Black Circle Boys

Here's a very disturbing little film. It's about a young guy called Kyle (Scott Bairstow White Fang 2, The Postman, Party of Five (tv)) whose family moves to a new (and boring) little town and he ends up attending a new high school -- trying to fit in, trying to deal with being the new guy and also trying to cope with the death of his best friend. He goes from A student to loser in forty-five minutes, giving up being a top athlete in exchange for the acceptance of a group of heavy metal wannabes and large amounts of drugs - virtually everything from pot to lsd to crack. His life spirals out of control. He ends up joining the BCB who are a small group of these high school losers who practice an invented brand of Satanism in the wooded state park behind the high school. The group's leader Shane (Eric Mabius (Party of Five (tv), Lawn Dogs, Welcome to the Dollhouse) is severely disturbed and influenced by drug dealer/fence Greggo (Donnie Wahlberg yeah, that one -- New Kids on the Block, baby) who is the local Temple of Set devil worshiper who recruits local high school losers and gets them to rob houses for him in exchange for drugs.

The plot moves along slowly as Kyle sinks into this realm of madness, but once there, it spins wildly out of control -- there is much violence (including sick satanic rituals where the Shane kills a cat and then they dig up a skeleton) and even murder. The acting is superb, and makes the overall effect of the film that much more disturbing.

Where are first it appears to be just another high school nostalgia film (heck, it looked like my high school), it becomes this horror film -- but way too realistic. One keeps asking, "where are the parents, where are the cops" as these lowlifes rampage through the town pillaging and killing and just making all sorts of mayhem.

In the end, Kyle must fight the demons which are pulling him under, and the second half of the film chronicles his attempts to overcome the darkness which threatens to consume and destroy him.

I have to admit I really liked this movie, especially since I was so sure it was going to be pretty awful. And it very well could have been, if it wasn't for the great cast of unknowns in this film. Eric Mabius went on to do more high profile work in movies like Cruel Intentions and Resident Evil, but I think his performance as the psycho bad boy Shane Carver in this film outshines them all. Scott Bairstow also does a great job as the good boy turned bad because of the death of a close friend. It'd be nice to see him in something else. I agree wholeheartedly with the other reviews of this film, in that it starts strong and has great direction, but the ending is very cliche, turning into a few deaths here and there, and a convenient turnaround for the main character. Despite this fact, it is still an enjoyable movie. Also, the very good, albeit small part played by Donnie Wahlburg makes me wonder why he doesn't get more roles, as opposed to his no talent brother Marky Mark. Also, Lisa Loeb is listed in the opening credits, but I couldn't place her until the 3rd time I saw this movie. She plays "Angry Woman" and is only in the movie for a few seconds, and is gone faster than you can say "cameo".

Black Circle Boys (1997) is loosely based on real events filled with drugs, satanism & murder. On June 19, 1984, 17 year old Ricky Kasso lured a local boy into the woods in the middle of the night in Northport, New York. There, he beat, tortured & murdered 17 year old Gary Lauwers, while several friends watched on. When several friends asked why he murdered Gary, Ricky met each inquiry with a different excuse. After the murder, Ricky & a friend ran away, destination California. Not getting far, they returned to Northport where they were arrested and charged with Gary's murder. During his interview, Ricky implicated his friend as taking part in the murder. Although Ricky told his friend that he would recant his participation the next day, Ricky Kasso hung himself in his jail cell on July 7, 1984, leaving his friend to hold the bag. 6 months after the murder, the testimonies & alibi's of his activities during the time of the murder, Ricky's friend was acquitted of all charges. (Ricky's friend's name was never officially released, the name used in the local paper was mistakenly used, but was never retracted.)

In 2000, the movie "Ricky 6" follows is a factual account of the murder, taken directly from court transcripts, testimonies & interviews of those who were present & witnessed the horror that stole the innocence of the woods & would haunt the town of Northport forever.

In my opinion, the only reason I like this movie is because of Scott Bairstow, who played Kyle Sullivan & Eric Mabius, who played Shane Carver. Scott reminds me of Shane West, but in a cute sort of way. And Eric is so freaking gorgeous, in a trailer park white trash sort of way.

Although "Black Circle Boys" seemed to have a bigger budget to make, it takes so many liberties in the events that took happened that night in the woods. I would much rather watch "Ricky 6". It stays true to the horrific crime that shocked the entire community of Northport, New York, in 1984.

Although this film was nothing terribly outstanding it was a bit better than the usual teen slasher flick. Scott Bairstow is having a hard time dealing with the death of a younger brother and he and his parents moved to another town where he can finish up high school anonymously so to speak. This one time jock falls in with a crowd of Goths who are into Satan worship and are led by a charismatic Artful Dodger type played by Eric Mabius. The gang also has a Fagin in former New Kid on the Block and future detective Danny Reagan Donnie Wahlberg. He supplies them recreational pharmaceuticals, they break into houses and steal for him.

It takes a while to get his eyes wide open, but eventually Bairstow figures out that these Black Circle Boys are a truly evil bunch and that Mabius is a Charles Manson in training.

Lots of praise has been given to those already mentioned. But for me I liked Chad Lindberg who was rather touching as wannabe who wants so much to be accepted by Mabius that he goes out on his own and screws up royally. He pays a very heavy price.

Definitely Black Circle Boys is a bit better than most cinema of this type.

"Black Circle Boys" seems promising enough. It's about a group of devil worshipping band members led by the devilish Eric Mabius who take in an outcast (Scott Bairstow), broken by the death of his best friend. The kid is cool with them, often taking bad drugs and p***ing off people, until he starts seeing their more violent sides. The film is worth watching for the strong performances from the cast, the script is realistic for the first two-thirds, and the low budget, grainy look makes things more creepier. The problem with the film is that the after an hour and fifteen minutes into the film, the screenwriter had no idea what to do with "Black Circle Boys" and turns into a silly slasher flick, with all of the typical horror movie cliches thrown in. The ending especially is a big cop-out for what seems like a great film. Overall, I recommend it for late night viewing, and if you're into independent films, it's a very interesting one, but the finale of the film is a big letdown and left me disappointed.