IslandGuru Who payed the critics

Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Hadrina The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Joanna Mccarty Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

johnnymacbest When I was little I remember seeing this movie on tape that my older brother once had and I enjoyed for what it was entirely but having just saw it I felt it that Matty Rich's first movie was a fairly decent movie, not as good as "BoyZ In The Hood" or "Menace To Society" directed by more talented people who know their material inside and out. The acting is decent but to me it got really emotional near the end of the movie. Overall, this film is not hard-hitting per Se, but it shows that desperation can sometimes lead to "success" however a dark cloud hangs over the victims that comes along with it. Not Matty Rich's best work, but it's a solid film for what it is so there's no crime in not seeing it at least once.

jotix100 Consider the plight of Dennis Brown. He is living in the projects at Red Hook, Brooklyn, at the time when violence, drugs and despair was rampant among the poor, mostly black residents of that crime infected area. Dennis shows he is a young man of a certain intelligence, who is going nowhere because instead of thinking about getting an education and beating the poverty, he has decided to solve his problems in a different fashion, he will rob the drug lord that has business in the same housing complex.Dennis' father Ray, is a man that feels beaten by the system. He is also a man who has defeated himself and his family by drinking heavily. Alcoholism is making him take all his frustrations against his loving wife, Frankie. He beats her every time he is too drunk to think clearly, as he rants and raves. Dennis, and his sister Carolyn, are helpless in defending their mother, who, like all victims, will not do anything to help herself and stays by her man.Dennis' life has a positive side in the love he shares with Shirley, the young waitress. Shirley understands she wants no part of what Dennis tells her he is about to do, but she is helpless in trying to stop him from ruining his life and that of his family's. Everything conspires against Dennis in the end."Straight Out of Brooklyn", directed by Matty Rich, who also has a key part in it, shows a talented man who tells it like he saw it. The film has some awkward moments, but in general Mr. Rich achieved a great coup by casting an ensemble team to give life to his characters. Best of all, the amazing Larry Gilliard Jr., who as Dennis shows a range of emotions others, more accomplished actors, would have problems portraying. George T. Odon, Ann Sanders, Barbara Sanon, play the other members of the Brown family with assurance. Reana Drummond is another surprise who gives life to Shirley and makes us like her.The film is a vivid account of what life is like for people caught in a desperate situations caused by the environment and the lack of opportunities and the way they were dealt a bad hand by fate.

heilborn This film boasts credible performances by the cast, including some powerful moments. The pacing is uneven at times, almost, but not convincingly, giving it a cinema verite feel. The makeup for the battered wife is obvious to distraction. It is certainly worth viewing, but one has to do so without comparing it to something a large studio would distribute. I would love to see what Matty Rich might produce with a larger budget.

pwmoses This film has many flaws, but many strengths as well. Many luminaries in the film industry have openly criticized this film. I feel much of this is unjustified, because a lot was done on a miniscule budget here. There is also a great performance in George T. Odom's portrayal of the fed up father who has been beaten down by racism. Anyone who has grown up in a low income household can relate to that situation. The ending is sad and real. Also especially noteworthy is Harold Wheeler's excellent and despondent musical score.