Search - Kids In America on DVD

Stick With It

A. Snyder | Maryland USA | 03/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I almost turned this off during the first five minutes, as the jokes were obvious and painfully unfunny, the budget was glaringly low, and the dialogue didn't ring true. I was thinking about winging an email to Roger Ebert, who liked it, asking him what was he thinking.

But for some reason I stuck with it, and I ended up liking it a LOT. True, a lot of the jokes throughout the rest of the movie were still bad, but I also laughed out loud more than a few times. Moreover, the movie's simply a lot of fun, with smart politics--objectionable only to Neanderthals--and a cast full of recognizable faces. Though I had to go to IMDB to figure out that the Oriental actress, Emy Coligado, who is obviously too old for this high school kid role, plays Piama on "Malcolm in the Middle."

Be sure to check out the outtakes on the DVD. On many DVDs these would consist of a lot of lame, unfunny mugging for the camera, but many of the outtakes on here are actually pretty good. Julie Bowen is particularly funny, singing that cameltoe song, and explaining why she "hates" Angelina Jolie: "She has a big chest, big lips, skinny legs, and she's philanthropic. I'm a selfish, flat-chested, big-assed bitch.""

A most entertaining movie

John Hutchinson | Leeds, United Kingdom | 03/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this DVD on the strength of Gregory Smith being in it, and I have to say that Gregory does not disappoint.Neither does the rest of the film.The movie is most enjoyable, and in some places, rather reminiscent of that glorious TV series from the early 1990's Parker Lewis Can't Lose, except with rather more serious content and intention.

Amd what can I say about Gregory Smith that has not been said before?This young man is a most wonderful and natural performer, and I certainly look forward to many years of seeing his work in the movies and on TV.

Excellent effort all round"

Amazing

J. Kessler | CT USA | 04/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this movie not really knowing what it was about. I watched it and I was amazed. It's based on a few true stories of kids in schools who were suspended and that really made it stand out. The acting was incredible and the story was just plain amazing. Seeing as I'm in high school, I could really see where the teens were getting their ideas from, but I'm not pulling those stunts! Really, this movie was awesome and I really recomend it."

A Surprising Success

Jay Dee | 06/29/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I found this little gem on Netflix--well, actually, my wife found it. Netflix suggested that I would like it about 3.5 stars, I'd find it cute, but nothing really memorable. Instead, I was led on an amazing journey of reliving my high school days and how they could have gone. The movie is about a school that is held under the iron fist of a totalitarian principal that refuses to let students express themselves. One of the first transgressions that occurs is the principal suspends a girl for gluing condoms to her shirt for condoning sex. The girl argues that no matter what people say, students will have sex and it's better for them to be safe than girls getting pregnant. This and a few other things sparks a school-wide revolution where the students protest for their right of freedom of speech.

I read a few reviews on here where people said this movie is "dangerous." Are serious? When I went to high school, a student was arrested for sitting in one of the "popular" kids seats. I kid you not. He was almost charged for resisting arrest because his mother came to the school and challenged the school's wisdom. These are the types of situations going on everywhere--high schools and colleges alike--and I agree with the movie's morals entirely. We need to teach students to learn. We need to teach students how to think for themselves instead of just accepting things because "that's the way they are." A powerful message hidden in a popcorny, teeny bopper camouflage. I rank this one up there with Freedom Writers as one of my favorite movies to show students."