source: American Milkshake

A movie that's rather hard to categorise, In a way it's a comedy except not particularly funny and in a way it's a drama except not particularly dramatic. The movie is about a guy who's obsessed with black people and think they are the coolest people on earth simply for the fact that they are black. I guess some people would call him a wigger but I think that he's just a delusional poser who thinks that he is the coolest guy on the block (with exceptions for the black guys of course, who by default are cooler since he's white). He's extremely selfish and acts like a moron half the time which makes it really hard to care for him; for instance his best friend is an Indian (not so cool) who he's quick to throw under the bus once he's got a couple black friends (much cooler in his mind). Shareeka Epps is a little easier to care for, she's the only character in this movie that feels real but even her character is slightly confusing. It's taking place in 1995 and references the OJ Simpson trial and verdict, but some of the other references simply aren't accurate with the times like the lead quoting Tupac's 'Rather Be Ya N...' which wasn't released until 1996. And the songs actually played in the movie aren't from the right year nor do they sound like they are either. Most people won't care about that but if they were gonna do a backdrop at 1995 at least get it right. At the end of the day though the biggest problem with this movie is that it has very little to say and offer and it just randomly stops with a less than impressive conclusion that feels forced. PS if you think I used the word black too many times in this review, definitely don't watch this movie the b-word is thrown around more in this movie than the f-word was in Scarface, as far as the 'Kevin Smith presents' on the poster he had NOTHING to do with the making of the movie, friends or something of the directors I imagine.

A decent High School joint mixed with what seemed like a character from "White Boyz." Jolie Jolson (Ross) is unintentionally funny and dare I say "interesting" to follow, though Henrietta (Epps) is the star of the film. Reminiscent of Juno, minus the Yuppie sense of humor and actors who are equally charismatic as their "Juno" counterparts (Ellen Page/Michael Cera). The lead character-Jolie Jolson-is completely clueless to his surroundings and social "norms". With 1995 as the backdrop, his lack of direction becomes a secondary focus when the mid- 90's paradigm is taken into consideration. Henrietta, the awful result of parental enabling, is somehow still regarded compassionately, even after it becomes obvious that her personal issues are the result of her own actions. Jolie's attraction to Henrietta and her "I don't give a sh*t" attitude ends predictably, but it's still attention worthy. The BEST attraction to this film is that the basic concept is: "here's a White boy who wants to Black, but in 1995, at the onset of the "Ghetto Fabulous" movement. Late Gen-Y's/Early Millennials will remember the mid-90's; the era that glorified all things Hip-Hop, and white boys wanted to be "cool;" and "cool" was BLACK. Definitely a "B" quality film, and the dialogue wasn't written by a seasoned pro, but because parts of the film seem to be based on actual occurrences, the film plays out in three acts, like you'd expect, and the leads end properly, with "honest" outcomes.

Milkshake is a period piece that takes the viewer to the 1990s. The setting is a high school where the main character Jolie Jolson, who is the great-great-grandson of the famed singer Al Jolson is an odyssey of self discover. He has that high school angst where he balances independence while staying between the lines establishes by the authority figures in his life. Jolie balances life, relationship, and sex as he deals with the present and plans for an unforeseen future. This movie brings out a nostalgic view of the simpler days of the 90s, when a less connected world made for more leeway on learning from youthful indiscretions. I saw this film as part of the Atlanta Film Festival

This movie gets it done! A damn funny look at the intersection of race, class, and teenage babymommadrama in an suburban high school in the early 1990s (right around the time of Mike Tyson, OJ Simpson, the Million Man March). A cutting satire of all those white kids trying to be hood, featuring a lovable sociopath as a protagonist. It is a hard movie to wrap your headaround, especially because the parts that filled me with with the most nostalgia, were also the parts where the satire cut the deepest. That said, the spot on early 1990s details brought tears to my eyes (just not sure if I was cringing or laughing). Definitely worth watching twice.

Late Nineties period pieces are some of my favorites. The time in our recent history that we were right on the verge of where we are now, but not yet aware of what was about to happen. This movie captures that really well, you see all the time correct special effects from the start, and just keep getting blasted with them. You could compare this to Singles, and in a way Valley Girl (the way they stick to the time, and really make you believe you are back in the late Nineties). This kid is mixed up, but completely on track, and at least he seems to want to succeed, and is trying all the time. The story is good, there is a real set of people being portrayed here, and all of the actors are great at being who they are. The Idiocy of youth the complete ignorance of any need to plan, and still feeling certain that it will all just work out. I Enjoyed this movie, it had a real heart, and some really funny moments through out makes me certain that you will too.

Trailer—American Milkshake

American Milkshake