“Boys Don’t Cry”

DVD, Blu-ray Movie Review

Directed by Kimberly Pierce, Written by Kimberly Pierce and Andy Bienen, 118 minutes, Rated R.

By our guest blogger, Matthew Schimkowitz

“Boys Don’t Cry,” just out on Blu-ray disc, isn’t just the story of Brandon Teena’s murder. It’s the story of countless others in the gay community threatened and attacked by those they trust.

Kimberly Pierce’s film is a hard, uncompromising look at these tragic relationships by eerily inviting and violently alienating the viewer. Based on a true story, "Boys Don't Cry" is a product of its time, reflecting the explosions of violence that closed out the 1990s, and remains unfortunately relevant today.

Hillary Swank stars as Brandon Teena, a transgendered male living on the fringes of society. Holding up with some new friends only a few miles from his own Nebraskan town, Brandon keeps his secret close. He falls for Lana (Chloe Sevingy), who like him, doesn't see anything wrong with his sexuality; however, her ex-boyfriend John (Peter Sarsgaard) certainly does. Suddenly, John's big brother act turns violent as Brandon's hidden identity surfaces.

Broken into two halves, “Boys” Don’t Cry” welcomes the viewer through the close friendship of the cast, before shattering that relationship in a hail of gunfire. Upon introducing John and his friends, their intimacy is palpable. There is history and dynamics to their relationships that grows with the film. Pierce acquaints us with these people, and we come to know them well, making the hostility and tension of the film’s second part all the more shocking.

Sarsgaard, who in the film's first half only has instances of hostility, explodes on screen. He’s unpredictable, comforting and scary, and as his character grows more confrontational, so does the film. Suddenly, John turns Brandon’s whimsical ride into a dizzying nightmare. Opposite him, Hilary Swank's apprehension plays off Sarsgaard's brute strength perfectly. Brandon's fears become very real and very difficult to watch.

"Boys Don't Cry" lives in a grey area, bringing together the whimsy of the early-'90s (represented in the film’s lively first hour), and the violent end of the decade, highlighted by Columbine and Matthew Shepard's murder. You can hear echoes of these moments in the film's final scenes. It's horrifying, unsettling and painfully real.

Pierce’s film is an important artifact from the not-to-distant past that grows in relevance every year. “Boys Don’t Cry” characterizes the alternative attitudes of the '90s, as well as the cavalcade of violence that marked its end.

Grade: A

“Boys Don’t Cry”

DVD, Blu-ray Movie Review

Directed by Kimberly Pierce, Written by Kimberly Pierce and Andy Bienen, 118 minutes, Rated R.

By our guest blogger, Matthew Schimkowitz

“Boys Don’t Cry,” just out on Blu-ray disc, isn’t just the story of Brandon Teena’s murder. It’s the story of countless others in the gay community threatened and attacked by those they trust.

Kimberly Pierce’s film is a hard, uncompromising look at these tragic relationships by eerily inviting and violently alienating the viewer. Based on a true story, "Boys Don't Cry" is a product of its time, reflecting the explosions of violence that closed out the 1990s, and remains unfortunately relevant today.

Hillary Swank stars as Brandon Teena, a transgendered male living on the fringes of society. Holding up with some new friends only a few miles from his own Nebraskan town, Brandon keeps his secret close. He falls for Lana (Chloe Sevingy), who like him, doesn't see anything wrong with his sexuality; however, her ex-boyfriend John (Peter Sarsgaard) certainly does. Suddenly, John's big brother act turns violent as Brandon's hidden identity surfaces.

Broken into two halves, “Boys” Don’t Cry” welcomes the viewer through the close friendship of the cast, before shattering that relationship in a hail of gunfire. Upon introducing John and his friends, their intimacy is palpable. There is history and dynamics to their relationships that grows with the film. Pierce acquaints us with these people, and we come to know them well, making the hostility and tension of the film’s second part all the more shocking.

Sarsgaard, who in the film's first half only has instances of hostility, explodes on screen. He’s unpredictable, comforting and scary, and as his character grows more confrontational, so does the film. Suddenly, John turns Brandon’s whimsical ride into a dizzying nightmare. Opposite him, Hilary Swank's apprehension plays off Sarsgaard's brute strength perfectly. Brandon's fears become very real and very difficult to watch.

"Boys Don't Cry" lives in a grey area, bringing together the whimsy of the early-'90s (represented in the film’s lively first hour), and the violent end of the decade, highlighted by Columbine and Matthew Shepard's murder. You can hear echoes of these moments in the film's final scenes. It's horrifying, unsettling and painfully real.

