Rating: 
Summary: The Criminal Mind has a whole new meaning
Review: BETTER LUCK TOMORROW has the dark comedy aspect of HEATHERS, while still being a pretty straightforward film. It's ostensibly a story of California Asian high school kids who are so smart they can engage in all sorts of criminal activity while their parents think they are studying. The movie just 100 minutes and it felt long about 90 minutes into it, but I liked it just the same. These guys spend the movie contriving all sorts of schemes for boredom more than money. The main character is really more interested in getting into an Ivy League school and winning over the girl in his science class (Jerry Mathers plays their Science teacher in a nice cameo). It was fast, sharp and funny. You should see it too.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant filmmaking
Review: If the reviews posted here aren't enough to get you out of your chair to see this film, than I cannot guess what is. Justin Lin is a filmmaker to look out for in the future. He has accomplished what so many Hollywood vets attempt to do, which is tell an accomplished, entertaining and successful story with style. Everything about the filmmaking here (script, photography, the finely calibrated performances, Lin's camera style) is brilliant. In my opinion, this is the most astonishing and brilliant American debut film since Spike Jonze's Being John Malkovich. There is too much plot and story to cover here, so I will just say this: I cannot wait to see what Mr. Lin will do next. He now has a brand new fan.
Rating:
Summary: 5 star masterpiece
Review: this movie i went to see with my mom and it was such a great work of art! i loved it and i cant wait till it comes out so i can buy it! great performances, and great screenplay. funny sad, scary, disturbing a classic movie! thanks for the movie! if u liked this you might like the movie KIDS by larry clark which is kinda similar!
cool! peace
Rating:
Summary: This film amazed me, I have seen it twice.
Review: In his first film Justin Lin has not only done away with cinematic stereotypes but he has also made one of the most astonishing first features since Resivior Dogs. (I would say Clerks but this is more of a Quientin-esque film- and lets face it while Clerks is a personal film Dogs does and says more). Better Luck Tomorrow is about a group of overachieving Asian youth in a suburban LA community and how their intelligance(or in some cases lack there of) gets them a free ticket to do whatever they want. I won't give spoilers, except to say they embark on a series of escapades that are dangerous. this will end up being one of the best films of the year!!
Rating:
Summary: Not Another Teen Movie
Review: Justin Lin's Better Luck Tomorrow has got to be one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Disturbing, provocative, twisted, and satirical, Lin (incidentally, a former UCSD student) quickly establishes the projection of an idyllic California suberb through the vernacular of popular stereotypes of Asian Americans (i.e. the Model Minority myth). But this film makes it clear from the get-go that this is "Not Another Teen Movie" by way of cardboard Asian America. Lin just props up the initial setpiece, so he can systematically dismantle it and kick some hegemonic...the rest of the way, providing a visceral, violent, and unapologetic cinematic exploration of the seamier side of youth. While these characters are overachievers, they're also infused with all the angst, rage, and volatility that comes with the turbelence of adolescence -- homework, SATs, and college admissions walking hand in hand with drugs, sex, and crime. My only real criticism is that the ending seemed too abrupt and disjointed. But if viewed as a reinvention of (and homage to, if you will) Mike Nichols' The Graduate, with the pervasive (and all-too-real) uncertainty expressed by the two leads, riding off into a crazy world extending far beyond the boundaries of a contained cinematic geography, it definitely works. On a final note, as an Asian American, it's always amazing to see myself, the people I know, and the world I inhabit, represented onscreen as three-dimensional human beings in opposition to all the Long Duck Dongs and proverb chewing martial arts action figures out there. If this film continues its successful streak, perhaps we can be assured that there will continue to be films by us about us dealing with the issues that affect us -- cuz if this is any indication, there definitely is an audience for us. But take this all away, and what you have is a damned good film, an impressive debut feature by a filmmaker who will (and should) be recognized as an important new face in cinema.
Rating:
Summary: Driven to Tears
Review: Justin Lin's 'Better Luck Tomorrow' crackles with as much fury and bravado as Martin Scorsese did in his similar themed 'Mean Streets.' Even though reviews of this film would have you believe that 'BLT' is primarily about the Asian high school experience'it is not. What it is about is the disaffected, prone to violence and crime youth culture: a theme that has been with us for many years probably beginning in the 50's with 'Rebel Without a Cause' or 'The Wild Ones,' when teenagers were discovered by film makers who looked at the Baby Boomer culture and saw dollar signs.
Though his film is populated by an almost 100% Asian cast, Lin has decided not to play the 'Asian Card.' One of the ways he accomplishes this is to not have the obligatory scene in which his characters sit down to dinner with their parents who scold and serve up bowls of rice with their advice and warnings. In fact, there are no parents or teachers in this film at all.
