Larry Clark

[criterionmaster]

Discuss this man and his films.

[criterionmaster]

Title: Wassup Rockers
Starring: Jonathan Velasquez
Released: 21st November 2006
SRP: $24.99

Further Details:
First Look has announced the forthcoming release of Lark Clark's Wassup Rockers, which will be available from 21st November 2006. This movie stars Jonathan Velasquez, Francisco Pedrasa and Milton Velasquez, and appears to be a bare release with only Spanish subtitles and closed captions. A synopsis and cover are provided below.

"Ten years after Kids, Larry Clark hits the streets of South Central Los Angeles. Wassup Rockers is based on the real life experiences of a group of Latino teenagers who do not conform to the hip hop culture of their gang-infested neighborhood. They wear their clothes tight, listen to and play punk rock, and ride skateboards. Constantly harassed for being different, they fight to be themselves. Wassup Rockers tracks their excursion into the heart of Beverly Hills to skate the famous “Nine Stairs” at Beverly Hills High. When the rockers attract the attention of some Beverly Hills girls fascinated by their style, mayhem ensues and their afternoon odyssey begins. Chased by the police and targeted by residents, the boys must find a way to escape and return to the (relative) safety of South Central."

DVD COVER ART

[criterionmaster]

I can actually relate with these characters, not that they are skaters, but the way they dress. I am the only person in my school who dresses the way I do and people always say shit. It’s frustrating and irritating. So I immediately sided with the characters, and I was with them the whole time.

Now that I was pulled into the film I didn’t even care how ridiculous some of the stuff was that was happening. Clark’s photography is great, as always.

Now PTAhole mentioned the acting in the film, which ranges from terrible to actually good. This is the only fault I can actually see in the film, but come on, the kids were picked up off the street and thrown into the film, and they do fine for not being actors. They were even able to make me care about what happened to them.

I may be being too lenient on my rating because of my love for Larry Clark, but it was still a great film and well worth watching. Can’t believe there wasn’t any nudity in this film too. What was it you didn’t like about the film again, ptahole?



Thoughts to come on his other films sometime...

[PTAhole]

I gave that movie a 7.5, and it has worn on me since. The acting is terrible across the board, and sometimes the film just feels stupid. Like the scene where the one kid is taking a bath with some actress chick and he pulls the light down, it just feels like he put slapstick comedy in there, which interrupts the film, I think. I cringe every time any of the main characters says a line, like "We're from the ghetto." with some shiteating grin on his face. In fact, I'd go as far to say this movie sucks.

[ie]

That is all.

[criterionmaster]

I don't mind the "we're from the ghetto" lines, and I know what you are saying, which is what I was talking about with the ridiculous moments, when she died though it was quite shocking, but up till that moment it was stupid.

SPOILER: Click to show

How about when the kids jumped over the wall into the yard of the one actor who was going to shoot himself, and he just watched all the kids go over and then shot the last one in the head.

That gave me a heart-attack. I am surprised you didn't like it as much as you did. And the acting was bad, but like the beginning when he is telling that story, that is perfect, because it is real. And tons of other moments of real acting, not good, but stuff that just feels like it fits with how the character would actually act. Like that scene with the kid and guy in that mansion on the bed talking, that was a great scene.

And that end, “WASSUP, ROCKERS!!!”

[eatawiiner]

I didn't enjoy wassup rockers as a movie, but as moving pictures it was nice. I have loved 'Kids' since it came out and Ken Park is one of the best movies made since 2000. Larry Clarks photography book "Tulsca" is so intense I almost got physically sick inside Borders. He knows how to paint a distrubingly real picture whenever he see's a subject, at least thats what I get from his photos and the ugliness that is Ken Park. Don't forget Bully, another ultra realistic portrail of a true story of teenage murder. His movies make me cringe at the notion that it could be real life, but maybe thats because it just looks so real.

[criterionmaster]

I see what you are saying about the film as moving pictures, I actually think Clark's photography is the best part about some of his films. I will need to check out the book, fast. Hopefully my Borders has a copy, it sounds very interesting.

