Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-24 04:24:19

A gritty, realistic film with wonderful acting performances.

"The Basketball Diaries" is a gritty, uncompromising look at a basically good guy's decent into heroin hell. The cast, headed by Leonardo DiCaprio, is superb; the screenplay doesn't pull any punches. Realistic, shocking, eye-opening, the film gives DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg the chance to display their true talents and really ACT -- these fellows do a terrific job because it all looks so REAL. What a great film with an ending I guarantee you won't expect -- connoisseurs of fine films and DiCaprio fans should check it out -- this is a real movie with a real script and real acting, and the characters and storyline aren't larger than life. They're real as life, and that's not something you see on TV every day. END

2012-05-23 19:14:13

Great Movie

I think this is a great movie because I watched it a lot of times and coudnt get enough. I cant wait til this movie comes back on satellite. If anyone knows when this movie is coming back to satellite please let me know.

2012-05-23 17:32:15

Great Look into Delinquent Behavior

This movie sums up - in a nice little package - how delinquent behavior can manifest itself into crimes. I use it as a teaching tool in my criminology class and highly recommend it to professors and students alike.

Erin 2012-05-23 04:15:42

YOU ARE CRAZY IF YOU DID NOT LIKE THIS MOVIE

I read some of the comments people wrote about this movie and decided Ineeded to set the record straight for all you close minded people who gavethis movie a bad review. When I saw this movie I was 15, I did not knowverymuch about drugs and the damage it would cause. Besides scaring me enoughnot to want to do drugs ever, it taught me the damages drugs can do to aperson. I am now the ripe old age of 19 and have now seen the results ofmany drugs first hand . Shame on you people who think this movie was bad.How can you possibly say that unless you have no concept of a truly amazinglife story that touches people whether they know everything about drugs ornothing at all. The scenes in the movie show the viewer firsthand what drugabuse is and how it damages lives beyond recognition. I am so disappointedanyone had anything negative to say about this film. Jim Carroll deservesrespect and admiration for what he went through and the fact that he pulledhimself out of this destructive lifestyle . Bravo to youJim.

Stysh 2012-05-22 19:45:40

Extremely intense and sad, a heavy dose of reality.

The Basketball Diaries was loaned to my teenage son by a friend of his. Ihad recently become addicted to Leo due to the Titanic craze Iwanted to see everything he had ever done.The story of Jim Carroll, excellently portrayed by DiCaprio, isextremely unsettling and as it has been stated previously on this site, thismovie is not for everyone. I was a little disturbed because I was trying towatch Jack Dawson. DiCaprio is a gifted actor and can portray any type ofcharacter very well. He does an excellent job in this movie as do hissupporting cast members. The movie is important because it is a true storyabout a problem that really exists, heroine addiction.However, people who are easily offended or extremely sensitive may not beable to watch this film. Also, of course, it is not suitable for children,I would say under 13 or 14, due to the extreme content in the film.

Andrew Towne 2012-05-22 11:18:56

What an incredible movie! Di Caprio leaves other actors in the dust.

I always thought Leonardo Di Caprio was just another pretty face.But I have rarely (if ever) seen better acting than the scene in thismovie in which he comes back home to his mother and she refuses to takehim in.DeCaprio mixes passion with a "bad boy" coolness in a way that I findvery appealing.This movie is worth seeing for anyone who has dealt with loved ones whoare addicted. Having been down that road myself, I didn't detect any false notes.For "The Basketball Diaries" alone, Di Caprio deserves to be a majorstar.Highest possible recommendation!

heilborn 2012-05-17 02:22:47

Outstanding acting and moving plot.

Outstanding performances by the four young actors who play the leadcharacters, especially diCaprio and Wahlberg. Both the allure and thedegradation of "the life" are well represented in this film. A useful filmfor understanding addiction and its painful consequences.

2012-05-16 08:56:51

The Bomb Digity

This was one of the best movies that I have ever seen! Leo played a really good role! But he did better in Titanic and Romeo&Juliet! Well I recommend that you see this movie or read this book! The book stunk after you have seen the movie! JUST SEE THE MOVIE! END

2012-05-14 05:51:30

Read The Book!

Check out the book. It will take you about an hour to read and has eveything the movie lacks - namely humor, drama, intelligence, a modicum of authenticity and entertainment value. Might make a good investment for the most rabid (and brain dead) Leo fans out there.

Liam Stockton 2012-05-13 18:25:26

A Disturbingly Brilliant Look at Drugs

I just finished watching The Basketball Diaries for the second time-and I still watched in absolute awe, at the development, anddeterioration of Jim Carroll (Played with great passion by LeonardoDiCaprio in one of his best roles).This movie sheds insight to the gritty world that is Street Junkies. Wefollow Jim, and his friends, into a world where turning back is almostimpossible alone.With thrilling performances, The Basketball Diaries should be watchedby all, both under and over 18. The movie contains solid, factual andintense depictions of Withdrawels and Effects, coupled with thebeautiful poetry that is Jim Carolls work.A must see for fans of Requiem for A Dream.

2012-05-12 16:31:21

the basketball diaries

I love that movie it has heart and soul about one young man.

juancduran54 2012-05-12 12:58:16

The real life.

