Following the unexpected success of Winter's Bone in 2010, these dark, modern, noirish type films have been all the rage in Hollywood. In fact, these types of films have come to define the 2010 generation of film. Mostly set in rural areas, focusing on the lives of less fortunate people, these films tend to focus on some life defining moment. King Jack certaintly fits this model, and much like Winter's Bone, it is also a coming of age story. Jack (Charlie Plummer) is an angry fifteen year old, who has been bullied his whole life and acts out by getting in trouble. After a family issue, his younger cousin Ben (Cory Nichols) is forced to stay with Jack and his family. At first Jack is upset to be saddled with his naive younger relative, until he comes to realize they're in the same boat, and in Ben he may have found a potential ally. I understand that the premise of the movie is that Jack is a bullied kid, befriends another bullied kid, and all of a sudden their lives don't suck as much anymore, except that they do. Just because they found each other doesn't mean the bullies have gone or that their family situations will necessarily be any better, so what was the point? Watching this film, was simply watching a couple of teenagers hang out in a bad neighborhood, waiting for something substantial to happen. A few events happen here and there, but nothing life altering, and certainly nothing to base a film off of. To be honest, the whole thing was kind of boring. In general, I love this new style of film making, but when it came to King Jack, there were a couple of crude jokes, some anti-climatic scenes, and just a whole lot of nothing going on.

I watched in hope of an American tale similar perhaps to kidulthood, but instead all I got was retarded state in America.Like is this supposed to be a tough tale of bullying? I went through a heck of a lot worse growing up in south London but I'd never consider it hard or tough compared to others I have known and wouldn't write a film about it, this has no depth and meaning isn't much happening and apart from a few stones chucked here and there or the odd slap it's nothing short of a kids film about puberty Some good acting don't get me wrong but a rubbish script. Watch to maybe discover what it's like to live in a backward state in USA. Or cos your bored and there is nothing else worth your time.

Like everyone who saw it said a surprise film from a debutant writer, director. It is a powerful title, but the film was different. Like it focused to tell the story of a teenager named Jack who is regularly picked to bully by some older guys from the school. The film opened with a payback act by Jack, but soon they get him back. This time it gets more serious than ever, and how it ends comes in the latter half of the film.This is a short film and a good screenplay too. Initially I did not like much, it looked like another same old themed teen film. But the second half of the film completely changed, especially about bullying and how others see it, apart from the victim and offender. An awareness film, though the end drawn as what a cinematic storytelling required than the social message.The kids did well, particularly Jack, Ben and a few others. There's no obscene materials, but in a sequence it gets bold like how normal teenagers are obsessed with those stuffs. That does not mean it is bad for them to watch. It is a much better film on this theme, and gets better while progressing narration. It is one of the under noticed good film of the year. It's not a must see, yet worth giving it a try.7/10

I attended Tribeca Film Festival 2015 to screen 'King Jack', this was followed by a QNA with director Felix Thompson along with the cast and crew.I had only read a brief summary for this film before viewing as I wanted to be spontaneous. From start till finish it really kept my mouth open. King Jack is played by Charlie Plummer, the story follows a boy growing up in a suburban area. Normally day consists of neglect and bullying. Due to his aunt becoming sick, his cousin Ben played by Cory Nichols has to stay with Jack and his family and this is the last thing that Jack needs right now. With problems already occurring in Jack's life, his cousin gets involved with Jack as he deals with his reality.This movie beautifully analyses the use of friendship and finding that point were you have a real emotion towards someone. Turning that mood where you have no feelings to one that allow you to open up. This perfectly describes a young boy's childhood in these kind of circumstances. As a directorial debut Felix Thompson completely won me over with a rather funny first shot involved with a garage until the beautiful ending that concluded a magnificent film that I will most certainly catch again.