Jamesy Boy

"I don't think I let the people in my life down by making the wrong choices. I think I let them down by convincing myself I never had a choice to begin with." James (Lofranco) has been in and out of correction facilities his entire life since he was 8. After his latest stunt lands him in prison he looks back over his life and his choices. He sets out to straighten out his life, but it's not as easy as he was hoping. I knew nothing about this story going in. Once again though the fact that this is a true story made me more excited about it going in. While not nearly as powerful the movie did remind me a little of American History X in the the way that a person can live his life one way without apologizing but when removed from that life he realizes the error in his ways and tries everything he can to change. There are some pretty big names in this movie but the kid that plays James is a perfect choice and really carries as well as outshines everyone else. While this is in no way a perfect movie I do recommend this and was surprised by how good it was. Overall, a lighter version of American History X that I recommend. The fact that this was a true story helped as well. I give this an A-.

One thing look at the cast. Any film starring or co-starring James Woods deserves some attention.

Cast and crew all do their part to make this a really well told story and of cause it is going through some formula depiction of crime does not pay.

But I was well entertained through the entire length of the film.

For a movie with this plot everything when right and for a defined budget you get exactly what the media can materialize.

Well done and good job. Recommended for a lazy Sunday afternoon. But do kkep in mind this will not shift any opinions either way.

This movie might not be for everyone, when I read some of the reviews I can understand your point of view when remembering it in hindsight but I must tell you I was unable to notice any of the small mistakes while I was watching.

Maybe because I've been in the same situation at the same age, made all the same mistakes with the feeling of it being right at the time, like you had no other choice.

If you lived the life of a child believing it was full-grown surrounded by vicious criminals whose "standards and morals" you thought was real and you believed it like this kid did and had to go trough it the hard way to finally realize, or if you can relate to that, then this movie might be for you.

Not because it will make you feel good or not because it is portrayed in a way that makes "thug life" seem cool like these movies I grew up with and became classics.

In a way that made me feel as the main character went through life making decisions, I could understand and relate to his choices, it wasn't always spelled out why he took upon himself to do some of the things he did.

His standards and morals, he stood up for them even though it is a rare thing in that world, a very rare thing I must say knowing what I speak of. And when he was old enough to realize that he had to pay the price knowing he was trying to hold up this "standard and moral" that does not even exist in that world and the one who payed the price was him.

I liked this film and the main character, it made me feel through the whole movie as the decisions was made and I reminisced on my own life from an adults point of view gone through hell and back.

Best luck to you James, best luck.

After about 10 minutes of scrolling through the catalogue on prime I found the kind of movie I was looking for. Of all the movies, I decided on Jamesy Boy. What sold me on it was the picture of Ving Rhames on the movie poster, and even though his role turned out to just be a cameo, he still delivered one of his signature monologues which doesn't have much to do with the movie, but its so unique and authentic that worth every second of entertainment value! Along with the cameo from Ving I was surprised that James Woods who plays the warden of the prison, adds some great veteran acting presence. Other than Ving Rhames and James Woods the cast is mostly young actors with very little movie experience but actually play their roles really well. My hats off to the director of this one for really getting the most out of the actors he had to work with and I was surprised to see the main actor Spencer Rocco Lofranco really didn't get much for chances after this movie which I really think his rugged and tough performance warranted more lead roles in higher budget movies after this.

The story is pretty interesting about a teenager who seems to be pretty down on his luck has no choice but to turn to the streets and a life of crime in order to survive. The ebs and flows are really nice and the movie goes back and forth between his current life in prison and his past life as part of a gang which got him into prison.

I recommend this movie for late night watching, where you're looking for a good story with good acting from a cast you wouldn't expect to be as good as it is!

Based on ex-convict James Burns's early life, 'Jamesy Boy' makes an earnest attempt to portray a true-story, with honesty. The results are, well not always right & quite uneven too, but in totality, it's well-made.

'Jamesy Boy' Synopsis: A young gang member turns his life around in prison, thanks to the friendship he forms with a convicted murderer who becomes his mentor.

'Jamesy Boy' aces in one department & that being its performances. James Woods is unbelievably powerful in his portrayal of a warden, who knows the difference between a true criminal & a man thrown into crime. The amount of depth & dignity Ving Rhames brings to his part, that being of a man behind bars for multiple murders, is something to be witnessed. Mary-Louise Parker melts your heart as James's mother. And lastly Spencer Lofranco. He delivers a worthy performance as James Burns/Jamesy Boy.

Trevor White's Writing could've been tighter for sure, but he still manages to tell a story that has merit. It's a troubled story, told somewhat effectively. White's Direction, on the other-hand, is competent.

On the whole, 'Jamesy Boy' isn't flawless, but it does have some pluses.