Film review: 'Boricua's Bond'
According to his bio, Val Lik, the precocious 21-year-old who directed, wrote, co-produced and stars in this debut feature, has written screenplays for the Notorious B.I.G. and Big Punisher (who makes a cameo in this film), but both projects had to be scuttled upon the untimely deaths of their intended stars. His newest screenplay was commissioned by rap star Noreaga.
One wouldn't want to handle the insurance issues on that project.
As far as "Boricua's Bond", a low-budget project filmed in the South Bronx, the apparent ability to secure money from investors and convince well-known rap stars and model Tyson Beckford to appear in small roles doesn't mean that Lik is ready to handle the duties of being an auteur.
Incomprehensible, boring and utterly lacking in social or entertainment value, the film's ethos is best summed up by the aforementioned Big Pun, who at the beginning and end of the proceedings looks directly into the camera and intones, "Fuck school".
The plot has something to do with the strained relationship between two young men striving to survive in the ghetto. The first is Allen (Lik), a white teenager who moves into the neighborhood with his widowed mother (Robyn Karp), who is almost immediately assaulted by a gang of toughs. The other young man is Tommy (Latin music star Frankie Negron), an aspiring artist who befriends Allen and eventually runs into tragedy himself.
The remaining characters are virtually indistinguishable, with the exception of one obese gang member who unaccountably removes his clothes at the least provocation. In a plot development that will not help to improve the already strained relations between the inner-city community and the New York Police Department, a principal character is a vicious and corrupt cop (Marco Sorisio) who forces himself sexually on suspects and crime victims alike.
The corny, cliched plot is not improved by the dialogue. Delete the endless expletives and the use of the words "nigger," "yo" and "whatsup," and the result would be a virtual silent movie. Indeed, though obviously striving for a gritty realism, Lik has instead created a soundly negative portrait of an entire community in which hardly a single character comes off well.
The film does make good use of its locations. It's probably the most extensive shooting in the area since "Fort Apache, the Bronx". More than a few well-known rappers make blink-and-you'll-miss-them appearances in the film, including Method Man, Redman, Treach and Sticky Fingaz.
BORICUA'S BOND
USA Films
Director-screenwriter: Val Lik
Producer: Greg Scheinman
Co-producers: Robyn Karp, Val LIk
Executive producers: Alan Novich,
Pharmboys Partners
Director of photography: Brendan Flynt
Editor: Doug Abel
Color/stereo
Cast:
Tommy: Frankie Negron
Allen: Val Lik
Axel: Ramses Ignacio
Wilson: Jorge Gautier
Antonio: Jesglar Cabral
Susan Miller: Robyn Karp
Officer Highlander: Marco Sorisio
Running time--105 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
One wouldn't want to handle the insurance issues on that project.
As far as "Boricua's Bond", a low-budget project filmed in the South Bronx, the apparent ability to secure money from investors and convince well-known rap stars and model Tyson Beckford to appear in small roles doesn't mean that Lik is ready to handle the duties of being an auteur.
Incomprehensible, boring and utterly lacking in social or entertainment value, the film's ethos is best summed up by the aforementioned Big Pun, who at the beginning and end of the proceedings looks directly into the camera and intones, "Fuck school".
The plot has something to do with the strained relationship between two young men striving to survive in the ghetto. The first is Allen (Lik), a white teenager who moves into the neighborhood with his widowed mother (Robyn Karp), who is almost immediately assaulted by a gang of toughs. The other young man is Tommy (Latin music star Frankie Negron), an aspiring artist who befriends Allen and eventually runs into tragedy himself.
The remaining characters are virtually indistinguishable, with the exception of one obese gang member who unaccountably removes his clothes at the least provocation. In a plot development that will not help to improve the already strained relations between the inner-city community and the New York Police Department, a principal character is a vicious and corrupt cop (Marco Sorisio) who forces himself sexually on suspects and crime victims alike.
The corny, cliched plot is not improved by the dialogue. Delete the endless expletives and the use of the words "nigger," "yo" and "whatsup," and the result would be a virtual silent movie. Indeed, though obviously striving for a gritty realism, Lik has instead created a soundly negative portrait of an entire community in which hardly a single character comes off well.
The film does make good use of its locations. It's probably the most extensive shooting in the area since "Fort Apache, the Bronx". More than a few well-known rappers make blink-and-you'll-miss-them appearances in the film, including Method Man, Redman, Treach and Sticky Fingaz.
BORICUA'S BOND
USA Films
Director-screenwriter: Val Lik
Producer: Greg Scheinman
Co-producers: Robyn Karp, Val LIk
Executive producers: Alan Novich,
Pharmboys Partners
Director of photography: Brendan Flynt
Editor: Doug Abel
Color/stereo
Cast:
Tommy: Frankie Negron
Allen: Val Lik
Axel: Ramses Ignacio
Wilson: Jorge Gautier
Antonio: Jesglar Cabral
Susan Miller: Robyn Karp
Officer Highlander: Marco Sorisio
Running time--105 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 6/22/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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