. Perhaps too it's, at least in part, because FH's ultimate redemption is a plausible one. Out of rehab, he gets a job in a different kind of rehabilitation center, a home for sufferers of rare neurological diseases. It is finally there that he realizes that there may indeed be a place in the world for people like him.

Many viewers will find the final, sobered up segment of the film a little weaker dramatically than the drug addled scenes that precede it. That's true, but the end is also something of a relief. FH would surely have joined the ranks of his fallen comrades in arms had it not been for rehab and the chance at a new life in a new city. It's the kind of ending you could call "bittersweet"--if you use terminology like that. It's also one of only two possible endings for someone like "FH"--and, like him, you're grateful for that much.

When I first heard of this movie, I immediately recognized the source of the title as being a line from Lou Reed's "Heroin." I was disappointed, at first, to see that that song was not incluced on the soundtrack. But on further reflection, that actually seemed the better choice. Lou Reed is the quintessetial urban poet. FH never even comes close to New York City or any other real metropolis. The Neil Young, Doug Sahm and Louvin Brothers tracks actually used in the film are actually more fitting. ... Read more