Pierce’s film is an important artifact from the not-to-distant past that grows in relevance every year. “Boys Don’t Cry” characterizes the alternative attitudes of the '90s, as well as the cavalcade of violence that marked its end.

Grade: A

When I look at this photo of international film and singing sensation LaToya Jackson, who just turned 53, I think_____________________________________________________.

Leave your comments in the comments section.

I'll post the winner soon.

When I look at this photo of international film and singing sensation LaToya Jackson, who just turned 53, I think_____________________________________________________.

Leave your comments in the comments section.

I'll post the winner soon.

And the winner of the fill in the blank contest is....Chris! Not me--another Chris.

Chris' entry: When I look at this photo of comedian Carrot Top, I think "Carrot Top needs to lay off the carrots."

Runner up? Linda! "I think she's absolutely beautiful."

Thanks for playing.

And the winner of the fill in the blank contest is....Chris! Not me--another Chris.

Chris' entry: When I look at this photo of comedian Carrot Top, I think "Carrot Top needs to lay off the carrots."

Runner up? Linda! "I think she's absolutely beautiful."

Thanks for playing.

When I look at this photo of comedian Carrot Top, I think___________________________________________________

Leave the comment in the comment section. Winner announced shortly.

When I look at this photo of comedian Carrot Top, I think___________________________________________________

Leave the comment in the comment section. Winner announced shortly.

And the winner of the fill in the blank is....Theresa!

When I look at this photo of Drew Barrymore, who had her tongue pierced a few months ago, I think "wonder what cash4gold would give me for that stud in her mouth."

Congrats, Theresa!

Runner-ups:

Raiderchic29: "E.T. would be so disappointed."

Mark said: "Girl has mad skillz: She caught a BB in her mouth."

and finally...

Kathy: "When she takes it out, can she still suck on a Tic Tac?"

Excellent posts!

Christopher

And the winner of the fill in the blank is....Theresa!

When I look at this photo of Drew Barrymore, who had her tongue pierced a few months ago, I think "wonder what cash4gold would give me for that stud in her mouth."

Congrats, Theresa!

Runner-ups:

Raiderchic29: "E.T. would be so disappointed."

Mark said: "Girl has mad skillz: She caught a BB in her mouth."

and finally...

Kathy: "When she takes it out, can she still suck on a Tic Tac?"

Excellent posts!

Christopher

When I look at this photo of Vivica A. Fox, who currently is tapping a hotline to the paranormal via her work with the Psychic Friends Network, I think, "I thought Uma Thurman killed her ass!"

Thanks, Brandon!

Runner up:

...I think, "Sasha Fierce!"

Thanks, Cheryl!

When I look at this photo of Vivica A. Fox, who currently is tapping a hotline to the paranormal via her work with the Psychic Friends Network, I think, "I thought Uma Thurman killed her ass!"

Thanks, Brandon!

Runner up:

...I think, "Sasha Fierce!"

Thanks, Cheryl!

When I look at this photo of Drew Barrymore, who had her tongue pierced a few months ago, I think________________________________________

Let us know in the comments section. We'll post the winner here shortly!

When I look at this photo of Drew Barrymore, who had her tongue pierced a few months ago, I think________________________________________

Let us know in the comments section. We'll post the winner here shortly!

When I look at this photo of Vivica A. Fox, who currently is tapping a hotline to the paranormal via her work with the Psychic Friends Network, I think__________________________________

Post your comments here. We'll post the winner shortly!

When I look at this photo of Vivica A. Fox, who currently is tapping a hotline to the paranormal via her work with the Psychic Friends Network, I think__________________________________

Post your comments here. We'll post the winner shortly!

When I look at this photo of Angelina Jolie, I take note of the woman in the mask and think it's Jennifer Aniston and she's got a gun!

Thanks go to Jackie for commenting!

More to come!

When I look at this photo of Angelina Jolie, I take note of the woman in the mask and think it's Jennifer Aniston and she's got a gun!

Thanks go to Jackie for commenting!

More to come!

When I look at this photo of Angelina Jolie, I take note of the woman in the mask and think______________________________________________

Leave your comments in the comments section. We'll post the winner shortly!

When I look at this photo of Angelina Jolie, I take note of the woman in the mask and think______________________________________________

Leave your comments in the comments section. We'll post the winner shortly!

David Riker’s “La Ciudad” is one powerhouse of a film.

Shot in luminous black-and-white and using non-actors in almost every role, it is a remarkable achievement of filmmaking that restores one’s faith in the art itself. It's the sort of film that will make audiences feel uncomfortable, question their relationships with the outside world, look hard at man’s inhumanity to man, and perhaps even change their lives.

