Critic Reviews
Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, The (2002) Rank 5 Reviews
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based on (165) reviews
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The Popkorn Junkie
Nick's Flick Picks (Nick Davis)
Mediasharx (Lisa Westerson)
The Bubakar Awards
The New York Times (Stephen Holden)
The masterstroke of this small, heartfelt directorial debut (by Peter Care, from a screenplay by Jeff Stockwell) is its integration of animated sequences (by Todd McFarlane) in which action-adventure caricatures of the comic book characters parallel or ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at The New York Times (Stephen Holden)
Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
A fine, inventive '70s period piece about friendship, first love, and growing up to face the hard lessons of life. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
DVDnett.no
Om tittelen på denne filmen gir deg en formening om hva den handler om, er du sannsynligvis på villspor. Til tross for at den kom ut midt i oppstusset rundt langfingrede katolske prester, er The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys kjemisk fri for pedofile ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at DVDnett.no
CinemaSpeak.com (Joseph Campbell)
DVD Clinic (Scott Weinberg)
Criminy Pete's Knee Jerk Spoilers
Hollywood Bitchslap (James E. Laczkowski)
Although hindered a bit by the animation and familiar subject matter, it still resonates because of such strong performances. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Hollywood Bitchslap (James E. Laczkowski)
Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
The film does a good job bringing out the fragile and sensitive sides to teens who are searching for answers adults can't give them. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
UpcomingDiscs.com (David Annandale)
Lobo Howls (Judith Wolfe)
The Land of Eric (Eric D. Snider)
One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
San Francisco Chronicle (Carla Meyer)
filmcritic.com (Warren Curry)
JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")
The Oregon Herald (Mark Sells)
ToxicUniverse.com (John Nesbit)
ToxicUniverse.com (Rachel Gordon)
Metro Times (Detroit, MI) (Anita Schmaltz)
' The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys manages to capture that impossible time when idealism clashes with reality and religion, wrapped inside a delicious nostalgia...' ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Metro Times (Detroit, MI) (Anita Schmaltz)
DVD Clinic (Scott Weinberg)
Best suited for those who can recall their stifling and intense Catholic School education from back in the day, Altar Boys is certainly a worthwhile way to spend 90-some minutes. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at DVD Clinic (Scott Weinberg)
New York Times (Stephen Holden)
This bracingly truthful antidote to Hollywood teenage movies that slather Clearasil over the blemishes of youth captures the combustible mixture of a chafing inner loneliness and desperate grandiosity that tend to characterize puberty. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at New York Times (Stephen Holden)
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
Rich, strange and riddled with imperfections, it runs the risk of having its sins overlooked in a particularly grim summer of movie going. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
First-time director Peter Care crafts something darkly funny and touching. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Washington Post (Desson Thomson)
Steers refreshingly clear of the usual cliches. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Washington Post (Desson Thomson)
Los Angeles Times (Kevin Thomas)
There's a streak of prankishness in the boys that goes pretty far, yet so rich and engaging is this film and its people that we never lose sympathy for them. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Los Angeles Times (Kevin Thomas)
Hollywood Bitchslap (Thom Fowler)
Nothing says I love you like poppin' fresh dough ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Hollywood Bitchslap (Thom Fowler)
Washington Post (Ann Hornaday)
Sharp, lively, funny and ultimately sobering film. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Washington Post (Ann Hornaday)
Washington Post (Ann Hornaday)
Washington Post (Desson Howe)
DVD Authority.com ("Fusion3600")
filmcritic.com (Warren Curry)
BluntReview.com - Jodie Foster and Jena Malone Interview
Fantastica Daily (Staci Layne Wilson)
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys is a magical mix of live action drama and animated adventure. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Fantastica Daily (Staci Layne Wilson)
Mr. Brown's Movies (Michael Dequina)
A fairly formulaic '70s-set coming-of-age tale that's ultimately distinguished by the passion of its makers and players. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Mr. Brown's Movies (Michael Dequina)
USA Today (Claudia Puig)
A sensitive and originally executed film. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at USA Today (Claudia Puig)
New York Post (Megan Turner)
Palo Alto Weekly (Jeanne Aufmuth)
The animated subplot keenly depicts the inner struggles of our adolescent heroes - insecure, uncontrolled, and intense. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Palo Alto Weekly (Jeanne Aufmuth)
Austin Chronicle (Steve Davis)
Contra Costa Times (Mary F. Pols)
Deeply evocative of what it was like to grow up in the early 1970s. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Contra Costa Times (Mary F. Pols)
The Movie Insider (John Sylva)
Palo Alto Online (Jeanne Aufmuth)
Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
A fine, inventive '70s period piece about friendship, first love, and growing up to face the hard lessons of life. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
Denver Post (Steven Rosen)
Recalls The Virgin Suicides , Ghost World and Waking Life . If it's not as good as those, it isn't for lack of heart or ambition. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Denver Post (Steven Rosen)
Dallas Morning News (Jane Sumner)
A depiction of the growing-up trip, this is an original, no-bull effort. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Dallas Morning News (Jane Sumner)
Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss)
An intriguing inquiry into the ways fantasy and reality clash during the coming-of-age process. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss)
