That was an excellent one.

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

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.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

I liked this movie because to me it is always an experience to view other cultures and their unique characters. Much like The Graduate and other 'coming of age' films, Yoseuf is a pretty straight laced Muslim viewing all the aberrations of modern youth. I think he is surprised that this is a Middle East version of America where fringes adopt some of our extreme fringes.Yousef encounters a mélange of disaffected youth though his studies here. All the stereotypes are presented: the Mohawk guy, the drag queen, the burka girl, the hot babe, but all having their own identity. As he goes through it all much like Candy did in the 70s film. I liked the characters, the passage of Yoseuf from the offerings of divergent lifestyles, and it is clear his choice at the last shot of the movie.Really hard punk puck, especially the dance party scene. Wow! Kind of reminded me of that crazy dance scene in that 80s film Jacob's Ladder.

The Taqwacores is, at heart, a fairly typical indie ensemble piece, but with enough new wrinkles to earn it a thumbs-up from yours truly. Based on Michael Muhammad Knight's novel of the same name, it's the story of a group of Buffalo-based Muslim punk rockers rebelling against the strictures of their religion. (There really is a Muslim punk scene, but the bands in the film — Osama's Tunnel Diggers, Bilal's Boulder, and Boxcutter Surprise — are fictional).The film is crudely made, the screenplay a tad stodgy and predictable, and there's not enough music, but the characters — including Rabeya (Noureen DeWulf), the burka-clad 'riot girl' who crosses out the bits of the Qu'ran that she finds misogynistic, and wide-eyed innocent Yusuf (Bobby Naderi), who stumbles into the scene while apartment-hunting — are endearing enough to keep you watching.

If you liked "Border Radio" or "Clerks" you might like this one. The theme of religion plays a conspicuous role here, though. The characters are young and searching for their own definitions of Islam. It's interesting to see the DIY approach the characters take. It's a sweet story about alienated friends trying to define themselves.The editing and periodic black and white with talk radio blaring bigoted messages provides breaks in the story and relates the lives of the characters to the world. The overall feel of the movie is like those independent films of the late eighties and early nineties.I think that the movie would have been better with more music, but the film does succeed in conveying the seriousness of the Muslim identity in modern America.

Interesting concept. Must acknowledge that films like these are the reason why Sundance will always be special. The camera work was refreshing and must commend the efforts of the cast. Every small detail was well handled, the punk burkha for example, I've never imagined those black-bland clothes would ever get a creative touch, something I would envy if I were a fashion designer.Yusef, this was a character that found its alter-ego in Jehangir and struggles to acknowledge that Jehangir is who he always wanted to be. Yusef will always be that person who reminded you that wanting to have fun and being pious need not always be two different things.I really enjoyed watching those tiny clips with a couch, a person and a TV. We are a nation of people who believe in liberty but will it ever be possible for Jehangir to wear the crescent and star although he is in no way connected with his religion. I seriously doubt it, but yes, we give Jehagir this ability in our films. Applaud the efforts.