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86 comments in total

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48 out of 55 people found the following comment useful :-
Is it just me, or is this film horribly underrated?, 9 October 2006

Author: squarefanatic from United States

Wow - this is a surprise. Watch it because it's proof that a lot of IMDBers are really full of crap pawns that care more about peoples' opinions of their opinions than they do about whether or not the movie is actually any good. Stupid sheep. This was very emotional, GREAT characterization, awesome photography, and extremely convincing dialogues. I'm from the ATL, trust me this is pretty accurate. This flick really does a fabulous job portraying what some folks struggle with overcoming stereotypes, growing up, and finding their place in their world. If you appreciate an honest review then go see this sucker - otherwise you probably didn't even read this far.

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61 out of 88 people found the following comment useful :-
Surprisingly strong film shows the flipside of the dirty dirty, 27 March 2006

Author: Michael Dennis (miked@reelblack.com) from City of Brotherly Love

I just got back from an advance screening of ATL--the movie that cannot be marketed as a roller skating flick because Roll Bounce "didn't make money."

OK, so I guess that's a major spoiler in Warner Brother's eyes. But I think it's kinda cool to see a PG-13 movie set in current times that shows young men and women battling with the process of growing up. If you've seen lots of movies like me, you'll know where ATL borrows it's cues from--the friendships of Juice, the house party from House Party, the fat girl from Cooley High a dash of Purple Rain the broad tapestry of Last Picture Show or American Graffiti and the swagger of Saturday Night Fever. It also owes a lot to John Hughes' early work. That being said, director Chris Robinson, in his feature debut, delivers strong visuals and an excellent soundtrack/score that constantly reminds you that these are real places, people and problems. He gets excellent performances from his cast--a mix of veteran actors and musicians in their film debuts.

The big plot twist in the story (which I won't give away) raises a very interesting question that the movie with as broad a scope as ATL has no way to answer--do these young girls project a "grown-up" attitude because it's fashionable or is it the only way to find love and attention from these young boys who are, in their own way, desperately in search of their own manhood without the guidance of true role models? ATL tels a very familiar story but with interesting hues and nuances that defy the typical "hood" flick. I encourage you to check it out in theaters.

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32 out of 35 people found the following comment useful :-
ATL is a great movie, 21 July 2006
Author: Papasmurf4325 from United States

ATL is a great movie for all involved in it i think that it is very underrated movie. They thought that it was going to be a movie in the vein of boys in the hood with it's social commentary about the state of black people in todays world, but it just ain't that movie. ATL dosen't have long speeches about African American culture from people drinking 40's and playing dominos. ATL dosen't subscribe to HOOD stereyotypes in fact no one in this movie is ever shown Drinking Beer or Smoking weed, sure ANT deals drugs but you don't see people ever smoke it. it's a movie that isn't about images but about the problems that the characters face that are real to life. the people have problems like what to do after high school and looking out for your family and friends. The actors in this moie are well cast the actors seem to really know their characters, and most of all TI is perfect in this movie he has a great energy that helps fits the movie to a T

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36 out of 51 people found the following comment useful :-
Skating is in, 4 April 2006

Author: froglegcutlet from United States

What many people refuse to believe is the accuracy in socio-economic depictions of dramas and routines of young black teens that ATL brings to life in theaters. As I glance over the several reviews written by critics who seem rather shocked that skating is actually a hip-hop trend makes me even more convinced the world knows very little about what really goes on in the vines of trends and threads of hip-hop. (Skating has been "in" for a while now...anyways) ATL expressed reality artistically, which makes the movie more, in my opinion "fun." The movie scopes into the lives, gives reasons for deprivations and answers from where, what and why do people find a haven in where they "kick-it," and who they "kick it with" I think ATL is a good movie because what it really expressed to me is the strife to... just making it.

Heck, I never went skating, I mean, I'm not a very trendy or hip-hopish type of person to boot, wouldn't fit in. So the movie provides a perspective and although I may not be so into rap, the movie still gives a strong statement, so I like it. It motivates me, kind of like, Hustle and Flow.

Overall, ATL was a lot better than I expected, especially the acting, who knew Rapper T.I. can light up the screen.

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31 out of 48 people found the following comment useful :-
Good movie, 3 April 2006

Author: sclayborne from United States

I may be biased because I love T.I. but I was pleased with the movie!! I thought it was good to finally show something other than the usually cliché movie about urban kids who all want to sell drugs and smoke. It shows the "real" side of urban kids. The side the media never wants us to see. All kids are not bad; and no we do not all perpetuate the stereotype. Great movie, but I will admit the end of the movie did not lend to the imagination and could have expounded more on what other possibilities there were for the conclusion. However, T.I. is amazing in this movie; especially considering this was his big screen debut. Natural, funny, and real.

