A damn good movie -10

Rating: 10/10 (30 May 2005)

Why are there always these self proclaimed critics like the unemployed critic who strive to form everyone's opinion. No room is left for freedom of choice in making up one's own mind. IT'S AS IF THE CRITIC IS AN EXPERT ABOUT ANYTHING, WHICH IS SO FAR FROM THE THE TRUTH AS TO BE LUDICROUS. His/her opinion is just another breath of hot air which usually appeals to people who already think that way,not someone who is a freethinker. If the critic could just step back and hear how closed minded they sounded they would be shocked-that is if they were not so close minded. I can't believe the vitriolic attitude of the critic. I personally loved Thirteen for it's honest and realistic portrayal of teenagers. It broke new cinematic ground in form and content with it's innovative use of the camera and editing style. Take this and integrate it with a Cassevettes approach to acting and you truly have something unique and affecting-that is if you can look at a piece of work with a truly open mind. Perhaps this is something the unemployed critic could work on. As far as Lord's of Dogtown goes I see this as a continuation of Catherine Hardwicke's artistic explorations balanced with the commercial expectations of the studio world. Having seen the movie at it's premiere and witnessing the audience reaction i would say she was overwhelmingly successful. She is a highly talented and artful director with great respect for her actors and material. She does continue her explorations that she started with Thirteen and for me that is exactly what she should be doing. It's a positive direction and i for one hopes she takes it further. Lords of Dogtown is exciting and faithful to it's material. It is very ambitious and doesn't let up for second. It has all the energy that it can handle, breathing the essence of the young boys.The whole film taken in it's entirety is like one big skateboard ride hardly allowing you to catch your breath.Just think,this is what it must have been like for these young guys in the 70's trying to escape their ghetto and make something of themselves the only way the only way they knew how, with their talent.LORDS OF DOGTOWN IS NOT DOGTOWN AND THE Z BOYS.It is based on it and in some ways it is better. It's up to the moviegoer to make up their own minds, don't let people who obviously have their own agendas do it for you.