Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-18 09:26:59

Really a good movie

This review is from: Cherry Crush (DVD) I truly enjoyed this movie. Good acting, great story, a bit of film Noir!! Recommend this purchase as you will want to watch this DVD a few times just for the neat story twist.

2012-05-17 18:16:34

Crushed

Okay, how did I start watching this picture? I liked the title, which refers to a certain shade of lipstick or nail polish favored by the heroine, Shay Bettencourt (Nikki Reed) which attracts the boy she wants, wealthy young preppy Jordan (Jonathan Tucker). Jordan's insistent neo-noir narration plays continually over the pretty pictures CHERRY CRUSH delivers, and you get tired of him saying over and over again, "A good photographer captures his subject," significant pause, while the camera pans over 4,000 more vacuous shots of Shay in prim lingerie--then the capper, "But a good subject captures her photographer." Staccato burst of horns. It makes sense, sort of, but it depends on chemistry, and Tucker and Reed are no William Hurt and Kathleen Turner. Oh what a mess this movie is, on every level. Number one, it was ludicrous to set this noir thriller in high school.I know, I know, BRICK did it well, but BRICK was more a story of gangsters and turf and money, whereas CHERRY CRUSH wants to revel in the whole forbidden love POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE thing. It still could work, maybe, but why hire Jonathan Tucker to play a high school student? The guy looks like he's about 40 and a CPA. When he's sitting next to Frank Whaley at a bar, Whaley looks younger. Well, he wasn't directed to keep an absolutely deadpan face with no expression, whereas Tucker looks as though they injected curare into his facial muscles every morning at the beginning of the shoot. There's a whole plot in which Jordan is supposed to be on the working board of a huge arts organization in order for his CV to look good when he applies to Cornell. Jordan (and his girlfriend, equally late 30ish, but apparently also supposed to be 17) is thrust into heavy million dollar fundraising, well, I don't think so. Why even have that plot, it is so ludicrous. There must be a million other ways to show Jordan at the mercy of a powerful Ari-Gold type of dad who rules him with an iron glove, so that we should sympathize with his need to be free in some aspect of his wealthy young life, even if it means picking up the trashiest girl in town and becoming part of her web of sin, lies and murder.The biggest problem is Nikki Reed as the vamp--totally inadequate. She looks like a little girl trying on mommy's wedding gown.

rochviewer 2012-05-17 04:41:17

Beautify Cinematography but no story behind it

This movie is beautiful to look at. Rochester has been transformed intoa real live movie venue but that's where the professionalism ends. Thestory line and characters are under developed and poorly written.Despite the voice over you never learn what dastardly deed the leadcharacter did to turn him into a bad boy and get expelled from privateschool. The photos he shoots of his love interest are slick,professional and commercially beautiful but don't reveal anything morethan a glam shot from a slick magazine does. I kept wanting to see somegritty, 18 year old's idea of honesty, something cutting-edge, and Inever got it. I never believe that his family is pressuring him into alife he doesn't want and the women around him look an awful lot likethey're from Greece, NY not some fantasy Film Noir landscape. The entire film noir aspect of the film is only defined by the greatmusic track. The script and visuals are in constant conflict with thepremise of the murder mystery. The writing never gives the viewerenough details to provide a great ahh-ha moment at the films end. The amused audience seemed more interested in catching their own facesand spotting Java Joe's product placement than on the quality of thestory. The film looks great but just doesn't deliver.

2012-05-16 13:57:46

4 Older Twilight's Nikki Reed Fans

This review is from: Cherry Crush (DVD) If you like nikki reed from twilight this movie may be for you. The cover is cool looking. This DVD was a gift for my sister. She is a fan of the film and nikki.

