Simply A Masterpiece

Good movie but grossly overrated

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Alpha Dog (2006): Dir: Nick Cassevettes / Cast: Emile Hirsch, Shawn Hatosy, Justin Timberlake, Ben Foster, Anton Yelchin: Very depressing story of a drug deal gone wrong and the consequences upon the innocent. A kidnap victim sees his circumstance as a vacation due to the nature of his captures. Although well paced the solution may not be the most satisfactory. Director Nick Cassevettes shoots this like a live documentary, which may be the point since this is based on true events. Cassevettes previously made The Notebook as well as a despicable piece of junk called She's So Lovely. Emile Hirsch plays the drug leader responsible for the kidnapping due to a confrontation with someone else. His actions will have him on the run with possible death penalty consequences. Shawn Hatosy plays a gay player too willing to do Hirsch's bidding, and to aid a debt he agrees to perform a murder. Ben Foster plays victim's hot headed brother who threatens to kill the drug leader but all ends on a loss. Justin Timberlake is the surprise casting as one of the kidnappers whom forms a bond with the victim yet consequently must perform an unwilling task. Anton Yelchin plays the victim drawn in through deceit and sex that ultimately leads to depressing events. Very well made film but portraying kidnapping as fun and games may strike a bad cord that turns ugly fast. Score: 7 / 10

So, I thought this was a good movie- not great. I guess I was expecting a bit more than what I got from it. But don't get me wrong, the film DID deliver, there was just nothing extra with it or especially special about it. (Lol, that may be a tongue twister, my apologies if so!!) Anyway, even with that being said, Alpha Dog is definitely worth a view, at least, as it shows the importance of independence and being able to think for ourselves. The actors all do a wonderful job, and I'll focus that comment a little more toward Emile Hirsch and Ben Foster. Exceptional! And both Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis veer away from their usual characters in this one- and Sharon Stone's appearance at the end- WOW!!! So if you haven't seen this movie yet, go ahead and watch it. It won't be a waste of time or $, and who knows? You may even enjoy it more than I did.

The only reason I started watching this film is because I think Emile Hirsh and Anton Yelchin are good actors. At first, it seemed good talent wasted, and I couldn't stop wondering what was Bruce Wilis doing. However, my advice is to carry on watching the movie because if you can get passed the horrible acting of Justin Timberlake, suspense starts building up, characters develop in an unexpectedly deep way, and the climax scene makes this movie. It really saves it. The acting of Yelchin in that scene is the main reason why I'm reviewing this film, so that anyone who starts watching sticks up to the end because it's really worth it. Believe me, it really does get better, even GOOD, I dare say. That's why I give it a 7/10.

First of all I have to say I love Justin Timberlake in films. He is such a better actor than singer. He is great in this. Loved him in Snake Moan and Social Network but he is great in this - almost the good guy, without giving too much away. Yeah the film starts off slow and by the time the deed that the whole film is based upon as stated in the summary happens, i almost lost interest and couldn't decide whether or not to continue with the film. But boy in that instance with that scene my interest was captivated and i was completely engrossed with the film. By the end of the film you will have warmed to two characters the most and when the unspeakable happens at the end it really pulls on your emotions and you feel absolutely gutted. I did. How well acted by these two characters one of which is the fore mentioned JT. It is one of them films that i really want to watch again. Well done to everyone involved in this, it certainly left me feeling like the film had touched me. I love that. I will say though that the language is dire. Don't get me wrong i am not in anyway prude - goodness i went to see The Inbetweeners movie - but i have never known how to get so many swear words into one sentence before!! :O)