I actually saw Kids not too long ago and it is one of my favorites as well. The way the kids in the film talk remind me very much of people I know, which scares me. Maybe the way they act is foreign to me, but not unimaginable. Clark does things in his film that push what I think could happen in reality, but it is shown so realistically that it seems so possible. Like I doubt stuff like in Kids doesn't actually happened, so I guess you could say "it opened my eyes."

Finally someone who has seen Ken Park! This film didn't blow me away at first, but has slowly grown on me so much; I can't help but think about the film every now and again. Some things are burned in my head.

SPOILER: Click to show

Like when that kid kills his grandparents and jacks off in his room while strangling himself, I can't get it out of my head. Fucking freaked me out.

Also so realistic, but even more out there than kids. I really wish this would get a DVD release; there are many people I would like to see this film.

Bully really struck me because it WAS true, which, if filmed just as a movie, the same thing, but not said to have actually happened, I wouldn't have thought in a million years this could be realistic or could happen, but since it is true it hit me even harder. So much tension is built up that it felt like I was involved in the crime at the end. The music, the faces, it was very strong.

I am looking forward to seeing the few films I haven't seen by him yet. It is just too bad you didn’t like Wassup Rockers. Wasn’t there any elements you liked?

[captainofbeef]

Kids= Just a terrible film in my opinion. It was so excessive, I mean, seriously, I was just so disgusted by the film. It felt like watching cheap porn. Clark is a very uninteresting filmmaker for me and I really have no desire to see anymore of his films.

[criterionmaster]

There was very little sex in that film, so your cheap porn must be EXTREMELY cheap. The only sex I remember in that whole film is at the end, then of course there was the rape scene too. Doubt you will like Bully or Ken Park (especially the latter).

[eatawiiner]

Cheap porn is a little harsh, especially considering there was barley any nudity let along unsimulated penetration of any kind. There were three sex scenes, one that started the film, the second one coming before the climax (ouch), and the third one dimenishing any hope left for humanity that was within the viewers soul beforehand. Its a sad film with disgusting morals and characters, but the film is just a glimpse into their world. I dont think Clark was trying to glorify their lives or make anyone out to be a hero, he just wanted to show these kids and their daily activities. He commissioned Harmony Korine, then i think 16, to pen a story about his friends and what shit they get into so he could make a movie about it.

[criterionmaster]

I just re-watched Kids two times last night and it is still one of my favorite films, it has even moved up on my list. I enjoy the film so much, and then bam the reality of the whole film kicks in. Seriously, I could call this one of the most important films, at least of the 90's. I can't believe Clark got such realistic performances out of these kids.

[criterionmaster]

I just watched Another Day in Paradise, here are some thoughts:



Amazingly realistic but also at the same time exaggerated, like a lot of Clark¡¦s films. While the story may not be the most realistic it is pulled off extremely well and totally believable. The story follows a kid and his girlfriend who have to steal to live, they meet up with a man and his wife who adopt them and take them with them on a crime spree. They get into some trouble along the way. ƒº

James Woods is fucking perfect, he is just amazing. I couldn¡¦t believe his performances; he made the movie great in my opinion. The rest of the cast gives very believable performances, although Maggie¡¦s lip was so distracting, I almost couldn¡¦t get past it.

The soundtrack is perfect featuring tracks by Otis Redding and Bob Dylan! They really set my head in the time the movie takes place. I am surprised this isn¡¦t more popular, I really enjoyed myself. I recommend this film, it is over-the-top yes, but it is worth watching if only for Woods. Has anyone seen this film?




Also I re-watched Kids AGAIN. That is definitely Clark¡¦s masterpiece. I only have one more film from him to see, Teenage Caveman and if you count that Districted or whatever it is called where he did a short film too.

[criterionmaster]

Christ, I can't get enough of this man. I just watched Bully last night and AGAIN today, also watched Kids yet again today. I have decided that these two films are his masterpieces, everything about them is perfect. The way Clark can make a film fun whilst dealing with such "touchy" subjects, it is just amazing. Do yourself a favor and see both of these films if you haven't.

The Bully DVD is decent by the way, some interviews and stuff, just wish there was a commentary.