2012-05-15 22:01:03

wild

This review is from: Cherry Crush (DVD) Nikki Reed is so dynamic in this Movie, also very beautiful. outstanding acting in most case. I would recommend this to any one that likes a drama.

lastliberal 2012-05-15 17:13:31

Neo-noir high school tale

Nikki Reed (American Gun, Thirteen, "The O.C."), Jonathan Tucker (Inthe Valley of Elah, Love Comes to the Executioner, "The BlackDonnellys"), and Julie Gonzalo ("Veronica Mars") come together in thisindy film that has some interesting twists and fascinating characters.There is nothing you haven't seen before in a film reminiscent ofclassic noirs of the 40s. People aren't who they seem to be, lying anddistrust abound, and the final twist is predictable, but getting therewas fun as we follow Jordan (Tucker), a rich kid, and Shay (Reed), asthey do their dance, with D (Gonzalo) as the ignored friend who iscalled upon only when needed, and who comes through as a true friend inthe end.Not DiBella's first film, but certainly the first to get any notice.Looking for more in the future.

EzoterikDark 2012-05-05 14:09:34

Travel through trippy trash.

First, to address a few good things with Cherry Crush. It's not allthat long. It's not all that boring (on a scale from 1-100 about a 20).And well, the camera work shows a little promise. But Cherry Crush isan experience in grotesque and stupid mind of an obviously derangedteenage wannabe director, that used this movie to launder some money orjust has rich relatives or a LOT of connections.Cherry Crush doesn't even try to hide the blatant idiocy that envelopesthe very essence. It's almost a parody of noirish clichés and trippyhaunting atmosphere. The plot is almost non existent (boy takespictures of teenage girls, boy gets transfered to another school by hisrich daddy, boy meets schizo girl, boy fcks schizo girl, schizo girlinvolves him in a giant scam involving murder, lots of money and otherstuff, the end). Oops I'm sorry I meant to say ORIGINAL plot is almostnon existent, there's a lot of recycling and flamboyant flashing ofsemi famous main leads.I'll just address one thing more, because the movie really doesn'tdeserve anymore. The photography and directing was crappy. Reallycrappy. It actually looked like a five year old, who just watched Nightof the Hunter shot the entire movie with his dad's camcorder gettingsome help with the screenplay from the neighborly six year old, thatwrote that GREAT short story about that dog with spots.Idiotic and appalling all in one. Why the 3 then? Dunno really. Itwasn't that boring. And I actually laughed a few times when theintellectual babble started.

2012-05-04 23:54:58

A rich staging overshadows narration and plot weaknesses

Like many films starring teens or pitched to a teen audience, CherryCrush falls short on intrigue and plays long on wrought dialog andnarration. What Cherry Crush has that say, Cruel Intentions, doesn'thave is a languid and saturated visual feel that distracts from thefilm's occasionally empty writing. The film has a similar feel to TheVirgin Suicides, which also focuses its artistic energies on creatingrich landscapes and detailed portraits of its characters (rather thancharacter development). Director Nick DiBella's choice to prioritizestyle is a good one given his strength with the camera. It's no wonderthat the protagonist in his co-writing debut is a photographer.Because of its sophisticated cinematography and laudable go at filmnoir in color, Cherry Crush deserves to be offered to an art houseaudience. The story of a rich kid bewitched by a mysterious pauperisn't a terribly sympathetic, but putting the failures of the plotconcept aside, DiBella captures his subject well.

alexisMhendy 2012-05-01 11:13:00

Cherry Crush,a great lip shade and movie(;!

