Alpha Dog

  • 2007


MOVIE IS emotional disturbing compelling stylistic
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56 %
54 % Rotten
$ 32 Million
See Where to Watch Alpha Dog
Positive Reviews 47
Negative reviews 26
Average Rating 2.8/5
emotional disturbing compelling stylistic

  • All
  • Positive
  • Negative
2.5
Cassavetes (The Notebook) throws in everything he can recycle to grab a core demo viewer slutty teens making out, blaring rock music, guns, split scre .. EW
1.5
Alpha Dog is standard issue tabloid fare pimped out as a serious true crime saga. Variety
1.5
A movie which has been put together with occasional skill but lacks a compelling reason to exist. Time Out
1.9
But in a film thats already established its protagonist as a raging, loathsome man, theres no room here for romantic notions of crime.
4.5
Instead, its in the near documentary true crime genre, unsentimental and dyspeptic, brilliantly performed (by, among others, Justin Timberlake whos so ..
2.5
This film is way more about tits and ass and drugs and guns and California muscle cars and busting up house parties with kung fu than it is about deep ..
1.0
Even though we are less than two weeks into the new year, here is a film that is already a strong contender for the title of Worst Film of 2007. E Film Critic
0.5
You know youre in trouble the second you take a look at Bruce Williss fake liver spots. Telegraph
2.5
As uneven as the film is, those with strong stomachs will find it worth sticking with. San Francisco Chronicle
3.0
It suffers from ADD, but theres some terrific stuff in here. Leaving 15 minutes from the end and saving yourself a lumbering coda may improve enjoymen ..
3.5
Unlike the atrocious Chumscrubber, which also deals with a juvenile ransom plot gone awry, Alpha Dog is an immensely watchable film thats as repugnant .. Cinema Blend
2.5
Who would have thought that a real life tale of sex, drugs and murder could be so instantly forgettable Ny Daily News
3.1
Theres more voyeurism going on here, and less insight into a certain culture (the young and the wasted), than the filmmakers would probably admit to, .. Philly
2.8
Flashy but skin deep...all the sound and fury cant disguise the fact that Alpha Dog doesnt signify much. One Guys Opinion
3.8
Cassavetes isnt interested in generating suspense; this is more of a study of human nature. ReelViews
3.8
In most areas, Cassavetess instincts are spot on, particularly when it comes to casting Timberlake in what turns out to be the most important role in .. Tv Guide
3.1
Its no The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, and its final section chucks freedom in favor of formula, but it has moments of genuinely kooky energy. Combust Ible Celluloid
3.1
Cassavetes script buries a lot of character and thematic ambitions in the facts of the case. Mark Reviews Movies
3.5
creates an astonishing amount of tension building towards his I cant believe this is really going to happen climax.
2.5
out of My Sisters Keeper (June 26/09) (June 26/09) Shamelessly manipulative and relentlessly sentimental, My Sisters Keeper nevertheless establishes i .. Reel Film Reviews
3.5
Problem is, Jake is MIA, leaving Frankie with this hostage he doesnt really want. Eric Ds Nider
3.5
Writer director Cassavetes (The Notebook) takes a vividly stylistic approach, capturing the characters lively, chaotic pace. Shadows On The Wall
4.0
The films most resonant insight%u2014not a new one%u2014is that the boys mutual violence and abuse form a sort of intimacy. No matter what else they m .. Pop Matters
4.0
Emotionally engaging, impressively directed and frequently tense drama with strong performances from a terrific ensemble cast. View London
1.5
Wants to be a horror story of sorts, but winds up being tedious and over indulgent. Film Journal International ..
2.5
There probably isnt a single character in Alpha Dog you would consider likable or sympathetic. And yet, the film almost works in spite of that. Almost .. Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
1.9
Its like an actors workshop at a community college where the instructor keeps screaming Emote! Emote! to the students. Internet Reviews
2.5
The director doesnt condone anyones behavior, but he also makes being abducted seem really cool. Boston
1.5
Getting an overblown performance out of Sharon Stone probably isnt too difficult, but he lets too many of his cast members go wild in laughable ways ( ..