[eatawiiner]

Thats great to hear that you dig Kids and Bully so much dude! I saw ADIP a while back and loved it. Woods is depraved and by the end when he punches that bitch I couldn't help but laugh an uncomfortable laugh. Do not see Teenage Caveman. It is one of the worst movies of all time. I haven't seen destricted, but might buy the R2 release and if I do i'll make sure to throw you a copy or let you borrow it. It sounds like Clarks contribution was the best part of the whole flick.

[criterionmaster]

I have heard good and bad things about Teenage Caveman. Isn't it like a bad horror movie or something? And I just realized I hadn't seen Cutting Horse which I have heard is one of the worst films ever. Have you seen that?

[eatawiiner]

I've never heard of 'The Cutting Horse', but i'm pretty sure that is another Larry Clark.

Yea, TC is a terrible horror film in the sense that an exec producer at cinemax gave Larry $10,000 to make a shit fest, not like Equinox bad. I don't know why anyone would want to waste time telling the story TC had, plus the acting/sets/everything was just so unwatchable.

Thanks to this thread, I couldn't help but watch Bully again last night. First I put it in to watch just the interviews, but once they were done I just had to see the film again. I grew up in Pompano Beach FL, in Broward Cty. Same Cty these kids went to trial at. I never looked at the film as something beautiful, because it was always one of the hardest films for me to sit through. The emotions are thick and the story is brutal, but last night was the first time I really looked around at what was on the screen and feel in love with the cinematography. It made me miss the beach and the south and all my crazy ass southern friends. That could have been me and my friends if I would have stayed down there, the environment is perfect for slacking off all day and getting bored to the point where you honestly consider killing someone. It looked like my fucking hood or any other hood within a 5 mile radius of my house, and they captured everything so well, from the beaches to the interstate, every shot was gorgeous imo.

[criterionmaster]

eatawiiner said:

I've never heard of 'The Cutting Horse', but i'm pretty sure that is another Larry Clark.

Yea, TC is a terrible horror film in the sense that an exec producer at cinemax gave Larry $10,000 to make a shit fest, not like Equinox bad. I don't know why anyone would want to waste time telling the story TC had, plus the acting/sets/everything was just so unwatchable.

Thanks to this thread, I couldn't help but watch Bully again last night. First I put it in to watch just the interviews, but once they were done I just had to see the film again. I grew up in Pompano Beach FL, in Broward Cty. Same Cty these kids went to trial at. I never looked at the film as something beautiful, because it was always one of the hardest films for me to sit through. The emotions are thick and the story is brutal, but last night was the first time I really looked around at what was on the screen and feel in love with the cinematography. It made me miss the beach and the south and all my crazy ass southern friends. That could have been me and my friends if I would have stayed down there, the environment is perfect for slacking off all day and getting bored to the point where you honestly consider killing someone. It looked like my fucking hood or any other hood within a 5 mile radius of my house, and they captured everything so well, from the beaches to the interstate, every shot was gorgeous imo.

Goddamn Netflix, they have lied to me again. They had the film listed with Larry Clark. I wondered why I hadn't heard of it. Thanks for saving me a TERRIBLE rent.

I will still see Teenage Caveman just to see the last Clark film that is available to me. At least your thoughts will make me go in with very low expectations.

I really loved on those interviews on Bully when they are talking about that last court room scene. It made the scene even more powerful to find out that all that stuff was really said and recorded. I hadn't known that before. I actually really love Leo Fitzpatrick too, and liked him even more when he was talking about not wanting to let Clark down on this film. That's crazy you live right by there. And yeah, I agree, Clark is always able to capture beauty in things, which is one of the reasons I love him so much. Glad you like Bully so much now.

[ie]

I heard about this movie before, but I didn't know it was by Clark. The place where I heard it said something to the effect that it was an awful teenage sexploitation movie, so if I were to predict a rating, I might go with a 3/10 or 4/10.

Besides, if Cinemax had their hands in this movie, you know it's not going to be anything other than pulp. Even if that pulp is directed by a guy you really like and stuff.

[eatawiiner]

I'd give it a chance before you dog it with a 3/10. Its got a great cast and its not a Ken Park where you see actual sex, im guessing everything in Bully was simulated.

[ie]

Well, that was just my predicted rating.

