Reviews

I am a sucker for British Gangster movies so when I got a look at "Who Needs Enemies" I was pretty psyched. While most films in this genre kind of stick to a set storyline, Who Needs Enemies adds something more; awesome cinematography.

This film is beautifully shot and some of the scenes deserve to be framed and hung on a wall. Director, Peter Stylianou does an excellent job of framing and pacing and Andre Govia (cinematographer) wrings every bit of emotion out of each shot. The colors range from warm yellows and browns to cold blues and greys so seamlessly that it keeps the story going.

Now make no mistake, as beautiful as this film is, it is also incredibly violent. Something that I also like in my crime movies. The plot is one of old friends turning on each other and in the seedy underworld that pretty much means that someone has to die.

Tom Sheridan, played by Ian Pirie, is a gangster who owns a successful strip club in London. His old friend, Ian (played by Michael McKeil) rents out the club for a private party all seems well. Unfortunately, there are some unspeakable acts going on during the party and Tom decides to get revenge on his old mate.

Not to give too much away, but this feud starts an all out war on the streets of London as the body count rises.

The entire cast is not well known but they deliver solid performances. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are connected guys. Overall this is a beautifully violent film that takes the British Gangster genre to a new level. Very much recommended.

A few yeas ago I used to play a lot of poker, online and otherwise, so I may have a different take on this movie than most. To start off, I liked the movie overall. I'm not too sure what all the negative reviews are about.

Let's start with the lead actor, Stefano Gallo. He plays Bobby, a down on his luck player who just can't seen to do anything right. He steal from his sick mother in order to play more poker. He is an unlikable character, but guess what, there are plenty of unlikable people in the gambling world. Not all movies characters have to be likable. If Paul Rudd was in the lead this would probably be a different film.

And Gallo does an admirable job; it is really hard to root for his character because he plays a bastard so well.

Next, let's talk about the plot. Yes, it is similar to many other "gambling films" that have come out in the past. Rounders, 21, Runner Runner, etc; they all have similar plots. What Cold Deck does not have is their budget. For a small budget film director, Zack Bernbaum, does a solid job.

Paul Sorvino delivers a great performance as Chips, the "kingpin" of this particular group of lowlifes. He is essentially playing the Teddy KGB role in this film.

Nearly all gambling films share many of the same plot points so aspects of this film will seem familiar. The only difference between Cold Deck and the others is the budget. So, I will recommend this film for those of us who like gambling stories and who like seeing character who are flawed but still human.

I'm a sucker for short films so when DRAKE came to my attention I was pretty excited. The film won Best Foreign Film (Short) at the 2013 AOF International Film Festival in Los Angeles and I can see why.

The film is told through a series of flashback but opens up with Carter Drake (played by Cengiz Dervis), an underground fighter, being held in a mental hospital that looks like an English country estate. Through the flashbacks we find out that Drake's brother was in trouble with some dangerous people and they wanted Drake to throw an upcoming fight or they would hurt his family.

I don't want to give too much away but Drake does not throw the fight and actually kills his opponent in the ring. The violent series of events that ensue lead to Drake's institutionalization.

The film is pretty fast paced and some of the flashbacks come one right on top of each other so you need to pay attention. But the film works very well. A lot of the story is told through images and the whole film looks fantastic. Many of the shots are truly beautiful.

As psychological thrillers go, this is one of the best in the genre. We are left wondering how much of the story actually happened and how much is just part of Drake's hallucinations.

Dervis does an excellent job as the lead character. His performance is very well balanced. In roles like this there is a tendency for the actor to over act and become a caricature. But Dervis delivers a truly believable performance.

As all good short films should do, DRAKE left me wanting more. At just over nine minutes long, DRAKE is a film that will stay with you much longer.

The Devil's In The Details is an independent action/thriller that has some really good parts. One of my favorites is Ray Liotta. I have been a fan of his since his Goodfellas days and I have seen pretty much everything he's been in since. So it was nice to see him in this.

