I am on a Clark kick having just watched "KIDS" and "Bully". Now, the only way to get it is to import (anyone know why that is?) and I am thinking it might be worth it, considering how much I like the two others. Might rent "Another Day in Paradise", but that looks a little commercial.
So anyone see this and can comment? Thanks in advance.
Nick Martin
02-04-06, 07:49 PM
It apparently contains actual sex scenes, as opposed to artificial, staged ones. It was banned in several countries, including Australia, where underground screenings were often raided by police.
scott1598
02-04-06, 11:53 PM
It apparently contains actual sex scenes, as opposed to artificial, staged ones. It was banned in several countries, including Australia, where underground screenings were often raided by police.
really? was it released here? because i think i have heard of it, but would only know it if it was theatrically released here...
shtfilter
02-05-06, 12:05 AM
It's available as a Russian PAL import...
It does contain actual sexual intercourse. AND it contains a full self-asphixiation (spelling?) / masturbation scene with climax.
It was (to me) the best Clark movie, but that is because he had an Oscar nominated Cinematographer shooting the show.
My personal ranking of Clark films:
Ken Park
KIDS
Another Day in Paradise
Bully (That twirling shot on the street with the kids almost made me sick in the theater.)
conscience
02-05-06, 12:46 AM
Ken Park was screened here, but never officially released in the United States in theatres nor on dvd. This is the reason it isn't available to own from U.S. distributors (meaning it can't be released because no American studio has officialy picked it up).
And the movie IS NOT worth it. I imported it - and, while I like Clark's film, this is definitely his worst. Although there is a "story", Clark uses far too many sexual exploits that bring the film down a notch or two. The narrative is also amateur, IMO.
I have heard one of the actresses in the film (can't remeber her name, but she dated Clark) state that while the scenes look very real, in actuality they are simulated and the editor uses cuts to make the scenes look authentic.
smw356
02-05-06, 01:09 AM
I have heard one of the actresses in the film (can't remeber her name, but she dated Clark) state that while the scenes look very real, in actuality they are simulated and the editor uses cuts to make the scenes look authentic.
If you watch it frame by frame you can see the edits to make it look real. Its still simulated but its full nudity and looks to be explicit when the film is ran at speed.
Scott Weinberg
02-05-06, 04:40 AM
...or you could just buy some porn. ;)
scott1598
02-05-06, 12:35 PM
Ken Park was screened here, but never officially released in the United States in theatres nor on dvd. This is the reason it isn't available to own from U.S. distributors (meaning it can't be released because no American studio has officialy picked it up).
And the movie IS NOT worth it. I imported it - and, while I like Clark's film, this is definitely his worst. Although there is a "story", Clark uses far too many sexual exploits that bring the film down a notch or two. The narrative is also amateur, IMO.
I have heard one of the actresses in the film (can't remeber her name, but she dated Clark) state that while the scenes look very real, in actuality they are simulated and the editor uses cuts to make the scenes look authentic.
yeah, i can't believe the scenes would be real. i mean "Bully" and "KIDS" is known for its realism in look and determination and to see Rosario Dawson and Chloe Sevigny makes it all the more theatrical now, so i can't believe he would break from tradition on "Ken Park". he must have merely taken the so-called realism to another dramatic level.
being a fan, this sounds like a must pick up. i think i will opt for the Netherlands version as that has the interviews which i would be real interested in.
scott1598
02-05-06, 12:38 PM
My personal ranking of Clark films:
Ken Park
KIDS
Another Day in Paradise
Bully (That twirling shot on the street with the kids almost made me sick in the theater.)
was ADiP that good? from the trailers it looked just so commercial and anti-Clark. does it retain that realistic feel, with J. Woods and M. Griffith, that "KIDS" does?
conscience
02-05-06, 01:21 PM
Another Day In Paradise isn't really commercial, but it is different from Clark's other films in that it is much more professionally made (it's like a 180 story wise as well). The story flows much more neutrally and the acting is above par from the four main actors (even that nuisance Melanie Griffith).
IMO, it does retain Clark's realistic feel, but is totally different from his other filmography. It doesn't have that 'documentary-esque' feel of Kids, though (it wasn't intented to have that).
James Woods is outstanding (as usual) and the music is great.
Although I liked Bully much more as whole, ADiP is my second favorite from him.
Bully
Another Day in Paradise
Kids
Ken Park
Teenage Caveman (Don't even go near this one. I don't even count it as a movie.)
wergo
02-05-06, 03:21 PM
I really liked 'Another Day In Paradise' the first time I saw it, when it was called 'Drugstore Cowboy.'
Of course, Natasha Gregson Wagner is about 50 times sexier than Heather Graham, so that kinda helps in its favor.
