pesic-1
Pretentious student film, probably made by a guy who is into skating and makes lots of videos about it. How do I know? There are long, slow-motion, ridiculously edited sequences of people skating every five minutes, during which nothing happens and which contribute nothing to the story or even the mood of the film. They are just there because the 'filmmaker' thought it would be cool. How old is he? Twelve? Then comes the scene where some Asian guy interrogates the protagonist about what happened. The lighting is terrible, and the focus is off (something you have to get used to in this film), resulting in a very unpleasant scene from the mere visual perspective. The dialogue isn't better either. Then the camera dollies in, but it does so in a weird way, focusing on the boy, yet leaving only a part of the Asian guy's face in the frame. You'd think a blind person operated that camera.Anyway, this is a tedious and very poorly made film on every level. Total zero. Just don't watch it.
pm_alan
A lot of people defending this movie have some valid points, and I think this movie was a decent attempt at what it's trying to do. In my opinion it just doesn't work. This movie is basically a yawn fest, and the plot is THIN. I get it, he's trying to let us inside the mind of a teenage boy trying to deal with no only a difficult family life, but also an unfortunate and traumatic event. Skateboarding seems to be used as his escape. It has the makings of the dramatic film it's trying to be, but there is just too many jumbled and mixed up scenes that offer the viewer nothing. It gets excruciatingly difficult to watch scene after scene of the camera just staring into the blank and expressionless face of the main character. I don't know, accuse me of being one of those people that need "Michael Bay explosions" to be entertained....whatever. I have no problem with movies that aren't action packed or straight forward, but this movie is too much.
joshua5
I don't know where to begin. For me this is a landmark movie. Yes, skateboarding is central to it. And it inspires a lot of the visuals, music, lighting and camera work. But it isn't a movie about skateboarding tricks or a cameo by your favorite boarder. If you don't understand what I am referring to you won't get this movie. There is a lot of texture, mood and sensory involvement that isn't presented in the standard way. Its not weird, flashy, jarring or artsy, but it is art. If you need a catalyst to reach your own art, it inspires a synchronicity I have rarely experienced. It is a bit cerebral and it leaves me wondering if justice was served.
ryancarroll88
Often when directors become big and famous, they'll lament about having to sacrifice personal projects for the 'big blockbuster,' as if that was some excuse for selling out (*cough*GeorgeLucas*cough*). That's why I have a lot of respect for Gus van Sant, a guy who struck a chord with audiences and critics alike in the late 90s, but flew completely under the radar afterward, writing and directing films that he felt were significant to him. "Paranoid Park" is a perfect example of that - a sort of skater-crime-drama about a kid who is accidentally responsible for the death of a cop. Fortunately the movie doesn't hinge on plot twists, but focuses on the kid, Alex, and how his life is affected before and after. The film is spliced with what looks to be home videos of skateboard footage and is topped off with new and young actors, giving the whole movie an amateur vibe. This turns out to be an advantage - there's nothing that complements the confusion that comes with being a teenager as well as a sense of authenticity. Overall, the movie doesn't pack as much of a punch as "Elephant," or isn't as absorbing as "Gerry," but is likely to stay with you and keep you wondering, "what if that was me?"
AD
