Broken City

A really intriguing, exciting movie. A film dealing with economic injustice, it is definitely in a similar wheelhouse with "Emily the Criminal." But this is a darker, more thrilling take on the sub-genre. It is a suspenseful film that pulls no-punches. The action builds and our feelings and loyalties are conflicted. The indie down-and-dirty quality of the movie is part of its allure. This is not Hollywood. You feel you are watching something real and visceral unfold. It is a very smart and taught movie, with realistic performances that make the story seem all the more real. Well directed and written, this film will pull you in and keep you guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Terry Spears' Broken City is a topical tale of Maya and Desmond who in need of money, attempt to steal from the wealthy with the help of the more nefarious-minded, Andy. The blend of social justice issues with the more thrilling elements, make it an unique crime drama. Watching the slippery slope as our righteous heroes (both people of color) fall deeper into a tangle of amorality, ill-minded attempts to reset the scales of justice with their mostly white victims.

Ria Gill was a standout performance and the direction and writing by Jonathon M. Smith and Terry Spears keeps things moving. Worth a watch!

This is how indie films are supposed to be! Original, thought provoking, edgy and out of the box filmmaking. I thoroughly enjoy watching indie films but quite often its a miss. That's not the case with Broken City. This gem of a thriller keeps you dialed in from beginning to end. That's thanks to director Terry Spears and the writing of Jonathan M. Smith. These two gentlemen have woven together a smart, well done movie. The movie has great pacing. I find there's nothing more annoying in a film if it drags. That's a huge turnoff for me and I most likely will bounce. Not so here! Kudos to director Spears. Also, wonderful casting! I found the actors to be believable and right for their roles. I very much enjoyed the actor who played Andy, Ronnie Angel. A thumbs up from me on this one!!

Despite the low-budget hustle and a cast of mostly new faces, this drama hits different. Jonathon Smith's gripping tale, paired with a real street vibe, sells this drama big time. Sure, Broken City wears its indie budget on its sleeve, but that's the charm. Having mostly new faces adds to that realness. The lead brings a natural vibe, a real-life weariness that hits deep. Smith, pulling double duty as writer and lead, drops a mix of swagger and moral chaos. This flick dives into the messy world of crime, kicking off with good intentions but spiraling out of control. No winners in this game, and Broken City gets it, keeping it real with gritty empathy.

A surprisingly well-structured story. It's a criminal heist premise where a gang of 3 thieves (with a 4th 'inside woman' acting as babysitter) rob wealthy households of jewelry and belongings. When they enter the home of a big mark businessman (and his loopy girlfriend who is half his age) , complications make it take longer than expected, tempers flare, and things come to a head. Standout performances from Ria Gill as Maya and Ronnie Angel (former pro wrestler in real life) as Andy. Script by Jonathan Smith shows solid understanding of storytelling for movies. Score by Peter Howard works best during thrilling passages. Def check it out.