Alphabet City

Young Italian-American drug dealer, Johnny (Vincent Spano) is trying to make it in the world. He gets double crossed and has to rethink his plans.

Amos Poe is a fine director who so far has never got his big break. This film is a true independent film, but it lacks the panache of other directors who made it big in the 80s such as Spike Lee and Joe Dante. Vincent Spano has sadly never been an A-lister, but he looks the part and is decent. After playing tough guys in films like Rumble Fish this isn't a departure for him in terms of character. The real star of the show is the cinematography by Oliver Wood. A lot of attention has been paid to the lighting, set design and camera work. The film has a neon look to it reminiscent of films like Blade Runner, Thief and Manhunter. It is style over substance and the derivative plot, one dimensional characterisation and corny dialogue make for a mediocre viewing experience.

The film is not widely remembered or respected, and it falls way short compared to similar hood thrillers like those by Walter Hill (Streets of Fire was released the same year) .

Johnny (Vincent Spano) is a drug pusher working for the mob in New York City. He's driving around in his Trans Am and running the operation around his neighborhood. His 15 year old sister Sophia (Jami Gertz) is an escort. He's desperate to get her and their mother out of the hood. Lippy (Michael Winslow) is his friend. Angie (Kate Vernon) is his girlfriend.

This is so 80's although it is borrowing from the 70's. I don't know anything about director Amos Poe. He seems to have made a name as an outsider indie filmmaking in the New York City scene. I like the ground level aesthetics although the filmmaking is a little rough. It is just so cheesy. I'm sure that it's not the initial intention but it's so 80's. The story is pretty straight forward. I do like it all being in one night.

Alphabet City does have a cool style about it, with Spano, so good in this, mirroring a kind of younger Pacino (watch the way his eyes move in this) as 19 young street smart Johnny who controls the drug market for the big guys. But what AC scarcely makes up for in style, it lacks in it's prolonged and insufficient story. When asked by his boss to torch the building his parents reside, he's stuck between a rock and a hard place, literally, cause there's no way in hell, his folks are gonna split. He implores little sis (Jamie Gertz) to be the one to talk some sense into him, but like her parents will be, she's against it too. The movie is basically set over one night, with Johnny now wanting out, running back and forth, trying to figure a way out of this nightmare, first trying to collect his doe. You don't really have to be Einstein to figure out where the story goes from here. Yet still, with it's flashy appeal in a tame R rated movie, almost void or gore or bad language (I don't see how it earned this, like a few other movies of these 80's) this still manages to be an okay drama, on a bit of a flat running level. But honestly, this flick with some cool hip music, is worth watching, just for Spano's performance. Where the hell is this impressive 80's actor these days. Love Spano's boss's young floozy, Karen, in the red dress.

i recently saw this flick after 20 odd years & while it is one that 'got away', its still pretty decent for the time... (what the producers wanted - was an "urban teen flick"... good luck!) it was my first 35mm, fully crewed production & shot in 20 nights & we did best under the circumstances, and we had a blast shooting it. editing was difficult to say the least. it was a huge, huge learning experience. i had a lot of support from oliver wood (DP), line-producers Ben Gruberg & Roberta Friedman, and Greg Heller, who wrote the story. Nord Haggerty and Anna Taylor did a a great job with production design and costumes under very limited budget. Nile's music sounds better than ever. i wish we'd have shot the real ending... (which was to "political" for the producers) i agree w/comments that there are cheesy segments & i'd like to see Vince act in more movies! Jamie & Michael Winslow still charm in their own ways... anyway, thanks for watching it on late nite TV!

Everyone gives this movie a bad rating, but it somehow managed to keep me entertained. However, I'm a car nut, so that of course plays into the level of enjoyment I had watching the film. In this movie, Johnny Chunga (Vincent Spano) plays a heroin dealer for the mob, and spends much of his time cruising the lower Manhattan area conducting this business. Why I like it: He drives a white 1983 Pontiac Trans Am "Pace Car". These cars were actually limited production firebirds (approximately 2500 built) that commemorated the 25th Daytona 500 race, and the 15th anniversary Firebird. They were loaded with all options to include smooth "aero" wheels, power everything, and Recaro seats. Johnny's even has a vintage cellphone! The car is on the video cover, so that's why I rented it. But I do like the early 80's soundtrack by Nile Rodgers, and would greatly appreciate any leads to find a copy of the soundtrack, or songs from it. The sound effects guy from Police Academy (Michael Winslow) is also in this movie doing what he does best. Thats about it. If you don't like "B" movies, don't watch it. If you're into Firebirds, it's worth renting.