Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous on the Surface
Review: "Party Monster" the movie draws from James St. James' book "Disco Bloodbath" and from film shot for the "Party Monster" shockumentary. The "Party Monster" movie purports to tell the tale of the rise and fall of Michael Alig, using trained actors and screenwriters. There would be adjustments to the story to suit the film market. The results of this are mixed.Some pieces worked well. Strengthening the James St. James part (played by Seth Green) brought a hazy character from the shockumentary close to the center of the film. James becomes the drug-addled conscience of the movie. (There is an offsetting loss of Angel Melendez's brother, Johnny, the hero of the shockumentary.) Using real Club Kids and their actual costumes helped bring enthusiasm and energy to the film. The Peter Gatien character (Dylan McDermott) was more of a presence in the film than in the shocumentary, giving more background on the economics of hosting the Club Kids. The role of drugs in Alig's downfall was made clearer in the movie. There was a downside too. I just can't believe this Michael Alig (played by Macaulay Culkin) would be able to convice Peter Gatien to give him a chance. The real Michael Alig of the shockumentary (charismatic even behind bars) had the charm and drive to pull it off. While frequently showing Michael Alig, James St. James and others camping it up, the film takes too much care not to show Michael Alig acting on his homosexual drives. On his way to giving a first date kiss to DJ Keoki (Wilmer Valderrama) inside a garbage dumpster (don't ask), the camera cuts to skyrockets. Michael and James dance once and touch carefully, but that's all. In the shockumentary, Michael is arrested at his new boyfriend's place in New Jersey. In the movie he and girlfriend gitsie (Chloe Sevigny) take a bubble bath together, deep kiss, and are spooning as the police arrive. Mustn't frighten the audience. The death, disposal, and investigation of Angel Melendez (Wilson Cruz) were more complete and understandable in the shockumentary, although the film showed enough for me. Freez was scarier in the shockumentary. Cruz did a convincing job. Michael Alig has skin shots; there are discrete skin flashes from some Club Kids. There is an ok directors' commentary and brief actor interviews. If you really want to know what happened, read the book or see the shockumentary. If you want to see a focused story, this movie is all right. Also, if you like Seth Green here, take a look at "The Attic Expeditions."
Rating: 
Summary: Parties, fantasy and shock value of indeterminate gender
Review: It looks like the lovable little boy from "Home Alone" has grown up. Macaulay Culkin is now in his early 20s and stars in this outrageous and rather sick story of Michael Alig, a real-life club kid of the early 1990s, who is now serving a long prison term for murder. This 2003 film is not only his story, it is also the story of a time and a place and a world that it no more. It's about parties and fantasy outfits and the shock value of indeterminate gender.. But mostly, it's about a drug culture that catered to these party people, and how it destroyed Alig's life. Culkin does an outstanding acting job in the role, bringing a touch of humanity to the character as well as a great deal of ego and evil. Based on a book entitled "Disco Bloodbath" by James St. James, who actually lived through these years, the author is a major character in the story. Seth Green is cast in this role and plays it to the hilt, a party person who likes to play but stops short of the excesses that push Alig over the edge. The rest of the cast is full of some of real party people, with Marilyn Manson playing a drag queen. One of the scary things about this film is how real it feels. The small subculture of partygoers search for thrills, their makeup and clothing screaming for attention. Their brains are addled with drugs and their purpose in life is only to draw attention to themselves. It's fame without substance or meaning and its all mindless. But, with the exception of the Culkin character, their carryings on doesn't really harm anyone but themselves. I didn't expect to like this film. I almost shut it off after the first 15 minutes. However, it was so intense that I just kept watching. And I was eventually swept into the story and the people and the world that it depicted, a colorful bubble world which inevitably burst and is no more. This film recalls that bubble, including all the horror as well as the fun. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Drama queens for the new age
Review: I recently watched Party Monster becasue I had once seen a preview somewhere for it and I thought that it looked just so messed up and crazy that I had to see it. My first reaction was laughter at the beginning of the film, because Seth Green's character's attitude towards Mac's character was just funny. The movie, charachters, costumes, set design, story-line and music drew me in and eventually I caught myself thinking about certain parts of the film days after I had watched it. That's what makes a good movie. Even though it was a little out there, I am expecting my copy of the book and an audio cd about the same "club kids" era any day now from amazon.com. I'm still interested.
