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Thirteen (2003)
an acquired taste...
I will most definitely give Ms. Hardwicke props for concocting such a gritty drama. As afore mentioned, this is an "acquired taste" movie, much like alcohol, some people just can't stand the taste while others live on the effect that it gives. Most people are turned off by the subject matter; young teens doing dangerous things, but it's much more than a story line. This isn't you average teen flick; it's an emotional roller coaster ride of epic proportions. I saw this movie when I was fifteen and loved it. These are not the average teens of our suburban schools, but the tough inner-city kids who grow up way too fast in a world where sex and money are everything.
Evan Rachel Wood gives an outstanding performance as a young and innocent little girl gone bad. At first, we see Tracy as a sweet, if not neglected young girl trying to deal with her budding sexuality and hormones. On her first day of school she notices the goddesses who are the popular girls at her school; they're trashy, foul mouthed skanks who are fawned over by all the boys. The pack is led by Evie (played by Nikki Reed); a promiscuous and troubled orphan who at first ridicules Tracy for her innocence but eventually befriends her. Evie leads Tracy into a downward spiral of drugs, sex, and petty theft.
Caught in the middle is Tracy's well meaning mother, Mel whom is played by Holly Hunter. Mel is a recovering addict trying to stay clean for her kids and be a good mom. She's trying to be a "cool mom" and give Tracy some space to grow up, but in turn gives her too much and Tracy spirals out of control. Mel struggles to be a responsible mother, but doesn't really realize how much she should put a stop to her daughter's antics until its too late.
The three female leads carry the weight of this movie on their shoulders, but are helped by the supporting characters; Brady Corbet as Tracy's older brother, Jeremy Sisto as Mel's addict boyfriend, and Deborah Kara Unger as Evie's aunt. Ms. Hardwicke brings us to our knees with a look into a family's battle with an uncontrollable teen and its effects.
These aren't the average kids we grow up with, but with the help of great directing, a stellar script, and amazing performances we can better understand what it's like to grow up as a young teen in this fast paced world. If you not ready to see a gritty, fast paced pill of truth, than don't see this movie. Go back and rent a dumb, boring romantic comedy and leave these great Indies for those of us with burgeoning minds.
A Friend of the Family (2005)
Great TV Movie!
At first when i saw the previews on Lifetime for this movie, i was deceived....they made it seem...so "Dramatic". Finally, i watched it...and i must say it's one of the better TV movies i've seen. The Chemistry between Kim Coates and Laura Harris..is amazing. I really feel the loathing and the hatred toward him...it was superbly acted...and the script was pretty good. The basic plot line is...about a woman named Alison Shaw, an aspiring artist, is almost raped, falls in love with her rescuer and marries him. Her initial paranoia after her ordeal mount and her and her husband, Darris decide to move to a small town to ease the tension. Their strange neighbor, David Snow, a town role model, and Darris' work partner and best friend, starts to "stalk" (lack of a better word) Alison. She starts to fear for her life..when people around her small town who knew David, start to end up dead....and some even look like her.
it's really a good movie...i'd recommend you to give it a shot..it's a great thriller.
Perfect Little Angels (1998)
Good...but a rip off
This movie is okay....i'll admit i found it somewhat entertaining, but it wasn't me that turned it to ABC Family in the first place...i had just seen Disturbing Behavior a couple of days or possibly a week before my brother convinced me to watch this movie. The basic plot line is about a sinister doctor determined to help the kids in a small town to make it smoothly through Adolecence. A young man discovers their is something freaky going on and ends up rescuing and isolating a girl he is infatuated with. She is eventually returned to normal, but the lingering question is "Why was she acting so strange?". Fortunatly or Unfortuantly for her, your choice, Her mother is engaged to the Doctor. Ironic, huh? Well, the plot unfolds and there is a bit of suspense, and some referenced humor that i didn't understand until now, but overall it was a pretty good movie. The only thing is that it ripped off Disturbing Behavior...i think that this is a more tamer version of Disturbing Behavior...but i'd recommending watching both and decide which one you like better.