Liotta plays a military psychiatrist who is seeing Thomas Conrad (played by Joel Mathews) who is suffering from PTSD. So Conrad gets in an accident with this guy and all seems okay. But then the drama gets cranked up to eleven and all hell breaks loose.

Conrad is forced to get members of his family who work in law enforcement to help out a drug cartel. The plot gets a little convoluted but director Waymon Boone keeps the film moving forward at a nice clip. He does a good job of building tension and had a vision for this film that really came out in the finished product.

The story jumps around a bit with some flashbacks so you need to pay attention. But the pace of the film helps build tension and has you anticipating the next plot point.

As I have said this is an independent film so it didn't have a large budget. However, the cast and crew do a lot with what they have. I really liked this film and not just because of Ray Liotta. Overall, it was a good action/thriller with some nice plot twists and solid performances.

On the surface The Shady Bunch looks like the usual story of three young professional women trying to make it in the Big City. But once you start watching you can see that there is so much more happening.

I consider it a cross between Sex In The City and Seinfeld. The comedy and timing are that good. The series starts off with Zoey (played by Callie Hopkins), a struggling actress, picturing her big break. Hopkins does an excellent job not only with the punchlines but also with the subtle elements of comedy.

The whole cast really works well together with Kelsey (Shanna Malcolm) and Sabrina (Rebekah Kochan) playing off each other with perfect timing.

The Shady Bunch is about three good friends who just can't help talking behind each other's backs and making their lives just a little bit harder. Not unlike the characters of Seinfeld.

The writing is very smart and the dialog sounds natural. The jokes come out organically and don't seem forced like too many sitcoms. The director, Q. Allan Brocka, keeps the story moving and frames the entire well. Brocka is an experienced comedic director and really shines in this series.

So, if you are looking for a new favorite show, The Shady Bunch might be just what you are looking for. Highly recommended.

I'm a sucker for small budget films but "The Wrong Floor" takes it to a whole new level. I have heard that the budget for this film was only $5,000 but I have no way to know if that is true. First thing first, no matter what the actual budget was the Hamill brothers (Marc and Carl) produced a great, campy action/thriller, sci-fi/exploitation film that surprised me.

The film reminds me of those sci-fi/horror flicks of the 80's and early 90's. This film has it all; an experimental drug that threatens all humanity, mad scientists, killer clowns and so much more. Danny Green's (played by Carl Hamill) father is missing. It just so happens that his father is a scientist and Danny is determined to find him so he goes undercover as a security guard at the lab where his father worked.

Once inside he discovers that the lab is manufacturing a street drug called "Haze" and that is when all hell breaks loose. I don't want to give too much of the plot away but I'm sure you have an idea of what happens next.

While the special effects leave a lot to be desired the movie really shines in its camp factor. I found myself laughing a lot throughout the film. The whole vibe of the film reminded me of "The Toxic Avenger" or "Class Of Nuke Em High." This film was made for a very specific audience. If you are looking for Star Wars level effects then this is not for you. However, if you love low budget, campy horror films then this could be right up your alley.

The "waking up and not remembering your life" meme has been played out in many film and TV shows in the past. However, "Pali Road" takes it to a new level.

Lily (Michelle Chen) wakes up after a car accident and it thrust into a life she has no memory of. The memories that she does have are those of being with her boyfriend, Neil (Jackson Rathbone) and not of her current husband and child.

Her family and friends insist that this current life is the only reality there is. Lily begins to question her sanity and the film takes a darker, more suspenseful turn.

The acting is excellent with Chen and Rathbone delivering moving performances. The cinematography adds so much to the film that it almost feels like an additional character. Scenes go from bright, warm and lush to dark and brooding as the film progresses. Director Jonathan Hua Lang Lim keeps the story moving and delivers some spectacular camera shots.

