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Movies / On DVD / Pump Up the Volume
Pump Up the Volume

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Pump Up the Volume (1990)

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83 %
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Reviews Counted:29

Fresh:24

Rotten:5

Average Rating:6.7/10

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: "Pump Up The Volume" could be subtitled "Rebel with a Cause" in that a shy, intelligent teenager, tries to use his anger for the higher good. It is perhaps one of the best films made about... "Pump Up The Volume" could be subtitled "Rebel with a Cause" in that a shy, intelligent teenager, tries to use his anger for the higher good. It is perhaps one of the best films made about contemporary suburban teenagers and their feelings of alienation and boredom. Mark works as a disc jockey in his own pirate radio station, set up in his basement. He plays very cool music and rants about consumer culture, the danger of complacency, uncaring adults, and high school. He also takes calls from other lonely teens, but fails to prevent one depressed caller from commiting suicide. However, Mark hangs in there and broadcasts a call-to-arms that galvanizes the town's youth to demonstrate their unity. [More]

Starring: Christian Slater, Cheryl Pollack, Samantha Mathis, Ellen Green

Starring: Christian Slater, Cheryl Pollack, Samantha Mathis, Ellen Green, Mimi Kennedy, Billy Morrissette, Lala Sloatman, Ahmet Zappa, Seth Green, Scott Paulin, Juliet Landau, Mark Ballou

Director: Allan Moyle

Director: Allan Moyle
Screenwriter: Allan Moyle
Composer: Cliff Martinez, Michael Abbott
Producer: Rupert Harvey, Sandy Stern

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Pump Up the Volume

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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The perfectly cast Slater effectively propels the film, his intensity and dry delivery giving it a definite edge, as does a soundtrack which includes Ice T, Concrete Blonde and the Cowboy Junkies.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Fast paced with a satisfyingly unhappy ending.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
11/03/05
Lloyd Bradley
Lloyd Bradley
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Underrated.

comment Comment
06/12/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/26/09
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Much more than a teen movie....an experience, and one you'll never forget. TURN IT UP LOUD!

comment Comment
03/03/06
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Mediasharx

No review available.

comment Comment
08/10/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
05/20/05
Michael Szymanski
Michael Szymanski
Wordmag.com

A teen anthem and guilty pleasure.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
09/21/04
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
08/02/04
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
06/04/04
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

No review available.

comment Comment
06/04/04
Sarah Chauncey
Sarah Chauncey
Reel.com

Few films understand the fantasies of the would-be outsider-turned-icon quite as well, while remaining in a realistic setting.

comment Comment
05/22/04
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
New Times

No review available.

comment Comment
03/10/04
Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

No review available.

comment Comment
02/10/04
Spence D.
Spence D.
IGN Movies

Pump Up the Volume is the kind of movie that hits home. It touches on real emotions and is a reminder of just how darn awkward it is to be a young adult.

Full Review Source: Movie Views | comment Comment
07/30/03
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

Powerful teen rebellion movie

comment Comment
07/14/03
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
About.com

No review available.

comment Comment
05/23/03
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Stephen Holden
Stephen Holden
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
03/04/03
Mike McGranaghan
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

No review available.

comment Comment
02/09/03
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Pump Up the Volume

March 02, 2006: Speedman & Bentley Head Off to "Weirdsville"
Veteran director Allan Moyle ("Pump Up the Volume," "Empire Records") has climbed aboard the indie thriller "Weirdsville," which will star Scott... More...

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