The Land

This is the first (full-length) movie written and directed by Steven Caple Jr, a Clevelander from Tremont, where the movie (whose atmosphere sounds quite autobiographic) is based.

It's a good film, already vastly celebrated at 2016 Sundance Film Festival, dealing with the universal theme of coming of age without expectations, money, family or education. And Mr Caple's glance to mankind (as in any great artist) is a loving one. Even the title seems to express Author's feelings for his own roots, instead than a relation to the story itself.

Some actors are unknown but you will probably recognize Machine Gun Kelly, the unbelievable Erykah Badu and the great Kim Coates.

Watch dope after this film for a good contrast.

To be honest the shock at the end (youll know if you've watched it) pulls it all together, to really push across a message thats hard to ignore.

This film is about dreams, friendship, greed and most of all reality. Yes it is a bleak film at times, but I feel unfortunately life is often bleak - especially when born into bleak circumstances as many people are. There are a lot of morals to be found in this story, and something which I have to say i love is the absence of romance. This film was about friendship, family and all the other factors involved., and didn't feel the need to pimp itself up with a romantic story line irrelevant to the story.

If you want to watch a really depressing movie this is it. This movie was something that as you watch you can already foretell what's going to happen in the next scene. Wasn't really out of the box or different from anything that you would imagine this film to be about from reading the summary. That's about it.

Believable drama, and quite atmospheric

Though thought Michael Kenneth Williams who is such a great character actor was totally under used in his role as one of the teenagers father.

I imagine a lot of people will say that this movie is soaked in style and missing some substance but I think that is easily said when a film is as stylish as The Land.. I would say The Land was a cross between Dope and The Basketball Diaries, which is a huge compliment. Great acting, believable script, incredible cinematography and one of the best, most fitting soundtracks I've heard in a very long time. If you enjoyed Dope, Whiteboys, The Basketball Diaries, Kids or any other movie in this category, be sure to check out The Land.

The film is basically a rise and fall tale of 4 teenagers who want to become professional skateboarders. They do some fairly questionable things to get by, until one day, they hit the jackpot. After a fairly upbeat second act, things start to get a little serious for these kids.

It's a story we're all used to by now but rarely is it done with such class. Good work by everyone involved.