Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Answer Is...(2)

Larry Clark's 1995 film, Kids.

Looks like !thenitefalls is the winner of Tuesday's lil' trivia game.


you guessed right my friend, and earned my movie nerd respect. Dude already had my music nerd respect (as I'm sure he has most of yours, he's got like 9000 followers!) so now, you got both.

For those of you who haven't seen Kids, be afraid. Be very afraid. It's one of those movies that just might scar you for life. Unless you're a completely jaded re(/b/)tard, watching Kids for the first time might be akin to getting punched in the stomach. I can't go over much of the plot without spoiling the movie, but lets just say it's about a bunch of teenage kids roaming the streets of NYC and their experiences with drugs, violence, and lots of sex. The ultra grimy landscape of early/mid 90's New York, reeling from the crack epidemic of the 80's and the reality of HIV/AIDS (not the Giuliani corporate Disney Land that existed just before 9/11) provides a haunting backdrop throughout the film.

Clark and Justin Pierce: R.I.P. "Casper"
Larry Clark's direction in Kids has been called everything from genius to obscene. It really all depends on your perception, and the strength of your stomach. Visually, the film is stunning. Clark made his bones as a photographer long before he started making movies and his prowess with the camera pays off big time here. Shot in a pseudo-documentary style, Clark's choice of shots, camera angles and locations across the city helps give Kids its jarring sense of realism.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about Kids is the it's cast, or lack of. Clark used real New York teens and unknown first time actors for the film. He found Justin Pierce skating in the park one day and cast Rosario Dawson after seeing her on her building's porch. Yes, Rosario Dawson and Chloe Sevigny both make their first appearances in Kids.

So here's a clip from Kids featuring the song from Tuesday's trivia challenge, Daniel Johnston's ultra fitting, "Casper The Friendly Ghost."



Sadly, Justin Pierce, the actor who plays "Casper" in Kids committed suicide in 2000 at the age of 25. Harold Hunter, a pro skater and featured actor in the film also died in 2006 from a cocaine induced heart attack. He was 31.

27 comments:

  1. A long time since I've seen or heard this movie mentioned but it was definitely one I remembered but obviously not the music, congratulations thenitefalls!

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  2. I haven't seen this one, I might check it out some time though :)

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  3. Havent seen it but congrats to thenitefalls for guessing correctly! :D

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  4. I've been told to listen this movie. Yesterday I was looking for something to listen and didn't find anything. If only..!

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  5. I want to see this movie now!

    Thanks for the recommendation :P

    come look at the new add-ons to my fishy tank.

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  6. Never heard of it, there was no chance I was getting that one right :P

    New follower and I'm liking your blog so far.

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  7. this sure was a classic, im dusting it off from my collection tongiht, going to give it a watch cheers

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  8. your description compels me to watch this movie

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  9. smart guy this !thenitefalls

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  10. watched it several times. love the scene with casper drunk in the tub "caspeeeeeeeer the friendly ghost hahahhahahh"

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  11. Wow awesome that they guessed! lol Never seen the movie but I just might see it.=)

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  12. Wow I won >_<. When I watched this movie for the first time, I was scared !@#$less and never wanted ever again to stick my pee pee in every girl. A movie about the truth . R.I.P Casper, I didn't know Harold Hunter passed away :(, R.I.P to him too

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  13. I still have to see this!! I saw Gummo which I think is from the same director and oh man is that nuts. I liked it though. It's refreshing to watch a film that takes a risk. Great post!

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  14. Do you listen to The Film Vault?

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  15. Looks like a quality movie, might check it out.
    Liking your blog. Followed!

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  16. This was a good movie, nice look

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  17. never seen it...but will give it a watch

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  18. Casper, the dopest ghost! The dopest ghost cuz all the girls love, Casperrr!

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  19. somehow this kinda sounds to me as movie like "city of god"

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  20. like the tag 'awesomeness'. I loved this film, you know what..I have to watch Kids this week now

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