Mean Creek (DVD)

Now, before I start this review, it must be said that I do not generally like drama movies. The reason I actually watched this was down to a semi-drunken conversation with a mate, in which we were discussing movies. During this discussion, we went through the usual routine of "What's your favourite action / horror / sci-fi" etc, but when it got to dramas, he accused me of not having ever enjoyed one. My defence was the excellent movie, "The Shawshank Redemption", but he said that movie didn't count, as it was a Stephen King movie (and I am a big King fan). So, that also ruled out my other favourite dramas, "The Green Mile" and "Stand By ...  Read the complete review

When Sam Merric becomes tired of being bullied by school bully George, he employs the help of his older brother Rocky and best friend Marty to teach George a lesson. As the group head out to the river to go rafting, they plan to play a cruel prank on George that will teach him the error of his ways. However, when it becomes clear that George has frustrations that stem from his learning disabilities, they rethink the plan. But as George continues to goad the kids, events take a turn for the worse and he finds himself in terrible danger. The group find themselves facing various dilemma's during the film. Sam wants his tormentor to stop, but he doesn't want to ...  Read the complete review

note: also appears in part on The Student Room If a kid bullies another kid, and then a teacher asks him why he did it, so often will he respond with "I don't know". Mean Creek explores how cruelty is an extremely casual act in many youths, and whilst it doesn't really probe why (although offers a few subtle hints), it effectively places us in the shoes of a parent figure, unknowing why these things happen, and simply trying to control the damage afterwards. Mean Creek is a supremely well crafted drama that features a superb cast of yougsters, and all in all is a scintilating meditation on morality. The film begins with Sam (Rory Culkin), ...  Read the complete review

George Tooney (Josh Peck) is the overweight school bully, he picks on younger boy Sam (Rory Culkin) who can't defend himself against the coward. When Sam gets smacked around the head by George one day, Sam's older brother Rocky (Trevor Morgan) notices bruising on his face and Sam admits to Rocky that George is bullying him. After confiding in his friend Marty (Scott Mechlowicz) about his little brother's bullying, Marty and Rocky hatch a plan to pay George back for what he's done. They decide that they'll invite him out on a trip down the river with them along with Sam, their friend Clyde and Millie, the girl that Sam likes. While heading down the river ...  Read the complete review

My sister rented this film out because she really wanted to watch it and me and my boyfriend only planned to watch five minutes of it and then go out but instead we sat down and watched the whole film because it grips you so tight and does not let go. As you can see I have only given it four stars but I think it is one of the better films I have seen that hasn’t had major publicity behind it. ----- The Film: The film begins with introducing you to Sam who does not seem to be the most popular kid in the school he is at. You are then introduced to George, quite a chubby kid who uses his aggression on other people and you find out that ...  Read the complete review