Rating: 
Summary: This is a great movie and a true story make it special
Review: Starring Leonardo DeCaprio this is a great flim, loved it. About some teens with a drug problem can Jim pull himself out of his addiction and help save his life with the help of a friend? Parts were funny like in the begining when that dude pukes on the guy. It was a good movie and i recomend it to every one.
Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: I found this movie to be anything but boring. Well written, shot, and acted by all involved. Leonardo DiCaprio's superbly gritty performance proves he's not just another pretty face; he truly is a really talented actor. I hope the success of Titanic, and the subsequent adoration of teenyboppers, won't keep him from getting more great roles where he can really show his range like this.
Rating:
Summary: very realistic and it tells the truth
Review: i think this movie was one of the best movies i have ever seen. if you dont believe that drugs are very harmfull, then you need to see this movie. this is a true story and it has great actors and actresses in it that make it seem real to. i would no doubt about it give this movie 5 stars because i love action movies that are true so therefor i love this movie. if you lke movies that teach a lesson then this is your movie.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Before Trainspotting their was The Basketball Diaries and a brilliant film it is too. This is a great production from Scott Kalvert.It is the harrowing story of how a young basketball hopeful named Jim Carrol, whos life is descending into a life of drugs and violence.In which the only thing that keeps him going is his diary which is later named The Basketball Diaries.The acting in this film is brilliant.An absoloutely brilliant film it has no flaws.Every aspect of this film is great.A true masterpeice.
Rating:
Summary: Hardhitting Film Based on a True Life Story
Review: Director Scott Kalvert creates a moving and realistic recount of the true story of Jim Carroll, played superbly by Leonardo DiCaprio, a New York City teen who at the height of his high school basketball career, falls victim to drugs and violence in the rough streets. Look for the real-life Jim Carroll who makes a cameo appearance as a crack addict in the scene where young Jim sitting in a back alley listening to the addict preach about his "high" while boiling his fix. Fine supporting performances by the entire cast and a musical score including original songs performed by Jim Carroll's band. Especially memorable is the acid-rock message song: "These Are All the People Who've Died" which is a tribute to Jim's fallen friends throughout his life. The serious messages in this film SCREAM out at teens, but also are sombering to adults who realize the sometimes hopeless devastation that wracks a family during a drug crisis. Your heart breaks for Jim's mom and his mentor, an African American ex-druggie who cleaned up and wants nothing more than to help Jim out of his living hell before it consumes him.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: I can't believe a movie so full of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll can be so incredibly boring. Despite some fleeting moments of beautiful camera work and a good performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, this film has no redeeming qualities. DiCaprio is a pretty good actor but I was so sick of old Jim's whining. When I remembered that he lived to write about it, I watched the rest of the movie in fast-forward. I couldn't tolerate much more, but I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't miss anything. I didn't. If you want to see a truly entertaining movie about the horrors of heroin, skip The Basketball Diaries and check out Trainspotting. Now that's a good picture with junkies you can really feel for.
Rating: 
Summary: A Real Mistake
Review: The first mistake was setting this movie in the present rather than the 60's. The juxtaposition of Carroll's confined claustrophobic catholic world vs. the allure of the street and heroin isnt that shocking in the context of todays headlines. This could have been an interesting movie but instead it retreads predictable junkie themes, withdrawals and rehabilitation in an insincere and forced way.
Rating:
Summary: This could be an after school movie
Review: If you want a movie to show that drugs are bad, this is it. Otherwise, it's just not that great a movie. Yes, Leo does a good job of portraying someone who just about throws his life away, but the movie just didn't draw me in. I realize it's a true story so there's not a lot you can do with it, but there wasn't a single character I cared about.
Rating:
Summary: other than Titanic this is his best movie
Review: you would belive he was on drugs, he played this role of jim carroll to perfection if there is only one movie to see in this lifetime it is this.
Rating:
Summary: i couldn't take my eyes off the screen it was superb
Review: i would reccomend it to everybody. if you can buy it, buy it quick it it's the best film i've ever seen
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