Gummo

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, Disturbing, Genius
Review: After watching this film for the first time, you will find yourself with almost a numb feeling. Totally feeling not content and not complete. The film takes a deep look into the lives of utter white trash from Xenia, Ohio after a tornado has upset the area. Although it makes no progress in terms of a storyline, it shows just one day in the shattered lives of these poor people. The cimemetography is a work of art. This film is so realistic that, especially in parts taped with a home video camera, it is hard to tell whether it is real or not. This is why the film is so ultimately disturbing. Parts of it are almost scary--to think that some people actually do live this way. The film has somewhat of a documentary feel to it. There is no real plot, but instead just a general look into the lives of people that you never thought twice about. It is an important film for anyone to see, but be careful with th real squeemish. A must see for indie lovers and fans of Harmony Korine.

Rating:
Summary: unclassifiable
Review: To attempt to give an interpretation of the film or a review of my impression is an utter waste of time. Harmony Korine bestowed upon us what can only be described as the "brutality of fact". It cannot be easily classified, or explained in the manner by which a traditional film is. It exists as a series of vignettes in which reality and fiction are blurred, and the nervous system is deeply affected, which is more than can be said of much of anything as of late in the film medium.

Rating:
Summary: GENIUS.
Review: This film is a work of genius from the first frame to the last. The photography is outstanding, with a creative use of filters and hand-held cameras. The acting, much of which is amateur, is so real that you'd think this were a documentary. There is no true narrative, per se, but the composite images have an exceedinly striking impact nonetheless. We get a poignant sense of life in Xenia, Ohio and its squalid environs. My only complaint with this film is that it isn't quite disturbing enough. Fans of Werner Herzog, magical realism, "Kids" and rabbit poaching will surely love this great film. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: One of the Greatest Movies......
Review: This movie is fantastic! It is one of the strangest things I have ever seen...I loved every minute of it! There is no other movie quite like it. I found the bathtub scene to be the most disturbing...well maybe the chick shaving her eyebrows.....or maybe the grandmother scene....or....

Rating:
Summary: The Most Realistic Movie in a long time
Review: Although some of the scenes in this movie are stomach churning, and some have to close their eyes, I feel like that is what makes it so realistic. The audience can connect to things that are believable, and this movie really is.

Rating:
Summary: Difficult to Look At
Review: A grim little film. Somewhat crummy production values - but that shouldn't be a suprise. It's difficult to tell the actors apart from the actual human beings in this one and the director appears to have wanted to blur the line between reality and "the movies." It's hard to believe, though, that anyone's reality is as unrelentingly grim, filthy, ignorant, and repulsive as the lives depicted in this film. In the end, though, the director's condescension eeks through the muck. There is a certain inhumanity in deliberately filming human beings in such a state (whether fictionalized or not). What's the point - if not to shock and demoralize (or carve a vulgar new niche in Hollywood's ever ratcheting downward spiral)? On the lighter side, though, the film does have its moments (when, appallingly, you actually find yourself laughing). Enjoy - but not after eating shellfish (they might make an unwelcome reappearance if eaten before sitting down to watch "Gummo").

Rating:
Summary: no more disturbing than any other social caste
Review: I loved this movie. I am transfixed every time I watch it. It is a zesty, fresh, pure view of an immense yet way underrepresented facet of American society. I do not find it particularly disturbing, nor do I see it as exploiting or mocking "white trash." These vignettes have soul and truth and are no more disturbing or trashy than fat, dull old men and garish hags bedhopping and murdering and morally defecating in most other sad Hollywood bullroar. I am more afraid of Beverly Hills than of Xenia Ohio; of Stallone than Tummler. I am so grateful to Harmony Korine for creating films that after viewing leave me feeling as if I have just finished an awesome book.

Rating:
Summary: I'm from Xenia, and it ain't nothin like this
Review: The way the film portrays Xenia makes it look like the whole town is like this. I know for a fact that it is not. While the town is not the greatest out there, it was a pretty decent place to grow up in. The producer of this one probably sniffed a little too much glue himself. Visit the place before you submit a 5-star review and you'll see that this film is way off track.

Rating:
Summary: ORIGINAL, PROVOCATIVE, UNCOMPROMISING
Review: If you're making a movie and it has no plot, you better have 90 minutes of some damn interesting images, characters, sounds, etc. - and that's what Gummo has. I was glued to the screen. Certain moments of this film are so original they made my jaw drop - the kid using the silverware as dumbbells has to be one of my favorite moments. Oh, and yeah, it's hilarious too.

Rating:
Summary: Amateurish
Review: Not the shock to the consciousness it strives to be. Instead it comes off as boring and contrived. There were too many instances and attempts to try to make a statement, and that gave a forced feeling to the movie. The film is a victim of strained scheming which does not allow the viewer to be affected by the content of the images, and the movie comes off as being shallow. The acting is poor and amateurish - the actors frequently take glimpses of the camera, appear wooden or just try too hard. I did enjoy the variety of bizare appearing characters who looked like John Waters or Coen brothers rejects. Also, there were a number of voice overs to home movie quality footage which added a subtle sweetness to the film.