"The Basketball Diaries" show the teenager life like it is. It's one of the few films that show the real life how it's; with nothingthat make you feel good at the end of the film(like the usual "happy ends"in 99% of Hollywood's films).In this film you see a group of teens thatstart taking drugs when they're very young,and that destroy them lives.Thatlast thing happen every day in the occidental world thousands of times. Thereason why teens start taking drugs it's the same that explain why theydrink lots of alcohol and have sex with anybody without any protection;theyenjoy doing what everybody has said them to be dangerous,why?;for thepleasure of the risk.The only thing that make them feel alive in the "flat"occidental life is that:the risk.If a teen don't feel risk doing something,he(or she)don't feel alive. That's the reason why is comic for me see"teen" films like "Down to you","American Pie"(it's a comedy ,butit'sfull of stereotypes),"10 things I hate about you" , and a lot moreof them;all the characters are false; hardly 5% of teens are like thatones.Them shows so surrealist things like the usual "girl that want to bevirgin until marriage";in the real life ,the girls want to have sex the samethan the boys, the only difference is that them (the girls),don't sayanything about it(like the boys conversations about sex). This is the reallife ,without stereotypes or surrealist things about teens.So,if you want toknow something real about teens,see this film.

Chris Wickens 2012-05-09 13:43:09

proof of Dicaprio's talents

I feel that The Basketball Diaries is great film in terms ofperformances, i felt in some areas Scott Kalverts direction wasn'tnecessarily helpful to the film as some of the pace is lost duringcertain scenes and that he could have gotten greater performances fromhis actors, Lorraine Bracco proved herself in Scorsese's Goodfellas andi thought her performance became weak and unbelievable in parts. I findsometimes that after Titanic a lot of people under-rate Dicaprio as anactor whereas i feel hiswork in films prior such as, "This Boy's life""Romeo & Juliette" and of course "The basketball diaries" all confirmthat he is an important contempory actor and I predict that in twentyyears down the line he will be mentioned in the same breath as De Niro,Pacino and Brando and i am thoroughly looking forward to "The Aviator."Another surprise performance for me was Mark Wahlberg, for some time ihave rated him as a good actor and here we see why, he is entirelybelievable in the film which is surprising because it is early in hisacting career. all in all i enjoyed the film but felt that i relied tooheavily upon its actors and for me the direction was neither innovativenor fluid enough. cheers!

2012-05-09 03:57:50

diaries to life

This movie is a tale of young man's struggle through his teen years. In the beginning, he has it all, but then starts using drugs for a thrill. When his habit becomes and addiction, this movie takes you on a ride that brings the dark side of drugs to life. DiCaprio's work in this movie is sheer genius.. A must see!

2012-05-03 05:24:16

Excellent movie

This review is from: The Basketball Diaries (DVD) Leonardo DiCaprio is outstanding in this coming of age drama. A must see for the young and old alike.

2012-05-02 14:59:38

WAS LEO ACTING OR WAS HE REALLY ON DOPE?

This film is not the damn masterpiece these reviewers are calling it. Its just feels like a dream. We see Jim Caroll's life but in different sections and its like an incomplete jig saw puzzle. Leo gave an ok performance although I'd like to think most of the time he REALLY was on coke. Mark Walberg gave a hell of a performance that was underated. All in all its an ok film with less good points and more bad qualities. Sometimes i wonder if the script was a million pages and they cut it down to 200....who knows.

2012-04-29 04:25:58

Brilliant insight into a tormented writer.

Writers' lives aren't always easy, as this film represents in all its realism and unashamed detail of life on the streets and conflict with drugs and sex. I study this film to see how I can help those who are lost in all aspects of life. Leo is great. This is one of those films not fit for all tastes.

Shelly Robb 2012-04-28 20:56:21

The Basketball Diaries.

Cannot believe it has taken me this long to actually sit down and watch this movie considering how old it now, but i was absolutely blown away, it couldn't of been better really. The story of how a harmless bad boy turns to drugs and what it turns his life into is very intriguing. I learnt alot from the film and think it really gives you a good life lesson.

Patricia Surrey 2012-04-28 05:21:58

love the honesty here

This film is an unapologetic look at the plunge into the nightmare worldofdrugs and teen angst. Though based on a true story (however lightly) ithastremendous merit by itself. It abandons the preachy politically correctpathway and takes you down the road without any warning. It leaves theviewer free to form their own opinion. I love it!

Gordon-11 2012-04-27 10:13:48

Heartbreaking film

This film is about a group of high school students throwing their livesaway by spiralling into drug addiction."The Basketball Diaries" is not really about basketball as I initiallythought. It's about young men messing around, their bonds andfriendship. Leonardo DiCaprio is really amazing as a drug addict. Hiswithdrawal scenes in the black guy's home deserve to be honoured. Hisperformance is so real and so heartbreaking. It brings out the messageof the scary side of drug addiction.The plot is also very touching. It concentrates on "how low can oneget". Every time Leonardo DiCaprio gets more dehumanised, I get evensadder. The ending plea through the door is heartbreaking. Yes it is afilm, but it is based on so many true stories around the world.It's a film that connects with and impacts the viewers for a long timeto come.