The Living End

Starring:Gregg Araki, Craig Gilmore, Mike Dytri
Studio: Platinum Disc
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Cringing Til the End
Good Story Overcomes Gimmicks
Living Til The End

Living 'til the End
Starring: Sean Maher , Jamie Ray Newman , Janet Carroll , and Steven Tobolowsky
Director: Amanda Goodwin
Manufacturer: Arts Alliance Amer
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Firefly: The Official Companion: Volume Two
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints
The Devil's Den
Wedding Wars
Haven

ASIN: B000LC3IUG
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Description

Being told by a psychic of his imminent death on his next birthday, Jack Whilton retreats to the safety of extreme agoraphobia in order to avoid his own death. All he has to do is wait out the year in his apartment-turned bunker, but then meets the girl down the hall, Audrey, who has a similar problem-she is also dying. While their predicaments are similar, they are not the same and it is that difference which allows Audrey to coax Jack out of his self-imposed bondage.

Customer Reviews:

Cringing Til the End.......2007-03-10

Living 'til the End is a curiously bad film that has a lot of great actors and a promising plot. Firefly's Sean Maher is Jack Whilton, an estate planner whose mounting neuroses and fears blow up into extreme agoraphobia after a psychic tells him he'll be dead within a year. Jack plans to ride it out, barracading himself in his apartment with stacks of vitamin water and echinacea, when he meets Audrey Gershwin (Jaime Ray Newman), who seems like a projection of Director and Writer Amanda Goodwin right down to the similar-sounding name, a writer who is actually dying and wants to make her last few weeks count. Through Audrey's desire for life and courage in the face of death, Jack slowly begins to unfurl himself into the world again.

The most disappointing aspect about this film is that there are moments of brilliance - Maher and Newman, who in addition to being some of the most beautiful people on the planet, are excellent actors. They sell their characters even when everything from the hideous direction to some of the trite phrases they have to spew are against them. It leaves me with a bitter feeling, because despite myself, I have come to care about these characters somehow when a lot of elements about the film have worked against it, but eventually, even this relationship is skewered by how the events of the story are ultimately handled. The film manages to awkwardly close itself off too much when events need to languish and emotions need to seep through into the atmosphere, and lets itself indulge too much in things like an interesting but badly mishandled camera shot when it needs to be more concerned with fluidity and pacing. It's static when it should move and moves too much and too quickly when it should linger. The film zigs when I want to zag, and if only the pieces could have locked perfectly into place, this film would have been an altogether different experience.

The story has an interesting twist at the end that could have emotionally moved me if I only could have connected more with the characters, if certain aspects of their histories could have been hinted at much earlier (such as Jack's relationship with his father or anything personal and intimate about Audrey at all, which we still don't know by the end of the film) and allowed to hover in the background to add mounting tension instead of being dropped in haphazardly at the end to make absolutely no logical and, more importantly, emotional sense whatsoever.

As for the technical side of things - well, I know that indie films only have so much to work with, but I've known some pretty shoe string budget films that still manage to look fluid and beautiful and not, oh, student film. Unfortunately, Living 'til the End falls under the latter category despite what looks like a large enough budget to incorporate some nice outdoor scenery in New York and Paris. The cinematography and lighting consist of washed out greys and cold blues, lending absolutely zero emotional warmth to what needs to be an emotionally-involved film. The direction is particularly awful because it makes itself obnoxiously noticeable: static boring shots with no dynamism to suddenly and jarringly switching angles in order to incorporate something that looks cool but is unnecessary, editing with no sense of emotion or pacing, and either hollow silence that leaves the film painfully wanting or badly misplaced music that is distracting and grating on the ear.

I admit I only watched this film because I wanted to follow Sean Maher's career, but the man deserves far, far better material, and the same goes for Newman. This film could have been miles beyond what is turned out to be, and that's a damn shame.

Good Story Overcomes Gimmicks.......2007-01-31

"Living 'til the End" overcomes a quirky start to deliver a moving, unpredictable story. Jack Whilton is told by a fortune teller that death will inform his next birthday. The prediction plays into Jack's existing fear of death, and as the real story begins, Jack is hiding in his apartment, facing off against death with health shakes and a football helmet. He meets a tearful Audrey in the elevator, gripping her rejected novel manuscript. Audrey is dying, and Jack is a perfect companion, since he is an estate planner. An odd, edgy friendship ensues. Will Audrey chase Jack's agoraphobia? Will Audrey find peace before she dies?

Amanda Goodwin wrote, directed, edited and produced this movie. The result is impressive. I will watch for her future films.

The film boasts an excellent supporting cast, including Stephen Tobolowsky and John Getz. Sean Maher is convincing as a sensitive guy trying to overcome his fears.

Jamie Ray Newman grabs the screen from the moment she enters the story. The actress has an extraordinary face, which Goodwin wisely exploits with intimate close-ups. Newman sells Audrey's mood swings without compromising the story's turns.

Unlike similar films, including "Broken Flowers," and "Lost in Translation," the power of Goodwin's film comes from the interaction between the two main characters. Rather than set pieces followed by reaction shots, we see real give-and-take that makes the evolving relationship seem real.

My only real quibble with the movie is the ending, which struck me as uncharacteristically mean-spirited for a movie with a good heart and no villains.

Living Til The End.......2007-01-29

A slam dunk first film by Amanda Goodwin! Living Til The End recalls the subtleties and thought provoking storytelling of movies like Garden State and Lost in Translation. Scenes between leads Sean Maher and Jamie Ray Newman ooze chemistry and complexity and the film beautifully unfolds to a climax that will leave you speechless. Living Til The End is surely just the beginning for this talented bunch.

