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The Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys
2002
Set in the rural South in the 1970s in a Catholic school, four pre-teen boys (Kieran Culkin, Emile Hirsch, Jake Richardson, and Tyler Long) create a comic book called "The Atomic Trinity" to channel their creativity, imagination, and rebellious adolescent angst. They each develop their own superhero and, in doing so, live out .. Read more
| Starring | Emile Hirsch, Kieran Culkin, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jena Malone |
|---|---|
| Director | Peter Care |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys
Set in the rural South in the 1970s in a Catholic school, four pre-teen boys (Kieran Culkin, Emile Hirsch, Jake Richardson, and Tyler Long) create a comic book called "The Atomic Trinity" to channel their creativity, imagination, and rebellious adolescent angst. They each develop their own superhero and, in doing so, live out fantasy lives through their empowered, unchained alter egos. Their evil adversaries are exaggerated characters designed after their teachers: Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster) the stark, peg-legged nun; and Father Casey (Vincent D'Onofrio), the shady, chain-smoking priest. The spotlight of the film shines clearly on the handsome Francis (Hirsch) whose crush on his neighbour and schoolmate, Margie Flynn (Jenna Malone), leaves him tongue-tied. Tim (Culkin) is bolder, and so he rewrites a William Blake poem and uses it to bring together secretly dark Margie with wide-eyed Francis. Their relationship flowers into one of the heavier and more mysterious subplots in the film. Margie is instantly written into the comic as a wounded warrior-heroine who enlists the superheroes to help her in her battles against evil. Meanwhile, the boys are busy planning--and occasionally executing--devilish pranks at school, eventually taking things a step too far, to tragic result.
Based on the Chris Fuhrman book of the same name, adapted to the screen by writer Jeff Stockwell, THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS from director Peter Care is an edgy, engrossing, teen rebellion flick. Extensive animated sequences share a good amount of screen time with the live action narrative, and a prescient musical score by Marco Beltrami and Joshua Homme provides the perfect accent to the action of the film.
| Starring | Emile Hirsch, Kieran Culkin, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jena Malone, Jodie Foster, Jake Richardson, Tyler Long |
|---|---|
| Director | Peter Care |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 44 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 14 Jun 2004 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
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Most helpful member's review
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Nun too bad
Didn't get a cinematic release, this one. A shame really, as it aint half bad. Set in a religous school, it's your typical coming of age tale, but it's sweet without being sacchirine, non-stereotypical and, at times, surprisingly frank. Jodie Foster is the ostensible lead as the harsh, commited nun but it's Keiran Culkin who really shines, showing that he has the acting chops and charisma his brother sorely lacks. Worth a look.
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Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Great
Once again Kieran Culkin steals the show with an excellent performance, although the gorgeous Emile Hirsch runs him pretty close. The two are best friends in real life and their roles mirror that relationship here.
This is essentially the story of a group of teenagers growing up facing some pretty difficult circumstances. It's full of humour, angst, great music, clever use of animation, and a punchy storyline.
When Francis (Hirsch) starts dating a girl, Tim (Culkin) is sidelined by his best friend and thinks up with his most dramatic scheme yet to terrorise their nemisis, Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster), to get Francis' attention back again. However things don't go to plan and things begin to get out of control...
Great story, great actors, with a HIGHLY emotional ending. What more do you want? Rent it! -
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The Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys
Set in the rural South in the 1970s in a Catholic school, four pre-teen boys (Kieran Culkin, Emile Hirsch, Jake Richardson, and Tyler Long) create a comic book called "The Atomic Trinity" to channel their creativity, imagination, and rebellious adolescent angst. They each develop their own ...
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