2.5
It makes the subliminal point that what we are about to see isnt a saga about hardened criminals, but rather childish gangsta wannabes. Toronto Star
3.2
Film hovers between sociology (story is from headline news) and cinema, between the social issue movie genre and exploitation flick Cassavetes cant fi .. Emanuellevy
1.5
But the best work in this disturbing film comes from Yelchin (Along Came a Spider). Reel Talk Reviews
3.8
Cassavetes film is pure Hollywood fiction and sensationalism mixed with some sense of reality, but hell I enjoyed it a great deal... Cinema Crazed
1.5
Cassavetes a sometime actor himself doesnt seem to understand actors at all. From the finished product, it looks as if his preferred method of guiding .. Salon
3.0
I almost hate to say it, but might be reason enough to watch this. Flim Threet
3.0
Cassavetes uses a wide arsenal of flashy techniques...but his stylistic fourishes and some committed performances cannot disguise a certain emptiness .. Bbc
2.5
Alpha Dog isnt a total wash, but it is unfocused, overstuffed and routine. The Movie Boy
2.0
Following up a hilarious guest spot on Saturday Night Live, the former N Sync frontman has more than proven that hes ready for the big time, and while .. Bullz-Eye
3.0
Lengthy and often off hot topic, this is still a gripping saga with stand out turns from Timberlake, Hirsch and kid in the spotlight Yelchin. Total Film
2.0
The incessant reminders of the outcome, along with the liberal use of split screen, serve only to create a disconnect from whats on screen. Calendar Live
2.8
For all of the credibility of the performances (or at least the teens), it all feels like recycled social commentary. Seattle Pi
4.0
If you can stand its constantly profane (but undoubtedly realistic) language, its informative and entertaining, well written with good acting. Tony Medley
4.5
Foster is the one truly, disturbingly believable young actor in the cast, all sweaty adrenaline and menacing self loathing. Pajiba
2.5
Cassavetes never paints a compelling enough picture to warrant either my interest or my sympathies on a universal level. Movie Freak
2.5
For every scene thats even slightly amusing or even titillating, theres just as much that may have well been retread from Larry Clarks Kids or last ye ..
1.5
Alpha Dog is no travesty, but I would trade 95 percent accuracy for, say, 25 percent insight. Cnn
3.8
What starts off as another seeming teenboy targeted flick celebrating would be gangbangers becomes a more interesting docudrama about a kidnapping tur .. Boxoffice Magazine
3.8
Aside from an excess of female hysterics, there is solid acting throughout. (Accused of tweaking at work, Fosters Jake pulls off a tantrum on the leve .. E Online
4.5
In his best film to date, Nick Cassavetes directs with ferocious energy, taking scenes past their logical stopping points and pushing his actors to, b .. La Weekly
4.0
Still, theyre minor flaws in a flick thats not just compelling but thatll stick in your mind for a long time. Mirror
4.0
Tension and high emotional level of the players is the style of Cassavetes docudrama and, for the most part, it works toward keeping you fascinated wi .. Varia Gate
3.5
Its Beverly Hills 90210 on crystal meth as a gang of posh potheads lose the plot when a kidnapping goes wrong. The Sun
1.3
He doesnt get enough of the spotlight to make Alpha Dog worth watching. Waffle Movies
4.0
True, Alpha Dog is a film with no manners. But it has great nerve. Whats truly impressive is how the splintered story is buried by individual performa .. Entertainment Times Online ..
