Shout

I was given this movie by a co-worker who said it was the worst movie she had ever seen. If I wanted it, I could have it. So, I brought it home and watched. I had never even heard of this movie. I thought it was very entertaining. James Walters and Heather Graham were really good. Well, it goes to show that we all have different tastes in movies. I really really liked it and will watch it again.

When my friend and I stumbled across this video and watched it we were shocked we'd never heard of it before. I later read it was a complete FLOP when it was released (despite some big name actors).

Not only is this film interesting to me as a "spot them before they were stars" exercise (Gwyneth Paltrow, Heather Graham) but a "catch them during their brief period of fame" (Jamie Walters, Becky's boyfriend from Darlene, Jeremy Jackson). I still really don't understand why it was so unsuccessful as it contains all the same clichéd ingredients as most successful 80s teen flicks.

It's got the classic set up of good looking, broody male "outsiders" rebelling against the establishment via rock'n'roll and romance. It's set in the late fifties and has plenty of fun, sexy and dramatic montages set to dark rock'n'roll songs.

It's not a great film but it's certainly just as bad as Footloose and Dirty Dancing. If you enjoyed either of those I recommend you check this out (particularly if you're female and aged between 12-16). It's tap your foot to the songs, totally enjoyable fluff.

I have to agree with Maltin on this one. It stunk like crazy. Travolta a music teacher in a all boys school was an admirable feat, but not really that well pulled off. The interplay between the boys school and the girls school was trite and too precious at times but we did have some really nice girls to look at (Graham, Paltrow) unfortunately they looked like they were ready to be housewives of the 50s rather than teenagers, sometimes frumpy and few moments where they actually looked like they were not haggard students. As well the boys looked like they were living in a shanty town in comparison to the girls The finer points of the film were seeing Richard Jordan, an actor that I think was underrated in our time, unfortunately his role of strict school master almost mirrored his role of strict orphan director from another bomb he was in "Solarbabies", only slightly less sadistic. However if you choose to rent or (If your really lucky) catch this on cable listen carefully to the DJ on their radio, you just might recognize him, yet another underrated actor that was at least was fortunate to be heard and not seen in this movie.

After just seeing the movie Shout for the first time, I came away with a feel good impression. Basic plot but fun to watch. John Travolta stars as a music teacher on a Boys Farm in 1955 Texas. James Walters aka Jamie Walters from 90210 fame, plays a boy sent to the boys ranch who is really a good kid at heart. John's character introduces them to rock n roll while he is their music teacher and the movie takes off from there. There is good music, a good moral and this is probably the first film for Gwenyth Paltrow. Heather Graham is also in this movie and all are young! Fun to watch, not a lot of bad language or violence and it teaches kids they have to pay the piper when they do something wrong but sticking it out gets them what they want in the end, Have fun!

This is not an awful film but it is really really bad on many levels. It is supposed to be a period piece and yet cares nothing at all about the period or authenticity. An odd mix of Footloose and Dead Poet's Society without any of the pathos that either of those films offer. It is hard to believe that Hollywood made this as a major motion picture. Any producer who was near this should be ashamed for life. This is not an unappreciated gem this is a pile of excrement. IF you want to see a film of no substance with John Travolta and some cute boys and cute girls being silly, go for it. If you are looking for a cute 80's style movie with great music this is not it. There is a reason this film was a flop when it debuted. I cannot stress enough how bad this film is. It is an insult to the era, and to the audience.