Road Dogz

I saw a comparison to Boyz N the Hood, some saying Road Dogz is better, others just putting it in the same coming-of-age 'hood category. I understand that, enjoying such genres (whatever that would be) and can easily compare some of the questionable acting in both films, laughable even when they're being serious. But there are serious scenes to relate to, as well as humorous ones. The boys telling Alfonse to be a man and throw girlfriend Chespi to the curb, only to go to the ollowing scene after he decides to marry her, and hear the boys telling Alfonse that they always said he needed a good girl like Chespi, and it's good Alfonse listened to them. Of the four fellas, Joe's return to the streets as an OG to guide the other three is a compelling story. Danny's struggle to not feel abandoned, to transition from a boy to a man with a woman worth doing it with, is the most intriguing aspect of the film. Raymo's thug life and hustling is an understandable facet of the street ode but it had moments of disconnect in its telling. Alfonse was the least likable, as they wrote him as obnoxiously horny, as if he might be closeted or was gonna catch that three letter virus. I'm glad they went with his angle in the end, even if it's got a ring of settling and depression to it. Free Big Joe. Not always a banger, but in the end, it rings true.

The list of problems I had with this film is long, and I agree with many of the comments I've read and heard about the film, that it's unoriginal and a knock-off of Boyz in the Hood, but you know what? Who cares? This film is actually pretty good and has a strong sense of humor to counterbalance it's more serious side. After a half an hour of snickering at some awkward scenes, I gradually began to get hooked, and by the time the powerful climax arrived, the director and the actors had won me over. Sure, the film isn't perfect and some scenes don't work, but rarely do Latinos get 30 million dollars to make their personal films, if given the chance to make films at all. Despite what some people have written about this film, the cinematography is excellent, and so are some of the actors like Jacob Vargas, and the guy who played Gramps is terrifying. The director did a great job with the few resources he had and his heart and passion are evident in every frame. One thing that bothers me, particularly from fellow Latinos, is that they're always ready to knock a film like this by calling it negative, or calling it "typical" or saying things like "not all latinos grew up in the hood". Fine. Make your own movie! If you don't like hood movies don't watch them, but don't knock a filmmaker for making a movie about something he cares about, just like I wouldn't knock Scorcese for making another "gangster picture", or the coen Brothers for making another "film noir" picture. Film is film, and if it's well done I'm ready to give it a shot, regardless of the subject matter.

This is similar to a lot of the other movies out there, yet i still found it enjoyable. Its about 3 young men dealing with their lives in the ghetto. One a sex-craving addict deals with relationships when he meets a certain female character. The other, a wise talking kid who falls into the wrong hands when he starts doing drug deals. Then the main character who tries to make a decent living, in a dump of a neighborhood. The movie had all around good scenes, and some very good words of wisdom. Although, i feel the ending was similar to a lot of the "gangster" type movies. Other than that, i felt it was a good movie to watch on a Friday night when you have nothing better to do. I gave it an 8/10.

A good story and fine direction combine to make for a very worthwhile indie that should make it to wide distribution. Powerful performances by Jacob Vargas and Emilio Rivera, as well as other notably strong roles, bring the audience into the film with the characters to intimately feel their experiences. Deep insight into the plight of young adults trying to develop themselves in the midst of negative influences and vivid depiction of the fragility of their life styles.

I dont know why so many people on this site knock this film, though some aspects were seen in other hood movies. but who cares? its the quality of movie that counts and this one was, to me, an al-list. i thought Raymo was interesting with his dilemas, Alfonso funny with his hillarious perversity, and Gramps scary with his protrayal of the drug dealer. It helps if you see past the negative aspects of the movie and focus on the good ones, than you'd enjoy it, just lay back and relax then take it like a man!