TxMike

(2013-05-14 03:26:20)

Mockumentary about amoral NYC kids who live for drugs and sex.

On one level this is an interesting movie to illustrate what can happento young teenagers who are allowed to grow up essentially withoutguidance and supervision. In this fictional story, Leo Fitzpatrickplays the lead character Telly, who seems to be about 16 or 17. We onlysee his mother once, she is in the kitchen nursing her baby, and tellsTelly she has no money to give him. But we then see Telly and hisfriend in mom's bedroom, getting the money she hides in a sock, andtaking a few bucks.Telly and his friends act in a manner that we might expect a bunch ofjuvenile Chimps to act. They have three priorities, get some food, getsome sleep, and get as much sex as they can. They have no morals, theysteal when they need, they have no remorse at beating up a guy on thestreet to near death, and they will tell a young girl what she wants tohear to get her to submit to sex.There is a thread of a story, Telly has decided to have sex only withvirgins, partly as a way to avoid exposure to STDs. But the irony is,we find out, Telly already has HIV. When a girl who has only been withTelly finds out she has HIV, her goal becomes to warn him and others sohe won't infect anyone else.Although it never hints at this, we can look at the movie as acautionary tale. First, to all the kids who probably shouldn't see itbut could benefit from it, this is a way to act which will surely ruinyour life and any chance for happiness as an adult. But perhaps moreso, to warn parents that here's how your children may be growing up ifyou are not doing your job.Sadly there will continue to be kids who grow up this way, and asadults we find them on the streets or in prison.

(2013-05-13 15:22:30)

Real life movie very educational!

Good flick for teens

(2013-05-02 21:28:14)

The Stark Truth of Kids Today

Hey Kids-this one tells it like it is. The life of teenagers in America today, all the drugs, the alcohol, the illicit sex, and the dangers and diseases that follow. The film follows a group of kids in present-day New York through the course of a typical day of alcoholism and narcotics abuse. During the film, these NY teens engage in all the actions that your mother warned you about which culminate in a party at the end of the film that will stay with you for a long time. There are some great performances by some up-and-coming actors, especially Chloe Sevigny and Justin Pierce. Unfortunately Pierce hung himself in 2000, so we'll see no more of "Casper", although he did have a minor role in "Next Friday". I found the music in "Kids" to be quite compelling, and the visuals by Larry Clark are something to behold. If you have children, or are planning on having children, you owe it to yourself to see this film so that you can try to keep your own kids from ending up the way that the misbegotten youth in this picture did.

Thomas Desmond

(2013-05-02 01:26:57)

stunning

I read others' comments before posting mine. I don't think this movie givesthe impression that all kids are like this anymore than Wizard of Oz givesthe impression that all kids wear ruby slippers.No movie has ever had the kind of effect Kids had on me. I was just stunnedwhen it ended.I was disappointed that the cable channel showing it followed up with aapologetic feature about how the producer/director/studio/etc knew it was a controversial film and maybe parents ought to watchit with their kids. Weak. Show the movie and shut up.My inclination is to think of what would make a good double bill with Kids.I came up with Showgirls. Any ideas?

(2013-04-26 21:09:12)

CRAZY AND UNRESTRICTED! THE 10TH Anniversary

This movie is very good. It's basically about teen sex in the mid 90'sand the dangers of HIV among sexually active people. this movie takesplace in nyc in 1995, at the time i was 16. It was so real to me , justwatching it i felt like a teenager back in the 90'5. the characterswere raw and unrestricted . The situations were so real . it's almostlike it was a documentary. casper is my favorite characters. so wildand unleashed. he reminded me of a lot of young guys like that in nyc.R.I.P to justin pierce (the actor who played casper). it's a good movieto watch with your peoples. good , crazy ,wild and funny movie. GETIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(2013-04-26 11:16:43)

This Is America As It Really Is Right Now

"Kids" is one of the best films of the 1990s. Over five years since it has been released nothing has changed, this I know from personal observation. Larry Clark and Harmony Korine created an incredibly accurate portrait of today's youth. No parents present (because they have to work or because they don't care), no hope, no conscience, and plenty of time to waste. It is episodic like real life and the kids playing the kids are frighteningly real. Anyone who is disgusted and shocked by "Kids" is likely to be one of the people who would say, "my kid isn't like that" and be absolutely wrong. I'm sorry to say that I think that the kids as portrayed in "Kids" are not the minority, but the majority. Alcohol and drug abuse is widespread amongst teenagers and even pre-teens. So is reckless sex. "Kids" is absolutely authentic.

