The Wackness

[Bourne101]

http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/sony_pictures_classics/the_wackness/thewackness_galleryposter.jpg

Directed by Jonathan Levine

Written by Jonathan Levine

Genre: Drama

Tagline: Sometimes it's right to do the wrong things.

Plot Outline: It's the summer of 1994, and the streets of New York are pulsing with hip-hop. Set against this backdrop, Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) spends his last summer before college selling dope throughout New York City, trading it with his shrink (Ben Kingsley) for therapy, while crushing on his step-daughter (Olivia Thirlby).

Starring: Ben Kingsly, Josh Peck, Famke Janssen, Olivia Thirlby

Rated R for pervasive drug use, language and some sexuality.

Runtime: 110 minutes

Great to see a movie about teens in the 90s. From what I've heard, it's pretty damn good too. It was a time where hip hop was actually good, nowadays hip hop and rap have gone to complete shit. Where the fuck did Eminem go? Is he still eating chocolate bars and playing video games all day?

[the saw is family]

pretty excited to see this. looks to be entertaining and to be a fairly realistic portrayal of that time.

[Bourne101]

Does anyone know the release info on this? Are they just dumping it into a few theatres because they don't think it can compete or what? I really want to see this, and if it doesn't get released in 500+ theatres, that means I'll probably have to wait for the DVD.

[Bourne101]

This has been getting solid reviews. Can't wait until it gets a wide release.

[SpikeDurden]

What a great flick. Josh Peck (I just can't believe this kid's transformation from the likes of Max Keeble's Big Move and Snow Day), Ben Kingsley, and Olivia Thirlby (damn she's sexy) are absolutely fantastic in this hilarious and deep coming of age story of a teen growing up and selling weed during the summer of '94, all the while listening to A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. The period details in this flick are fantastic and hilarious, but it's the fantastic screenplay, the amazing performances, and the uniquely indie style that make this film shine.

I want to see it again and then maybe I'll write more, but definitely check it out as soon as you can when it hits your area.

8/10

[MoovEDude]

Ive no interest in a flick like this - pass

[Kevin Smith fan]

This movie looks fucking great, just a shame I'll have to wait for the DVD

[anakinsrise]

The Wackness
Brought back a lot of memories of 1994
Great little movie about,love,life,relatonships,friendships,and loss
I almost didnt recognize Josh Peck he and Ben Kingsley are amazing
One of my favorites of the year scale of 1-10 a 10

[fooknasty]

I was in downtown Chicago for the premiere of TDK, and decided I should check this out.

It was suprisingly very good. What drives this movie is the performances from the two leads, Ben Kingsley and Josh Peck. Very solid effort from both (particularly from Kingsley).

A very interesting character study set in the wonderful time of 1994.

7-8/10

[Bourne101]

http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/sony_pictures_classics/the_wackness/_group_photos/josh_peck2.jpg

The Wackness: Director's Cut - 6/10

Wow, that was a bit of a surprise. I had been really looking forward to it, but I wasn't sure how good it would be. As some of you may know, I really love when a director captures the essence of a certain place. For example, Tarantino capturing LA in Pulp Fiction, Michael Mann capturing whatever place he shooting in, lol. Jonathan Levine not only captures New York nicely, but also captures an entire decade extremely well, with a story that only takes place over 3 months. Great, great directing job. Mad props to Jonathan Levine. The story is pretty simple and basic, but the screenplay is so well written by Jonathan Levine, and the dialogue is so authentic and crisp toward the 90s vibe. The performances are great all around with Kingsly, Peck, and Thirlby being the highlights. Peck definitely has a lot of acting potential, and unlike a lot of actors who start off on the Disney channel etc., he has a shitload of range and has more potential than nearly everyone his age, and he rises to that potential in The Wackness. This is a solid film.

[fooknasty]

I am glad you got to see this Bourne. It was a sweet little mistake my girlfriend drug me to, and I was completely shocked by it. The performances carry this movie, and it is good to see Kingsley in such a good role.

Also, what do you mean by Director's Cut??

[Bourne101]

Also, what do you mean by Director's Cut??

Well, I feel a bit guilty about this, but it is only playing in 34 theatres, and I live in Canada in a rural area, so it will never come here. I downloaded a version and it ended up being the Sundance Submission which was eventually cut by 15 minutes before it was put in theatres.

[chinton]

Eh its fine. Typical Sundance fare and a very familiar story. Liked the acting and period detail but considering this won top prize at Sundance I was expecting so much more.

5/10

[Kevin Smith fan]

Great film, just caught the Sundance edit myself and it was outstanding. For a film that seemed so simple (and truth be told, really is) it still manages to win you over. Josh Peck is outstanding in this and it reminded me a lot of seeing Ermile Hirsch breaking out in Into the Wild last year. Definitley worth your time, check this out in between TDK screenings.

84/100

[bigred760]

Am going to watch this tomorrow.

[Rawlin67]

Eh its fine. Typical Sundance fare and a very familiar story. Liked the acting and period detail but considering this won top prize at Sundance I was expecting so much more.

5/10

that's the feeling i get from the movie, it seems to just be in that certain niche of movie really trying to be special when it doesnt have a lot to go on.

still, ill be seeing, cuz who doesnt like to watch Ben Kingsley?

[BanksIsDaFuture]

10/10

Great movie with amazing performances from everyone. Josh is def the big surprise here though. And this movie has some great humor in it, I didn't expect that at all.

Has anyone seen the theatrical and the Sundance cut? Anyone know what was cut out?

[bigred760]

What started out as a pretty original movie ended up being a pretty run of the mill "lesson learned" movie. I started predicting the movie halfway through it and was right most of the time. Not that it's a bad thing; it was still a pretty decent movie, but I don't think it's as original as it wants to be. The lead actor was good, Ben Kingsley was great, and the "love interest" wasn't half bad either (but seriously, show some freakin' skin during the love scenes . . . the close-ups during those are as annoying as close-ups during action/fight scenes). Not bad, overall - but not great.

7/10

[Addi88]

that's the feeling i get from the movie, it seems to just be in that certain niche of movie really trying to be special when it doesnt have a lot to go on.

still, ill be seeing, cuz who doesnt like to watch Ben Kingsley?

Meh, I don't really like seeing Ben Kingsley make out with Mary-Kate Olsen. Weirds me out, y'know? I could've gone without seeing Josh Peck's ass too.

That said, I agree with Chinton to a tee.

5/10