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Party Monster

Party Monster

List Price: $14.98
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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I'm not addicted to Drugs, I'm addicted to Glamour
Review: For those of us who aren't old enough to have remembered the real club kids....there is PARTY MONSTER.. Macauley Culkin returns to the big screen as Michael Alig and I assure you there are no "home alone" references in my mind now when I think of him. He pulls off scared, cracked, tough, psuedo-confident, AND bisexual REALLY WELL. I read Clubland over the summer (UHM, I think I was on the James St. James schedule for making it thru a page! LOL)...which is a Village Voice reporter's account of the rise and fall of Clubland ala Peter Gatien and the clubkids. PARTY MONSTER is based on James St. James' Disco Bloodbath (which is my next must read)....ANYWAY, The movie doesn't gloss over too much- it's really about Michael Alig - even though it's told from his famously jealous best friend and original clubkid- St. James....Peter Gatien's roll is diminished as well- though in reality it's pretty academic and filled with legal blah blah and would have detracted from the story of these clubkids who are quoted as "famous for trying to be famous". It seemed 99% of the audience knew someone like everyone in the movie...I was eerily intrigued by the whole movie- just the ability of these clubbers to literally make something huge out of nothing.... The word fabulous was used a million times...and NOT one time did I hear the word BUMP. Not a shocker since they seemed to snort a "bag" or do a "rail" all the time....so, the must not have had much use for the word- bump. What's also fascinating about this movie is that these kids were very aware of what they were feeling- even cracked. They did go on a huge binge after the crime- obviously, they stole all Angel's stash....and then it seems everything about the gruesome ending DID come out of a disassociation with reality. I HIGHLY recommend this movie for the "support the indies!" factor AND b/c it's entertaining- it's ACTUALLY peppered with a lot of comic relief.... I give it 5 WANDS b/c it's an interesting TRUE story (though only part of it) and it's a great "go with your friends" movie.... and the soundtrack has made me come home and download STACEY Q!! :-)

I'm not a critic- but if you've ever experienced "club life" you know how the serious party bois and girls are...and this cast was right on...in a way, it didn't look like they were even acting...though I'm sure they didn't pass around a mirror and razorblade while filming....hmmmm

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Macaulay Culkin back in the screen as Michael Alig
Review: Party Monster was the not the first ive heard of Michael Alig. I was getting into the party scene the year that Michael Alig killed Angel Melendez. I wasnt a club kid in New York but was familiar with what happened.
Granted Kieren and Rory Culkin are great Actors but when i was growing up this was the guy in all the movies and those who remember the first glimses of him on the big screen his brothers just dont compare..
Its great to see him on the big screen again and this time its on his own choice, the movie he wanted to do and acting because he wants to.
Unfortionatly it doesnt look like this is gonna be in all theatres because it doesnt seem to be coming to my home here in Mississippi or even New Orleans.. I did order the book though... cant wait to see this on dvd atleast. it looks like its gonna be great..

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: He can act...
Review: I imagine most of America will be interested in Party Monster to see little Macaulay Culkin all grown up. Well, he is, and he turns in a very disturbing performance. After about five minutes of watching him act, you forget Home Alone and buy him as Michael Alig - the ambisexual party king of New York.

The movie itself is very enjoyable. I learned a lot about Eighties culture that I'd never known before. Seth Green keeps impressing me with his acting/comic abilities. The film is about grim subject matter but manages to be fun and funny until its sad, grisly conclusion.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Juvenile, Ostentatious, Vibrant
Review: Aficionados of the immensely popular Home Alone series can easily recall the film's hook, lead Macaulay Culkin, among other notable qualities. People fail to recall just what happened to cinema's Kevin McAllister. As Culkin's portrayal of Kevin earned him a garnished career in Hollywood, that career dwindled when he disappeared from the money, success, fame and glamour so highly espoused by his childishly flamboyant character in Party Monster, a daring, draining, and altogether juvenile account of the true events in James St. James's daring novel Disco Bloodbath.
Directed by lovers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, Monster ostentatiously exposes the nightlife of early 1990s New York, with its decadent club scene and depreciating drug network, through the eyes of one of the epoch's most controversial party promoters, Michael Alig (Culkin). Alig, along with his entourage: a drag queen debutante, James St. James (Seth Green), a drugged-out drag singer Christina (Marilyn Manson), a sexually adventurous disc jockey, Keoki (Wilmer Valderrama), and an imprudent club owner (Dylan McDermott) move to take New York City by storm with fetish-oriented soirées and drug-oriented midnight bashes.
As Alig begins to experiment with his newfound popularity, he takes advantage of the substance abuse permeated within the culture, and ultimately aspires to gain a place in society as a famous "party kid". But, as one would like to remember, all good things must come to an end. Monster moves from the garishness of a party culture to the depreciated moratorium that becomes Alig's life; drugs have become a common pleasure/goal, his relationships dwindle, and his life finally spins out of control in a climax that is both heartbreaking and disturbing.
Culkin's performance ranks in as a less-than-mediocre rendition of a high school drama club portrayal, but perhaps Bailey and Barbato found purport in using this as a vehicle for delivering the underlying idea of the childish and illusory pleasures in decadence. There is a sense of pleasure in humoring Culkin and his pursuit of his juvenile ways. Seth Green, though utterly ridiculous at some points, adds stability to the obnoxiousness and impulsiveness of Alig's character. Some will appreciate this film as a testament to the artistic and audacious nature of cinema; others will view this as an example when directors allow their instincts to shift into a neo-90's MTV-esque overdrive.
I prefer the former.

