Push

I have never seen so many enthusiastic responses that were obviously staged when the film first came out in 2006 - LOL had a good laugh with them. The film had its merits, a decent attempt at a crime/drug thriller but what bothered me was the source - are there really people like this - have decent jobs, great girlfriends, lives seem together and accidentally find some drugs and then track down the big time dealers to offer their services? That's a serious WTF moment right there! I know some folks idolize the bad guys but usually they are impoverished and see it as a way out. Well to do folks that dabble in crime are in it for the thrill but go about it smarter. If they had come from a different angle it might have been more plausible. Chad Lindberg from Fast and the Furious tried hard in his role but I kept seeing the vulnerable character he played in that film. Chazz Palminteri did great as usual in a small role, but would have been better as the bad guy. Michael Rappaport was excellent as usual and Charlotte Ayanna while gorgeous, needs some acting lessons as much as the rest of the unknown cast does. Decent attempt at Drama but filled with so many script, acting, editing, and production flaws I would have sent them back to the lab!

I remember hearing the arguments of "The Godfather" vs "Goodfellas". "The Godfather" is a gangster fairy tale. "Goodfellas" is gutty and real. I've seen "The Godfather" twice. I've watched "Goodfellas" at least 10 times.

Perhaps this movie is to "Goodfellas" what "Scarface" is to "The Godfather" "Scarface" was a drug dealer fairy tale. "Push" does have some rather stylish bad guys. But this movie has a very real gritty feel to it, ordinary Joe's selling drugs and what happens to a group of life long friends when the fast money and fast drugs comes into their lives.

I'll be interested in seeing Dave Rodriguez's next movies.

In a time where Independent filmmakers strive to be different, we often wonder sometimes why young or first time directors make the decisions that they make. I've seen rookie directors make the same mistakes over and over. Trying so hard to be different that the audience just does not get it. Not so with "Push". On April 1 I checked out the movie at Method Fest and quite honestly was taken in by this remarkable first outing by Rodriguez. The performances he was able to pull out of these experienced and inexperienced actors took my breath away. The movie is brilliantly paced and it just stays with you at the end. Chad Lindberg, Pierce Forsythe and William DePaolo are brilliant and the rest of the known and unknown talent are just plain talented. Hats off to the cast and director for a memorable first outing.

I'm looking forward to seeing many more dramatic pieces from Rodriguez.

It's a good thing to see a new director taking his job seriously!

What's next man?

all the other reviews here were written by the production team. this movie is just that pathetic. bad acting, worthless plot, no logic.... they should have just played the soundtrack to a black screen with the words XTC is cool on it. that would convey the same idea. alas i bet the ritilin generation will love this "movie" (read: feces) because it has shiny lights. im assuming this was produced by some coked up Hollywood idiot. which explains how they sell x for 40 / pill. guess what. no one has payed that much in a decade.

please don't watch this.

please.

The reviews here seem to be divided between those who consider "Push" a 10-star masterpiece and those who say it's total garbage. First of all, there's no way in hell this movie rates 10 stars. I can't imagine why anyone would rank it that highly; and yes, one does wonder whether some of the more enthusiastic reviewers were involved with the production in some way.

But I'm just as baffled by those who panned it top to bottom and gave it the lowest possible rating. If "Push" is one of the worst films these folks have seen, then I'm sorry, but they're simply not watching enough bad movies. Much of the plot is predictable or silly, and the sets and settings are limited and unimaginative, but the atmosphere is enjoyably tense throughout (helped by excellent, nervous editing), and the script is, for the most part, sharp and tight. There's quite a bit of overacting---the cast may have watched "Scarface" one too many times---but it never falls below professional level. No Pacinos here, but a talented young cast doing a solid job.

I found "Push" in the local bargain bin for $2, and fully expected to watch it (or part of it) once, then sell it back to the store for a buck. Instead, I'm keeping it.