Rites of Passage (2012)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Captivating movie !

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

I am a returning student at Santa Barbara city college and I was given an extra credit assignment in my marketing 101 class to watch this film which was shot locally where I live. I thought that this movie was better then I expected it to be and it was interesting to see the the locations in which the movie was shot. I have been at many of these places. I think any time a movie is filmed in your home town, it gives you a sense of pride.The target audience in which this film was intended for was very well chosen. If your going to market out to a specific audience in this town, one of the best one's to market out to is college students. I believe the producer had a very accurate depiction of the local college student life here in Santa Barbara/Goleta area. The movie touches on many areas of the crazy party life styles that is considered the norm around this area. It also touches on certain subjects like the Chumash Indians, and their past (very minimal info on them I agree), drug abuse, sex and the uncertain thoughts of college kids today and where they feel they belong.Overall I choose to see this movie in a positive light. I have met both the Director and Writer,of the film (Peter Iliff) along with his life long friend Executive Producer and co-writer (Rick Halsey) who partnered up with him for the movie. Both of them are very different individuals and have different life goals, but it was good to see how they can come together with a common goal and make a movie. To all the people who are angry about this movie, I sincerely believe you guys are misdirecting your anger these guys are in no way attempting to disrespect anyone in any way. Salud!PS. If you want to reply to my post/review feel free to do so... ;) [email protected]

By the looks of the previews, I expected this film to be like every other horror film out there. It actually was a lot better than I expected. Some moments kind of seemed strange to me, but the whole story tied in together well. There was really no loose ends or confusion. Not scary or anything like that, but pretty humorous and there were parts where I gasped or grew anxious. Also, the story takes place here in Santa Barbara and he really captured the way the town really is, especially in Isla Vista. I found that very interesting. For the movie being shot with such a low budget and with a single camera, Peter Illif gets a lot of credit for making this movie fairly descent and also for grabbing actors such as Wes Bentley and Christian Slater. My attention was captured a lot more than I thought it would be. I would recommend watching it if you are from the Santa Barbara area or are between 17-30.

The film had a lot of characters, which had great quick character development that created a lot of tension and intrigue.It was a fun movie with some great scenes. It was not offensive to the Chumash. It also presented Jimson weed in the dangerous light that it should have. I did not like the ending, but that's just because things end too fast (like most films). And I did not like portraying psychedelics in a negative light but I separate my opinions from the fact that it was a very entertaining, very well written and well executed film.For all the critics, I'd love to see a film you made.

the notion that people would have issues "unrelated" to the themes portrayed in this movie is invalid. the very fact that this movie chose to capitalize and exploit native culture for a mere thrill factor is reason enough for some people to find it offensive and a poor representation of the native community. just because you got a couple of native people to get on board with the project in no means makes it OK nor does that small group represent first nations community of this country. and in this day and age when native Americans are being misrepresented and portrayed stereotypically left and right it's no surprise that this movie would once again portray native people in a stereotypical misrepresented manner. the problem is this American society that we live in doesn't find it necessary to really educate themselves about our culture or way of life unless it serves them in some way, i.e learning enough to make a believable thrasher film. because if this society did truly educate themselves they would acquire enough respect and dignity that they wouldn't exploit an already damaged culture that has been almost completely eradicated in the name of the American dream. but of course this film represents America, Hollywood, where nothing is sacred. everything is exploited for a buck and entertainment. so while you go ahead and exercise your rights at the expense of others, just remember why you chose to do it. not to educate people about a culture and a people, it was to entertain with blood murder, drugs and Indians.