Nikki Reed,oh, how you always surprise me! This film has to be justfantastic...the story,the characters,the title,everything! I just lovethe plot of "Cherry Crush" since it's just a great story,and bringingout the seductress in Reed as most her films do. This movie is a greatdrama,thriller,and it's really not exactly a romance,but there is somein there. It also brings in marvelous photography! These pictures andshots taken are just stunning! I love the way these shoots are set upin the film,because they are all gorgeous and the scenery is justamazing! This film I say has the plot of like falling for someone younever planned to or never wanted to,plus the theme ofmurder,lies,sex,desire,and betrayal also come into the film. The prepboy photographer who's been expelled from his rich kid school fortaking many provocative photos of his girl classmates. At his newschool he meets a mysterious and beautiful violinist,but as he beginsto become closer to her as he takes pictures of her,he breaks his #1rule: don't fall in love with the models,business only. He now getsinvolved in,as I said,murder,lies,sex,etc. I just love this movie! Theending is just open-ended so really anything could happen from thepoint it leaves off at. You decide if you like! I know I haveconsidered a few possible good endings(;! I recommend this film toanyone really,it could just satisfy anyone's taste for mystery...andanyone really. I give this 10/10 stars!

2012-05-01 01:57:49

Wow

This isn't a favorite or anything, but it's different and it's good. :) It really makes you wonder about who you trust though, my God. If I were Jordan, I would have felt like dying, everything must have been so confusing for him.

agodfrey-5 2012-04-27 21:41:13

Here's a different movie.

Here's a different movie. Two murders in an understated plot withoutthe obligatory gore and more. Hmmm....a bit of Hitchcock, but withoutGrant or Stewart, it relies heavily on cinematography and editing. Goodidea. Cherry Crush was terrific and surprising in a number of areas.Beautifully filmed from the photo stills at the beginning to theclosing shot. Of course, it didn't hurt to shoot scenes of attractivepeople in attractive settings. Might have been a 'ten' except..... (Ican't believe we're going here).... the lead actor's neck became longerand larger as the movie progresses. OK, shallow shallow me, but you gosee the movie and tell me just how distracting the neck is. If you canignore the neck, you'll find this movie head and shoulders above theusual fare.

2012-04-27 05:18:04

Mediocre TV Movie

I just watched this movie with some friends and it's mediocre at best. The is a ok story that somewhat keeps your attention but it's something you would see on tv. The movie in not high calliber in anyway, heck it wasn't really even that sensual.....but is it worth a watch? sure

samkay1 2012-04-25 11:46:09

B-grade neo-noir, derivative but fairly enjoyable

Most people will look at this and see a film noir rip off of epicproportions. It is easy enough to make such an argument, no doubt aboutthat. Indeed, Cherry Crush is a collection of all the film noirclichés, but there are two reasons why the film is acceptable despiteall this. First of all, It is a b-movie, not a Hollywood production. Itshould also be noted, that you end up caring for the people in thisstory. Noir is not usually a sympathetic genre, but Cherry Crush makesit much more mundane and down to Earth. Of course, it's not like theyhave the money to take the story to New York or Chicago or bring in anynames to the cast. This film has a softer touch. It is pacifistic andseductive and for a low budget production, it is well photographed.If I am gonna make a complaint about what bothered me personally (theclichés don't count, I was just pointing that out), I would say thatthe introduction was a bit uncomfortable. The film's opening twentyminutes are far too rushed, and place greater value on fast cuts andediting tricks than on exposition. Perhaps the makers were afraid that,audience would notice how derivative the story is if it was played outtoo slowly. It certainly would explain the decision to run the plot at200 mph for a while, hoping to get the viewer involved as soon aspossible before they walk out. Cherry Crush may be amateurish, but it works enough that it entertainsif treated as pulp. It pays homage to the art of photography, itpresents Nikki Reed in the nude, and it is proof I guess that money isnot always needed to make an entertaining feature. In the end, that isenough for me.

Krnm 2012-04-25 00:24:48

Tight , tense, Hitchcockian thriller, and gore- free! Appropriate for most .