Ultimately this film is about the power of love to overcome all obstacles. The love that Lily feels is stronger than the "reality" that is telling her something different. Watching this film will make many people question their own reality and the choices and compromises they have made in their lives.

I think really good movies will leave you thinking and questioning and "Pali Road" is no exception. If you get a chance to see this film I highly recommend that you do.

What do crash dummies dream of? This is the a question explored in Crash Testing. This short film packs a lot of emotion into 4 minutes. First of all I have to say the animation is excellent. The facial expressions on the crash test dummy is more lifelike than than many other animated films I have seen. There is no dialogue so all emotion and communication has to be done through facial expressions.

The music and scenery are haunting and convey a sense of loneliness. The film look at a crash test dummy trying to make sense out of his routing existence. He (I'm assuming it a "he")applies color to his face as he awaits to participate in yet another crash. We see the airbag deploy as the car makes impact. On the bag we see a perfect impression if his face.

As it turns out, he has a massive collection of these impressions. The viewer sees an flipbook of these impression and just when we are making some sense of it all it is time for another crash test.

The whole thing had me confused and searching for some meaning. Writer and Director Yuting Hsues has created an impactful short film. I'm sure each viewer will take something different away after watching this film and that is what good art should do.

This film has been nominated for Best Animation at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards and it truly deserves the nomination. I cannot recommend this film enough.

Stop me if you've heard this one before. Four pretty, young girls go off to an isolated campsite and some horrific things happen to them. Yeah, it sounds like a mid-80's horror flick but it's really a modern twist on that genre.

Cypress Creek starts out like any other formulaic horror film. The four main characters are introduced to the audience as they get ready for their weekend trip to a secluded cabin. Once they arrive they have to hike into the woods to reach the cabin. They come across a lake that they need to cross. It's fairly deep so they have to strip down to cross. Of course they do.

Once they get to the cabin all hell breaks loose. At this point Cypress Creek diverges for the genre in a big way. This is a low budget film to be sure but the director does an excellent job with the resources he has access to.

There are crazy camera angles, very good use of light and shadow and some creepy special effects. To say it is surreal is an understatement. It is as if Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and Quentin Tarantino got together to make a movie. Things get bloody and downright demented.

While the acting is so-so, the movie itself really delivers. Any horror fan will like this film. I am a sucker for small budget films but I can only imagine what the filmmakers could have created with a big budget.

I'm a sucker for short films and when they are based on a true story I'm even more interested. Gage ticks off both of those boxes. This short film tells the true story of Phineas Gage, a railroad worker who miraculously survives an accident where a three foot metal spike was shot through his head.

Phineas Gage, played by Brian Sutherland, goes from upstanding citizen to town malcontent after the accident. The film follows the friendship of Gage and town physician Dr. Harlow. As the town turns their back on Gage it is Dr. Harlow (Glen Baggerly) who realizes that this change in personality that Gage is experiencing could have been caused by the accident and not his fault.

I do not want to give too much away because the ending is solid and deserves to be watched unencumbered.

One of the challenges with short films is to fully develop characters but Gage does an excellent job at revealing the motivation behind Dr. Harlow's actions. Why is he the only one who is willing to make an effort to understand Gage's strange behavior.

The pacing is good and the story moves along quickly. In fact. the ending comes up on you quick. I would have liked this film to be a little longer but that's the hallmark of a good short film; it leaves you wanting more.

One thing that needs to be mentioned is the cinematography. It is excellent. Many of the scenes are simply beautiful. Director Keith Wilhelm Kopp do an excellent job telling the story of Phineas Gage and I would like to see more of his work in the future.

First this first: a lot of people are under the impression that Guns For Hire is an action film. It is not. While there is some action sequences in it, it is really a dark comedy, and a fairly witty one at that.

As a small budget indie film the production is very good. Orlando Jones and Tony Shalhoub originally drew me to this title but it was a pleasant surprise to see Sarah Shahi in the cast as well. I have been a fan of hers since I first saw her in Sleeper Cell.

