Hot-buttered opinion on the latest flicks

Walking on the Sky

Fri., Sep. 9, 2005 12:00 AM PDT

C-

"Dear Diary, Why are my friends so annoying?" In this low-budget Big Chill for the Gen-X set, six New York City buds gather after pal Michael Knowles commits suicide. While struggling to understand why the guy jumped off the roof, they happen upon Knowles' diary and decide to read it aloud. Several of his entries--none very illuminating--are portrayed in flashback, including one memory of the whole craaazy clan having a paint-splattering fight. Between reading passages, the self-absorbed friends bicker a lot and booze it up more, and in the most extraneous sequence, head to a fave bar and perform '80s karaoke songs. Castmembers act their little hearts out with big emotions but to no avail. This is grounded by a leaden, clich?-ridden script that lacks the emotional truth and depth to make us care much for any of these people. Walk on by Sky.