Rating: 
Summary: Depressing movie
Review: "Joe the King" is a depressing story about a boy who grows up in a poor family. Joe goes to a local school where most of his classmates make fun of him because his dad is the school janitor. Joe stands up for himself, his brother, his mother, and even his dad even though they all treat him 'average'. In the end, Joe turns to crime to help his family. "Joe the King" is not a movie for everyone. Some viewers may find the movie depressing, disturbing and even offensive. There is a substantial amount of profanity in the movie. If you insist on viewing it, be sure to rent it first.
Rating: 
Summary: Great screenplay
Review: "Joe the King," written by actor Frank Whaley (Swing Kids, Pulp Fiction) debuted him this time as director in this independant film that takes place in upstate New York(actually filmed on Staten Island). This movie, told about a young boy's struggle for survival in a world that has the odds stacked against him, is a powerful and moving movie. The young actor playing Joe, Noah Fleiss (Josh and S.A.M.) proved to be a very wonderful actor. Other actors included are Val Kilmer, Ethan Hawke, John Leguizamo, Camryn Manheim, Karen Young, and countless others. Despite the not so good reviews and ratings given by film critics, I believe that this movie is a very unique, interesting, and nicely put together movie. The DVD version is very interesting because of a special feature included in it, which is a commentary made on the film that is narrated by Frank Whaley, his brother Robert Whaley, and snipits by actor and friend of Whaley's, Ethan Hawke. The whole movie is replayed in this feature, but this time with their voices in the background, offering each person's individual opinion about each and every single scene, as well as behind-the-scenes information. Frank Whaley's witty humour provides for laughs throughout the commentary. All in all, this was a wonderful movie...that just happened to be filmed in my school!
Rating:
Summary: Great screenplay
Review: "Joe the King," written by actor Frank Whaley (Swing Kids, Pulp Fiction) debuted him this time as director in this independant film that takes place in upstate New York(actually filmed on Staten Island). This movie, told about a young boy's struggle for survival in a world that has the odds stacked against him, is a powerful and moving movie. The young actor playing Joe, Noah Fleiss (Josh and S.A.M.) proved to be a very wonderful actor. Other actors included are Val Kilmer, Ethan Hawke, John Leguizamo, Camryn Manheim, Karen Young, and countless others. Despite the not so good reviews and ratings given by film critics, I believe that this movie is a very unique, interesting, and nicely put together movie. The DVD version is very interesting because of a special feature included in it, which is a commentary made on the film that is narrated by Frank Whaley, his brother Robert Whaley, and snipits by actor and friend of Whaley's, Ethan Hawke. The whole movie is replayed in this feature, but this time with their voices in the background, offering each person's individual opinion about each and every single scene, as well as behind-the-scenes information. Frank Whaley's witty humour provides for laughs throughout the commentary. All in all, this was a wonderful movie...that just happened to be filmed in my school!
Rating: 
Summary: A Dark Tale with a Bright Heart
Review: A stunning, underrated film about the fragility of boys as represented by Joe Henry. Whaley shows amazing control and subtlety. Even the smallest details resound. Though things seems hopeless for the protagonist, the fact that the movie is based on the director's own life and he transcended those circumstances give it a kind of brightness and optimism despite the surface bleakness of the material. Wonderful performances, beautifully-shot, sparingly but powerfully written.
Rating:
Summary: Val Kilmer In A Bold Role!
Review: Finally a Film That Proves Val Kilmer Can Act! Joe The King Is a Well Made Film that Is Strongly Written and has a Great Cast Led By Val Kilmer Who has a Role That Shows He has emotion! This was a Bold Role For Val Not Only Because he had to show a Range Of Emotion But He Also Had To Gain Weight and Show His Big Belly! You have To Give an Actor Credit For That! This is a Great Coming Of Age Story about a 14 Year Old Boy Going on 30 who despite having parents and an older brother is basically left to raise himself and gets in all sorts of trouble! The Film is a Downer at times because the film brings home the point that we are basically products of our surroundings and this kids surroundings are bleak, an alcoholic father, a tramp for a mother and a Future that is unkown! Despite that Cheery senerio, the film is compelling and I would highly recommend it! Keep that Belly Val and More Good Roles Should Come Your Way!