Harvey S. Karten
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Animation: Todd McFarlane Let me begin by stating what I assume every other review of this film will mention: Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys has nothing to do with the current crisis ripping asunder the Catholic Church. Instead, it is an offbeat coming-of- ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
Reel Movie Critic (David Spielman)
Movie Criticism for the Retarded
The Movie Chicks
San Jose Mercury News (Bruce Newman)
The film takes us into the secret world of teenage boys as if first-time director Peter Care had been issued a special password. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at San Jose Mercury News (Bruce Newman)
Sacramento Bee (Joe Baltake)
Works as pretty contagious fun. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Sacramento Bee (Joe Baltake)
Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
[An] engrossing and imaginative coming-of-age film. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
Beautifully captures the painful, hilarious, complicated process of becoming an adult. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
DVD Talk (Jason Bovberg)
San Francisco Examiner (Joe Leydon)
The performances by Hirsch, Culkin and especially Malone are convincing and compelling. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at San Francisco Examiner (Joe Leydon)
Journal News (Westchester, NY) (Marshall Fine)
Offers laughs and insight into one of the toughest ages a kid can go through. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Journal News (Westchester, NY) (Marshall Fine)
Apollo Guide (Jon Lap)
Hirsch... may one day realize the insouciant duality of River Pheonix’s hope and fatalism that helped identify [him] with his generation of popular culture. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Apollo Guide (Jon Lap)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Paul Doro)
The film overcomes the regular minefield of coming-of-age cliches with potent doses of honesty and sensitivity. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Paul Doro)
Apollo Guide (Jon Lap)
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys diagnoses the concept of isolation in its most paradigmatic model: the teenager who vacillates between social apostasy and superficial social integration.
Director Peter Care engages viewers through implicit ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Apollo Guide (Jon Lap)
Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)
If Dangerous Lives errs, it's in trying to do too much in 105 minutes. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)
San Diego Union-Tribune (David Elliott)
This is the best American movie about troubled teens since 1998's Whatever . ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at San Diego Union-Tribune (David Elliott)
Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
DigitalVD.de (Oliver Anter)
Hollywood Stock Brokerage & Resource (Tim Chandler)
The emotional pull of the cast and the film’s vibe pull you in despite the flaws. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Hollywood Stock Brokerage & Resource (Tim Chandler)
Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
The film's gamble to occasionally break up the live-action scenes with animated sequences pays off, as does its sensitive handling of some delicate subject matter. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
JoBlo.com Reviews...
A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)
Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
Highway to Hell is easily one of the most bizarre movies you're ever likely to see. I mean, really; where else can you catch Gilbert Gottfried as Adolf Hitler? Chad Lowe and Kristy Swanson play a young couple on their way to Vegas to get eloped, when ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
eye WEEKLY (Jason Anderson)
Filmjudge DVD Review
Flak Magazine (Andy Ross)
txreviews.com (Curtis Edmonds)
Frank's Reel Reviews
Movie-Vault.com (Nate Anderson)
Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
Popkorn Junkie's Review
filethirteen.com
The Dual Lens (Ian Whitney)
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
MovieEye.com (David Litton)
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Jack Garner)
An adolescent drama of higher purpose and artistry than most of today's juvenile movie fare. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Jack Garner)
Screen It! (Jim Judy)
While not for all viewers due to the subject matter and material, the film is a breath of fresh air in a cinematic world filled with so many stale and recycled efforts. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Screen It! (Jim Judy)
DVDwolf (Rob Paul)
The Cranky Critic (Chuck Schwartz)
Almost Fabulous Movie Reviews
Gorilla Pants (Melissa Prusi)
Mutant Reviewers From Hell
Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
I did not care much for the last part of the film, but the three-quarters of it is good enough that I'm recommending it. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
Entertainment Weekly
Austin Chronicle (Steve Davis)
FilmStew.com
It is said there's no such thing as bad publicity. Given the recent turn of events within the inner sanctum of the Catholic Church, the title The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys could easily be construed as heresy, contempt, or just plain bad taste. It ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at FilmStew.com
ChucksConnection Film Review
Screen It! Entertainment Reviews for Parents
High Plains Reader (Greg Carlson)
Film Monthly (Parama Chaudhury)
CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)
CultureDose.net (Rachel Gordon)
Wolf Entertainment Guide (William Wolf)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)
PopMatters (Chris Robe)
hybridmagazine.com
Film Blather (Eugene Novikov)
Philadelphia City Paper (Sam Adams)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Director Peter Care's ode to growing up Irish and Catholic has Jodie Foster 's name attached -- her company, EggPictures, produced the film -- and the Oscar-winning actress tackles a small but pivotal role as a one-legged nun with requisite austerity. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer
The Boston Phoenix
The Film Journal (John DeSando)
Spirituality & Health (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
