Generación perdida

I just saw this movie tonight. The incident that leads to the seige of the school was such a small thing that at first I didn't think it was possible for so much to come out of so little. But, after thinking a tad longer I realized that it is so easy for things to be blown out of proportion because of what someone says or an accidental occurrence. I thought the storyline was a good one. The movie was entertaining due to the quite frequent jokes and the tension/affiliation between the characters. Part of the reason, however, that the whole thing seemed a bit implausible was because it wasn't revealed until the situation escalated why the characters did what they did. I guess that happens a lot in movies...but it took too long to happen here and holding it off so long didn't really add suspense, increasing interest or anything like that. It made me confused and a little peeved.

On the whole though I liked this movie a lot but it would have made a better TV-movie. I am seriously feeling the soundtrack though...especially Ja-Rule's "How Many Wanna Die," which pulls you in being played during the trailer.

I would recommend this movie to almost everyone old enough to watch it. It is a great movie and proves a good point about how students are never heard and often portrayed by the media. There is alot of strong language, but watching it on T.V. is still good enough. It comes on BET alot. If you are wanting a movie that is fast-paced action blowing things up, then this is not the movie. This is just a good mildly-paced movie that portrays urban schooling and how people are neglected and how cops act to rashly and don't give time to analyze a situation.

Four students at a run-down New York City high school lead a riot. When the cops show up, they take wounded school cop Forest Whitaker hostage and try to figure out what they want.

The flip description of this is a prison riot movie with the cast of The Breakfast Club, but that would be denigrating it. Despite the ubiquitous low-lighting levels for modern urban dramas, writer-director Craig Bolotin has several serious points to make, and an able cast that includes Usher, Rosario Dawson, and Judd Nelson turns in some good performances. Unhappily, Bolotin's choice of making the characters versions of John Hughes' comedy-drama characters simultaneously makes them more recognizable and distracts from his purposes (aside from the satirical).

Granted, this movie isn't particularly true-to-life, but that doesn't make it any less interesting. This is a surprisingly good movie with some superb performances. My conscience wouldn't let me sleep if I didn't take time out to mention that Usher gives a fantastic performance, restoring hope in a world where musicians try hard to be actors and fall miserably short of the mark. This movie is well worth your time; go see it.

"Light It Up" is smart, heart pounding and filled with suspense that will keep everyone on the edge of their seat. This is a truly smart thriller drama that takes a look at one of the biggest problems facing America.

Everything about "Light It Up" worked from the performances from relative newcomers such as Usher Raymond and Robert Ri'chard to veterans like Forest Whitaker and Vanessa L. Williams. One thing I must say about the cast of "Light It Up" they took the script and performed with the heart and intent of making this film a success.

The best thing about this movie was not the action but the message that it was trying to send the message that everyone deserves to be treated equally and with the same amount of respect.

Also, the characters were richly developed with honesty and integrity that seems to be missing from films I have been watching recently. I'm glad I got the opportunity to watch "Light It Up" because it taught me not to make judgements based upon first impressions.

Whether you like "Light It Up" or not it will touch you and move you to action. This truly is a movie that has spirit and deserves to be watched.