Igby Goes Down 74
Original, if nothing else. It's a coming-of-age story — but not in that TV movie kind of way — about a kid trying to escape his screwed-up family. I was supremely annoyed by the first 20 minutes. I hated every character, but mostly, I hated the slightly off-kilter editing. While it isn't confusing, per se, it doesn't allow you to settle into the story for quite a while. But either I got used to the style, or it opened up and relaxed. Whatever the case, my hatred slowly turned to, "Huh, this is pretty good."

I've heard it referred to as a "comedy." Don't go in expecting to laugh your ass off. A comedy it's not, except for a few brutally funny moments. Kieran Culkin is amazing; I couldn't help thinking of the pre-drug Robert Downey, Jr. Verrry similar. Claire Danes, however, is woefully misused. I didn't like her in this.

That reminds me... "My So-Called Life" just came out on DVD. Must. Buy. Now.