Review of The Canyons (2013) by James T — 06 Aug 2013

Surprisingly GOOD! I was interested from start to finish. Lindsay pulls through, pushing the boundaries in a comeback that can rival Barrymore's POISON IVY days at times. The movie is dark and brutally honest in regards to the price of fame and the webs of networking we create in order to obtain it.

While parts are glamorous, overall it goes to show what a chapter-by-chapter "zombie" so many of us really are in Los Angeles. We set ourselves in relationships and situations that are the downfall of our true selves, because there is some glimmer it will put us in the spotlight briefly.

.. On top of that, there is enough eroticism, including male full frontal, to drop a few jaws and keep them drooling. Bret Easton Ellis has became a master at making popularity, fame and wealth seem cool, while showing the dark underbelly of it all simultaneously.

This could have easily come off as high-camp. but stays just under that radar, making it an intricately interesting story. The cinematography and poetic license is all well done.. The acting is steady, and the direction is layered.

Just as you are laughing, you cringe... Just as you are turned on, your feel the inner turmoil of characters going through the actions just to get to tomorrow... This all seems very deep on a story that is pretty shallow-- it is a commentary of what upcoming fame and newfound glory often is-- being "not much at all".