Newcastle

This is one of the few movies that really leave me full of doubts whether I like it or not.

It's about an angry teen boy, Jesse, who is a surf promise, and his difficult relationship with his two brothers. The older one, Victor, used to be a surf champion, but he had to quit and now he is a frustrated young man, who bullies his younger half-brothers. The other one is Fergus, he's Jesse's tween and he is gay. Around them there are a lot of other characters. All of them got some potential, but they are definitely too many. The parents are two good people who try to be there for their kids, but sometimes they just can't reach them. The grandfather is just adorable, wise, funny and comprehensive. And then there are Jesse's friends: Nathan, Andy and Scotty.

Let's put it in his way, it is definitely enjoyable and pleasant, the cast is good-looking and the landscape awesome (dispite industrialization hang over the waves in each scene).

Moreover, the characters and the story are quite catching and interesting, yet everything seems to be just skimmed. There are a too many characters, so none of them can get the depth he deserves. The same material used in a different way (maybe with a different format, like a TV series), may have lead to something much better.

So, my suggestion is to watch the film if you are into this kind of staff, but do not expect too much, otherwise you'll be disappointed!

NEWCASTLE (in Australia) is an interesting take on the very male beauty pageant that is Australian surf culture among teen/20 somethings... and viewers should be aware that the writer/director Dan Castle is a gay film maker. As a result his awareness of the visual aspects of the young male form in surf sand and sex scenes is to the fore of this 'pretty' film. Reminiscent of PUBERTY BLUES (1982) and BIG Wednesday (1978) and a male version of BLUE CRUSH without the surf contest, NEWCASTLE shows the Australian mid coast steel city's glorious beaches and aqua waters with frolicking male beauty and testosterone challenges. It has a reasonably interesting storyline and some surprises and one very startling moment in the dunes, but somehow lacks gravity. The Parents and Grandfather are 'just there' as characters, the girls no more than a distraction from the boy antics, the older brother issues..all just get enough screen time to make them vaguely followable. Visually it is a triumph with incredible photography of almost being in the surf with the guys, and an affection for the male form that only a committed gay film maker could possibly dare to present. The young actors were very game to agree to participate and in the future would be proud of their achievement. Xavier Samuels, the least pretty of the boys ironically has gone onto bigger and better things in the TWILIGHT series. NEWCASTLE is a state of mind, an erogenous zone and a great place to surf. Some terrific scenes at the very surreal Newcaslte ocean pool are almost scenes from A BIGGER SPLASH. It is exceptionally well cast. The star of the film no doubt is the unforgettable photography during the surfing scenes. Overall, there is a lot of near nudity and some completely nude sequences. It must have played to screaming audiences in a packed cinema.

Urged by a film director I admire, I decided to attend a 9:30 screening of "Newcastle" by a director new to me, at the Los Angeles DGA theater. I left the screening in a daze. I dreamed about the film and it was the first thing I thought of this morning. I've never met any surfers in my life - although I've seen "Big Wednesday" - but I have the feeling now that I know them and I was compelled and surprised by how much we have in common. The human drama attached to the waves is what sets this film in a category all its own. Unique. Coming of age in another planet, primitive and futuristic at the same time. A stunning cast of unknowns helps the feeling that we're peeping into something really private. The photography and the score contribute immensely to make this a phenomenal experience. Highly recommended.

I just saw this film in LA at Outfest and I loved it. This film is well directed, acted, and shot. The subject matter may be challenging for some but the relationships were very real and contemporary. Young people are more open-minded about sexual identity and its many challenges and the director presents the issue of homosexuality in a way that makes it seem so natural to the situation. Mr. Castle elicits some strong performances from his neophyte cast which reminded me of Coppola's work with his young actors in The Outsiders. I also thought the adults were integrated into the story in a very real way--these aren't absent parents but people in their kids' lives. The surfing camera work is stupendous. Don't miss!

I really liked this movie despite the lengthy surfing scenes and lack of real depth to the storyline. The actors in the film were all entertaining to watch. There was a array of characters with various interactions...some funny, some sad, some utterly bland but contributory nonetheless. The scenery was incredible. I think many modern films lack that beautiful setting which captivates the audience so it was nice to see it be different in Newcastle. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Xavier's and Kirk's characters. It felt real and very believable. I was upset that I missed the scene at the end of the credits. There should have been a heads up that the movie was not yet done. Overall, I give this movie a 9/10 as I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.