Scarfies

SCARFIES is a good movie, with intense situations and even well thought out responses by the characters to said intense situations. Unfortunately the whole thing collapses with a 10-minute farcical ending that begs to be redone.

Also, I've read people comment that the kids were complex. Wow. Did we see the same movie? Let's see: The a$$hole guy/bad boy; the rich girl who falls for the bad boy; the sensitive guy; the weirdo kid who wants to get in the rich girl's pants; and the sensitive girl. Gee, how complex.

Nothing too great. Good, decent movie, but a really, really stupid ending that cheats. A better ending would have offered us something dark, something bloody. Instead we get an ending that "makes everything all right". I thought only Hollywood did crap like this. Apparently not.

There is a certain paradox in watching New Zealand films as a New Zealander. It is a breath of fresh air to see one's own culture, surroundings and accent (!) on the big screen, and Scarfies was no exception. However what we see of ourselves is usually grim, dark, and dare I say it 'uneasy' (thanks Sam). Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoying this fantastic film. To see it in the town where it is set, in a crowd of people who the characters were modeled on was a singularly unique experience. Watching the premiere was more like being at an Otago match than inside a film theatre! The performances were all outstanding, and the plot delivered some pearlers. The scene where Charlie Bleakley scrambles around on the roof was nail-biting. The overall tone of the film captured the spirit of Dunedin... bleak, grey, yet full of spirited uni students having a ball despite the weather and financial adversity. The state of the flat was slightly exaggerated - but not by much! I found the sh*t scene a little bit Trainspotting-esque, but then I had my eyes closed for most of that part anyway. Overall, it's great to see some quality Kiwi action on the big screen.

This movie is a bit like a college flick mixed with elements of shallow grave....Both the actors and the story are interesting. I also like the way it's been cut - the story keeps moving and never realy bores....nice movie overall.

This is one of those unknown movies you rent on a gamble - most are bad and some shine - this is a definite gem.

7.4/10

Started watching this film a little apprehensive - seemed to be much like other films made in New Zealand. Made you question what you would do in this position, a little slow to start but a very enjoyable film. Must see films for anyone who enjoys New Zealand films such as Goodbye Pork Pie and Smash Palace.

This film is another fine example of what New Zealand filmmakers can do when they hold the audiences' enjoyment above their own artistic w**k-ness.

The Sarkies Brothers have created an extremely (un)pleasant film that isn't really about University life at all, but about those staple cinematic conventions -paranoia, murder and er, flatting.

I strongly urge any one not from New Zealand to check out this little gem. God knows when it'll get released anywhere else though. I hope it gets onto screens in the U.S.

One quibble however, three times in the film, characters describe each other as 'jerks'. Honestly, who in New Zealand uses that word with a straight face? It's such a sitcom-ism. 'Dick' would have been much more suitable in my eyes.