People were talking about Cherry Crush at our party Saturday night.Later, four of us (from 31 to 55) went to see it together - and we werestunned! Cherry Crush is a tight, tense thriller in the true Hitchocktradition! At a grab-you pace it is both unpredictable and logical inplot and in characterization. The casting fits the actors like a glove,and the acting is superior - from the sympathetic, real characters -like the "Tobey Mcguireish" Jonathan Tucker - - - to the unsympathetic,real characters - like Michael O'Keefe's! - - - Who along with NikkiReed, playing the unpredictable female lead, keep you spinning. Thedirecting and camera work is superb, beautiful, artistic - andcheck-out the title sequence! The editing is sharp and crisp, thesettings are beautiful. The minimal use of foul language is actuallyappropriate, necessary and believable. There is no gore. Go see CherryCrush in the theaters on the "large screen" first - to be totallyenveloped in it before it's too late!

Pete 2012-04-20 15:26:35

Great Cinematography

I liked the story and would recommend it to almost anyone. It's not aromantic comedy, but there is some dark comedy and some suspensefulromance. The movie is a suspense overall and has some unique plottwists. It was great to see this movie in the theater. It definitelyenhanced the scenery and suspense. The characters were edgy. The movieleft me with an eerie feeling. It was impossible to know whether thetwo main characters, Jordan and Shay, would pull out of theirdestructive situation or dig themselves in deeper. The characters arein high school, but put themselves in circumstances that would lead youto believe they are older. This isn't that far fetched given thebackground of the two. Jordan is a rich kid, who's been kicked out ofhis previous high school photographing his coeds naked and he has acontrolling, demanding father that just wants to groom him for successand power. Shay lives with her sister who is rarely home and isapparently a junkie. The two are intelligent and scheming; with Shaybeing more of the later, but it is Shays stunning looks and aloofdemeanor that attract Jordan.

Baris Sentuna 2012-04-20 05:41:57

Average Movie

This is not a movie that is so good. It is only average. The onlythings I liked are the beautiful, Nikki Reed (Shay) and some goodcinematography in some places. The use of colors in those places isgreat.Unfortunately, this is a film that you demand more as from thebeginning. The beginning scenes are shot very well. But it is as I saidaverage unfortunately.The very beautiful girl. A young boy and older lover. Guess what. Ifwhat you guess does not come around so what again. Philosophy,Psychology, Great Scenes, Unbeliavabe Moments, Some great action noneof them are in this film.Hope you enjoy it.

gnk3126 2012-04-13 23:25:17

This film could be an unexpected sleeper from the Northeast.

We saw the movie at the premier weekend showing in Rochester, N.Y.Theatre was sold out the night we went. Audience was captivated andslow exiting after credits. Film was very entertaining with a couple surprising twists that we werestill talking about the next day. Very thought provoking.Michael OKeefe and Julie Gonzalo had memorable performances. JonathanTucker gave a strong performance in his role. Nicki Reed transitionsskillfully into the sexy and seductive Shay Bettencourt.Heard it was being held over and we are considering taking it in again.Very nice job from Post Central on their first at bat!

scott_r_wagner 2012-04-13 13:21:00

Cleverly gripping to the very end! Wow, that movie is good....

Not generally the type of movie our family would go see, but went tosee it because of local interest and were pleasantly surprised by howthe storyline gripped and carried us right to the very end;interestingly even more so during our 2nd viewing! Clever, respectfuland tasteful use of violence, minor profanity with artful sexualitythat was not insulting to our intelligence. The storyline is verystrong right from the beginning which helps to draw one into the filmcarrying us through the slips and slides of clever turns until twohours are gone and the film is over. And you are ready for the sequel.Then you start thinking of all of your friends who you want to sharethe film with...it is that kind of movie. We definitely recommendseeing this movie...you will be entertained and will leave the theaterwith a, "Wow, that was good!"

