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List Price: $14.99 | | Label: Miramax Home Entertainment
Salesrank: 38787
Released: December 9, 2003 |
| Our Price: $4.40 |
| Used Price: $2.65 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Seventeen-year-old Kelly engages in World War II re-enactments to escape and later confront, his troubles and insecurities.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: PG13
Release Date: 5-JUL-2005
Media Type: DVD
Description of The Battle of Shaker Heights:
This perfectly pleasant, if minor, coming-of-age comedy-drama is the second feature released via the Miramax/HBO/Ben Affleck-Matt Damon TV program Project Greenlight. Series viewers watched Heights directors Kyle Rankin and Efram Potelle struggle to get their vision of screenwriter Erica Beeney's story past an intractable producer. If the process was not pretty, the final result--i.e., this film--has some nice things. Leading the list is rising star Shia LaBeouf (Holes) as likable, 17-year-old misfit Kelly Ernswiler, coasting through life and fascinated by simulated war games. He befriends a sweet but cynical preppie, Bart Bowland (Elden Hensen), whose sexy older sister, Tabby (Amy Smart), offers Kelly a glimpse of adult passions and heartache. The cast is strong, including Kathleen Quinlan and William Sadler as the Caulfield-esque hero's troubled parents. There are solid moments of comedy and affecting, better-than-average drama. If Heights fails to ignite, at least it doesn't fail to move. --Tom Keogh
The Battle of Shaker Heights Reviews:
Excellent Coming Of Age Film 
2008-10-10 - This film is a joy to watch. A simple independant film that shows a little slice of life and be sure, that slice of life will move you in all ways. This film is the second production as a result of the Ben Affleck/Matt Damon show Project Greenlight.
The story is simple but the acting is impeccable and it develops a wallop emotionally. The movie is totally carried by Shia LaBeouf. He had done some work before this, but here, at 17 he shows the maturity and skill that his furthering career would only develop. He is the sparkle that shines in this film. LaBeouf plays Kelly, a somewhat unhappy teen from a somewhat unhappy family. He escapes by participating in war reenactments. It is here he meets the wealthy, preppie Bart. They become best friends and his family an escape for the emotionally lost Kelly. He also falls for Bart's sister played by Amy Smart.
The story is well told and all the characters have depth. They all experience some life changes through their experiences together but it is Kelly and Labeouf's portrayal that shows the most depth. His innocence is very believable. The drama is provided in some excellent moments by him but the biggest surprise is his comedic timimg. All the comedic touches are provided by the shyness of Kelly.
I highly recommend this slice of life coming of age film to all independant film lovers and also Shia LaBeouf fans. It is an excellent part of his ever developing career.
The Battle of Shaker Heights - For Lovers of Independent Film Making and Acting 
2008-05-01 - The Battle of Shaker Heights
I have never watched Project Greenlight. There I said it. I happened upon this movie and I'm glad I did. To me it's only of minor importance how this movie was funded and made, because the end product matters most. And the end product is much better than many would lead you to believe. You just have to know what kind of movie watcher you are. If you love independent films and don't mind slow and nuanced acting and a story with no cheap thrills, you can enjoy this. If you like more traditional movie experiences, you might find this treatment a bit slow.
Shia LaBoeuf shows why he is the "next big thing" of his generation in a very subtle and impressive portrayal of the main character. As Kelly he's an extremely over-intelligent high school kid who channels his brain power into nerdy pursuits like World War II history and military memorablia. Elden Henson is Bart, his fast friend from the better-off side of town. When he meets Bart's older sister Tabby, he develops a crush for a girl way out of his league, something every boy in high school is familiar with.
All the while, he works at the supermarket with Sarah, played well by Shiri Appleby, who would have clearly been an easier target for him. All of these relationships are a back drop to the frustration we see Kelly experience from his family life, with a father battling his demons and a mother fighting to hold it together.
William Sadler and Ray Wise round out what really is an all star cast. And even though the slow is made in a slow and deliberate way, the cast of this movie is really one of the treats. They all perform exceptionally well, even in parts that are written sparsely.
I think they definitely captured the angst of high school in a way that was honest and real. These are not typical kids, but that makes it all the more easy to understand why a character like Kelly might not fit in and might act out. Sure they could have fleshed this one out more, but I guess all those Damon and Affleck connections helped to cast this one well enough to more than make up for it.
If you enjoy slow and introspective independent films, or are a fan of Shia LaBoeuf, you will find lots to like in this movie.
Enjoy!
Real 
2008-02-20 - This movie is pretty real comparatively to other movie involving teens, despite the war reenacting. It's no wonder Shia LaBeouf is going to be a Super-Star A-lister.
Great Coming Of Age Story
2008-01-08 - This film will appeal to the whole family. Don't be fooled by the cover, if you are an Amy Smart fan. Her role, while important, is not what the cover implies. The entire cast works well in this story of a 17 year old's journey to adulthood and the responsibilities it entails.
How could people like this movie? 
2007-10-01 - I was reading reviews for this movie and noticed that people thought this had potential to be a great film and some complimented it. I loved the series (PGL2) that went with this movie but like the first season of the show I couldn't figure out why they chose the script and directors they chose. This seemed like a bad choice for a script and how could anyone choose Kyle and Efrem(sic?) after seeing that amazing crucifix film by contestant Joe Otting? Throughout the first two seasons I couldn't understand the final decisions made by Chris, Matt, Ben and the others. I loved project greenlight but I can't see how anyone would actually think this movie is any good at all.