Without giving too much away, the story moves along nicely without too much padding or unnecessary exposition. The dialog does seem a little overwrought at times but the entire cast does an excellent job. There are some very funny lines in this film, mostly delivered by Jeffery Dean Morgan, that make is clear you are watching a very smart, dark comedy.

Athena (played by Ever Carradine) hires Beatle (Michelle Hicks) to kill her. However, Athena is already being stalked by a killer thanks to some dealings in her past. And that is the set up for the rest of the story. Normally I can pretty much tell how a film like this is going to end but I was pleasantly surprised at this ending. The payoff at the end was worth the wait.

The romance between Athena and Beatle develops naturally and does not seemed rushed or shoehorned in like so many other movies out today. I'm sure there will be some that object to any same sex relationships in films but this one does not seem to be gratuitous of there only for shock value.

With some witty dialogue, solid performances, surprising plot twists and just enough action to keep the story moving Guns For Hire deserves a look.

it has become very rare these days for a performer to branch out into multiple disciplines. Mostly they find a niche or character and stick with it, pumping more and more of the same thing. This is why it is so refreshing to discover a true entertainer like Rizi Timane.

The Nigerian-born actor/director/singer is continually producing excellent entertainment for his around the world. Although he was born in Kenya his family moved to the United kingdom when he was just a teenager. He lived there for ten years before he moved the the United States where he currently lives in Los Angeles.

Timane has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, most notably, season two of The Unit in which he had a features role. While his physical screen presence is impressive he brings an incredible range of emotion to each character he portrays. Whether he is playing a rebel leader or a hit-man with an incredible set of manners, Timane continually delivers very nuanced characters. He is one of the few actors who refuses to be typecast and actively seeks out challenging roles.

Rizi Timane is not just an actor, either. He writes and directs and most recently he released his third album entitled Love Is Stronger. He also has a bestselling autobiography called An Unspoken Compromise which is a must read.

No doubt we will be seeing for of Rizi Timane on the big screen and our television sets in the near future. However, even the silver screen will not be big enough to hold his immense talent and there will no doubt be more books and music to come.

There are very few shows that actually make me laugh out loud, and I'm not talking about the meaningless "LOL" that so many people put on texts and social media updates. I'm talking about laughing so hard and loud that people in the other room come in to see what's going on.

Retail is one of those shows. While the episodes are super short, usually only a minute and a half, I find myself laughing several times during that short time span. The series centers around a group of retail employees working at an eyeglass store. As a former retail employee (bookstore) I recognized every character type portrayed in the series.

But the one character I identified with most was that of DeJuan (played by Kevin L. Walker) while the others border on caricature it is DeJuan that seems a bit above it all, seems more real. This could be the writing or it could be that Walker brings an ability to the screen that the others do not possess. I am inclined to think it is a little of both.

Each episode does one other important thing besides make me laugh; they make me want to watch more. This is one of the best web series I have seen in a long time and is highly recommended.

I don't know what is going on with the reviews for this film; some calling it "the worst movie ever" and then another review saying, "best movie ever." The truth has got to be somewhere in the middle. This is where my review comes in.

My honest review is this:

First off, yes, this is a low budget film and some of the and some of the production leaves a lot to be desired. But having a small budget doesn't mean it is a bad film. Have you ever seen Clerks? Cheaply made but still a great film. A huge budget does not equal a great film. Just look at Waterworld or Godzilla. More isn't always better, sometimes it's just more. I think the filmmakers did the best they could given the resources they had.

As far as the cast goes, I think they did a good job. There was quite a few clichés thrown in but you have to remember this is, at its heart, a kung fu movie. Over the top and one dimensional characters are part of the storytelling. I'm sure the producers would have loved to have Ben Affleck or Jennifer Garner in this film but I'm pretty sure they could afford those actors.