(2013-04-25 10:22:19)

Shows the real world our kids live

This film shows clearly what most people try to hide or ignore: our kids are living their lifes without any sense of morality. Some would say this movie is not a picture of what is goinging on our streets, but they have to face it, it is!

(2013-04-25 06:10:44)

THE WORST!

I am not talking about the plot, I am not talking about the acting. This movie is UTTERLY disgusting! I don't understand how a person with a normal level of intelligence can observe the badly played out scenes from the life of totally degraded low lives with no moral values whatsoever. And those lowlives are presented in a somewhat positive, sympathetic manner...(???!!!) This is probably the worst movie I've ever seen in my life!

Sarge-14

(2013-04-24 20:11:08)

Shocking, harrowing, and thought provoking

This is one the most shocking, graphic, disturbing films I've ever seen! It'sfrightful to think that certain scenes depicted in this movie are actuallygoing on in the USA today.Very chilling.

doomsyer

(2013-04-24 00:17:47)

True but False

I agree that this film was ture to life and a good and accurate depiction ofthe youth of today. From the dialogue to the drug use, I feel that it is atrue depiction. But, I do have a few faults that I feel made the movieslightly unbelievable, at least to me.1. The main character Telly. I do not care if the girls were virgins, or 12,or 8 at that matter. In reality, no goofy nerdy kid with buck teeth is goingto get chicks, let alone as many as he does in this movie. It would be likethe nerd from the wonder years getting laid on a regular basis. Sorry, notfeasible.2. Some of the dialogue seemed forced, like the scenes with the guys in theapartment talking about sex....and the scenes with telling and casper tryingto talk like "gansta's".Even with these few exceptions, the movie hits home hard. This probably isthe most true to life film about teenage life to date. I highly recommendthis film. It will stick with you.

wayofthecass

(2013-04-11 12:21:09)

Bankrupt culture.

'Kids' is an okay film. Sometimes people think that because it has apretty controversial topic and unorthodox style of representation thatthis in some way makes it original and therefore great. But I have topoint out that the; direction is average ( raw one moment / standardHollywood the next and neither done in any particularly eye catchingform): there doesn't seem to be any kind of story here, apart from theAIDS message and focus is often lost on that.The subplot (to the non-existent main plot) has something powerful tosay. But it is not maintained by much outside of the Taxi driver'sdecent speech on life and Sevigny's character occasionally asking "Hasanyone seen Telly?".Harmony Korine has in many ways got away with murder in getting thisfilm funded/ directed by an experienced photographer in Clark anddistributed by Mira-Max (operating under an independent name so as notto incur the wrath of they're pay masters Disney) in the screenplayscurrent form. I mean it could have done with about 3 or 4 rewrites inorder to hone it's focus and clarify it's message.I've also got to criticise some of the performances. Sevigny looks outof her depth in this. Kind of numb and uninteresting throughout thewhole film. Its very difficult to distinguish between her sober andstoned. And its almost impossible to feel sympathy for her such is theunconvincing level of her performance when she is upset. Leo Fitzgeraldalso seems inadequate as Telly. There is some good non-dialogue scenesfrom him but when he opens his mouth he just sounds plain stupid. Ifound it hard to believe that an uneducated ignoramus with theappearance of a junkie could be Manhattan's under 16s ladies man.However a lot of the younger kids at the party scene near the end arevery impressive. They're dialogue is very well scripted and executed.And Justin Pearce looked like a star in the making. I thought he wasbrilliant and towered above the other lead roles of Sevigny andFitzpatrick who were just plain poor. Sad to hear that at the age ofonly 25 , Justin Pearce took his own life. He definitely could havegone on to bigger things.Anyway 'Kids' did have it's heart in the right place but it's executionwas disappointing and it looked like a rushed job to me. Some bettercasting, direction and scripting/story development could've made this apowerful picture. But I guess thats the case with most average to badfilms.I think its interesting how America was so disgusted by this kind ofgritty, harsh realism. I also think its slightly amusing how some ofthe American commentators think that gives it some kind of shockingoriginality. Believe me there are many European films ie- 'Prisoner ofthe Mountain' (Russia), 'La Hain'( France), 'Small Faces','Trainspotting', 'A Sense of Freedom'(Scotland), 'Made in Britain','The War Zone', 'Scum' and'The Firm'(England) which are all at the veryleast equal if not way ahead in portraying depressing and graphicrealities. If you really liked 'Kids' I'd encourage you to check out British actorGary Oldman's film 'Nil By Mouth'(2000) which makes this look like atea party.

