Description: Ten years after KIDS, Larry Clark tackles the controversial subject of teens and race in LA, aiming his lens on an unlikely crew of Latino skate punk kids from the ghetto neighborhood of South Central who just want to be themselves. When Jonathan, Kico, Eddie, Spermball, Porky, Louie and Carlos take an impromptu skating trip to Beverly Hills one day, they get into trouble with the cops, enjoy sexual encounters with rich white girls, and face off against hostile boyfriends and suspicious neighbors. It takes all of their strength and cunning to make their way back home to the (relative) safety of South Central. Overflowing with tenderness and sly humor, WASSUP ROCKERS is another bold vision of youth under fire from the incomparable Larry Clark.
Amazon.com: Awkward title aside, Wassup Rockers is Larry Clark on good vibes. For his fifth feature, the photographer-turned-filmmaker turns his lens towards a close-knit band of Latino teens. They dress like the Ramones (long hair, tight jeans) and crank out a brand of hardcore that suggests early Suicidal Tendencies--mostly, they live to surf the sidewalks of LA. The central rocker is 15-year-old Jonathan (Jonathan Velasquez, rough but charming). He's joined by Milton, Kico, Eddie, Porky, Louie, and Carlos (like Velasquez, all non-professionals). As unlikely as it may sound, the storyline parallels The Swimmer and The Warriors in that their goal is to get from one end of town to the other, i.e. from Beverly Hills to South Central. (The obstacles have changed, but the objective remains the same.) Critics have painted Wassup Rockers as lighter than previous Clark pictures, and they’ve got a point, but it's a relative term. The movie does, after all, open with a murder, and the MPAA slapped it with an R for pervasive language and sexual content. Well, he may not come from their world, but Clark couldn't be more sympathetic towards his protagonists. If anything, he's too hard on the Caucasian characters, many of whom are fairly reprehensible--one of the film's major missteps. Of course, there are also a few obligatory shots of bare-chested boys (a Clark trademark), but his gaze is less voyeuristic than before. For the most part, Wassup Rockers is as exhilarating and, yes, life affirming as cinema can get. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Good idea, bad acting I like Larry Clark's idea and the story line, but it was painful to watch these kids "act".
Whatever... There are exactly two funny reasons to fast forward thru the teen-boy crazed director's latest Wassup Rockers... and both involve the B-movie/cartoon style deaths of a couple of icky-campy-celebs in tacky-bev-hills. Just don't expect much else, certainly none in the area of the "usual". Mr. Clark should put that "artistic" horndog energy towards a 21Cen film that OUT does the original Penthouse-produced Caligula...god knows the news is full of stories about teen wolfpacks wrecking havok & partying non-stop.If anyone could pull in major celebs and mix in "real" porn, he's the guy 4 the job. Terry Richardson could co-direct and Tom Ford could produce...now that would be a HOOT and a sureFIRE hit! We kinda need something back on screen to WAKE everyone up...and make them SMILE!
much more interesting than you might expect i expected to enjoy this only as an anthropology lesson, but it's much better than that. the non-actors have enough room to be themselves and demonstrate a relaxed charm that still works to keep one's interest in what at first seems a plotless romp -- which tightens up and really holds one's interest, even if this film is still basically a romp. i wouldn't usually particularly think i would want to spend 90 minutes or so in the company of teenagers, but the film surprised and really won me over.
about DVDfilm/movie Wassup Rockers.............. The film basically talk about a group of bad tennager that cause bad things to happen (died of 2 person) and the story end after they return home. These teenagers are board skaters and these actors did well in this film by showing their bad behaviour as a tennager but the story of the trouble is more story based rather than the kind of violent reaction which a bad tennager may have which include fighting etc etc. Larry Clark is been praised on the first portion of the film that show more toweards reaction of how these tennager act......that's all...recommended to those whom are interested in this genre of film.
Wassup Rockers
Review written by:
Dr, MR Franc MBBS (PhD) GPS Ang Poon Kah
Anothing fine film from Larry Clark This movie is different than previous Clark efforts, mainly in that it's tame enough for an R rating. There's no on-screen sex, nor adolescent nudity, and the profanity is nothing out of the ordinary. I'm saying this up front because if one surveys, say, rottentomatoes.com reviews, you would think Clark is nothing short of a felon! Idiotic mainstream reviewers continue to misrepresent Clark's work through their own inability to understand subtlety and their blindness to artistic intent. What would these reviewers think of Sally Mann who regularly photographs nude children? Would these critics call her a pedophile? Do they care that she photographs only her own children? Can they understand her reason for doing so? It's interesting how otherwise average reviewers become high-handed moralists when the discussion turns to Larry Clark.
The film is an interesting look at a group of skaters as they find themselves in Beverly Hills and struggle to return to South Central LA (home). Amusingly, Clark comments that his inspiration was none other than "The Warriors", a cult film where gangs rule the streets and the titular gang must return home venturing through enemy territory. The enemy gangs are replaced with a colorful range of Beverly Hills types. All this unfolds with unexpected results.
Clark is best when focusing on teenagers talking with the sort of brutal honesty that cannot be scripted or staged. He follows the Italian neo-realist tradition of putting non-actors in front of the camera and letting them be themselves. Zavattini, Rosselini, De Sica, and others understood the power of this and so does Clark. That is not to say that this is a study of the daily minutia of a group of poverty stricken teens. Clark inserts occasional fantastic elements, nothing entirely implausible, but certainly atypical for a 24 hour time span.
Some reviewers (elsewhere) indicate that the film is tedious and boring. These reviewers should stick to the latest Die Hard flick. If they want obvious action, there's plenty to be had in mainstream Hollywood - why go to the trouble of calling a thoughtful, deliberately paced, introspective film "tiresome"? I like action movies as much as anyone, but I'm also fine with a film that lets us stare into the lives of others in an unhurried manner.
Clark is an artist - his artistic intent is obvious here and elsewhere. This is an art film and should be judged accordingly. I urge you to ignore mainstream critics. Unfortunately, they have no frame of reference for cinema working on a different level.
Now, just because it's an art film and it's slow-moving doesn't mean that it's not also entertaining. Some parts are thoughtful, some parts are funny, others are exciting and suspenseful. There's a lot going on here and it's definitely worth checking out. I would recommend reading a little bit about Larry Clark before watching if you're new to his work. It's helpful to see what he's about before jumping in - context is always valuable. Wassup Rockers is at least worth a rent if you're unsure.
And by the way - the film looks amazing. The colors and compositions are stunning.
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