The fighting scenes are actually pretty good. You can tell they have some good martial artists in there. Certainly not all of them. There are some interesting camera angles that do their best to present certain performers in the best light. I did cringe at times and laughed a few times but over all I enjoyed the action.

I honestly did not expect Pulp Fiction or Fearless when I sat down to watch this film. I figured it would be a low budget action movie that I could enjoy. And I was right. I like small budget films. I like to see what someone can create using the resources available. Creating something from nothing is the essence of art. And if someone, like Wayne Gerard Trotman, has to be the writer, director and star in in to see his vision fulfilled then so be it. Spike Lee does it all the time.

It seems to me that some of the negative reviews are attacking Trotman personally. To take the risk, both financial and personal, to make any kind of creative endeavor is no small thing. It takes incredible faith and guts to do that. I see this film for what it is; an enjoyable low- budget action movie that doesn't quite live up to its potential but is awesome in its own way.

I first became aware of Vigilante Diaries because of Jason Mewes (aka Jay of Jay And Silent Bob fame) and I have to say I was not disappointed. I really love the twisted sense of humor and unique perspective that this series has.

The story follows two "superheroes" as they essentially pillage the whole town. I don't want to give too much away but The Vigilante (played by Paul Sloan) and his sidekick The Kid (played by Kevin L. Walker) are not really superheroes. They wind up killing a lot of people. A lot of people.

The storyline is both funny and suspenseful. There are some excellent action sequences and the story really moves along.

While he doesn't have a large amount of lines Kevin L. Walker (The Kid) steals the show. Both he and The Vigilante are portrayed as badasses but Walker takes the "It's the quiet ones you have to worry about" route and turns in a terrific performance.

If you like your superheroes in more of the "anti-hero" vein then this is the series for you. Solid storyline, great action and smart dialogue make Vigilante Diaries a must see for any comic book fan. I should know, I am one.

I discovered "The Cost Of Living" on YouTube a few weeks ago and I have to say I am hooked. Everything about this series is smart and funny. The whole thing is very well done.

The series is the story of a group of twenty-somethings living is a hostel in Los Angeles. All of them have their own hustle and we see the struggles they go through just trying to make it. The dialog is very smart but doesn't seem forced. It flows naturally and there are quite a few laugh out loud moments.

The style is very much like "The Office" and "Parks And Recreation" where the actors break the fourth wall and talk directly into the camera. This provides for some great exposition and character history. The hand-held camera works looks good and there are some very nice shots and sequences in every episode.

The cast is very accomplished. Each of them has really developed their characters into fully rounded out people. My favorite character is Malik Wilds aka Mac Money played by Kevin L. Walker. He is a wannabe rapper who drives around in a Range Rover, sells is burned CD's on the street and shares a room in the hostel. It is a great caricature of so many "ballers" in LA who try to "fake it until they make it."

Overall the series is great and I can't wait for new episodes to come out. There is a growing fanbase for this series (the last episode has over 600,000 views) so I hope they produce more episodes. Highly recommended.

I am a sucker for cop films. I love them. Good cops, bad cops, cops with a past, RoboCops, you name it. I find police work fascinating so I am alway on the lookout for a good cop flick.

Preying For Mercy is my newest find. And it has made me incredibly happy. It has some real star power with two time Emmy award winner Martha Byrne in a featured role. It is also directed by Hollywood legend Bill Duke. Whilt the budget was small, there is nothing to indicate that on screen. Duke does an excellent job with some great shots and interesting camera work.

I don't want to give too much of the plot away but the story centers around a cop (played by Jayson Gladstone) who has moved to Los Angeles because he is running from his past. Unfortunately, his past catches up with him in the form of a hit-man who is out to get him and his entire family.

From this point on there is much drama, plot twists and some good action scenes. Overall the pacing of this film is good. There are a few spots where I think it lags a bit but I am somewhat of an action junkie.