Average customer rating:

Badly acted film convoluted by its blatant politicization of AIDS
What a smart director can do with no budget
a complex and challenging movie
A good film (in its time) with some flaws
So what ever happened to Mike Dytri?

The Living End
Starring: Gregg Araki , Craig Gilmore , and Mike Dytri
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Gay & Lesbian | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Totally F***ed Up
Mysterious Skin (Deluxe Unrated Director's Edition)
The Doom Generation
Splendor
Nowhere

ASIN: B00008W2N7
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Amazon.com

Hard-core and unsentimental, this low-budget road movie/romance between two HIV-positive gay men manages to be bizarre, bitter, and intriguing. Figuring they have nothing to lose, Craig Gilmore and Mike Dytri hit the road as fugitives, where they act out bad-boy fantasies amid provocative conversations. Director Greg Araki, who also wrote the script, does a decent job of juggling black humor and bleak rage. It's a tough movie to watch, but nihilism rarely looks this good. Araki continued his bleak look at life with later films, The Doom Generation and Nowhere, both of which pander more obviously to self-involved Gen-Xers. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews:

Badly acted film convoluted by its blatant politicization of AIDS.......2005-11-17

AIDS may well be a disease allowed to fester and grow as the result of U.S. government policy. That IS the belief of many activists. And yet, today (2005) we see that even with all the information, the cautionary advice, knowledge about how to prevent and avoid AIDS, many in the gay population are ignoring that advice and eschewing any protection and even refusing medication as some believe that there is NO such thing as AIDS. Rather it is the medication that is causing the sickness.

When this film was made, it was full of sound and fury signifying "something", I'm sure. However, in retrospect, it is quite obviously a first attempt by a freshman director at writing and filming a feature film. On that front, it does not work.

The acting in The Living End is so poor that it was painfully difficult for me to watch the film through to the end. The staging and premises were stilted and hackneyed. It would seem that the actors were cast for their "hunk" factor and nothing more.

Araki has gone on to make more fully developed and complete films. The Living End is a film that started his career (though it wasn't really his first film) and certainly garnered him praise by the gonzo film set.

However, if you are looking for a fully realized film like his own Mysterious Skin - don't look here. Parting Glances is a film that provides a far more full realization of the anger that some feel regarding AIDS. So too is Longtime Companion. The Living End tries to be a gay/AIDS Thelma and Louise. It isn't.

I give it two stars for its efforts, but that is stretching it even in my book...

What a smart director can do with no budget.......2005-07-27

This movie is harsh and brutal, but bizzare and engrossing all the same. Although slghtly flawed by the whining character Jon {his monotone gloom does get on one's nerves}, the movie moves along at a fast pace, erotically tinged and violently charged. And judt when things get a little too bleak, something bizzare occurs, occasionally too hysterically funny. The two lesbians who pick up Luke at the beginning are completely off the wall.The dialogue is smart and witty. The direction is gritty. Reccomended.

a complex and challenging movie.......2005-05-20

Gregg Araaki is not afraid to go there and he does in this seminal classic. The love story is unconventional and so are the politics,mood and story. This one isn't for everyone but for fans of kick ass subversive cinema its a must.

A good film (in its time) with some flaws.......2005-01-12

I liked this film so much years ago that I bought it. (VHS) I looked past the uneven script and occasionally cheesy and hysterical acting, and saw the love story.

The leads here are relatively strong and believable, and the story differs markedly from every AIDS cliche. It's a decent effort and a decent film.

It is "irresponsible" in its depiction of violence and even violence between the lovers, but it's a thrill ride of a movie that has some sense of resolution and some sence of acceptance that I appreciated.

It's rough and certainly not for everybody, but it's worth seeing. Recommended.

So what ever happened to Mike Dytri?.......2004-11-21

This is my favorite American film. It is pleasant and relaxing The violence is never gratuitous. Some of the scenes, such as the two murderous lesbians and the wife with the knife, suffer from some poor acting, but the two leads are delightful, especially Mike Dytri as Luke, a lovable hunk who can act, and is very easy on the eyes. The sex scenes are too tame, but the portrayal of two men in love is quite convincing and enjoyable. Like most American movies there is too much aimless action and too little intellectual interest, but perhaps this is just a mirror of the culture itself.

Some of the gun play is a little tacky, and the sub-plot of Jon's fag-hag is not very believable. Also one wishes for a sound track, especially in the love scenes.

Average customer rating:

AMAZING!!!
From Here on In - Living End DVD

Living End: From Here on In - 1997-2004
Starring: Living End
Manufacturer: Shock Exports
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Live at Festival Hall
Hellbound/It's for Your Own Good

ASIN: B0006B7MTA
Release Date: 2006-07-18

Album Description

Highly anticipated singles/video collection from The Living End, released to coincide with the CD release of the same title. The 2 DVD set features all the bands videos, TV appearances, an incredible 2+ hours documentary and never before seen photos from the bands personal collection and more. Region 0/NTSC. EMI. 2004.

Customer Reviews:

AMAZING!!!.......2007-04-11

This DVD was definitely worth my money. It comes with two discs of pure excellence and accuracy about an amazing Australian band. I bought this, expecting to learn about The Living End, and I got much more than I paid for. AMAZING DVD, DO NOT HESITATE TO BUY!!!
-All the music clips, both Australian and US versions
-Footage of three gigs
-Accurate, hilarious, perfect documentary.

From Here on In - Living End DVD.......2006-08-31

This DVD is AMAZING! It's a must have, especially for American fans, who hardly get to catch a glipse of TLE. There are great interviews, behind the scenes, tour footage,the story behind the history of the band... I learned a great deal about 'em! My only complaint is that the portion of the DVD with their concert could have been longer...annnd if they would have released it at a later date they could have all the State of Emergency footage on it! ha, It's still a great buy, I love it!