(2013-04-11 02:33:28)

Shock without Substance

An artistic but exploitative depiction of a fringe element of loser teenagers. It seems to me that a majority of the favorable reviews here are from teens. For those of you (most, I'm sure) who never have behaved or will behave like the actors in "kids", realize you're impressed by seeing your generation perform in such a graphic manner for the first time on film. Don't be naive enough to believe that this somehow reflects the filmmakers' empathy for teens of the 90's. It merely shows that they have succeeded in their aim of producing a hip film full of graphic sex that teens will talk about, and of course, spend lots of money to see. To speak so highly of this film and to make such unbelievably ludicrous comments such as "the best movie I have ever seen" betrays either an inherent and pathetic deficiency in appreciation of cinema, or a severely limited exposure to quality films. For those of you who can honestly say that the behavior of the teens in this film mimics your own, may God help you.

(2013-04-10 22:22:53)

..AS REAL AS YOU CAN GET..

..DON'T BE NAIVE..THIS DOES HAPPEN.. THANK GOD SOMEBODY DECIDED TO SLAP AMERICA IN THE FACE SO THAT A COUPLE OF SHELTERED ADULTS WOULD LEARN A THING OR TWO.. GOOD, BLUNT..RAW..

(2013-04-10 11:57:27)

WOA! WHAT A FILM!

If anything, this film tells it like it is. Larry Clark's depiction of adolescent angst is one of the most bleak and realistic of its type. The acting is superb, the camera work magnificent and the content...Well, disturbing is the understatement. The final shots are perhaps the eeriest ever in the history of cinema. See it - or at least try to!

ScottS

(2013-04-09 23:39:52)

Was this a documentary?

I first saw this movie when I was 21. It actually stopped me from hooking up one night in college! It made me terrified of my girlfriend (for about a week). One of the scariest films that I have seen. This film stayed with me for years.Whether or not you like this story, the acting is phenominal. Unbeleivable for young unknown actors. Watching this movie almost made me forget that it was not real. While most kids are not like this, this was an accurate portrayal of kids growning up without proper guidance. What scared me the most about this film is the beginning. Even though most of my life was spent hanging around "normal" people, it shows that "normal" kids do come in contact with these scumbags (no offense Telly and Casper, the Dopest Ghost in Town). I would like to think that I am above these people and that they do not pose a threat to me. However, after seeing the beginning, I realized that I could unknowingly come in contact with them through others such as the girl in the beginning.The thing that I found most disturbing is how realistic it was. From the dialog, to the actions,behavior, character interaction, and grittiness of the film itself. It took me back to high school and some of the people that I knew (and occasionally hung out with). While this does not represent your average mainstream child, it does represent a fringe group of children in almost any city / school. If you do not believe that children like this actually exist, watch the news. Chances are if you have children and are a good parent, you may not realize that these people actually exist.Watch this movie with caution. It is not fun. There is no happy ending. It is dark, dreary, and at times slow moving. The subject matter is not something I like to see or think about. It is difficult to watch and recommend, however it is a masterpiece. Never before or since have I seen a movie with that hit so hard and seemed so real.

(2013-04-09 16:20:49)

Perhaps one of the most depressing films you'll ever see...