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20 out of 27 people found the following comment useful :-
Great Movie, 24 July 2006

Author: mariaorrilla00 from United States

I really liked this movie. I didn't expect it to be very good because none of the actors are A-list actors and there are several characters played by rappers, including T.I.'s debut as the lead character Rashad. I'm not saying rappers don't act well because some of the best actors are also rappers, such as Ice Cube, LL Cool J, and Tupac. But, it just seems like these days a lot of rappers who can not act are trying to anyway. But, my point is that T.I. and Big Boi are really good in this film. I wasn't even thinking of them as being rappers trying to act in this movie because they just seemed like the characters that they were playing.

I enjoyed the whole movie and was entertained from start to end. It was even quite touching and emotional for those of you like that kind of thing. It was fun and had a great soundtrack too. I would highly recommend checking this one out. In fact, I just saw it yesterday and I'm going to go buy the DVD for my collection. It's one of the best movies I've seen in a while.

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32 out of 51 people found the following comment useful :-
Much Better Than I Expected, 1 April 2006

Author: bimsie99 from Phoenix, Arizona

The New Urban drama/comedy ATL,about a group of friends coming of age in Atlanta,was better than I expected in so many ways:It was sweet.It had heart.It was funny in real and unexpected ways,and it had a pace and rhythm all its own.

Another reviewer mentioned "Cooley High" as a reference,but I would also add American Graffiti,especially in using a central location,in this case a roller skating rink,as the focus of the action,as the meeting place of the kids in the area.

I'm afraid that once the word gets around that this isn't another tough,gangster style film,that it will die quickly at the box office,as evidenced by the bored,loud teenagers I saw the film with tonight.

Are small,personal African American films like ATL and "Something New" doomed to failure because of their refusal to dumb down to their audiences with broad,crude humor?I hope not,but why should they be any different than white audiences that cant see a good thing if their lives depended on it either.

End of rant.Take a chance on a film that takes a chance.

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12 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :-
really unexpectedly good, 6 October 2006

Author: Nate_the_Cinephile from United States

There gotta be some HATERS out there cuz this movie score is way outta wack at a 3.6. This movie was glamorized but T.I. kicking it with his crew and trying to figure out a good life was a true to life performance. The direction was beautiful and it really gave people a taste of hot-lanta. Everything combine for an accomplished finish and a smooth fun ride. I am so glad I watched it you will be too.

I wondered, as you would, how can a movie capture the ATL? The attitudes, style and environment puts you right on the streets down south. To represent the south I think this movie adds pride to it's image right now. Other then that, Chris Robinson is a killer behind the camera. The shots really hooked me into the film. If that's not enough, the cast was dead on, especially for some new comers.

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10 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
ATL is A Tale of Life, 2 August 2006

Author: wrlang from United States

A story about young people struggling to overcome the darker side of the neighborhood. Rashad Swann (Tip Harris) comes of age and takes responsibility for himself and his brother Antwone (Ross) to move toward getting out of the hood. Rashad meets a great girl named New New (London) with a secret that almost costs them their relationship. Antwone gets involved in dealing and suffers from a boss that isn't very understanding. Rashad and his skating buddies spend their time at the Cascade roller rink competing in skating events in preparation for the annual skating tournament that they've won several times. The main characters are all pretty likable and the dialog was a good compromise between reality and prime time TV. They even had an old timer speaking some Jive. You won't find an abundance of emotion from the righteous characters, but it is well worth seeing. Even with all the daily troubles, it doesn't leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

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15 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :-
It was good, but reminded me of Boys in the Hood, 11 April 2006

Author: twe57 from United States

This was a good movie. I have to admit I was a little skeptical, I mean this is my first time seeing, Tip "T.I." Harris act and I did not want to be disappointed by another rapper turned actor. I would have to say that he did good, I liked the fact that he was able to keep his southern accent and the "TI" feel, but still get into the role of Rashaad. I didn't understand why the movie had to be centered around the local skating rink, but thought it was different. Never before that I can remember have I seen a movie where they focus on the different skating groups. This movie really made me want to break out my skates from back in the day and hit the local rink, like I used when I was in middle school. I say it reminds me of Boys In the Hood, because you have a group of friends all trying to make it out of the hood and you really want to know who will make it out, alive anyway. The movie definitely had funny parts, that will keep you interested. I wouldn't say this was your typical hood movie though, because there wasn't a lot of killing and baby mama drama, I think it actually had somewhat of a family feel by providing you with in site on Rashaad's family, but also by making you see the importance of sticking together during hard times. If you are bored, need a good movie to watch, that's going to lift your spirits, this would be the one. I would definitely watch it again, because it was overall a good movie.

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