Knock 'Em Dead, Kid (2009) User Reviews

'Knock 'Em Dead, Kid' Knocked Me Over!!

[ctindyfilm · 7/10 · 30 April 2009]

Okay, I saw this film in LA in February and the one word I can use to sum up this film is - originality. The overall look and aesthetic of the film was spot on - the acting was good - and the story, well, original is one word, different could be another. The story is such a non-linear, refreshing turn from the formulaic three-act-structure so prevalent in today's commercial cinema.

The plot concerns Bret, a relatively clean-cut teen, who's ready to leave his hometown in Connecticut and go away to school. He hangs out with these 2 guys (1 tough, 1 stoner) and dates a girl. But...as our story opens, he and his buddies jump a guy, they were told raped a friend of theirs, and pummel him. Then Bret goes to a get together and meets another girl who threatens his relationship with his girlfriend.

One day a cop starts asking questions about the assault and then Bret gets caught cheating with this new hottie causing Bret's world to spiral. The film goes full speed ahead towards a strange ending but a fitting one - filled with an out of control cop and some crazy acts.

The way the story is told is so matter of fact and it seems like a docudrama at times and feels like real life - granted the story could've used more 'hollywood' but hey - it seems more like reality. This makes the film work.

There is a scene show in a car between Bret and the new girl that is shot so beautifully that I re-watched it right away. The lighting, the composition, the blocking - all so well done.

By the time the film reaches the end (and I won't spoil what happens), Bret and the viewer are drained.

Now, there are some scenes which are a bit wacky and some the story itself gets weird at times but overall the direction and acting are very good. Check this film out, it's different and worth a look!

Better than average coming of age film

[cultfilmfanatic · 6/10 · 14 June 2009]

You take a group of unknowns, a relatively novice writer/director, a long hot summer, add them up and what do you get? Knock 'Em Dead, Kid.

The film is good. It has some serious potential but it seems bound by its budget, stuck in it's budgetary constraints. But that's only some of the story - the film has some magic. Most of the performances are very good.

The look of the film is unique and at times, one can feel the summer sun. That I liked. The plot itself is more a 'this is how it is' than a real huge attention grabber - but that's what makes the film work. Instead of a paint by numbers - three act structure, we get something fresh. This makes the film feel alive. This makes the film totally unpredictable and that makes it work.

Give these guys a budget and sky's the limit!

Good Indy Film has Flavor!

[akidwhotells · 7/10 · 24 June 2009]

The opening of 'Knock 'Em Dead, Kid' is very odd and ominous. A face fills the screen and then proceeds to berate the viewer and fire (from a job) someone.

This sets the tone for the rest of the film - you never know what you'll get or what will happen. Next, the camera lingers on a sunset but you're not allowed to enjoy it as profane and vulgar dialogue spews forth from the screen.

Enter our gang of sweet, innocent and misunderstood teens - Bret, Willard, and Jim - who seem to be out for a good time but who begin their evening by attacking some other guy, Teddy, due to the fact that he raped a friend of theirs. The tone of this film is tough to pin down-it's at once a reflection of a society and that makes it at times very dark but then you have sunlit days and fun/happy times. It makes the film watchable and keep the viewer on edge - waiting for something to happen.

Once the story is set (Bret wants to go away to school, his friends wanna party, girl trouble, etc.) the film does display some striking visuals.

Written and directed by Chirstopher L. Golon, his film vacillates between cynicism and naîveté, pathos and comedy. The acting overall is good, considering it's a cast of unknowns, the character of Willard is especially good, as is the character of Trish who plays her part as part vamp-part innocent younger.

Since the tone of the film is all over the place (at times), it's hard to predict on what note it will end. But the end is satisfactory for what has come before and this is perceptively ambiguous film-making at its best.

Note: There's also a fantastic score from some up and coming artists!

Serious Potential

[michael-a-resendez · 6/10 · 11 May 2009]

When I finished watching this film a couple of things came to mind that really stood out ... It covered all the major points for a film ... It had beginning, middle, end ... It had a good plot ... all in all it had structure ... Considering this film had no budget ... gorilla shooting ... actor's bailing out ... taking all that in for consideration ... The final product was decent ... Now if this movie had backing ($$$) behind it ... well sky's the limit ... As far as the 3 main leads go ... I feel that Bret on camera ... ??? ... Jim was decent and did his character justice ... Willard has serious potential & wish he had more camera time ... all in all good job by cast and crew.

Very Interesting and Realistic Coming of Age Film

[Mister_B_Gone · 8/10 · 21 August 2009]

Knock 'Em Dead, Kid is the first film from NYU graduate Christopher Golon. Remember that name, because he will be a huge success in the years to come.

Brett is 19, in a relationship, and has just been accepted to NYU. His life is as success story to any post- grad. One night, along with his friends, Brett beats the man their friends accused of rape; leaving him hospitalized. Soon, Brett pushes his steady girlfriend aside to be with an admirer , Trish. She's a sophomore, leading to his nervousness about her. When the allure of forbidden fruit latches onto Brett, his relationship is ruined, and a new one begins. But that's not all that begins to crumble; with a detective on his back about the assault and the town youth about to erupt on the corrupt cops, this provides for one interesting summer.

What I really like about this movie is despite a non existent budget and technical problems, it feels real. The characters are natural teens. Movies like Havoc are atrocious to me, because the kids in them are fictional, and feel that way. Kids is another film like this, but feels far fetched. The characters are possible, but not every school has a Telly or a Jennie. EVERY school has the characters in this movie. I'm friends with people like this, I hate some people like this, but they're in my environment. While not as extrema as some coming of age films, this one is incredibly realistic; not feeling boring in the least, and not loosing you with scenarios you know will never happen. Despite the roughness of the final product, I think Golan did an amazing job with this film; and the budget proves you can do so much with so little. 8/10.

Chip Parton- Chief Editor- www.sinsofcinema.com