Product Description

A moment of boredom erupts into a firestorm of breathtaking instensity when two confused kids find a .45 magnum and impulsively rob a bank. As their innocent game unexpectedly explodes into a rampage they quickly become the objects of a terrifying standoff. Spanish track subtitled. Studio: Monarch Video Assoc. Release Date: 07/23/2002 Starring: Burt Reynolds Kurt Loder Run time: 100 minutes Rating: R Director: Ash

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #72831 in DVD
• Brand: Monarch
• Released on: 2002-07-23
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 99 minutes

Amazon.com
What do you get when a couple of 13-year-olds replay Dog Day Afternoon? The title is a clever pun on the film's inspirations (there's also a little of Reservoir Dogs rattling around the back of the picture), but it's neither a comedy nor a gritty thriller. Young Stevie (Cameron Van Hoy), bored and starved for attention (his mother has left him home alone while she's off at some New Age retreat), decides to skip school and rob a bank with his reluctant but loyal best friend-girlfriend, Rocky (Mischa Barton). Within minutes they're surrounded by cops and calling for pizzas and MTV (a sly, smarmy cameo by MTV reporter Kurt Loder) through tired FBI hostage negotiator Burt Reynolds. It's like some video game fantasy come to life, and the growing media circus gives these heretofore neglected kids their 15 minutes of fame and a sudden (if fleeting) power. Writer-director Ash (Bang) doesn't quite pull it all together, and it drags some at 100 minutes, but the meandering narrative mirrors the hairpin emotional turns of the kids while Ash's handheld camerawork and long unbroken shots capture the chaos of the situation with easy understatement. The kids are sharply drawn and startlingly refreshing, a testament to Ash's savvy writing and direction and to the skills of Van Hoy and Barton. It's a smartly made film, subtly satirical, pleasantly unexplained by any confessional motivations, and happily free of moralizing. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

So thirteen year-olds are real
In the past twelve years are so, there has appeared a spate of good movies that proved to be a minor revolution of sorts. In effect, they dragged that frustratingly enigmatic 10 to 15 year-old age group out of the Pollyanna era of easy stereotyping and presented the youngsters dwelling there as real, sentient human beings. Not only did they present youthful characters who were quite human in their thoughts, drives, ambitions, decisions, and dialog, but they were cast with youthful actors of real substance, who could stand up with the best of adults in the profession. "Emma's Shadow", "Leon", "Bastard Out of Carolina", "Ellen Foster", "The Mighty", "The Cure", "Lawn Dogs", "Digging to China", and "Tumbleweeds" are a few such daring offerings. Unfortunately, most of these pictures, being independents, made-for-tv productions, or controversial in content, received little public recognition or theatrical exposure.

"Pups" follows the pattern in three ways. The two middle-school aged kids in this movie certainly have to be taken seriously. Sure they acted impulsively and irresponsibly; kids who would decide on the spur of the moment to rob a bank are not acting responsibly. Adults have been known to choose as bad or worse actions, and for even less reason. Obviously, there were situations in Stevie's life that seemed to lead him in that dangerous direction. And obviously, even before he found his mother's gun, you were given to know that on this particular day Stevie was a disaster looking for a place to happen. And even though Rocky joined him in his dangerous acts because of her attachment to him, you were given to know she did so reluctantly (girls have been known to do that kind of thing in the adult world too). That she would get caught up in the thrill of the adventure and power of it all is quite human as well, which made the situation the scarier since it seemed she might represent the only hope for a rational resolution. FBI agent Daniel Bender (Burt Reynolds) grew to be quite concerned for Stevie and Rocky as kids, and he struggled desperately to keep them from getting hurt; but he didn't seem to know how to relate to them as thinking and feeling humans.

"Pups" also follows the trend of those other revolutionary movies by getting very little public exposure. Real-life tragedy interceded too dramatically.

Finally, "Pups" follows the pattern by casting in the roles of Stevie and Rocky two young actors of consummate skill. Cameron Van Hoy is remarkable in his first major role, and Mischa Barton adds another great performance to her already impressive acting history (check out her stunning reading of the role of the complex Devon in "Lawn Dogs").

This is as powerful a movie as you'll ever see, possibly too powerful for some. But if for no other reason, I recommend you see "Pups" for the excitement of watching a pair of outstanding young actors in action.

Amazing movie, definitely worth a look
Some people are probably put off by this movie, since most people seem to prefer the fairy-tale world a lot of films create. You won't see any of that in "Pups". What's really unique about this film is it's similarity to reality; it gives the film an almost documentary-like feel, without taking away the emotional aspects. You can really feel for the characters-- whether you love them or hate them, this movie definitely inspires emotion. I would recommend "Pups" to anyone who isn't offended easily and who doesn't mind a movie that requires you to actually use your brain a little.

This movie rocks
Pups is an entertaining and what i found thrilling movie. Newcomer Cameron Van Hoy does an excellent job as the very troubled Stevie, who has been left at home by his mother who is at a seminar (?) somewhere. When he stumbles upon his mothers loaded gun he brings his girlfriend Rocky (Mischa Barton) on a crazy ride. On impulse Stevie walks into a bank and starts waving the gun around. Soon we have a hostage situation and there are cops buzzing around everywhere. Burt Reynolds does a fine job as the reasoning FBI agent. This movie is not a classic but it does have some very good moments/scenes and overall it definatly isnt bad. The constant screaming of Stevie gets a little tedious but all adds to the effect of the panic one would be feeling in such a situation. I think Mischa Barton is great in this movie, Im a huge fan of hers. The ending is sad and my mouth dropped open in shock, call me an idiot but i wasnt expecting that! Rent this movie if you're bored one day, it makes for fine viewing.