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Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem

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A Bronx Tale

A Bronx Tale

List Price: $14.97
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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very Accurate Story of Life in the City
Review: This film is definitely one of the most underappreciated films of the 1990s. Besides excellent performances by EVERY actor (I actually can't think of one bad acting scene--even young Francis Capra had his part down cold), there are wonderful sets, great music, and great dialogue. Robert De Niro happens to be my idol in a way, and his directorial debut did not let me down one bit. But for me the most striking aspect of Chazz Palmentieri's script and De Niro's adaptation of it is the way that Calogero falls in with the wrong people. It hits close to home for me, having been in a similar situation and environment. To the people of the neighborhood, Sonny isn't a gangster, he's just an important guy. And that's how it is. Crime is never crime in those neighborhoods, it's just a means to an end. And the way that this movie captures that is truly amazing. My only complaint is the way the movie forks. It starts out as a young man's dilemma of who to listen to, and everything seems to be headed toward a resolution of this. But then a completely alien storyline kicks in about Calogero's crush on a young black girl from Webster Ave. While there is nothing wrong with the second half of the movie, it seems to detract from the first part, in which we were already engrossed in. I think that there could have been a better transition from one to the other. (As a sidenote, all respect to De Niro, I think that he was probably particularly passionate about portraying the white kid/black girl story. After all, he seems to be quite attracted toward black women seeing as how there have been more than a few in his love life. Thank you for showing this, Mr. De Niro. To those people who never lived in a similar place it doesn't seem relevant, but in those neighborhoods it is a very big matter.) Although every actor gave a great performance, I think the shining stars in this film were the uncredited appearance by Joe Pesci, the wonderful job by young Francis Capra, the sets, and last but not least the performance of Palmentieri himself. THis man is a really outstanding actor who stays very true to the central vein of his character throughout the movie. Over all, he playus a very interesting real-life wiseguy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Very Satisfying!
Review: This film is an underrated gem. If you're looking for a bloodbath mobster movie, this is not it. A Bronx Tale is a movie with heart--and it just so happens to be about mobsters.

Kudos to Robert De Niro on his directorial debut (may he direct many more movies). He did an outstanding job of presenting a slice of life in the Bronx of the 1960s. Though his role as Lorenzo Aiello is rather small, its effect is felt profoundly throughout the movie as Lorenzo's son Calogero struggles between right and wrong. Lorenzo, representing the upstanding, hardworking Everyman, wants the best for his son and doesn't want him to choose life with the mob. Sonny, the neighborhood mob boss, also wants what's best for Calogero, or C, as he nicknames him. The moment in the film where this struggle is most keenly felt is when Lorenzo and Calogero are at the boxing match sitting in the "nosebleed" section. One of Sonny's henchmen invites Lorenzo and Calogero down front at ringside, but Lorenzo declines the offer. You can see how hard it is for Calogero to refuse those seats. But he is torn by the love he feels for his father, and wanting to be ringside with Sonny. The most poignant moment is when he apologizes to his father for wanting to sit with Sonny and tells Lorenzo that he appreciates his seat, though it's far away from the ring.

Another interesting, though more subtle, aspect of the movie was how Rosina, Lorenzo's wife, questioned Lorenzo's refusal to get involved with Sonny. You could see that she wanted a better life than the wife of a bus driver, and she didn't seem to be too concerned with how it was achieved. That would have been an interesting angle to explore, but the movie didn't suffer because it wasn't explored.

The element of racial tension and the inclusion of an interracial romance for C gave A Bronx Tale a more gritty feel. It wasn't hard to boo C's knuckleheaded friends as they harrassed blacks who passed through "their" neighborhood. The romance between Jane and C was tastefully done, and the actors who played the roles gave authenticity to the sweet, awkward relationship. Remember Sonny's door test? Well, I was practically praying and crossing my fingers that Jane would unlock that door!