'Ken Park' is okay, but nowhere near as good (or as sexually appealing) as 'Bully.'
purplechoe
02-06-06, 04:04 PM
I saw this one a few years ago. For the most part I like Clark, but I thought this was a somewhat weaker effort. It's worth a look, but I wouldn't bother too hard to track it down.
toddly6666
02-06-06, 08:23 PM
I loved KIDS and BULLY, but KEN PARK is one of the worst movies that I have ever seen. We all know that Larry Clark is controversial, but in this movie, it's as if he is out of material and the movie is full of scenes for the sake of being controversial. They just seemed forced and unnatural - just shocking episodal scenes spliced together. In KIDS and BULLY, there is an intriguing story. In KEN PARK, this movie just plain sucks.
chileorgullo
02-06-06, 11:52 PM
sorry to go off topic, because I haven't seen ken park, but if you liked kids, one of the best french films I've seen is La Haine.
scott1598
02-07-06, 07:55 PM
wow! such different reviews. the ones here seem to make the movie awful and the ones online from the traditional places really like it for the most part.
so torn...
conscience
02-07-06, 09:45 PM
traditional places?
pro-bassoonist
02-08-06, 12:09 AM
sorry to go off topic, because I haven't seen ken park, but if you liked kids, one of the best french films I've seen is La Haine.
Hardly a kids movie....
Ciao,
Pro-B
murphy_wmm
02-08-06, 12:37 AM
If you watch it frame by frame you can see the edits to make it look real. Its still simulated but its full nudity and looks to be explicit when the film is ran at speed.
No offense guys, but I don't think you can simulate a penis in the mouth! ;)
Brooklyn
02-08-06, 02:58 AM
I loved KIDS and BULLY, but KEN PARK is one of the worst movies that I have ever seen. We all know that Larry Clark is controversial, but in this movie, it's as if he is out of material and the movie is full of scenes for the sake of being controversial. They just seemed forced and unnatural - just shocking episodal scenes spliced together. In KIDS and BULLY, there is an intriguing story. In KEN PARK, this movie just plain sucks.
I wholeheartedly second this description of the film. It's just a strung together
sequence of scenes attempting to one up each other in terms of shock value.
Not interesting in the least, not even for the shock value.
conscience
02-08-06, 02:42 PM
No offense guys, but I don't think you can simulate a penis in the mouth! ;)
At the end, I don't think she ever physically put a dick in her mouth but it does look like she has it in her mouth (I say more 'almost in her mouth'.)
With the Indian guy (or whatever ethnicity he was) she may have put it in her mouth, but she didn't do anything with it. (I can't remember this scene too well).
I haven't watched it in a few months so I can't remember off hand - but I am almost 100% sure about the last sex scene.
Randy Miller III
02-08-06, 03:16 PM
With the Indian guy (or whatever ethnicity he was) she may have put it in her mouth, but she didn't do anything with it. (I can't remember this scene too well).
Bill Clinton didn't inhale, that's for sure.
brainee
02-08-06, 03:18 PM
I saw it. I'd say if "Bully" and "Kids" were to your liking, you should give this a go. Yeah, it's not really "story" driven -- a lot of jumping around with different characters (often involving sexuality). I like these movies more for the "vibe" of the neighborhood and the characters, rather than stories (which seems to be Clark's goal too, and plays to his strengths). I don't know if I'd say it's worth $30 to own it, though.
Yes, there's also "Teenage Caveman" but that was truly dreadful.
Cardiac161
02-09-06, 11:03 PM
I also have seen Ken Park. Seems as if Larry Clark ran out of material for this film. One thing about "Kids" & "Bully" is that the narrative is there and plods the film to a good yet disturbing finale.
Ken Park seems to just stay in one spot after a shocking start and some pretty graphic sex scenes.
I still think "Bully" is his best film.
d2cheer
02-10-06, 01:13 PM
No offense guys, but I don't think you can simulate a penis in the mouth! ;)
No offense to you either but if you actually think it is then you need to rewatch it again in slow motion... Never does it actually go in, she may lick it but it never goes in...
splattii
02-13-06, 11:20 AM
I've seen all of Clark's films, even "Wassup Rockers" in which I was at the world premiere. IMO Ken Park is possibly the worst of the lot, although Wassup Rockers wasn't mind blowing either. The problem IMO with Ken Park was that it was style over substance, or so it seemed that shock was more important than depth. I love my graphic scenes, but they would have been better if I was able to attach myself to the characters, which I was not able to do in Ken Park. KIDS and BULLY were much better "films", and Wassup Rockers is at least a different type of film from Clark. If you've seen Lukas Moodyson films, think Lilya 4-ever compared to A Hole in my Heart. While both made noise, Lilya is a much better film in almost all aspects outside of the "shock" factor A Hole in My Heart had. It seemed like Moodyson wanted to raise some eyebrows with A Hole in My Heart, the same feeling I had with Ken Park. Was I upset I watched it? Not at all, I just wouldn't tell anyone it was a "good movie" in the sense of an overall picture.
Buy: