by Larry Richman
October 4, 2006 2:15 PM

"The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys" is one of my all-time favorite movies. And I've seen thousands. I own the DVD and have watched it at least a dozen times, and I love it just as much and I still cry in the same 3 places, even though I know what's coming. In fact, I'm even more moved each time because I know. This is a film to be studied, frame by frame, shot by shot. The commentary is just mind-blowing. It was one of the first films where the commentary made me see the movie in a whole new light, and I've never looked at it the same since. It is such a masterfully crafted film, and what's most astounding is that all the lead actors were about 15 at the time. Just amazing.

This is the film which turned me on to the talents of Emile Hirsch. It is because of this film that I began to follow his career. And I wasn't the only one. Luke Greenfield went after him for The Girl Next Door because of Altar Boys. Dan Harris went after him for Imaginary Heroes because of Altar Boys. Those films led to Lords of Dogtown (the executive producer of Dogtown was the producer of Heroes). It could be argued that Emile's career was built on the amazing performance he did in Altar Boys.

It is a moving, powerful film. It's about friendship and loyalty, love and loss. The themes are timeless and classic and the film is a work of art.