The Backyard (2002)

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

This is essentially kids beating the living hell out of each other for the fun of it. I expected to sit down and watch a straight forward documentary , but this film is far from it. I think there is a new wave of young filmmakers who are really daring, and this film certainly ranks up there. People in the audience were actually laughing throughout the film, and there was a huge applause at the end (am thinking this could be The Rocky Horror of Docs and screen at midnight theaters for years to come!!!) The filmmakers show a real passion for their subjects, which allows them to get close enough to them in a really subtle way. This is a world I didn't know existed and it is truly remarkable how sometimes films can present something in such a way that it takes your breath away. The scenes in Arizona are shocking, yet the scenes in England are stunning. It is also quite funny and shockingly compelling at other times. Two very high thumbs up, but not recommended for kids.

Warning: Possible SpoilersA friend of mine that I went to vocational school with has basically a walk-on part in this, so I was able to see it soon after it was finished.This film covers the same ground as pretty much every other piece thats' ever been conducted on backyard wrestling.You get your standard shots of violence, and interviews with "wrestlers", which make them appear to be somewhat less than intelligent.I am proud to say that from what I remember, the people from my area come across as the most sensible (I don't recall any light tubes or any other stupid stuff).The best parts of this film are Rob Van Dam talking about the people's reaction to him when he first decided to become a wrestler, and "The Lizard"'s run to Tough Enough 2.If you like watching people beat the living crap out of each other, you'll probably enjoy this.

I was lucky enough to see this movie last summer/fall, when Paul Hough himself sent me a copy to review, and I can tell you that I was not disappointed. I have seen many tapes on backyard wrestling, the kind that they sell on late night infomercials, and this is not the same old crap that they are selling you. This is a film. This film tells the stories of young hopeful "wannabe's" and what they will do to try and become the next wrestling superstars of tomorrow. With little money and lots of imagination, these kids put on their shows, sometimes in front of 1 or 2 people and act as if they are working the main event at WrestleMania in front of 50,000 screaming fans. The things they do may not be healthy, and make you squirm, but they want to prove that they have what it takes to make it in the big leagues.I dont want to give too much away, but do keep your eye on the man named "The Lizard". His story is one of my favorites. I would like to know what he is up to these days and if he is still going after his dream. Paul Hough is a class act and has always been kind to me and deserves all the best after making such a great film. If you liked "Beyond the Mat" I think you will find this more than satisfactory. If you didn't see "BTM" give this a shot, I think you will like it. ~Brad Lee

I attending to the silver lake film festival and this was far by the best movie i saw during the whole 10 days of movies. Over 200 films played and only this one caught my mind. Its new, its bloody, and its violent. This mark my top best 10 documentaries