I actually have no interest in any Clark movies what-so-ever, I have hundreds of other movies I need to watch before I start checking out movies that I should watch, and Clark just kind of got filtered out of that. But, the 3.5/10 rating would be based off of everything I've heard and how I would probably rate a movie like that.

[agentknight]

Predicting ratings is stupid. The film is what matters, not context.

[criterionmaster]

I just want to say I think you missed the point of Kids, beed. Yes, it shows and studies kids having sex and taking drugs, but it also shows the consequences of it. It doesn’t glorify the things, so it surprises and baffles me how you could call it teenage pornography. In fact, most of the “sex” in the film isn’t graphic even. The message behind the film is quite clear in fact, and it is the opposite of what you think of the film.

Also I re-watched Bully again, not as good as Kids, but both are fucking stunning.

[captainofbeef]

It may not glorify the sex and drugs but it still shows them. That is the problem with these so called films of warning. They pretty much say "O these things are bad, but you need to see them anway." I know what the point of the movie was, I just don't enjoy seeing an older man portraying teenage sex. It screams of pedophilia to me.

[criterionmaster]

But that has nothing to do with the film; it only has to do with the director. Plus a teenager was the one who wrote the film, and it's not like Clark's direction is bad, which is something that actually does have to do with the film.

Clark/Korine just capture what was happening, and show it. Just like many people do/did, which is why there are documentaries, etc. But in this case Clark wanted to represent/show what was happening, but also to tell people its consequences. It opened people up to something most people had no clue could EVER happen to their kids, since most parents are so retarded.

Like Ebert says, it depends on the way you look at Clark whether he is a pedophile or not, but that doesn't affect the film. Woody Allen banged his step-daughter, Polanski + young girl, but that doesn't affect their final product, so Clark loving little kids shouldn’t affect his.

[captainofbeef]

The film isn't technically a bad film. But I have a problem with Clark's depiction of teenage sexuality in the film. It may stand for a message that condemns that sort of behavior, but it is still portrayed in a way that disturbs me.

And the difference between Allen and Polanski (who's charge may not even be true) is that they never portrayed sexual acts with younger children in their films (well maybe Allen did, but thats not the point) Clark does in nearly every single film that he makes.

[criterionmaster]

Harold Hunter Dead (March 29, 2006) Harold Hunter, who played Harold in Kids (1995) and was also a skater with the Zoo York team, died on the 17th of February of a heart attack. The New York Post report of his death can be found here. An online memorial has been set up here (a message left there by Korine can be found here) and there is also a memorial note on zooyork.com. See haroldhunter.com for more information.



I am so sad right now, read what Korine said.

[eatawiiner]

I remember seeing him on a "Sucka Free Sunday" commercial prolly two years ago. It was a group of people talking in a barber shop, but you couldn't hear them over the announcer talkign about whoever would be hosting that Sunday. He was a decent enough sakter, there are videos of him online.

[criterionmaster]

I just re-watched Ken Park and I think it might actually be better than Bully. It is such an amazing film, in fact I just ordered the Hong Kong bootleg off Ebay (well I am going to in a few minutes actually). I get interested in all the characters equally, and wish the film went on longer.




You can tell the movie is good, especially from that second poster. Those who think it is porn and pointless should just go die.

[criterionmaster]

I just watched my final Larry Clark feature, oh God was it terrible. Teenage Caveman is like a post apocalyptic story of a group of cavemen/women where the teenagers from the group leave and end up finding a real city; there they are bathed by two other teenagers. Blah, blah, blah. Turns out you have sex and you can live forever, or you could die. Whatever.

I went into it hoping it would be so bad it was good, ugh, I was so wrong. I mean elements were so bad they were laughable, but overall it was pretty terrible. And even sometimes boring.

Some terrible-ass performances too! Larry Clark fans will recognize two actors from Ken Park, in that film they act fine, in this sadly they are god-awful. Not to mention how bad the effects were and just everything about the film was really terrible. The digital effects looked like they could have been done on paint and added in a frame at a time.

Exactly like a made-for-TV sci-fi movie. I can't believe Clark would do this film, it makes me sick actually. At least there was plenty of nudity.

3/10



The DVD was terrible too, boasting a “making-of” that turns out to be a small, like two minute clip, off of TV, about the costumes. SHIT!