NOWHERE (1999)

Written, Edited & Directed By: Greg Araki 
 Cinematography: Arturo Smith 
 Production Design: Patti Podesta 

Cast: James Duval, Rachel True, Christina Applegate, Nathan Bexton, Guillermo Diaz, Jeremy Jordan, Kathleen Robertson, Jordan Ladd, Ryan Philippe, Heather Graham, Charlotte Rae, Chiara Mastroianni, Debi Mazar, Joshua Gibran Mayweather, Mena Suvari, Sarah Lassez, Alan Boyce, Jason Simmons, Beverley D’Angelo, Denise Richards, Teresa Hill, Traci Lords, David Leisure, Eve Plumb, John Ritter, Shannen Doherty, Rose McGowan, Christopher Knight, Stacy Kennan, Devon Odessa, Stephane Sednaoui, Gibby Haynes, 

A group of teenagers try to sort out their lives and emotions while bizarre experiences happen to each one, including alien abductions, bad acid trips, bisexual experiences, suicides, bizarre deaths, and a rape by a TV star. All of this happens before "the greatest party of the year"
In its own way, this film is like a nihilistic beach party movie. Way removed from Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.

This film is a kind of spoof teen movies like SCREAM making fun of teens and teen movies. While being one but being modern and way over the top. Showcasing what teen moves at the time shows away from showing Drugs, Sex, Suicide, eating disorders, homosexuality, date rape, murder, alien invasions, and face it all a rough edge.

The film has cameos and appearances galore which makes it feels like a Robert Altman cast with spot the guest star of musicians and actors who were recognizable at the time. As well as established actors from television. Where some seem here more to challenge their image and be a bit rebellious

This is a low budget odyssey meant to be surreal with great art direction. The film certainly has a diverse cast where an African American character is the most popular and sought after a female in the film. And a Great alternative 90’s soundtrack.

It’s an ensemble so the story and film Are supposed to feel unfocused at times. At heart, this film wants to be a comedy. Yet slams in serious issues but at other times end them in more silly ways.

Though the couples are sexually fluid throughout this is the closest at the time Of director Greg Araki making more heterosexual cinema. As before this most of his film had been considered queer cinema. Though this film has a few same-sex pairings.

This is kind of a preview of what his future film KABOOM and Television series NOW APOCALYPSE would be like only more structured. Kind of wish it had more of this film's madness and world. Love or hate the films of Greg araki they are never boring.

This is a dark decadent comedy that allows sitcom stars to play against type with different stories going on while an alien invasion is taking place. Letting the stars play dirtier and against type.

This is certainly a film to experience and while more a cult classic that at times tries to find art and beauty in the trash. Yet always aspiring to be trash. In more a sharp and stylish way than a John Waters way.

The actual leads of the film are more the lesser-known names in the cast.

This film seems more like an examination, dedication, and showcase of the culture at the time, more California based. Whereas it seems full of good looking people, fashion and fads, but they are usually doing the worst or bad things and we get to know some more than just face value. To see what lies inside them and what they cause. As sometimes even the most pretty beauty is all they have to offer. Nothing else really.

The film ends nihilistic like most of Araki’s films here we are all lost or doomed in this unpredictable universe and no matter what all we try and search for is to not be lonely and have that person to go through the best and worst with.

This plays like a demented, warped satire of BEVERLY HILLS 90210 and teen movies and culture of the 90's. The film takes place over one day in California. It follows a group of teen friends and their misadventures. No real solid plot as much of the movie just seems to happen, not much seems actually planned.

Though it's a teen movie it definitely is not for kids. It tackles all the usual subjects. Drugs (tons of them) Infidelity, Date Rape, Suicide, Love, First dates, But it also includes new ones like Zombies, Cross Dressing, and Fetishes. The film also takes typical cliched characters and turns your pre-conceived notions of them and turns them on their ear. With characters named Dark, zero, ducky, Lucifer, Dingbat, Kozy, HandJob, and Egg. you know this is not your typical film.

It's has a very surreal style. The saturated colors in scenes. One character even has the lyrics of a song superimposed on the bedroom walls that surround him at every turn. It tries to be more punk style if film more then anything else.

This is the third part of Greg Araki's Teenage Apocalypse trilogy though his film KABOOM deals with similar subjects. Truth be told this at the time was the first film of Greg Araki's that I enjoyed. The film is a nihilistic piece of work as usual fro him in his early work. He calls this his first heterosexual film. As most of his previous work was considered gay cinema.

Even though the film takes place in one day. the characters change clothes numerous times throughout the film.

This film is filled with both tons of cameos giving it an all-star cast and filled with at the time many up and coming actors. The film is filled with sex but oddly very little nudity. Though it does contain plenty of graphic shocking violence.

This film feels like a chance for the young stars of the film to distort whatever images they have in film and television. To show they have an edge and sense of humor. It also gives them a chance to do an indie film. Which was the cool thing to do at the time? The film is almost like a time capsule to 90's culture.

It is a beautiful film to look at no matter how trashy it tries to be. The art Direction, Camerawork is truly admirable, but in the same mindset. The film can make things beautiful, but also stomach-turning even the characters.

Just like the film the soundtrack is very vivid. Scoring the film with uneasiness and energy.

The ending makes you feel so hollow and helps you to realize how much of an impact this movie and the characters have made even though most of it is absurd 

Which is how most Greg araki movies feel like a slap in the face after all the absurdity, surreal and shock it manages to make to feel something so much actually while having a cool or hip veneer

In this moment have so many known and recognizable actors guest starring or cameoing like they all want to be sort of soemthing cool or that they recognize as special and show a bit of range 

Almost like the production was a party they visited and got pulled into 

Maybe as it is queer cinema it is astonished to me as I am not a meme we of it and it seems so rebellious that I want to be down even as not a member still cos gently the outside but identify with it 

Also when the movement came out it felt of the generation I was I. So I could identify even if the actors are all older playing younger 

They  are actors after all and luckily believable 

It also seemed to have something to say not only about youth. But Los Angeles and it’s

Culture that always seems in the verge of nihilism and inauthenticity that seems to be searching for soemthing to beleive in and goes through the fringes only to eventually be disillusioned and abandoned somehow.

Where it seems lien the hardest thing in the world is to be sincere, vulnerable and raw with someone and make a true connection 

Something that still seems to happen and he more difficult .

As we all try to avoid truth and disguise ourselves in characters and interests. As we Don’t know who we are or afraid of it and getting trapped or know who we are and DonMt lien it or feel we have to disguise it to be accepted 

The last of his teen apocalypse trilogy 

Though would return to the same themes in his other films they all seemed more polished and focusing on the post graduate years of college 

Also his first so called heterosexual film and of course the second one I saw and jumped on the bandwagon.

As I entered with THE DOOM GENERATION and have to give a shout out to the long Deceased magazine DETAILS and FILM THREAT, which is still going as those were the magazines that introduced him and his work to me And kept me honored at on his comings and goings for a bit. As they were the only publications talking to him And about him.

This film is crazy and definitely out there, but I can honestly say I enjoyed it enough to give it a mild recommendation.

Grade: B