Street Generation

Several fraternities at my college used this film as a hazing tool. At the time, it was in the HBO rotation.

Insufficiently invested pledges were forced to watch this film repeatedly.

I was once forced to watch this movie three times consecutively.

The beat, the beat...dah dah! The beat, the beat...dah dah! Those who endured the movie five times enjoyed special privileges in the 'TUBE Room.'We became varsity tube watchers will all the privileges and responsibilities attached thereto.

Eventually, several of us wore this feat of endurance as a badge of honor.

To those who could actually enjoy this pretentious, disjointed film - I pity you.

For those of who that sat through this garbage to test your ability to watch ANYTHING - I salute you sir/madam! For me, alcohol helped at the time.

A support crew may also be necessary - to steal the remote, block exits, provide booze, etc.

In short, watch this film...if you dare to be great!

I think it's the sort of film you either love or hate and I'm really not the type to go in for arty movies. My mother rented "mullhuland DR" the other night and I nearly ran from the room, ha. But I love this film.

We recorded "The Beat" one night when we had just let the tape run and got a great film that way by accident. Saved that tape and watched it a lot. I eventually got the VHS to add to my collection. I've watched it many times and at one point copied down the poems. I even tried to preform one scene for my high school drama class. She had said we could do any scene we wanted and just cut out the bad words. She refused to let me do it. If it could upset my drama teacher that much it has to be good :) Honest she never treated me the same after that.

I liked the acting it came off very true and honest. It wasn't clean and polished but it was better than that. It was true to life, how anyone would truly behave and display emotions not how Hollywood does. It was great acting especially by the one playing Rex.

The story was original. Not only do the characters get drawn into his world but you do too. Not your typical person meets inner city kids and saves them through knowledge film at all. Simply caring and friendship make things a bit better.

The only thing is that even in the 80's there was more gun violence and less simple stuff like rock throwing but that little bit of innocence didn't hurt this film.

I think it's a must see. you will either love or hate it but either way it makes an impact and that makes a good film that you will remember and talk about later.

THE BEAT..pretty beat, in fact. Nice to see New York Hardcore legends The Cro-Mags, though. Lots of NYHC superstars in there, too(rich Krackdown, Sammy/Porcell, Richie Underdog, etc.). if you're into punk or hardcore music, this is worth a look for the live show stuff, but not much else going on.

I must say, this film, really disappointed me. The best thing about it was the presence of some actors I like. John Savage was just wasted as a professor, while I've always found William Mcnamara interesting to watch, especially as the nutso in Copycat. And weirdly it was directed by a guy who really didn't go anywhere as an actor, but made such an impact as a brutal gang leader in Tuff Turf. I actually found this movie pretty dull and boring. The new kid in school, is a few stamps short of full postage, a weirdo, who I must admit is fun to watch. He's a poet, out to teach a dangerous community of kids, how to express themselves, and not be afraid. This film lacks any kind of punch, and there's no real spark, and the lead weirdo tends to get on your nerves. A little bit of brutal violence is on offer too, where not much else is in this film, that really disappointed the crap out of me.

Imagine taking a dictionary and switching every definition of every word, and then being forced to try and understand English. That's about as understandable as 'The Beat' was. Here's a quote: "I am the priestess."

Here's another one:

"Man, this sucks."

The second quote was from me, after watching this movie.

It's just about as cheesy as it can get. This is the 100% best contender for the 3AM 'Starlight Movies' showcase on the WB.