Smokers

It's been 24 hours since I watched 'Smokers' and it's still near the forefront of my mind – the best indicator of a film's quality and impact. This has moved me to write my first appraisal for IMDb, because when maybe wanting to do so in the past it's the minimum length required that's put me off. I guess I'm just too busy normally and I'm not certainly putting IMDb down over the prerequisite – the administrators have their reasons – and in my opinion it's one of the world's best websites; in fact, my favourite.

The film is about weed and every of its socioeconomic aspects from the street up, built brilliantly into a story. Whether you're a pothead or not is irrelevant: it's a wonderful journey the filmmakers take you on, and they do so in true style. I've smoked my share in the past so can closely identify with the theme, but haven't for quite a while now. Grass is great for inspiring extraordinary creative thought, but has the opposite effect when you need to be organised and productive in implementing the results of that creativity. Hence my current abstinence. The director/writers highlight this superbly in the scene they keep flashing back to with the two guys running off at the mouth getting high in the toilet – classic verbal diarrhoea.

The points that make this movie great:

1. It has that rare quality of unobtrusive camera work. You feel like you're a fly on the wall witnessing life as it is. This is incredibly hard to achieve, and most, even movies with vast budgets, don't attempt to do so for that reason. Examples that have achieved this successfully are Taxi Driver and Cuckoo's Nest in the past, and the best example of all: Easy Rider. The latter had a similar effect on me as a kid as Smokers had yesterday. Yes, folks, we're at genius level with this film. Modern examples are Alpha Dogs, the best film of the last 12 months, and Valley of Angels. Add Southland Tales and you've got the four quality movies of the recent past – forget the cr*p that's dished up at the Academy Awards, which is usually only useful for highlighting the films you should avoid.

2. The seamlessness these two clever filmmakers have created is also borne out in the highly talented cast and their superb performances. I've never seen any of them before, so where have they been hiding? The casting people responsible are nothing short of gifted and highly empathic, but it was also the excellent real-life script and the genuine dialogue that allowed the cast to reveal its true worth. Again you felt as though you were right there on the street with them. I'm in awe of how the writer/directors managed to draw out such convincing performances - check out the brothers doing street rap. If you didn't know better you'd be convinced you were watching actual events through some magical hidden camera. This was, of course, the genius of Easy Rider, another low-budget screen gem. I'd love to know how they did it or have been there when they did.

3. It needs to be said that all of the above could have been tainted had the lack of mega-buck initial investment affected the cinematography and camera work, but not so. It was beautifully and accurately filmed, which enhanced, not detracted from, its true-to-life theme. Clever and accurate editing bore this out perfectly. And what better setting than filming it among the unique diversity that is modern day New York? Well done guys, a joy to watch!

4. All good films require a hit-'em-between-the-eyes ending and Smokers does not disappoint. I gave it a 9/10. I can't wait for Alex Foley and Mike Hull's next offering. You guys are gifted.

It seems to be an amateur video. The place to put this video supposed to be on you tube and does not fit on IMDb. It is my opinion and i guess many people will agree with me. I m afraid that IMDb will become you tube movie bank, because i saw already so many amateur videos. I think the real place for videos (movies) like this in you tube. IMDb is movie bank and not video bank. Movie is treat as a kind of art. This movie is far away from art. Only if art is dealing and using drugs...i m afraid some how it is for some people .

I m afraid that in the future, every child will take a camera and film a movie by them self and after he will put his movie here on IMDb,then soon will be the same big mas like on you tube. I hope not. And in the future movies like this one better to put on another place. Somehow i respect amateur videos and everybody start like this on the beginning, just in the future if you want to present and show people what you have done, find another place not IMDb. Tenx for understanding and it is just my personal opinion. Otherwise the movie for amateur product is pretty well done.

Keep going guys and good luck in the future (Cannes)

1/10 strongly (not)recomended

I saw this movie at a friend's house and we were both really surprised. What seems like a regular stoner flick is a carefully crafted commentary on society, drugs and race. The characters are such perfect stereotypes and the scenes so dense, the plot being secondary to the feeling of place and moment. It really reminded me of early John Carpenter in a way. The film builds to a climactic scene with a trippy commentary beforehand by a mystical character disguised as a black Egyptian weed buyer. The camera work was amazing and the colors, soundtrack and locations made me miss New York more than ever. Yes, this is a very low budget film but I think with more resources these filmmakers could really bring us something special that a mainstream audience would appreciate. And the guy who plays Indo is a revelation to watch. Give it a chance, you will not be disappointed.

I want my money back! I decided to watch the whole movie just to understand what the point was.

This was truly one of the worst movies i have ever watched and its been a while since I've seen a movie this bad. The actors were horrible, the story-line was worse, the camera men seemed to shake, the sound was incoherent at some points. I want my money back for the time wasted watching the movie. I want my money back! I decided to watch the whole movie just to understand what the point was.

This was truly one of the worst movies i have ever watched and its been a while since I've seen a movie this bad. The actors were horrible, the story-line was worse, the camera men seemed to shake, the sound was incoherent at some points. I want my money back for the time wasted watching the movie.

it's been a while since i watched this film. but i can tell you if your liking is toward obscure independent films this is a must see!! i do not understand the reviewers that found this title disappointing. the story is multi-faceted and the plot line seems aimless at times - as you are watching. this tactic certainly added to the tension and mystery for me. BUT the ending is a wow! i shall not spoil this film for you by divulging too much information.

the mystery of it all is all important!!

yes it's a low budget movie but that only adds to the sense of atmosphere the director wants to project. please watch this film. you cannot forget it once you have seem it.