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johns

johns

List Price: $14.98
Your Price: $13.48
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Slow but still good
Review: The movement of the story is very slow. There are 10 chapters on the DVD. Around chapter 4 I thought I was near the end of the film.

The film doesn't pick up speed until the middle. Here, we finally get to see how all the hustlers are related to each other. Also, the two main characters reveal a lot of themselves. We learn at how Donner's (Lukas) family mistreated him when he decided to stop hiding. And we learn about how sad John (David) is about the unfortunate placement of his birthday on the calandar.

The movie is actually better with the commentary on. But, you should see the film as is first before you watch it with the commentary.

All in all, this film isn't bad. I think it is best viewed when you borrow your friends DVD of this movie. It will not bore you, but you won't have any trouble hitting pause to go to the bathroom, or talk to friends, or answer the phone, or do anything. This film is really for those that LOVE independent films.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: No, it's NOT Midnight Cowboy -- thank god!
Review: This curious little film does not have to pretend, as did Midnight Cowboy, that street hustling is 'straight'. We've come that far in 30 years, at least: the leads' sexuality does not have to be so understated as to be non-existent! But it does takes a couple of viewings to appreciate it. Mystical and religious overtones abound, and every name has a significance: the lead character is named 'John' (David Arquette) and he keeps meeting other Johns, (a St. John, and street johns). It is Christmas Eve. John's birthday is Christmas Day and his dream of 'heaven' is to spend the night at the elegant Park Plaza Hotel, where he encounters a wise desk-clerk named 'Paul' who calls him 'Mr. John' and treats him with true kindness and respect. John needs $300 for his night in heaven and has stolen money from a drug dealer. 'Donner' (Lukas Haas) is homeless, and in love with John. His dream is for them to get to 'Camelot' (a theme park in Branson MO where they can have jobs). Only one of them makes it to Camelot. The accompanying score is beautiful and soulful, with music ranging from Gregorian Chant to Arvo Part to Jessie Mae Robinson. A touching film, nicely done.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Johns Review By Robert Raketty
Review: This film is about a group of boys who resort to selling themselves in order to fill a greater hunger and in some cases with tragic concequences. What moved me most was Lukas Haas's charactor, who comes to the streets after running away from a family unable to cope with ther son's homosexuality. This movie is able to open a window of reality into their world that no other movie has been able to duplicate. This fim also gives an intimate portrayl of youth trying to find a link in a society in which they are outcasts. I would recomend this movie to anyone who wishes to understand those that society has placed on the bottom and because Haas gives a stunning performance.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Endlessly, relentlessly downbeat
Review: This is not the worst gay-themed movie out there, but it IS among the most depressing. It's about two young guys reduced to hustling on Santa Monica Boulevard. Lukas Haas is reasonably convincing as the teenage cast-out looking for someone to care for irritating. In fact, he's supposed to be straight, and even has a girlfriend, but services middle-aged gay men for money. It's never explained why he doesn't just get a job (his character is a legal adult) and leave that life behind. If the movie did, then I must have dozed off before the story got to that. I really began to lose track after the fancy hotel scene. The locations are authentic, and there are a couple of mildly entertaining scenes here and there. But nearly every moment of this film is downbeat and never gave me any reason to care. The film's endless self-pity inspires depression, followed by boredom, sometimes followed by falling asleep. The only thing the film succeeds in is illistrating the point that prostitution is a dead-end life, but it's never enlightening or compelling in the process. Too bad.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: pretty bad
Review: waited for this video in a lower price and glad that I did as this movie is no comparison to Midnight Cowboy and the story is weak very slow and Luke Haas was not very effective at all. Credit goes to David Arquette as he did a great job but did not get the backing that he needs and can see why it did not make it to the big screen. Sorry,folks. I was so bored and only David kept me awake.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A hustler at it's worst
Review: With hopeful expectations of a modern reincarnated Joe Dallesandro movie, I found myself beyond dissapointed. Even a bigger put-down was the fact that Siskel and Ebert gave the loser "two thumbs up". What you actually wind up with, is a sorry mutated version of "Trick" and "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" rolled-into-one. Even more distasteful, was the haunting "stereotypical" music in the background. Instead of collecting money to fulfill a drug habit, the main character "John", begs, borrows, and steals, to try and buy the "one- day-high" of staying at "The Plaza". How completely unrealistic, as was this entire film. I would not only give it "two thumbs down", but two big toes as well. Do yourself a favor and watch something from the 60's or 70's, and put this piece of rubbish out to pasture.


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