I strongly recommend this film to anyone who like drama and intrigue in their movies. I bought this film on Vimeo but you can rent it as well. A simple Internet search will direct you to the site.

On the war on global terrorism America's most effective weapon, of course, is a C-level rockabilly singer who is a combination of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. I know what you're thinking, "ANOTHER one of these movies?"

Zero Dark Dirty is a comedy in the tradition of the "Naked Gun" and "Scary Movie" franchises. It pokes fun at current popular films while framing it in a somewhat absurd storyline. If you are fans of these types of films Zero Dark Dirty is right down your alley.

The main character, Belvis Bash (played admirably by Lex Lvovsky) is a down on his luck musician. When the movie opens he is performing in a nursing home. He gets the opportunity to be a part of the government's Pop Culture Outreach Program and perform for the people of Afghanistan. He agrees and, as they say, hijinx ensue.

I don't want to give too much away but this is a "fish out of water" story with Belvis trying to understand the local culture. There is even the obligatory love interest in the form of May Summer, played by Noel Britton. She got roped into participating by answering an ad for a musical entitled "Les Miserables: Episode One." There are a lot of these types of jokes throughout the movie.

Oh, and did I mention there are cameos by Frank Stallone and Daniel Baldwin? This movie has everything.

The film pokes good-natured fun at Middle Eastern culture as well as American "decadence." No doubt, the usual group of people who get offended by this type of humor will be offended. However, there is nothing mean-spirited about the humor in this film. While some jokes are a bit cringe-worthy it is all done in good fun.

If you are looking for a good laugh and like pop culture references I strongly suggest you take a look at this film.

Doing a remake presents a lot of risks. You run the risk of alienating fans of the original and garnering unfair comparisons. With Pusher (2012) we have a solid remake that not only pays homage to the original but also adds a unique spin on it.

The external shot of London are amazing and the stylized club scenes really aid the pacing of the film. Director, Luis Prieto, does an excellent job behind the camera with some truly awesome shots and camera angles. The action sequences are solid and plot driven so they happen very seamlessly.

Actor Mem Ferda delivers a superb job in his role of HAKAN (a Turkish bad ass). Hie performance is a bit understated which is a nice change of pace from all the over the top performances that plague films nowadays.The Toronto Film Festival gave Ferda some compliments for his performance of a "complex, caring enforcer" which I totally agree.

The film is being nominated for the Michael Powell Award and it makes sense if you see it on the big screen. This remake deserves to be seen on the big screen to really appreciate to cinematography.

Whether you have seen the original or not you should give this film a watch. I am sure you will be glad you did.

If you are directing a documentary about a fashion photographer you better bring your A Game and have some awesome shots and creative camera work. In "Nothing To Something" director Michael Artiles does just that. There are some really great shots that could be photographs themselves.

This short documentary follows fashion photographer Keith Major behind the scenes on a photo shoot. Major also talks about his beginnings and how he came to the fashion industry. One of his statements that resounded with me the most is when he was talking about the early years of his career.

He was talking about how, starting out, he didn't have a lot of equipment but, he said, he never let his lack of having the best or newest equipment hold him back. He never used that as an excuse. He found a way to make what he had work. He found a way out of no way.

While I am certainly not a big fan of the fashion industry this documentary held my attention and had me reflecting on my own life and career. And it did the one thing that any good short film should do: it made me want more. I wanted to delve deeper into Keith Major's life and creative process. I wanted two more hours.

Michael Artiles does a superb job with this film and it is something I will watch again and again whenever I need some inspiration. Highly recommended.

I got a chance to see this film at a church event and I have to say I was a bit skeptical going into it. I was aware that there were many of our US soldiers who came back from Afghanistan and Iraq who were suffering from PTSD and depression. I had no idea, however, of the number of soldiers that have committed suicide since returning home.

The question that is asked in this documentary is what is causing such a high number of brave, strong men and women to take their own lives?