B+

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I THINK ITS SO IMPORTANT TO BEGIN WITH A BANG DONT YOU
Review: Party Monster is about Micheal Alig-king of the club kids-what a mess!

Welcome to the party baby!

Party Monster looks so good-I watched the trailer like four times-and Im gonna buy the soundtrack and the novel-magazine of course!

Of course Seth Green steals the movie-I think he steals every movie he is in-I truly love Seth Green!

I alreadly made a cd for it-but Im still buying the soundtrack!

Im into the disco scene-I listen to dance music everyday and my room looks like a little disco hangout!

Seth Green is the narrator for this movie-which makes it even better!

I have hanging on my wall an article about this movie-well its mostly about the movie and the real murder!

I want to watch the documentray about Micheal Alig-I hope I can get it on dvd!

I read on a Micheal Alig site-and it said that he was pretty good lookin-and he was!

So Im looking forward to this movie-I cant wait till it opens and the soundtrack novel come out for buying!

And its so cool that Seth is gonna play James St James!

Of course Seth is cool in everything hes in-he is cool!

Your gonna love Party Monster-trust me!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is a GREAT movie!
Review: I watched this movie the other night not thinking that it was not going to be that good considering some of the reveiws that I had read. I LOVED IT!!!! The movie was great from the start to the finish. I dont know to much about the real Mike, so I am not sure if the movie follows that story line or not, (I just ordered the shockamentary). I have watched this movie twice already and I sure to watch it several more times. If you are thinking about buying this movie....DO IT!!!!!

Rating: 4 stars
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: 2 stars
Summary: A peek at club kids and the N.Y.C. club called Limelight
Review: I had a hard time liking this movie, mainly because Michael Alig is such a likable guy and Macaulay Culkin is just so creepy to watch though he does play a gay man remarkably well. Seth Green acts his role but never comes off as comfortable in it and who could blame him. Alig lived life over the top and the movie plays everything over the top. The peek inside the infamous Limelight club is interesting and you'll laugh so hard you'll wet yourself at Marilyn Manson who has a minor role but in the end the documentary that chronicles Alig and the murder of "Club Kid" Angel is much much better.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Cute, Sweet, But it Won't Get an Oscar
Review: Macaulay Culkin, Seth Green, Marilyn Manson...in drag! What more could we ask for in a cast? Perhaps a little brushing-up in their skills department? Well, okay. It was not that bad. It was good enough to enjoy.

Party Monster could have been better, but it was enough to qualify as worthy of my weekend movie list. The story of Michael Alig, Keoki, and the NYC crowd's life was excellent in its accuracy, but a lot of things got cut. What makes this film unique is the amount of sheer honesty that is poured out. It's rare that we get a queer flick that is so matter-of-factly. Usually their too predictable and deal with boring, universal coming out themes. Instead we get a documentary in the lives of some really exciting (and incredibly weird), young and successful people. Best of all, this wild flick is based on a 100% true tale.

Parts of the film seemed a bit rushed, but I guess one could blame that on run-time and copy costs. The soundtrack for this film was also great. It really enhanced that dramatic effects of the modern style of camera-angling and direction.

What I liked most about the film were the added features. My DVD included interviews with ALL of the cast members and there's even an interview with Michael Alig himself, straight from his prison cell, describing the motivations for why he did what he did.

Though a little rough around the edges, you'll enjoy Party Monster. I wouldn't buy it to keep for myself, but it'd make an excellent film to rent for a date or hanging out and having a gay old time with friends.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: too much excess leads to to downfall
Review: watched the trailer online
had to see this movie
bought it on dvd
watched it 10 times already
a true classic
it goes to show you how far your live can downfall when you get too deep into the fame and drugs. not only that it also goes to show you that it's great to be famous. but one should never let it get to their head. that and the drugs. a sick twisted, funny, moving touching movie story. Macauley Culkin is amazing in here. Seth and him are hilarious in their roles
the murder scene is shocking
the movie moved me, shocked me. and thrilled me all at once
it is worth the watch over and over again. if you're a fan of Culkin's see his movies


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