Strapped (1993)

Let's be realistic.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

I thought this was a superb hood movie. I don't know why it isn't up their with all the other good ones.It has an original story. Plenty of good plot development. The acting was good most of the time. Sometimes it would seem a tiny bit bad but all and all it was pretty good. Bokeem Woodbine who plays the main character stands out, as does Fredro Starr who plays his friend. Also good acting by some of the younger members of the cast.One thing that stood out was the soundtrack. Not just because it was rap music and this is a hood movie, the songs were appropriate to what was happening at the time in the movie.Another good thing was the directing. Great job Forest Whitaker! That stood out as well. Overall it should prove to be an entertaining, exciting and powerful movie with a powerful message. Another must see for hood movie fans.

I wish this movie was put on DVD, i do however own the VHS copy of it .. It stars Fredro Starr from ONYX and has many cameo appearances of hip hop celeb's including BUSTER played by none other than Bustah Rhymes -- and the one (or was it two) hit wonders Das Efx..Also look for Sticky Fingaz also from ONYX in the line-up scene...The soundtrack, the clothes, the sets (Graffiti) ... They will all take you back to 93...Nyc hip hop..BUY THIS MOVIE!.I'm not judging this movie on the content of the script, nor the direction. (Frankly the story is kind of weak and the end is truly baffling) I'm coming from a Hip Hop historian point of view , this is definitely worth owning.

I must give credit where credit is due. This film has a pretty good, well-structured script, with a powerful crisis and climax in the end. I must commend the writer for putting together such a script.But the acting wasn't convincing most of the time, and the Brooklyn portrayal, which includes the character's choices of clothing, didn't give a realistic image of the Brooklyn I know. I would also probably change the music in the film, cut-out the snippets of reggae music during the revealing of a gun in the film, and the emphasis made on the main actors to look like thugs. The actors over did their performances as criminals most of the time and it was a bit distracting to someone, like myself, who grew up hanging out with true thugs from the streets of Brooklyn, New York.But besides all of that, the film was still great. From a grade of A+, being excellent, to a F, being the worst, I give this film a C...

This is an absolutley great film. Forest Whiteka has excelled himself with a great detailed account of the lives of young black youths struggling through poverty to survive. The director of photography has chosen some brilliant urban backdrops to set the picture alive, almost as if you're a third person view within the film. The story is compelling and well structured, sure it's been done before, but it's the way it has been done that makes this movie so interesting to watch. Has some classic elements of other films such as The Warriors in places, but this only adds to the surreal effect being created here by Forest!It also has some of the most shocking scenes from the 1993 era. A definite must see for urban-gangsta fans everywhere. Bokeem displays an amazing performance.Why it wasn't a video release seems beyond me.