Rating:
Summary: Over the top but informitive
Review: This was an informitive film that shows the Club Kid movement and follows the life of a party promoter. The production quality was acceptable but not outstanding and although the story may have been true, it felt like fiction and was not able to draw me in past being skeptical. Seth Green was the most notable in regard to acting and McCaulkin seemed to be over the top most of the time. They may have all been on target however because the constant shock value they had all worked at, it became unreal to me and I could not get into the film. Its an entertaining film but leaves you empty. (...) Adult content because of heavy drug use, some semi-nudity (...), moderate profanity. Questionable investment, an aquired taste.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantasy vs Reality
Review: I liked this film. It was fun and interesting. It offers a glimpse into a world that I'd never want to be a part of, but that I find fascinating nonetheless. Macaulay Culkin, in his first real adult role, is actually quite convincing in his portrayal of club kid icon Michael Elig, and Seth Green is creepily charming as Elig's friend and mentor James St. James. The film follows Elig's journey from starry-eyed bus boy to famous party promoter to convicted murderer, while also portraying the decadent, opulent, strange world of late 80's early 90's New York club life. My favorite scene in the film involves Michael Elig, Enfant terrible, invading a burger joint and turning it into an impromptu rave. The mesmerized reaction from the bored young boy behind the counter really makes clear the reason behind Elig's appeal and fame: his ability to bring outrageous fantasy into the mundane, everyday world. However, this film also makes clear how Michael's same love of fantasy and escape also brings about his downfall. Irresponsible, excessive and callous, the film shows Michael spiraling out of control until he eventually murders his drug dealer/roommate Angel. Part period piece, character study, and cautionary tale, "Party Monster" is a wild ride.
Rating: 
Summary: Trash cinema... and not done well.
Review: The movie had some interesting lighting but that's the extent to which I can praise it. The movie focus' around two degenerates who are long over-due for a darwinistic twist of fate. We're basically taken on a two hour ride through a world of sexual degenerates, drug addicts, murderers, social weaklings, and a plethora of those kids who got picked on in highschool and reacted by putting on a woman's dress and thigh-highs. Just so no one is mistaken, I'm not saying this out of any real right-wing agenda. I liked the Rocky Horror Picture show, I'm a fan of some Maplethorpe photography, and I support gay rights on every level. So therefor don't consider this review moot in terms of some obvious viewer demographic screw up. Again, the film is interestingly shot, the acting ranges from mediocre to just plain bad and the story is absolute trash. Granted there are some people who are into trash and to you I whole heartedly reccomend this movie. But for me, I couldn't stomach the sentimental music which kept re-appearing that tried so desperately to get us to like these biological mistakes of the earth. This is a classic trick of bad cinema which goes back famously to St. Elmo's Fire - only this bumps up the sleeze factor about ten fold and invites us into its world of stupid humor (that is to say there is no wit, or anything clever to be found in this film) sexual irresponsibility (much of which is just disgusting - sex in a dumpster being one example) and drug addicts, all of which we're supposed to sympathize with. I did not. I'm sure there are some people out there that do, and thats fine. I'm sure nature will take care of you all sooner or later, and when it does... I'll smile.
