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.

This movie is an either or deal, you like it or you don't.

Most people will agree that this movie is clichéd, but one when this situations stop happening over and over then people will stop making movies about them. I have to admit that even though the characters are stereotypes Jacob Vargas did a good job portraying the emotional parts. The director did a very nice job, taking in consideration that this is his first time directing a "real" film, and of course, keeping in mind the $250,000 budget they counted on.

As for as independent films go this one really got to me because it accurately depicts a big part of the harshness I saw everyday when I lived in the barrio.

Overall this is not the best barrio movie, but if you have the chance to see it don't hesitate, you might find more than you expected.

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.

While browsing T.V. late at night, I came across "Road Dogz", a film which I passed off as a typical "homies" movies. But, I was very surprised when I watched it and became very interested in it. Maybe it's because I can relate, and because I've grown up around these things that I found the film to be so intriguing. Or maybe it's because I consider Clifton Collins Jr. to be a great actor. No matter what the reason I thought this film was well written and executed, especially to be on a such a low budget. The actors were great, and so was the story. To sum it up, I thought that "Road Dogz" was a great movie and one of which I would be more than happy to go out and add to my collection of movies.