0.6
Even the movies pitched emotional climax doesnt shock or wrench as it should. Chron
2.0
It is, however, broadly entertaining, thanks to a committed young cast. Film Guardian
1.5
Apart from the grim forebodings of tragedy, writer director Nick Cassavetes seems to have modeled this ambitious docudrama on Larry Clarks kiddie porn .. Chicago Reader
3.5
Although the filmmaker, Nick Cassavetes, doesnt seem to be trying to provide the whys and wherefores of the case, he has created an unmistakable (if u .. Jam! Movies
3.0
Worth seeing for Stones grotesque bow and some great youthful performances. But its not half as gritty as it thinks it is. Film4
0.0
Crazy Jake Mazursky (Ben Foster) cant pay Johnny back for a drug delivery. Denver Post
3.2
The Truelove character is simply vile a coward and a liar but hes not allowed to function as a villain, and Emile Hirsch doesnt have much to work with .. Film Blather
1.0
Despite some rather surprisingly good acting by some of the most unlikely of cast members, the films directing and editing style ultimately ruin Alpha .. Review Express
5.0
There are in fact no bad performances in this picture. The events depicted are often ugly and sometimes repulsive, but Cassavetes never flinches from .. M Tv
3.8
Cassavetes captures the atmosphere of decadent disdain extremely well.. often unpleasant and even repellent, (but) the acting is consistently sturdy. James Sanford on Film
4.5
But again, its a movie and its about all the extreme circumstances conspiring together. Can Mag
4.5
The fraternity of Alpha Busta Kappa is all about not being perceived as the ****** or ***** of the bunch. IGN Movies
3.8
Disturbing and energizing at the same time, Alpha Dog channels a flood of young talent through a story of foggy intentions, bad decisions and righteou .. Detroit News
1.5
But formula is formula whether its a sports film, a horror movie or in this case, a story about troubled teens. Movies Ign
3.5
Though a cookie cutter crime tale, this one stands outfor some fierce ensemble performances. Compuserve
2.5
The teens and drugs territory is sadly overfamiliar weve seen this story too many times, and we know it cant end well. Seattle Times
3.5
His humiliation and intimidation tactics makes Dick Cheney look like a rank amateur. Film Critic 1963 Typepad
3.8
True movie fans know John Cassavetes better as a film director, a pioneer of what is known as cinema verite. Crazed Fan Boy
0.5
As it happens, not all dogs to to heaven. Some go straight to hell, and Alpha Dog gets there faster and stays there longer than most. Nicks Flick Picks
3.8
Theres truth in the movies point that when youre born with protective gloves on, you might not notice when youre playing with fire. Chicago Tribune
1.2
Alpha Dogs characters adopt poses that theyve seen on television and in the movies, and the same goes for the young cast hamming it up as if they watc .. Reel Times: Reflections on ..
4.8
Outstanding work from a young ensemble. Ben Foster steals the show in an over the top performance as an a**kicking, always in trouble, speedfreak. Supercala.com
3.8
The movies biggest surprise is Timberlake, who finds the heart and soul of the not so tough Frankie and makes him the films most complete character. Sun Times
2.5
Timberlake has his breakout performance here, proving that hes not some pretty boy from a teen pop idol group.
0.5
Essentially, the experience is watching awful actors playing dumb people in a story that carries no weight or emotional investment. This is one pup th .. English Oh My News
3.8
Alpha Dog is about people acting on impulse and slowly making things worse and worse. Time Of India
3.8
Alpha Dog may be more crass exploitation than an earnest attempt at laying out the facts of a crime, but its exciting and watchable for anyone willing .. Arizona Daily Star
2.2
This inspired by reality tale is essentially an emotional snuff film. Its the kind of misguided effort a middle aged director indulges in when he want ..
1.5
Imagine a Larry Clark movie minus the constant alarmism, given a decent script and competent actors. I know, its tough. LYTRules.com
0.5
Watching it is like being trapped at the biggest boneheaded gathering of snowballing stupidity you can imagine The Reeler
3.0
Nick Cassavetes film combines an aimless ramble through juvenile depravity in the affluent suburbs of LA and a quite disturbing evocation of the true .. Independent (UK)
4.5
Stylishly and thoughtfully directed by Nick Cassavetes, Alpha Dog is occasionally chilling, but always absorbing. Sunday Mirror (UK)



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