Could it be that our enemies are practicing spiritual warfare? Like I said I was a bit skeptical when I sat down but the film made some valid points and presented some compelling evidence. With passages from the Bible and interviews with leaders from different religions around the world the the case is made that our soldiers may be subject to this new type of warfare. There is even an interview with an African witch doctor.

The film lays out the fact that the use of spirits and ghosts to do one's bidding is fairly common in other parts of the world like Africa and the Middle East. We in the West are not aware of this...until now. Warx2 exposes this type of spiritual warfare and gives us in the West a look into other cultures around the world.

I left the screening more convinced that this type of warfare is being used against us and our troops. If you get a chance I strongly urge you to watch this fine documentary, regardless of your religious affiliation. This is something that every American must see.

This is such an amazing film. From the very beginning it has some incredible cinematography that really draws you in. The whole look of the film is fantastic. The scenes in the beginning of the mountains are breathtaking

Director Yunus Yildirim does an excellent job pacing this film. Some of the camera shots are so intriguing that it makes you want to watch them again just to dissect them.

The plot of the film centers around a Kurdish nomad that has to figure out what to do with his recently deceased brother's family. He brings some injured lambs to the "city" where he hopes to sell them to earn some money to support his own family.

I have heard that this type of thing happens in the Middle East but never really thought about how it really affects the people involved. Yunus Yildirim's storytelling tugs at your heartstrings without being sappy or over the top. This type of situation is more common that I had thought. I love films like this that bring a social issue to light without being preachy or self serving.

I highly recommend this film. I will cause you to think a bit and will give you an interesting view of another culture.

The title of this movie caught my eye right off the bat. Teenage Kung FU Cottontails? Are you kidding me? This movie had to be watched!

I was at the premier last week and had a great time. I got to meet some of the actors and the director and they were really cool.

I don't want to give away the plot but the story is based around a mad scientist who wants to create super heroes to protect Seattle (where the movie was shot) so he takes DNA from a Kung Fu master and injects it into female rabbits. That's when all the action happens.

I was told that the film only cost $20,000 to make and if that's true it looks pretty good for the price. The director, Hollywill Jonz, does a great job of pacing and the camera work kept me interested. With such a small budget the special effects left something to be desired but overall the look of the film was great.

The standout of this movie is Jason Davinchi Samaritano who plays Detective Joseph Reimy. This is his debut performance and he does an excellent job. He is a local hip hop artist and has a pretty big following. Apparently he had some songs on the Battle 4 Seattle movie soundtrack. I haven't heard his music but everyone was telling me to listen to "Fight 4 My City".

Every rapper want to be an actor nowadays but I think Samaritano really has the potential to be a breakout star. His IMDb ranking is already nearly 5,000,000. I would like to see him again in a bigger budget film to really show off his talent.

The rest of the cast gave solid performances. Frank Briley as Chief Johnson Melinda Raybne as Maria, Elke Hatula as Psychedelica, Audra Page as Lisa, Nyema Clark as Beatrice, Emma Nguyen as Ayumi, Aaron Arnold as Techla all turned in great performances.

This film will probably gain a cult following once it hits Netflix and Redbox. If you get a chance check out this flick. You will not be disappointed.

I caught this movie on Netflix the other night and decided to write a review after thinking about it for a few days. I am always interested in films that take place in the hood and the cover caught my eye.

Obviously this is a small budget film and some of the special effects leave something to be desired. However, the actors do a good job in their respective roles. The pacing is a bit uneven and lags at times but overall the action sequences are pretty solid.

I liked the stylized, gritty look of the film it kind of reminds me of the look of "Man On Fire" only on a smaller budget.

Not to give too much of the plot a way, the story is about a group of friends, some ex-military, who decide to rob a bank. The film uses flashbacks to establish the backstory of each character to explain what got them to this point in their lives.

If you are in to "urban gangster" films this one should be in your library.