The Battle of Shaker Heights (2003)

Pretty Good

Fantastic!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

The problem with "Project Greenlight" is that it seems like they promote the show more then the movie, and therefore the movie being made takes second in priority. I'm willing to bet that the original "Battle.." screenplay was excellent, and you can see the potential, but they need to have an experienced director, not a newbie. I know they want to give aspiring directors their first break, but somehow it doesn't work... mostly because they walk on to a the set and go "Now what?" because they've never, ever worked on a movie set, unlike most directors whove put in their share of time as a set- grunt, running coffee, helping with equipment, basically getting their feet wet. I think "Battle..." would have been great in the hands of a good director, its too bad for the screenwriter, I hope she gets more work based on the merits of the original screenplay and not ignored because of the movie. I think Amy Smart was wasted (which is terrible, she is so amazing), the storyline had NO flow, there was absolutely ZERO character development. I mean, in the end Shia's character ends up with his "friend" who we barely ever see, as if there was this tentative relationship the whole time... I don't know , this was like a cake with no sugar in it, there was some substance but so much was missing...

I don't know who is really to blame for this totally uninteresting, formulaic, unmoving film.By watching the Project Greenlight series, you can see that nobody knew exactly what type of movie they were making. From Erica Beeney, to Kyle and Efram, Chris Moore, none of the Mirimax studio executives. There does not seem to even be the potential of a good story in this movie. At least nothing that hasn't been seen over and over again.This is what happens when too many people get involved in the development of a script. This is just a mess.I wish I could say that the acting made this film better, but it doesn't. A waste of one million dollars. 3 out of 10

Shia LaBeouf delivers another wonderful performance in the movie. I give Hollywood another year and half to figure out how kick ass he is. This film would not have been nearly as moving and watchable as it is without him. Can't wait to see what he does next!

I was totally into PG2, so today I went over to the Archlight CineramaDome on Sunset Blvd., in Hollywood, CA to see the final result of 'The Battle of Shaker Heights'. The movie is about a 17 year old boy named Kelly (Shia LeBeouf) who re-enacts war battles in his spare time. He also works the night-shift at the local supermarket with his friend Sarah (Shiri Appleby) who seems to have a crush on him. The movie centers around the events that take place after Kelly meets a new friend, Bart (Eldon Henson) at one of his battles. He meets Bart's sister, Tabby (Amy Smart) and falls for her. Problem is she is 23 and engaged. The film tries to make what Kelly goes through, too melodramatic. Like everyone is getting all excited over nothing. The plot whizzes by pretty fast. You end up saying 'Well, why is Bart mad? Is that all? Seems like he's over-reacting). Alot of the movie is this, over-reacting. The script (written by Erica Beeny) could have been better served after a few more drafts. And a script doctor. The directors (Kyle Rankin & Efram Potelle) don't accomplish the task of making the movie funny. There are hardly any laughs. I remember only chuckling once, perhaps twice. But I didn't laugh. Neither did the audience I saw it with (which was pretty crowded for a 1:50pm show on a Wednesday afternoon. Don't people in Hollywood have jobs!?!) The show Project Greenlight, chronicled the making of the movie. And they rushed this movie into production (filming only took 3 weeks and editing 2 or 3) The movie defintely suffers because of it. If given more time to be developed, like other movies do, it would have been alot better. It had great potential. Not to say it was bad, it kept me entertained for an hour and a half. I was just disappointed though. It felt incomplete. But, the final shot of the movie made was worth the 11 bucks I shelled out for the ticket. When Kelly finally realizes he belongs with Sarah and walks off with her into the horizon, he jumps on her back and then she jumps on his. It was so sweet, and cute. A true portrait of young love. And the clencher was Peter Gabriel's song 'When You're Falling' playing in the background. It was a PERFECT moment, as the movie faded out. It's rather rare I love an ending so much. But anyway, Kyle & Efram are funny guys, and they should write their own stuff from now on. It's not great, its not bad. It's just OK.RATING: ** out of ****