The Flick Filosopher (MaryAnn Johanson)
Reel.com (Pam Grady)
Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)
Xiibaro Productions (David Perry)
That Cow (B. Kiefer)
Las Vegas Weekly (Jaime Buerger)
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS is one of those films that starts off with promise only to eventually fall apart by overreaching its bounds. Perhaps the most commendable feature of the film comes from how it looks visually, from the authentic looking 70 ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
There were times when "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" evoked memories of my own Catholic school days--not to confirm the film, but to question it. There is a way in which the movie accurately paints its young heroes, obsessed with sex, rebellion and a ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
SPLICEDwire (Rob Blackwelder)
Blunt Review with Emily Blunt
Film Freak Central
TV Guide's Movie Guide (Ken Fox)
Chris Fuhrman ... couldn't have asked for a better cast of young actors to bring his bittersweet book to life. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (Ken Fox)
Film Threat (Merle Bertrand)
Ultimately feels empty and unsatisfying, like swallowing a Communion wafer without the wine. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Film Threat (Merle Bertrand)
Toronto Star (Peter Howell)
A charming reminder of the combustible mix of puberty and authority in the lives of 14-year-olds. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Toronto Star (Peter Howell)
Orlando Sentinel (Jay Boyar)
Although fairly involving as far as it goes, the film doesn't end up having much that is fresh to say about growing up Catholic or, really, anything. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Orlando Sentinel (Jay Boyar)
Xi-online (Gerthein Boersma)
Chicago Tribune (Robert K. Elder)
cinEncanto (Pablo del Moral)
Nitrate Online (Paula Nechak)
In The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys Foster's company, Egg Pictures, warrants a producer's credit and yes, that is the actress in a small yet crucial role as a one-legged nun named Sister Assumpta.
But the brunt of the film rests in the hands of a ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Nitrate Online (Paula Nechak)
CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)
Boxoffice Magazine
MovieFreak.com (John Teves)
Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)
No, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys does not exist in a state of perfect grace. However, its sins are forgivably venial, because its virtues are palpably human. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)
Movie Martyr (Jeremy Heilman)
Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
A soggy coming-of-age drama, one loaded with a single fresh conceit and plenty of tired, wheezing ones. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
TheMovieBoy.com (Dustin Putman)
As jaggedly formed as [it is] around the edges, the focal point in each of these characters' lives remain crystal clear and solidly effective. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at TheMovieBoy.com (Dustin Putman)
Moviecrazed.com (Guy Flatley)
Detroit News (Susan Stark)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Laura Kelly)
The boys' characters don't come to life as much as their drawn alter egos. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Laura Kelly)
Boston Globe (Wesley Morris)
Built for nothing but the laziest Saturday afternoons, Altar Boys is zipless enough to seem to receive its narrative rhythms and emotional energy intravenously. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Boston Globe (Wesley Morris)
eFilmCritic.com (Greg Muskewitz)
Citysearch (Jackie Potts)
Too dark for kids but too juvenile for adults. ...read the complete Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys movie review at Citysearch (Jackie Potts)
User Reviews
by Andres Basteris A... on July 26, 2009
I loved the movie since the first time a saw it, to some it may be just another coming of age film but I really find it cleansing and the way in which it portrays human nature is rare to find plus a je n'sais quoi that moves me every time. A valuable ...
by Mary Cahill "the ... on August 16, 2008
The Secret Lives of Altar Boys can be pretty raw in language and deeds, perhaps a bit preteniously so in places, and yet, it merely sets the stage for who these boys are and where they are on the evolutionary scale. There is a tendency in the beginning ...
by Geoffrey G. Mcelw... on April 09, 2008
i first saw this movie maybe...5 years ago...and i still enjoy watching it from time to time...this movie shows the lives of a group of alter boys as they go through school and the everyday jams...the acting is great...the story is great...i love ...
by Damian Gunn "The ... on December 15, 2006
Peter Care brilliantly adapts Chris Fuhrman's story of four alter boys relationships with one another and those around them. These four boys, Francis (Emile Hirsch), Tim (Kieran Culkin), Wade (Jake Richardson) and Joey (Tyler Long), are attending a ...
by Doc Dave "Doc Dav... on November 17, 2005
Not for young kids! This movie is very moving and sad, but also wonderfully clever and hilariously funny in places. Wathching some of the characters, I kept thinking that yes, it reflects exactly how I thought about things when I was that age. So I ...
by The No Evil Kille... on July 18, 2004
The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys is kind of like a cross between The Virgin Suicides and Stand By Me. Set in the 70's (featuring many cool 70's haircuts) in small town Georgia, the story focuses on Francis, a 14-year-old dreamer and troublemaker. He and ...
by K. E. Woolfork "w... on January 01, 2004
I don't think I'll do the film justice, but here goes: The young cast in this film is very talented and give great effort in bringing their characters to life. They do an especially good job depicting the obstacles of adolescence. The experimenting with ...
This is the best coming-of-age movie i have seen. The acting and plot are great. It reminded be about my teenage years. This was definantly a great ...
by Kt on August 17, 2003
well wow, this movie blew me away. i was amazed by the cinemetography and the growth the boys expierenced, tugging at my heart strings. rent it tonight, youll be laughing, crying, and rooting for these rebellious teenagers who just want to be remembered. ...
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