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schoie_89
Reviews
Gang Tapes (2001)
'Gang Tapes' sticks to reality...
'Gang Tapes' is a serious and fascinating look into life in south central LA. The movie does not try to become a larger than life portrayal of the gangsta life it documents. Instead it pretends to be an actual camera recording of a boy and his surroundings as he grows up. In this respect, 'Gang Tapes' excels phenomenally. You will have to remind yourself constantly that it is not a documentary you are watching, but a film. 'Gang Tapes' does not break this superior reality at all. The actors never seem fake, except for slight faults in Lonzo's strange fascination with showing off, all of the gangbanger's seem real throughout 'Gang Tapes'. One surprise though, is the gunshots heard throughout the film. Because of my past experience with these Gangsta B-movies (of which I have become quite a collector)I was expecting the usual dubbed over, pathetic shots that sound either to loud, or to quiet for the gun that was fired. 'Gang Tapes' again keeps to reality, each shot sounds as it should, loud and uncontrollable. This helps to create the film's impressive, yet gritty reality. Perhaps the only downfall of 'Gang Tapes' is the large amounts of all talk/ no action scenes throughout the film. These sequences are often just large fragments of conversation from Lonzo to another gangbanger.Though boring, these scenes reveal each characters perfectly realistic personalities. They are important parts of the film's structure.
All in all 'Gang Tapes' is an accurate depiction of the lives of the residents in South Central LA.
9/10
Jacked Up (2001)
OK acting, poor story
The main problem with 'Jacked Up' is the incredibly unrealistic storyline. A boy 'accidentally' shoots a cop while stealing his car. The same boy, with a typically bad conscience, believes he should get to know the cop's family. The whole cast look older than the characters they portray are. For example Dre looks in his twenties when he has only just finished high school. It's small errors like this that are 'Jacked Up's' downfall. Another problem is the acting of the 'gangsters' in the story, their is know real evil in the characters. This makes some of the characters less believable. Other than these minor mistakes, 'Jacked Up' is an enjoyable film. A advise it to any viewer who can buy a copy from under £10.
8/10
Tha Eastsidaz (2000)
U cant keep the top dogg down.
First of all salute to snoop 4 this laugh a minute gangsta flick. Quite possibly 'tha' greatest gangsta comedy i have ever seen. At least I believe this film is meant to be a comedy, otherwise I feel extremely sorry for snoop and 'tha' eastsidaz. The plot is the first big joke of the film.Snoop is framed by a fellow eastsida and is sent to a penitentiary charged with the murder of a group of Jamaicans. Somehow his 'Angels'(an absolute comedy group, who use extreme language and 'smoke fools')manage to send him a book of speeches(Malcolm X's speeches, seeing the book snoop's cellmate comes out with an absolute classic comment)which when washed in warm water, sheds its paint and is actually a large amount of American moohla. Instead of being sensible and buying his way out of prison, snoop chooses the most imaginative and unrealistic methods of busting out i have ever heard. No Snoop does not climb down a lavatory, but this scenario would quite possibly be more interesting. Snoop uses a piece of cheesewire (bought with the hard cash from a cellmate to escape. The acting is as bad as the storyline and the BIG JEFFERY cameo is the most annoying part of any part of any film ever. Though parts of the film are absolutely classic, obviously the assault in a grocery store, others are just plain lacking. The film Gets a 10 for comedy value, but a 2 for storyline. The film is a sour reminder of all revenge movies. Snoop is hellbent on revenge and the man who framed him has the higher bounty, snoops wife. The whole film is a mess but if you can buy it for under a fiver, I strongly advise this title. For comedy entertainment, Tha eastsidaz exceeds all.
Baby Boy (2001)
A film to watch with your girlfriend.
'Baby boy' is one of those classic films that once you watch it you, you want to show it to your partner just to show them exactly how you feel. Singleton reaches out and touches the viewer with this tale of a young black man trying to make his way in the world. 'Baby Boy' touches on most of the human emotions concentrating particularly on the love that the main character and his girlfriend share with each other. Jody, the central male in 'Baby Boy',is a character that any man can relate to. He loves his girlfriend but can't keep their relationship stable for longer than a few days. Jody is a character who you can't help but care for. All he wants is to marry his girlfriend, care for his 2 children, and strangely, live at home with his mother. Jody is like a new peter pan. He really does not want to grow up, but Jody realises that he will either grow and survive in the hood or continue to act like the child he is in his mind. When watched with your special someone, 'Baby Boy' is inspirational on any relationship and after watching will give you a 'feel good feeling.' Awesome film, A must have with all couples. 10/10