Lin's characters are Universal and therefore represent a whole generation of teenagers no matter what ethnicity. Ben (Parry Shen) is the main character and he is conflicted about life: on the one hand he is hell bent on getting into a good school and playing basketball yet on the other hand, he dabbles in the illegal to make extra money. His friends: Virgil (Jason J. Tobin), Han (Sun Kang) and Deric (Roger Fan) form his posse and they are likewise conflicted. One of the many pleasures of this film is that that Shen and his buddies really care and protect each other which sets this film apart from other youth culture movies and it is refreshing.
'Better Luck Tomorrow' is raw, volatile, disruptive, thought provoking yet tender and loving. It is a testament to Lin and his cast and personally I can't wait for Lin's next film, for he is an unmistakably talented new director.
Rating:
Summary: Unique & Intriguing
Review: This movie is one of a kind. I've never seen a film about Asian American youth before. Sure there are Asian American movies like "Joy Luck Club" and "The Picture Bride", but this is different because it deals with Asian American youth in explicit detail. I grew up an Asian American, and I can see a lot of my personal experiences and a lot of stories from friends and family in this movie. The general population loves to stereotype Asians as smart nerdy mathematicians, but they don't know the dark side of Asian Americans. This film covers both sides of the story. More movies like this should be made... maybe a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie that Takes Real Risks
Review: "Better Luck Tomorrow" is a clever and disturbing film that is disguised as something upbeat and bright, only to hide dark and troubled layers within. It's for sure a film that takes you by surprise by giving you something you'd never expect from the looks of it. This is probably one of the film's strongest strengths. Ben Manibag appears to be your average overachiever; a bright kid that gets good marks in school and has a steady job. He appears to be every parents' dream. However, Ben and his friends are living double lives as they play dirty outside of school. Always committing some sort of petty crime, it is only a matter of time that Ben and his friends become greedy and start taking more risks and performing dangerous crimes. The appearances of being "bright and perfect students" gives them the freedom to do almost anything they wish without being examined under a microscope, and with your typical "model student" stereotypes to keep their darker sides hidden. Of course, everything that has a beginning has an end. It's just a question of when the downward spiral begins and how deep they fall into the rabbit hole with no option of turning back. For a low-budget movie, it does not look nor feel like one. In fact, it feels and looks like a film made by professionals. The directing and editing styles are slightly reminiscent of "Requiem for a Dream," but still add an original and fresh element to the film. The story presented to us is thought-provoking, disturbing, scary and authentic. Very much like Ben and his friends, the movie is disguised as something normal with a darker side that is not clear right from the word "go," but ever so increases little by little as the film progresses. You do not know what will come next, and you have no idea how things are going to turn out in the end. A great thing about the movie is that it takes the risk of not being ordinary and brings honesty to the story and the characters. You could easily see things that are portrayed in this movie happen next door to you. The events that take place do not occur in ghettos or poor neighborhoods; nor do they involve gang-bangers and hoodlums. Everything takes place in suburbia and involves your "everyday kids," which makes it all the more effective and horrifyingly insightful. The cast does a terrific job and the writing is true to itself. The DVD doesn't have much to offer, which is a shame. The movie looks and sounds great. Again, it is very hard to tell that this was a low-budget project, as it has the markings of true professionals. The bright and upbeat cinematography is excellent at concealing hidden truths and darkness. Lacking in special features, the only extra on the DVD is commentary. "Better Luck Tomorrow" is really a film that stands out. While I don't think it's a masterpiece, I certainly think it's better than a lot of the drivel that's out today. If you're looking for a unique and different picture that is both scary and thought-provoking, then this might be the ticket for you. It's a great film with real strengths that ventures away from the ordinary and clichéd.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: It's chilling and moving. For a low budget film, it has amazing camera work, solid actors, great soundtrack and an excellent plot.
It's been High School violence that could happen anywhere, but also adds an Asian-American dynamic to it.
As a response to the "Not Hardcore" review some one gave it, accusing it of being unrealistic, I have to add that it is inspired by a real 1992 murder in Orange County. (...)
Rating:
Summary: nice change from the ordinary
Review: I think this movie is a nice change from other movies focusing on asian characters in that their ethnicity doesn't define them. These characters want girlfriends, popularity, acceptance, good grades, just like everybody else. And that's the reality of most Asian-American people (myself included. Except I'm a girl, so I'd probably want a boyfriend). I think Justin Lin does a great job of portraying the realities of not just Asian-American kids, but American kids in general. Yeah, we might not all be drawn to crime, but hasn't everyone been drawn to some form of excitement when life gets monotonous?
Anyways, the movie itself is good, but the performances are great. There's that scene where Virgil is both crying and expressing his excitement over something they'd all done. You can really see the fear and excitement he feels. The guy who played Derek was awesome because he made a character who is esstentially sociopathic into someone charming and recognizable.
So, based on the above descriptions, I highly recommend this movie.
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