Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
N/A
Zeit
cinegeek.de - wrote on 03/22/2016
Die zweite Szene in Boyhood deckt sich mit dem Motiv des Kinoplakats: Eine Junge liegt auf dem Rasen. Es ist Mason, Jr. (Ellar Coltrane). Er spricht nicht und es gibt auch keinen Erzähler aus dem Off; so können wir nicht wissen, was er gerade denkt. Darum geht es aber auch nicht in Boyhood. Der Film betrachtet das Leben, unsere flüchtige Existenz an sich. Richard Linklater bekam ungeheure mediale Aufmerksamkeit dafür, dass er dieses Projekt über zwölf Jahre mit demselben Hauptdarsteller verfolgte (die Eltern Olivia und Mason werden dargestellt von Patricia Arquette und Ethan Hawke, die Schwester von Lorelei Linklater, der Tochter des Regisseurs). Wir sehen zu, wie Mason aufwächst und seine Eltern langsam dick und grau werden. Olivia und Mason leben in verschiedenen Beziehungen …
Rating of
3/4
Life Happens
Gabe - wrote on 12/14/2015
A wonderful film about a boy who goes through life from the ages of 5-12. Obviously, the most talked about part, the fact that it took 12 years to make is the talking point, and the most fascinating fact about it. But, it also has some serious acting, Patricia Arquette won an Oscar for her role as Mason's mother and Ethan Hawke is good too, as are everyone involved with the film. It's great that they were able to get these people to come together for 12 straight years.
I know a lot of people that did not like this film because "nothing happens." But, that's the point. This film was supposed to portray "real life" and it did a great job at that. Sometimes "nothing happens." Although, quite a few "somethings" happen to Mason. Numerous moves, multiple divorces, abuse, but yet, he …
Rating of
4/4
Boyhood review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 03/26/2015
" I just feel like there are so many things that I could be doing and probably want to be doing that I'm just not." This this one line alone lets you know this picture is special. One of the most authentic and well-written films that this critic has ever seen. The music was just spotless and likewise provocative as its creative writing. Artists were realistic and cinematography just gorgeous. It was like watching Truman Show for Mason but without the humor. Arquette and Hawke were solid as always but the gamebreaker was Ellar Coltrane. So many life related lines like: "You know how everyone's always saying seize the moment? I don't know, I'm kind of thinking it's the other way around, you know, like the moment seizes us." by Nicole, "You don't want the bumpers, life doesn't give …
Rating of
3/4
As a concept it's brilliant.
ikkegoemikke - wrote on 02/10/2015
"You don't like me much, do you Mason?
That's okay, neither do I.”
As a concept movie, "Boyhood" definitely can be called a successful experiment. It took Richard Linklater no less than 12 years to realize this film. It's a registration of the daily life of an average American family with characters interpreted by the same actors or actresses in different life cycles. Is this an unique concept ? Unfortunately not. In 2001, the Harry Potter saga started with the main characters growing up while the story progressed. So that gimmick is already used.
I'm also the proud owner of a whole collection of home videos I made for years with my Sony Handycam. Would the result be similar to "Boyhood" if I'd edit these nostalgic film clips into a motion picture ? No of course not, because …
Rating of
0.5/4
The Worst Movie of 2014
Norrin - wrote on 01/16/2015
Not only does this movie not deserve all of the critical acclaim and Oscar nominations it has received, but it is easily the worst movie I have seen in 2014. Its all concept (having the same actor playing the kid growing up over a period of years) and awful execution. Patricia Arquette delivers a solid performance, but Ethan Hawke is his usual wooden self and the rest of the acting is putrid to say the least. Richard Linklater direction is equally bad, with boring extended repetitive sequences and what looks like a $150 budget. The movie is also an inexcusable 2 hours and 45 minutes long, which makes it excruciating to sit through. As much as I hated it, my wife hated it even more, breaking out with the dreaded ZERO STAR rating. I will give it one half a star for Patricia …
Rating of
3/4
12 year's in the making and it paid off.
Matthew Brady - wrote on 08/20/2014
12 year's in the making and it paid off.
Boyhood is about the life of Mason as he ages from 5 to 18.
This is a movie that started back in the summer 2002. So that mean's you get to see a young Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette, and as the movie goes along you get to see them age and how much there truly change. Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette and the rest of the cast did a fantastic job as there characters. The writing in the movie is one of the best writing that I have ever seen in a while. Ellar Coltrane the main star of the film started off like child actors normally start off, a bit shallow and just there, but when got the teenager he did got better a acting and he was good in the movie. It's not a re-watchable if I have to be honest. But it's still outstanding film.
Rating of
3/4
Adolescence in One Sitting
Unknown - wrote on 08/19/2014
'Boyhood' is an experiment in utilizing unique filmmaking techniques for the purpose of storytelling. The story presented is the complete adolescent years of Mason. It chronicles all his milestones in realistic fashion (a specialty of writer/director Linklater). Every single second of this film lives and breathes in reality, which makes it easy to relate. There's something indescribably special about watching these people age through each scene. You grow to be apart of this family. Good writing, directing, and acting makes things dramatically involving. I wanted more of an emotional connection to the film, some personal focus on just the boy. Maybe my expectations were off a bit. But there's no denying that 'Boyhood' is a unique and special cinematic experience.
Rating of
4/4
Linklater Flexes his Muscles
Looneymanthegreat - wrote on 07/30/2014
This is probably a movie that changes significantly depending on who you are watching it. I suppose that’s true for all movies, but boyhood is an extreme case.
I am almost 20 years old, so boyhood’s expanse of the typical person’s life between elementary school and high school actually covers the majority of my life. The result for me personally is a little bit of nostalgia (as it also covers much of the same time period in which I grew up in,) and an emotional punch to the face consisting of almost every emotion I’ve ever had.
Richard Linklater seems to be quite interested with the complexities of the mundane, as previously explored in other movies of his, such like Dazed and Confused. Boyhood is similar, yet superior, to that movie; it uses experiences that are …