Rating:
Summary: tragic
Review: I have seen this movie more than once,and always has left me feeling really sad.I think it was very well done. Gritty and tense, down to the home haircuts. Joe is a hero,in a losing battle for survival.I could not help but think of all the children, who are in this same situation now. Suffering in silence. Joe the King is an excellent movie about alcohol abuse,
and the devastation it leaves in its wake.I do'nt recommend this movie for children.
Rating:
Summary: A powerful film.....tough lessons for Joe the King
Review: I have seen this movie several times and all ways ending with the same conclusion: a powerful movie. The movie is about a youth who comes from a working class family, parents are not "really there" as parents or as a couple, poverty is part of the daily living, and Joe (lead character) takes some risks which do not lead to the most favorable conclusion and situation. It will have the viewer, hopefully, more compassionate for the Joe the King. I would raise one question: is this really all about Joe? This movie should be required viewing for all sociology and juvenile justice courses. This is a powerfully made movie. Mr. Diego R. Rodriguez
Chicago, Il
Rating:
Summary: pull up your chair, some popcorn, bitchslap your wife, enjoy
Review: I really enjoyed this movie, ( true to life ).
Rating:
Summary: A Bittersweet Tale That Haunts You
Review: Joe the King is a tale of a young lad virtually abandoned by society and family. The father (Val Kilmer) is an abusive, alcoholic; the mother is a passive female who allows the abuse. In essence, she has given up. The older brother is in the same mess. All he has going for him is the fact that he is a year older, and is, perhaps, more attractive. Joe, for the most part, seems more like a little hobo (or to some, perhaps, a modern Artful Dodger). This movie will carry you through many emotions, and most will be painful...even down right depressing. Fleiss plays his part perfectly. His facial expressions and body language can make you laugh in one moment; make you want to cry in the next. The opening scene was difficult for me. A younger Joe has his pants pulled down and is paddled by his antagonistic teacher. I don't think this would have really happened during the time frame of this movie, but I did flash back to the many times I had to hold my hand out for a swat with a wooden ruler. While Joe tries to work at a legitimate job, he finds it ever too tempting to start stealing. Joe is going to pay off his alcoholic father's debt and replace his mother's record collection; it was destroyed by the father during a drunken rage. Joe never uses the money for his own gain. You will find yourself 'rootin' for Joe. You don't want him to get caught. But a meddling school counselor (Hawke) upsets the scheme, ultimately leading to the arrest and conviction of Joe. The counselor thinks he is helping. HA! Prior to Joe's departure to the juvenile facility, the father delivers a rather touching dialog. But, too little, too late. Many people may find this movie too much of a downer. You want a happy ending; it is not there. If you are a male 25 or older, and if you had an abusive, alcoholic father...if you were ever tempted to steal something...if your boyhood days were tough and you lived on the edge of what could have been 'normal' but was in fact hell...if you've loved and lost, then you will probably enjoy this movie. I think it's a great movie, but then, again, I could see a lot of myself in Joe; I just never got caught. I recommend the DVD version, simply for the exceptional narrative.
Rating:
Summary: A film that will stay with you...
Review: Joe the King was a film I rented out of curiosity. I have always admired Val Kilmer's less mainstream film performances. " HBO's "The Man Who Broke 1000 Chains" stands out in my mind. This film took me by surprise as much as it stunned me on a personal and intellectual level. I found that the character development was full. It was a realistic portrayal of one the most common and often covered up either seperate or combined social issues, Abuse, and Alcoholism. Plus, everything that can snowball when these subjects become a reality in a families life.
I felt that though perhaps not a critical success on many accounts. The actors deserved acknowledgment for their near perfect portrayals. The screenplay was excellent and it was a film that touched on topics that are often misunderstood.
For those reasons alone, I cannot recommend this movie enough. It is excellent! I own many movies but, I could not add this one to my collection quick enough.
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