ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

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

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

LeonLouisRicci Not able to shake its Low-Budget roots, this good try, once again, at tough Neighborhood Street Stuff, is a somewhat confusing rival Gang Melodrama with strong Characters in front of a meandering Script.The confusing Story about the troubled financing of an After Hours Club bogs down this otherwise engaging Movie that, in its sincerity, can't seem to find the right Melody. It has some episodic believability with Family interactions on a personal level.But the problem here is definition. Aside from the strong elements of interpersonal relationships among Siblings and the Home Unit, this gets lost in the Mob stuff where it is difficult at times to tell who is with who and what all the fuss is about.Worth a watch for some of its intensity and works best in the more quiet introspective moments, it just meanders and its lack of clarity confuses and can be too heavy, at times, with all the fisticuffs and the pushing and shoving going over the top to the detriment of the Drama.

bkoganbing It's too bad this independent production didn't have some of the advantages of a major studio. The camera work is mediocre and the sound level is just terrible in spots. I hope that the latter is the result of me having a bad VHS copy.Southie is not the kind of film that the late Pat O'Brien would have appeared in. It's the story of the South Boston neighborhood, a rugged Irish enclave as seen through the eyes of Danny Quinn and his family. It certainly isn't all Irish charm and blarney. Donnie Wahlberg, late of New Kids on the Block and older brother of Mark Wahlberg, is Danny Quinn. He's gotten in trouble with the son of one of the two local mob chieftains vying for control of the neighborhood. So he beat it to New York for a while and now he's back.He tries to go straight, but because of the need for money due to his mom's heart condition, young Quinn gets involved again in illegal activities. His old enemy is still around and leads to a whole lot of tragedy.This was obviously a labor of love for Wahlberg as that's where he and the other New Kids on the Block sprang from. Too bad his neighborhood wasn't better photographed. Lawrence Tierney as the old mob boss from South Boston and Anne Meara as Wahlberg's mother give strong performances. This was all under the direction of John Shea, better known as Lex Luthor, from Lois and Clark. Too bad he didn't have better production values in what could have been a great film.

jholtz I was shocked to see a weighted score of 4.7, because this movie is full of fine performances...Danny Wahlberg, Rose McGowan and Amanda Peet most especially. Sure, what plot there is isn't original, but after you've seen a hundred or so movies, what plot is? It's all the other aspects that make a movie stand out, and this one does.

sade531 I found this film to be well written and directed. The characters were likeable, for the most part, and the situation was realistic. What I liked most about this movie was Donnie Wahlberg's performance. Raw, gritty, and full of loyalty and heart. I gave this movie a 9 out 10. It would have gotten a 10 had Donnie spoke up a little. You could barely hear some lines! New Kids fans will enjoy seeing this kid all grown up (and the soundtrack isn't half bad either)!