Rating:
Summary: One Account of "Club Kids" Vogue; Seth Green Steals the Show
Review: "Party Monster" has a unique history behind that production. The film is an interesting account of Michael Alig's life seen from his friend, but the most intriguing part of the film is that it features Macaulay Culkin after 9 years absence from the screen. The film's directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato once made a documentary film "Party Monster: The Shockmentary" in 1999, which is based on the murder of Angel Merendez, also one of the aquaintances of Alig. Now, the same team give a fictional account of the same case, helped by the book "Disco Bloodbath" by James St. James, who was, besides Alig, one of the faces seen in the "club kids" vogue in New York City in the 1990s. This newer "Party Monster" features talented Seth Green (in drag) as James, who recounts the days of the party, drug, and the eventual downfall of Michael Alig. And you know, Alig is played by Culkin. OK, but don't try to find out the "truths" of the murder. The film is more about the relations between James and Alig, or how Alig met James, and is taken under his wings to gain the short-lived celebrity status. The film, using flashbacks, follows the crazy days of party, drug, and eventual downfall of the man. What is most attractive is the acting of Seth Green. His face might be associated with "Austin Powers," but actually he is a good actor, or far better than you miight think. See how he plays the role of flamboyant James with a slight touch of humor and irony. Remember, his debut was back in 1982 in "Hotel New Hampshire," and he's been doing this job more than 20 years. As to Macaulay Culkin, it is true that he is less effective, but still good. Perhaps we have seen one too many "Home Alone" film. The supports include Chole Sevigny, Natasha Lyonne, Dylan McDermott, and Marilyn Manson. But their roles are not big, and I am afraid Ms. Lyonne is unrecognizable to some. The story is not the strength of the film. You cannot find the answer to the question -- question, I mean, about how come the vogue, though briefly, took over the media to become the talk of the people. After all, it is about the bubble-like movement, and the film is not trying to rationalize that fact. Still, the film is interesting to see if, like me, you didn't experience the trend as first-hand knowledge, especially the 'anything goes' style these characters show in their desperate attempt to reach fame, and be fun. We know it will end in emptiness, or the film, not to be judgemental, presents all about the emptiness of their behavior as it is.
Rating:
Summary: Seth Green, actor/genius
Review: Seth Green is perhaps the finest comedic actor working. He carried this movie. Macauly Caulkin tries way too hard to mimic Michael Alig's physical and vocal mannerisms, but doesn't quite pull it off. It is just that - plain mimicry. I have seen the original "Shockumentary" and I have to say Seth Green's take on James St. James is nothing short of incredible. The odd cadence in his speech, and that weird nasally way he speaks. It's just amazing how Green literally becomes St. James. This film was largely ignored by the public, and critics didn't take much of a shine to it either. The subject matter either too bizarre, or maybe just not bizarre enough...who knows. I go back and forth when trying to decide which I like best, the original documentary ( which is great ) or the film. There are actual Laugh Out Loud comedic moments in the film, even though most of the humour is a little on the dark side. But there is something about the documentary that brings me back to it again and again. I just can't stop watching it. The Shockumentary, by the same duo that made The Eyes of Tammy Faye, I would give a 5 star rating. The film, I give 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Great Story, Underdeveloped Characters.
Review: First of all I would like to say that I really enjoyed this movie. My only gripe with it (and the reason only 3 stars) is the only characters we really get to know are Michael Alig and James St. James. If we knew a little bit more about the other characters this would definetely be a 5-star movie. The acting is incredible and I would recommend this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Sick, Twisted and....Fabulous!
Review: Well, now that this film is out on DVD, I finally got the chance to see it. I must have missed its showing in Philadelphia. I had heard so much about it and rented the DVD with much anticipation. I wasn't let down at all! After viewing, I purchased my own copy right away to add to my collection. I was in college in the mid-late 1980's in North Jersey not far from NYC so I was at least familiar with the setting, Reagonomics and the ME decade of the 80s. It is very easy to see just how this all happened. Now, on to the film itself. I watched with trepidation to see "little" Mac (that adorable little boy from Home Alone) in his comeback role as an adult actor. Could he pull it off? YOU BET! With beads and feathers to boot! He really prepared well for the film and did an awesome job recreating the now infamous Michael Alig. He's a long way from Home Alone now and I'm so glad. Give a real actor a meaty role and just watch him sink his teeth into it...and that is just what Mac does...over and over again. Seth Green, playing James St. James, the author of the book on which the film is based is also a hoot! I have never quite seen him like this. He truly WAS a queen in this film...so convincing in his role. And finally, Marilyn Manson. Well, I really didn't know WHAT to expect from him, this being his first film. What can I say about his performance as Christina, a trangendered Niko-influenced party girl? Brilliant! And WAY too short. I would have loved to have seen more of him. Perhaps he can write and produce HER story to bring to the screen next? I'd love it! See this film...but when you do, fasten your seatbelts because you are in for a ride that is....well...sick, twisted and....FABULOUS!
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