Ive always said that I have yet to see a horror film as scary as real life. This film shows a documentary, brutal and hard look at real life for teens. This horrific look at life film deals with drug abuse, sex, aids and some violent aspects such as a scene where a gang of lads beat up a skateboarder in Central Park. All the characters are unlikable and the movie makes you feel empty and sad, as this stuff really happens in life. In particular theres a scene where a group of boys on a couch are all sharing a joint of weed and the boys only look about 12. Be cautious when watching this film is you are easily shocked or offended. As a teen I found it sick and unjustifying. But it deserves credit for delivering controvery to film.

(2013-04-09 11:47:15)

NOT TRUE

This movie shows an inaccurate portral of teenagers. Not many teenages act like the kids do in this movie. At least not were i live. This movie makes all teenagers look bad!!! A very small portion of teenages are actually like this. Ok, i can say that maybe it's kinda like this in large cities like New York. It's not anything like this where or anywhere close to where i live.

(2013-04-09 04:33:19)

Rather Worthless

Look, I'm not from any big city. My home town has its share of problems but I'm sure that where I grew up isn't really a glimmer of inner city life. Watching this movie was truly disturbing, but I tried to get passed that to see what the point was because I dont want to be one of those people who judge from the outside of a work to ignore the core. Despite this I found absolutely no use in the making of this movie. I've already seen people living this lifestyle, and I dont think there needed to be a movie about it. There is almost no humanization to the characters except Miss. Sevigny. The film is completely aimless and borderlines on pornography. I dont think that shocking and disturbing us is the way to get us to change things in the lives of youth. Fear is the only thing we create, because most of us are just as ignorant as the youths depicted in this film. I will say that the film hit close to home to my high school days, even if it was a bit more severe. Thats precisely why I gave mercy with two stars. But overall I think the end result in the production of this film is this. We have given something to the parents out there to become even more paranoid and blind, and we've given legal material to all the pedophiles to "entertain" temselves with. If you catch my drift.

Kristine

(2013-04-03 17:50:06)

An alarm clock for parents

I just watched "Kids", one of my friends, who is a huge independentfilm lover, recommended it. I've seen pretty much on what there is tosee with the "Teens on Drugs" films, or even the sex type of films.While I think this was a poorly made movie and almost made me hate it,I don't think we should shy away from it, especially when there are agrowing number of kids out there who are acting just as badly as thesekids depicted in the movie. It's incredibly depressing how ignorant weare when we are kids, thinking we're invincible and trying to act allgrown up.I think this movie shows what the youth of today is like, in some waysI was glad that it wasn't too dated, because it's kind of an importantfilm. This behavior is the reason actually why I yell at my littlecousins about rap music, not to get all holier than thou, I just feelthat today's society is just horribly scarred with disrespectful hatredtowards race and the opposite sex, it's really just scary to know thatmy future kids will be surrounded by this crap. But the reason I saythis is an alarm clock for parents is that, they need to keep a bettereye on their kids, and we can only hope for a better future and hopeour kids don't turn out like these kids in the film.6/10

(2013-04-03 11:45:07)

Come on now!

Give me a break people. I'm a 19 year old film student from Boston. I think I know good film when I see one. You people are confusing something great with something controversial. Just because something is in-your-face doesnt automatically make it good. Yes, some teens are violent. Yes, some teens have sex. Yes, some teens do drugs. I have done some of those things myself. But there isn't much realism to this story. I think Clark and Korine just made this as shocking as possible because they wanted to come off as hip, and they wanted attention. The cinematography is bad. The sound is bad. The editing isn't all that great either. The acting is so-so. I don't think parents should see this with their children. Sure, it deals with important issues, especially safe sex. I applaud them for acknowleding important issues with kids. However, I think this movie exploits troubled kids in an effort to seem cutting edge. I noticed many 15 year olds that said "we do this, this is a real movie, man!" No, you probably don't do that. Not the way Clarke is suggesting. You people just got excited to see your age group doing shocking things not usually seen on film, like one reviewer said. This is a poor representation of the "troubled" kids in life. I am a city kid. I've seen many bad things. I've done my share of wild things, so I've also seen people screw up their lives. But this was just ridiculous. I'm sure SOME kids live this way, but this movie expolited the few that do, and made all party kids seem like stupid, callous monsters. Shame on them.