Arthur J. Nascarella

Running Scared
$2.99
Watched this On-Demand on HBO, with no real expectations, while I was working on other things. I was surprised at how well laid out the story was, and how I was drawn in. It is a dark story of a rather unfortunate scumbag Joey played by Paul Walker who is supposed to get rid of a murder weapon. Things go terribly wrong when the neighbor kid (Nick Naylor's kid from Thank You For Smoking) uses the gun to shoot his abusive step-father.

From there it is a frantic chase to get to the kid and the gun. Along the way the Joey's gang, the Russians, a Mexican Poker game, dirty cops, a totally effed up pedophile family, a pimp and much much more,

The colors, imagery, and blurred slow to fast shots really make this movie something different than your average action flick. I would consider watching it again.

Yonkers Joe
$3.99
i'm not a gambler . at all . i really found this movie deeply moving on a human level though . the title character (joe)does not change but marginally by the end of the film . it must be very difficult to caretake a mentally retarded person as well . i can't recall the last film i saw which depicted this responsibility realistically at all . high praise must go to all involved . particularly the young man who depicts joe's son . watch the extra features . what an outstanding film .

Clockers
$2.99
this film is fused with soulful piano music and techno, as well as a few gangster rap songs to make the setting known. The mood of the film is that of a colorful graffiti'd wall being cleaned by a heavy rain. Just think, if you haven't already seen this film, of the N.Y.C. streets covered with rain and on just about every corner there's a gang-related painting ("graffiti")...when the rain stops everything is still and cloudy. People walk in a sort of dream, "just doing their job", and this hoodlum is walking about, dreaming of bigger and better things, a life he's never had the gumption to get into. This really is a good movie! Not perfect granted, but definitely worth seeing if you'd be so inclined!

Grind [VHS]
$14.98
Grind (1997) is a movie that is greatly underestimated, perhaps for
the lack of big name actors and crew, except for perhaps Frank
Vincent.

In reality, this work is powerful, and at least over 90 mins,
relatively fascinating, from a story rooted in a realism that
cannot be denied (anyone reading the tabloids), coupled with an
undeniable charisma of the actors and actresses, their simplicity,
bursting youth and natural presence on screen.

The topic has already been covered, in MONUMENT AVE (aka SNITCH
1998), in terms of a "chop shop" .. meaning, in the downturn of the
economy, a divorce, hardship, some individuals may turn to
insurance fraud to reap financial gains, as automobiles are resold
for their value in parts.

Frank Vincent does a fine job, as the father of 2 grown men, one of
which is like the turtle who finishes first, steady but slowly from
his 9 to 5 job down at a metal finishing plant, while the other son
is the proverbial hare, winning car races, but distracted in terms
of his own life objectives, and unaware of his social surroundings
and repercussions of a clumsy conduct.

Adrienne Shelly is a remarkable actress, with a low-key presence,
yet subtle, with a convincing human presence, passionate and
interesting to watch.

Paul Schulze, as the husband, is equally interesting, as the story
intertwines that of 2 brothers, and how the two deal with disparate
circumstances, their own differences and talents but loyal to one
another as brothers.

Saul Stein is credible as a tough businessman in the underworld,
who dabbles in the money gain game, but who s not prepared to lower
himself to having blood on his hands.

Those viewers having a mundane or monotonous life, after viewing
this film, will be relieved in not having to deal with the
surprises that are shown here ...unfaithful wives, the underworld,
sexual jealousy, beatings, threats with weapons, heavy financial
losses from gambling on car drag races, time in a penitentiary,
automobile theft.

From a cinematic point of view, the scenes are crystal clear, as is
the audio and the realism of the story and action, although not
rising to a wide-screen caliber. It also and lacks subtitles. The
music is fine, and well chosen.

Examples of life events that may "connect" with the audience are
backyard BBQ's, the arrival of a baby, the boredom of work, and its
politics, celebration of birthdays, parties, great looking women.

The movie suggests that one's character is evaluated in how one
deals with a passion, in this case car racing, that one doesn't
want to give up, yet not sufficiently financially viable or
sustainable as a livelihood.

How readily does an individually give in to the temptation,
crossing the line, into into the underworld, or to sexual passion,
of gambling, to the tedious 9 to 5 routine, in sum, of "the grind."