Team Marco

I really enjoyed this film, especially at this time of division and illness and unease. It's so much fun to watch, has a simple but important message, and reminds us of what matters. The actors are great, the script is funny, and it has the funniest delivery of the word "Facebook" I've ever heard.

Young Marco's grandfathers introduces Marco to bocce ball and to the neighborhood crew of old Italian men who play after Nonno moves in. With sport, laughter and love, Marco rounds up a team of neighborhood kids to take on Nonno's team.

Very appropriate film for the evil of the century for children and young people, even adults, the excess of screens and the net, portrayed in an affectionate and simple way, through the ninth and his grandson Marcos, all lovingly written and produced... Parental abandonment it's unforgivable, people can't imagine how much it affects the child, and especially the adult who will keep all the memories or the absence of them with him, in a frustrating and dark future, ok, I exaggerated a little, just a little...

Loved this movie. Funny heartwarming and great for all ages. Great one to rent with the whole family for the holidays.

Team Marco is a wonderful, heartwarming and sweet movie. This family-friendly fun comedy will have you laughing, bring you joy and inspire you to seize each day.

This movie is about a boy named Marco (Owen Vaccaro) who is insanely addicted to video games. When his grandmother dies and his house nearly burns down, his grandpa, Nonno (Anthony Patellis), moves in. Nonno is extremely bothered with his grandson's obsession with video games. Nonno will not stand for this and takes measures into his own hands. He decides to take away all of Marco's electronics and forces him to play outside. Nonno teaches Marco his favorite sport - bocce ball. Can Marco and his team of friends beat Nonno and his gang of neighborhood Italian bocce ballers in a bocce ball tournament?

This movie was written, directed and produced by Julio Vincent Gambuto, and it is his first feature film. This story is inspired by a real-life experience. About four years ago, when Julio was visiting his nieces and nephews, he noticed that his nephew, Marco, didn't even greet him when he arrived at their house because his head was buried in his electronics. This sparked the idea for his movie. The film takes place in Julio's beloved hometown, Staten Island, NY. It was filmed on location, which was very important to Julio. He loves his hometown community and was passionate about it being filmed on Staten Island. My favorite characters are Nonno and Marco. I really like the performances of Anthony Patellis because of his dry sense of humor and his love of family, which shines through. He is very entertaining while playing the cranky grandpa battling technology. Owen Vaccaro convincingly plays the "pre-teen techie" Marco. I can relate to his love of electronics and his struggles trying to balance Nonno's desire for conversation, friendship and connecting through Nonno's favorite sport, bocce ball. My favorite part of the movie is when Nonno is trying to figure out the Google Assistant.

The main message of the movie is to be present when around your family. This film shows technology is not always bad, and in fact connects us. It also reminds everyone that, while technology will be around forever, your family will not be. Cherish the time you have with your family.

I give Team Marco 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 14, plus adults. Reviewed by Katherine S., KIDS FIRST!

Team Marco is a story about what's important in life. A poignant lesson in the time of COVID-19 and a thoughtful reminder of the value of family, our elders, and living life to its fullest. Marco's grandfather Nonno is full of good laughs and witty lines as he navigates the 21st century in an outstanding performance as a first generation Italian living in Staten Island.