Strike One (2014)
Juan Garcia is a boy on the threshold of manhood living in a gang-controlled neighborhood. His role models could not be further apart: his older sister Angie, a single mom, struggling to gain a foothold in the white corporate world and his uncle Manny, an ex-gang member, who has fallen into an acting career playing gang bangers since his release from prison. With the future on his doorstep, Juan, like most boys, can only think of girls and is unaware of the judicial system's hard line stance against gang affiliation.
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That was an excellent one.
Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
I really enjoyed this movie and didn't realize that Danny Trejo was such a good actor. Never saw him in such a dramatic role before. It was a really good story: gritty and what I believe is realistic in the portrayal of the challenges faced by a Latino inner city youth, it drives home the fact that young kids can so easily find themselves on the wrong path and how this can lead to long term consequences.The main character and the rest if the supporting cast also put forth emotional and heartfelt performances. I would recommend this movie to anyone wanting a good story and thought provoking subject matter.
Watching this film made me more aware of how important a stable family, parent guidance and love are so necessary for our children to have a chance at a decent , successful life. I recommend this film to see some true grit and excellent acting by Zahn M. and Johnny O. It is one of Danny Trejos' most honest performances. You get to experience Los Angeles is so many levels; the beauty, grit and truth of the barrio life. This is a great film showing us the importance of the choices we make in life. There is a price to pay in life, regardless of who you are, where you come from... Your choices create your future. And also your surroundings help or damage your chance in life! A Must See!
I loved how identifiable and authentic the cast of characters were. The moment you are introduced to Juan in the film, you are rooting for him. You see your little brother or cousin in him and you can't help but want some divine intervention to come into his life. You also see clearly how easy it is to get caught up in the illusion of security that the streets offer. Danny Trejo was brilliant in this. It was nice to see him play such a layered, multidimensional character.In short, the film is a must see from the cast and storyline to the edgy directing. I'm looking forward to seeing more work by David Llauger Meiselman.
Strike One kept me wanting more from the first scene. The director, David Llauger Meiselman did an outstanding job bringing an accomplished screenplay to life. When watching the film one really feels Los Angeles through a mosaic of street scenes and graffiti. "Strike One" doesn't just transport it's viewers to Los Angeles, but also highlights life in the tough under belly of Los Angeles. Llauger Meiselman does a phenomenal job walking the line and the urban feel of the movie does not come off as a "Hollywood interpretation". This is not a "ghetto glamorization", but rather the feel of the movie is gritty, and the story lives right there. Danny Trejo gives the most solid performance that I have seen in his canon of work. His character is the epitome of art imitating life. His character Manny Garcia has a soft heart with regard to his family and in particular his nephew. It was very refreshing to see Trejo stretching passed his hard as nails tough guy street thug that he normally plays. There is realism to his part as he attempts to protect his nephew from going down the same path that he had taken."Strike One" illustrated how a kid in a gang controlled area can see joining a gang as a viable option for survival. As the audience watches the story unfold it is difficult to know which way the character Juan Garcia (portrayed brilliantly by Johnny Ortiz) will choose, and the either path seems not only viable, but the right path. This is what makes the film so great. Strike One doesn't make the life of the gang member wrong, but rather shows why it happens.Speaking of Johnny Ortiz it has to be written that this kid is destined to be one of the Hollywood greats! He delivers a solid performance as Juan Garcia and was a treat to watch. He was the breakout performance in a cast of solid and competent actors. The cast was another strong point to the film. Many times when watching independent films the caliper of performance is all over the place, but not so with "Strike One". Maria Isa, Billy Gallo, and Leo Oliva bring great performances, of course rounded out by Ortiz and Trejo. The film is impressive. But when one learns that it was an independent film, it becomes an even more impressive film. The story is strong, the directing is masterful, and the acting is rich and engaging.