Movies

One of the most critically acclaimed films of the year, The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys, is a movie experience you won't forget.

Tim (Kieren Culkin) and Francis (Emile Hirsch) are best friends, doing their best to cause trouble without getting caught. Under the watchful eye of Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster), the boys plot to unleash the ultimate prank, involving a man-eating cougar, their school's statue and a lot of cough medicine. While the boys imagine their exploits in a comic book called the Atomic Trinity, Francis begins his growth to adulthood with Catholic schoolgirl Margi Flynn (Jena Malone).

Four young boys from unhappy working class homes find comfort in their friendships with each other. Each has three friends with which to get in trouble and escape reality through the form of their secret identities. These four boys are incredible super heroes with extraordinary powers. Well, in their comic book they are at least.

Jena Malone plays the slightly disturbed young girl that becomes one of the boys' girlfriend. Contragulations to her for being 100% type cast to play the strange young girl with questionable morals (see also: Saved!). I think if I saw a movie in which she played a wholesome character I would not be able to take her seriously.

Aside from that, this movie was good; one I'm glad I finally got around to seeing.

A similarly themed (and better) movie you will enjoy is Sleepers.

If you like Kieren Culkin movies, see Igby Goes Down.

The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys is based upon the novel by Chris Fuhrman, whose cancer kept him from seeing it published. The movie is dedicated to his memory.

Buy The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys $15.95

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