coreguy 2012-04-11 15:27:33

Stereotype plot, plain story but contains some new stuff

Sex, money, desire, crime…all these “necessary” elements combine usingan old plot: story of a freaky photographer and a sexy girl. He takesher as his model and sex companion while she takes him as her tool forgetting money.The process is also plain and stereotype: They get acquainted. The girltells a lie. The man trusts her and don’t know he is already trapped.Then the climax: They mistakenly kill someone,who is just the girlwanna murder in her plan. Her scheme makes the man really involve inthe affair because of the photos he takes on the spot of case, and thetracks he leaves. Under the investigation, his character of indecisiveand maybe some love for that girl keep him from telling all clues out.So, he bogs deeper and deeper…at last, his life is ruined.um.hum,nothing particular, isn’t it? Many crime flicks about“Photograph” act like this.Bad side is over, now turn to the good side. Firstly, The leading castis a highlight. Nikki Reed and Julie Gonzalo especially. ShayBettencourt’s wildness and sexiness, and Desiree Thomas’s lawyer-likeappearance are impressive. Worthy to mention, Some dialogs areinteresting, like the discussion between Wade Chandling and JordanWells about the lawyer.Secondly, I probably realize that the director may wanna show somethingunder the plain story: a topic about scripted life designed by thefamily and an own life made by oneself. At the end of the flick, themain role loses his scripted life and have to escape but maybe it’sactually a good ending for him since he is not suitable for a lawyercareer? Deep thought may survives this movie.

2012-04-11 00:33:40

Pretty good thriller

_Cherry Crush_ is probably not a movie I would normally watch. I have certainly never reviewed anything like it before on Amazon.com. I found it really cheap and figured it might be at least as entertaining as other movies such as _Cruel Intentions_, focusing on intrigue, webs of lies, betrayal, and perhaps real crime. I knew from the movie's description that there was a murder, so I figured it might be interesting.The basic premise is that Jordan Wells, a teenager of wealthy parents is expelled in the opening of the movie from an expensive private school for taking nude photographs of his female classmates (fair warning, a few of these photos are briefly shown, they are artistic, nothing I thought offensive, are relevant to the story, and there is no more nudity in the rest of the film). Though he committed no crime, the school's dean and administrators decide they had no further options and force him to leave the school. Jordan enrolled in the local high school and became entranced by a beautiful student he meets there by the name of Shay Bettencourt, a woman unlike the other girls at the high school or from Jordan's previous school. She is intelligent, opinionated, a bit of an outsider, and mysterious. Before too long Jordan and Shay end up together, Jordan wanting to photograph Shay, Shay wanting to use Jordan for her own ends. As the movie progresses bit by bit Jordan finds more and more about Shay. The first time they spend any time outside of class, Jordan gives Shay a ride home. It turns out though that that was not Shay's home at all; Shay shares an appeasement with a rather unsavory sister. Though a bit out of the norm for Jordan - and Shay worried that her "wrong side of the tracks" background might scare off her new boyfriend - Jordan is enamored with the lovely Shay, despite the fact that she is not all that she appears to be. What appealed to me the most about the movie was that Jordan, a pretty normal if privileged boy, is falling in love with a woman clearly outside of his normal social circles (not merely in terms of how much money she has either). He finds that several times she either lied to him or omitted mentioning certain things, but each time he discovered the truth, he believed her when she said that she merely wanted to avoid scaring him away. After a time though he begins wonder; was it just that, or is there some deeper agenda? Is she just using him for what he can do for her, perhaps a pleasant enough companion but only useful up to a point, or does she really love him? Shay seemed to care for Jordan but as Jordan got further and further into her world the word "baggage" does not even begin to cover it, as Jordan's world apparently encompasses blackmail, fraud, and eventually murder. Does Jordan stick with the woman he loves - and feels responsible for - or does he back away, perhaps frightened of her, perhaps merely wanting to protect himself, a very real concern when certain lines are crossed? Is wanting to be with this girl worth it, at great risk to his future, his liberty, even his life? The movie might sound like a romance, and in some ways it is, but to me it was a more a movie of intrigue, murder, and deception; a thriller basically. I thought the acting was good, Shay was certainly someone that would tempt most men, and the twists and turns of her slowly revealed background and life story were interesting.