But the film belonged to Francis Capra (young Calogero) and Chazz Palminteri (Sonny). The nine-year-old Capra was so convincing as a child who was perplexed by the difference between good and bad and all the gray areas in between. Palminteri really shines as Sonny, the suave but dangerous hood. The film is based on his childhood, and I think he did a wonderful job (along with De Niro) of bringing the story to the screen. Useless bit of trivia I read on another site: Palminteri's real name is Calogero Lorenzo Palminteri.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of deniro's best!
Review: Every time i watch this movie i wish i was back in that time in a doo-wap group or whatever they call those things. I believe its one of the first things you'll see when the movie starts. This movie i believe has a lot of harmony in it, you just have to be able to find it. I thought the soundtrack was killer! Of all the acting i've seen from chaz palminteri and robert deniro, these have to be two of the best performances i've ever seen! So if you can get past the profanity and the racism,i think you'll find this movie a 10 just like i did!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 'You'll Understand When You're Older' - Great Film.
Review: Set in an Italian neighborhood of the Bronx in the 60's, "A Bronx Tale" is a coming of age flick about a boy (Francis Capra/Lillo Brancato) who becomes a protege of the urbane boss of the hood Sonny (Chazz Palminteri) after refusing to rat him out to the cops for a shooting. From there the boy gets some serious lessons in life in the hood under the wary and watchful eye of his hard working bus driver father (De Nero).

Being De Nero's directorial debut, this film is a by-the-numbers production with a slew of stereotypical mob type caricatures and histrionics which echo of Palminteri's stage play which offers some solid light dramatic entertainment. Not too be taken seriously, "A Bronx Tale" will be a worthwhile watch for those into wise guy flicks with some heart.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful Movie!!
Review: I loved this movie! I applauded De Niro's acting and directing for this film. It's an intriguing Bronx Tale with a young man at its center. It tells the story of Calogero, an Italian boy who grew up in a neighborhood that was run by a local hood named Sonny (Palminteri). Cologero admires Sonny's life of getting things easily like money, respect, and even fear. However his father Lorenzo(De Niro, who's a blue-collar bus-driver, tries to get Cologero to turn his back on Sonny for the sake of his life as well as everything that Lorenzo has instilled in his son. All in all, it's a wonderful movie. It's a story of love, loyalty, friendship and family amidst its violence.
The music's awesome too!! Get the soundtrack.
I recommend this movie to De Niro fans (like me!) and fans of the genre in general.
Oh..and watch for a cameo by none other than Joe Pesci!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Superb Westsidestoryesque Drama: BEST FILM OF 1993
Review: A compelling insightful drama set in racially-charged New York City of the 1960s. Chock full of wisdom and insight, the powerful message swept along in riveting, tense tale of how making the wrong choices can be truly deadly. Robert Deniro and the youngster that plays his son create a real-life relationship and tug of war that is both fascinating and heartbreaking. Outstanding film that is a must-see for teenagers who think they have all the answers and essential viewing for parents whose uncompromising adherance to can lofty ideals can bring heartbreak to all those around them. Acting is excellent and the staging is superb. One of the top 100 best movies of the 1990s.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 'You'll Understand When You're Older' - Great Film.
Review: Set in an Italian neighborhood of the Bronx in the 60's, "A Bronx Tale" is a coming of age flick about a boy (Francis Capra/Lillo Brancato) who becomes a protege of the urbane boss of the hood Sonny (Chazz Palminteri) after refusing to rat him out to the cops for a shooting. From there the boy gets some serious lessons in life in the hood under the wary and watchful eye of his hard working bus driver father (De Nero).

Being De Nero's directorial debut, this film is a by-the-numbers production with a slew of stereotypical mob type caricatures and histrionics which echo of Palminteri's stage play which offers some solid light dramatic entertainment. Not too be taken seriously, "A Bronx Tale" will be a worthwhile watch for those into wise guy flicks with some heart.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A Gangsta Plot with a Beautiful Romantic Story Intertwined
Review: This was a well put together movie. The characters, setting, and plot were easy to follow and it provide for a pleasurable viewing experience. On the down side the strong language in the movie made it a turn off for me. I loved this movie when it eared on cable networks with the strong language removed, but as a DVD and VHS movie it made my ears cringe.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Must See!
Review: This film is definately one of the most underrated movies I have ever seen. It is a great film and will be enjoyed by those who wonder what it was like growing up in the sixties. I cannot be the judge on historical accuracy of this film, but I do commend its ability to create a sense of nostalgia on its viewers. Great movie!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: "now you's can't leave"<HAHAH YEAH!!!!!!!
Review: Casting for this movie was amazing. The plot was amazing. The biker scene was one of the best things i have ever seen in a movie. but then "jane" came into the picture...i dunno her real name because i really don't care...she can't act at all. she sounded like she was reading right off the script. Colugero and Jane's "Romance" seemed forced. Other then that...this is one of the best movies i have ever seen


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