The film does what literature cannot do--its stark, haunting images allow immediate access into New York City’s Latin American immigrant community. In a series of four seamless vignettes, it focuses on the disenfranchised, those men, women and children who fled Mexico for the United States in hopes of finding a better life.

That elusive dream comes to no one in “La Ciudad”; if anything, the dreams many carried thousands of miles from their native homeland have only fallen headlong into nightmare: one man is killed when a building collapses on him, a sweatshop worker is desperate to raise $400 so she can save her dying daughter, two young people find love only to lose one another, a homeless man is unable to send his daughter to school so she might have a chance at a better life.

It has been said that many live lives of quiet desperation--director Riker knows this and respects it. His film is a poignant reminder of those overlooked individuals struggling to make it on society’s fringe.

Grade: A

David Riker’s “La Ciudad” is one powerhouse of a film.

Shot in luminous black-and-white and using non-actors in almost every role, it is a remarkable achievement of filmmaking that restores one’s faith in the art itself. It's the sort of film that will make audiences feel uncomfortable, question their relationships with the outside world, look hard at man’s inhumanity to man, and perhaps even change their lives.

The film does what literature cannot do--its stark, haunting images allow immediate access into New York City’s Latin American immigrant community. In a series of four seamless vignettes, it focuses on the disenfranchised, those men, women and children who fled Mexico for the United States in hopes of finding a better life.

That elusive dream comes to no one in “La Ciudad”; if anything, the dreams many carried thousands of miles from their native homeland have only fallen headlong into nightmare: one man is killed when a building collapses on him, a sweatshop worker is desperate to raise $400 so she can save her dying daughter, two young people find love only to lose one another, a homeless man is unable to send his daughter to school so she might have a chance at a better life.

It has been said that many live lives of quiet desperation--director Riker knows this and respects it. His film is a poignant reminder of those overlooked individuals struggling to make it on society’s fringe.

Grade: A

When I see this new photo of 62-year-old Sylvester Stallone, which is a promo shot for his upcoming movie "The Expendables," I think____________________________

Leave your answers in the comments section. The winner's name will be posted shortly!

When I see this new photo of 62-year-old Sylvester Stallone, which is a promo shot for his upcoming movie "The Expendables," I think____________________________

Leave your answers in the comments section. The winner's name will be posted shortly!

When I look at this photo of Val Kilmer, I think Fatman! Posted by....Anonymous! That's right, just Anonymous!

When I look at this photo of Val Kilmer, I think Fatman! Posted by....Anonymous! That's right, just Anonymous!

Critical: Click the above photo to supersize it (and have a better look).

When I look at this new image of Madonna, I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit.

Thank you, Chelsea!

And the runner-up is....

When I look at this new image of Madonna, I think she is certainly overdressed for a Hanes commercial!

Thank you, Cindi!

Critical: Click the above photo to supersize it (and have a better look).

When I look at this new image of Madonna, I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit.

Thank you, Chelsea!

And the runner-up is....

When I look at this new image of Madonna, I think she is certainly overdressed for a Hanes commercial!

Thank you, Cindi!

When I look at this photo of Val Kilmer, I think____________________________________________________

Post your comments and we'll post the winner shortly!

When I look at this photo of Val Kilmer, I think____________________________________________________

Post your comments and we'll post the winner shortly!

When I look at what's become of Joaquin Phoenix, I want to put his photo on a Milk Carton. This can't be him???!!

Thanks, Riri!

When I look at what's become of Joaquin Phoenix, I want to put his photo on a Milk Carton. This can't be him???!!

Thanks, Riri!

Critical: Click the above photo to supersize it (and have a better look) before commenting.

When I look at this new image of Madonna, I think___________________________________

Leave your comments in the comment section. We'll post the winner shortly!

Critical: Click the above photo to supersize it (and have a better look) before commenting.

When I look at this new image of Madonna, I think___________________________________

Leave your comments in the comment section. We'll post the winner shortly!

Kate Holmes is wishing her career was this hot.

Thanks, Jillian!

Kate Holmes is wishing her career was this hot.

Thanks, Jillian!

When I look at what's become of Joaquin Phoenix, I want to ____________________________.

Post your comments in the Comments section. We'll post the winner here shortly!

When I look at what's become of Joaquin Phoenix, I want to ____________________________.

Post your comments in the Comments section. We'll post the winner here shortly!

The above image is from Katie Holmes' new Miu Miu campaign.

Let's see. Kate Holmes is _____________________.

Answer in the comments above! We'll publish the winning entry here, with your name.

The above image is from Katie Holmes' new Miu Miu campaign.

Let's see. Kate Holmes is _____________________.

Answer in the comments above! We'll publish the winning entry here, with your name.