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List Price: $9.98 | | Label: 20th Century Fox
Salesrank: 17082
Released: February 10, 2004 |
| Our Price: $28.49 |
| Used Price: $24.99 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Party Monster is a curiosity: a fictional version of events already covered in documentary form (see Party Monster: The Shockumentary) by this film's co-directors, Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, best known for The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Party Monster, theatrically released in 2003, also signals the return of Macaulay Culkin to films after a long absence. Culkin plays 1980s club kid-turned-killer Michael Alig, a small-town boy who arrives in New York in search of reinvention on the Ecstasy-fueled party scene. Alig ascends from rube to ringmaster, organizing Fabulous happenings and anointing, in Warhol-like fashion, various transvestites and studly naifs the era's new superstars. Seth Green plays Alig's arch but more reticent co-conspirator and roommate, James St. James. Green is more grounded in character than Culkin, though neither actor is convincing as a deluded drag queen. Despite interesting material, the directors never reveal what makes Alig a compelling figure in Manhattan's social history. --Tom Keogh
Party Monster Reviews:
Scratched Party Monster 
2009-10-06 - This movie skips a lot. I wasn't pleased. so Whoever sent this to me, I feel that you have wronged me.
The documentary is MUCH better! 
2009-04-14 - I like this movie-I liked it even more BEFORE I saw Party Monster-Shockumentary. I am a fan of Michael and I write to him. A lot of the events that happened in the movie was twisted because it came from another person's perspective. If you want to real truth, wait until Michael comes out with his book!
A good entry into the drug-fueled club scene films 
2008-11-07 - Add this one to your movie marathon with Less Than Zero and Bright Lights, Big City. It has that same feel as the earlier films except for the grisly real-life murder that ends the tale. Performances are solid - particularly Green's - and the sets and costume design are great. Chloe Sevigny, of course, is here - I mean she would have to be, wouldn't she? Anyway, it is very entertaining in that falsely glamorous, trashy way. Very good soundtrack.
The true story of the most famous Club Kid 
2008-09-30 - 'Party Monster' is the true story of Michael Alig, a notorious Club Kid, who in 1996 murdered a nobody drug dealer known as Angel. Birthed in the 80's, the Club Kids were the legendary sparkle of the wild club scene populated by Andy Worhol types and flamboyant gays and drag queens.
Michael (played by Macauley Culkin) bursts into the scene, weaseling his way in through celebrated contributor James St. James (played by Seth Green). He makes a name for himself by organizing club parties, usually starring cleaver wielding singer Christina (played by Marilyn Manson, who shows up surprisingly thicker than I thought he'd be). As his reputation builds, so does his popularity, until he's sitting pretty right on top of the scene. James remains Michael's best friend, though it's a love/hate relationship. James has always been a drug user, but as Michael falls into the abyss of drug use, his personal and society lifestyles change for the worse.
The movie is peppered with a soundtrack of 80's tunes, perfect for the setting. The costumes are wild and realistic to the fashions of the Club Kids. The movie could have used more club scenes, since the clubbing is all the "kids" lived for. Both Seth Green and Macauley Culkin give great performances. It must be a drag for Culkin to always be associated with his child films, it would be nice if he could overcome the stigma like Ron Howard did.
Be sure to read the book 'Party Monster' written by James St. James about the murder, and if you can, watch for the real life story of Michael Alig (with the real Michael) aired on American Justice.
While good, the movie fails to live up to great. I feel the association Michael and James had was too light for what I know of the real life murder, and too much of the club incidents were left out (like Michael's birthday Bloodfest party). Still, if you're interested in the case you should watch the film. Rent first. Enjoy!
When Sex is Boring 
2008-05-24 - A ninety four minute Australian-made DVD version probably missed the most explicit moments of generally boring movie of drugs, sex and simply young entrepreneur's meaningless, a film, of which New York City itself is the best acting member.