KABOOM (2010)

Written, Edited & Directed By: Greg Araki 
Cinematography By: Sandra Valde-Hansen 

 Cast: Thomas Dekker, Juno Temple, Haley Bennett, Chris Zylka, Roxane Mesquida, Nicole LaLiberte, James Duval, Kelly Lynch


A sci-fi story centered on the sexual awakening of a group of college students. Smith's everyday life in the dorm - hanging out with his arty, sarcastic best friend Stella, hooking up with a beautiful free spirit named London, lusting for his gorgeous but dim surfer roommate Thor - all gets turned upside-down after one fateful, terrifying night.

It seems like the ending was the first thought when his film came together and the rest of the story was built around it. Strangely it feels like a good pilot for a show where the rest of the film could have been stretched
across a season. Director Greg Araki here returns to his sensibilities.

The film is a return to form still showcasing his fascination with youth, drugs, sex and close-ups of vomit. Araki make a really good film MYSTERIOUS SKIN that was an adaptation, not an original production and showed a different more restrained style that truly reflected his talent. Here he is back to his Old tricks with vivid colors, sexual chaos, vulgar language and plenty of sex.

Here the story starts off like a lighthearted farce of a teen movie or sitcom. That graduates to a conspiracy thriller with camp mixed in that achieved it's intended effects bit doesn't seem that well thought out It seems more made up as it goes along.

The women in this film are gorgeous, the performances by Juno Temple and Haley Bennett are great, Juno temple really gives her role her all with no inhibitions. She one's all out and is a revelation. Sweet and a exhibitionist at the same time.

The film is definitely unpredictable and limited by it's budget. It's no great, but a fun time. Of you are not used to Mr. Araki's films. You are due for a bit of a shock.

Araki's films are very punk and in our face at first viewing. I am used to his films this is a lot better then his last effort SMILEY FACE.

His films usually tend to be filled with idiotic adults and young people who are cynical because they feel they have the whole world figured out except for one character, the lead who is sent on some kind of journey and is usually innocent and kind of dim.

The film seems to turn into a David lynch film by way of DONNIE DARKO. It keeps it's comic and absurd spirit up. Even during it's thrilling third act that somehow works and doesn't, but it's a tasty mixture.

Worth a rental

 Grade: C