The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys

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The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys ★★★ 2002 (R)

Don't let the title keep you away from this innovative coming-of-ager set in the '70s. Rebellious Catholic schoolmates Francis (Hirsch) and Tim (Culkin) seek love and chaos, respectively, while attending St. Agatha Parochial school, run by iron-fisted, wooden-legged nun Foster and hard-drinking priest D'Onofrio. While Francis falls for a girl with a secret past (Malone), Tim fantasizes about staging a coup against the sadistic Sister. The boys channel their boredom into increasingly dangerous pranks and a sacrilegious comic book called “The Atomic Trinity,” which stars motorcycle-riding witch Nunzilla (Foster's nun rides a moped). Inventive directorial debut by Care with animated fantasy segments deftly directed by Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. Based on the 1994 novel by Chris Fuhrman. 105m/C VHS, DVD . US Kieran Culkin, Emile Hirsch, Jena Malone, Jodie Foster, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jake Richardson, Tyler Long; D: Peter Care; W: Jeff Stockwell, Michael Petroni; C: Lance Acord; M: Marco Beltrami, Joshua Homme. Ind. Spirit '03: First Feature.