Pump Up the Volume (1990)
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Cast
as Mark Hunter/Hard Harry
as Nora
as Jan
as Joey
as Mazz Mazzilli
as Arthur Watts
as Brian
as PTA Parent #3
as Jack
as Paige
as Teri
as Martha
as Mrs. Creswood
as Murdock
as Eric
as Chris
as Detective Denny
as David Deaver
as Shep Sheppard
as Detective #1
as Jamie
as Janie
as Postal Clerk
as Mrs. Kaiser
as Janie
as Police Officer
as TV Announcer #2
as Teacher Stern
as Marshall
as TV Announcer #1 / Crispin
as Harry Video
as Jonathan
as Donald
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Critic Reviews for Pump Up the Volume
All Critics (33) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (7) | DVD (2)
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.
It's a howl from the heart, a relentlessly involving movie that gives a kid every reason to believe that he or she can come of age.
As a movie, 'Pump Up the Volume' is a lot like a teenager: at times unbearably self-important and pretentious (Nora's poems, good lord), yet undeniably, and admirably, earnest.
Sharply uneven, this teen-angst feature begins exgremely well with some relevant social commentary; it also put on the map Christian Slater as a talent to watch.
Slater is Moyle's generator, powering the film through some sludgy melodramatics, and while his separation of Mark and Hard Harry is practically Kabuki theater, the effort is just wonderful.
Much more than a teen movie....an experience, and one you'll never forget. TURN IT UP LOUD!
Audience Reviews for Pump Up the Volume
Rewatched this for the first time in years. I think my last viewing may have actually been on VHS. Really enjoyed it, was actually better than I remembered it. Excellent 1990 teen film with the usual themes of alienation. Very well done with good soundtrack and interesting spin with the anonymous pirate radio show.
Super Reviewer
Slater does it again, this catapults straight into my top 10 alongside 'Heathers' another Slater movie that I watche and while back and have been repeatedly watching since. This movie really speaks to me and I think what it has to say about youth still stands today: We're not ourselves, we live by other peoles standards, can't we just be free?
Super Reviewer
Slater is so hot in this movie! This rebellious teen drama is full of both angst and celebration of being a teenager at the turn of the decade. I really loved it when I was a teen, and I highly recommend it.
Super Reviewer
Pump Up the Volume Quotes
| Murdock: | Creswood's a maggot pusswad. |
| Mark Hunter: | I like the idea that a voice can just go somewhere, uninvited, and just kinda hang out like a dirty thought in a nice clean mind. Maybe a though is like a virus, you know, it can... it can... kill all the healthy thoughts and just take over. That would be serious. |
| Mark Hunter: | Ok, this is really me now. No more hiding. Listen, we're all worried, we're all in pain. That just comes with having eyes and with having ears. But just remember one thing, it can't get any worse, it can only get better. I mean High School is the bottom. Being a teenager sucks! But that's the point, surviving it is the whole point! Quitting is not going to make you strong, living will. So just hang on and hang in there. You know, I know all about the hating and the sneering. I'm a member of the "why bother" generation myself. But why did I bother to come out here tonight, and why did you? I mean, It's time. It's begins with us, not with politicians, the experts or the teachers but with us. With you and with me. The ones who need it most. I gotta believe, with everything in me, the whole world is longing for healing. Even the trees, the earth itself are crying out for it. You can hear it everywhere. Same kinda healing I desperately needed and I finally feel has begun, with you. |
| Nora Diniro: | I'm the "Eat me, beat me" lady. |