Drive by

The DVD cover got my attention so I rent it at Blockbuster. This was a very good and interesting film. I can relate to Ceasar's pain and confusion as he starts to lose his friends one by one to gang violence. I grew up on the same streets where this film was made and I was really happy to see my neighborhood. The message I got from this film was HOPE. There is light after the tunnel for those who want to get out of a gang. Being in a gang doesn't take you nowhere but to an early death. The movie made an impact on me and I hope they can show it at schools as an educational tool. I was surprised to learn in the commentary that the director was raised in Little Village. This is very inspiring to see someone from the neighborhood working in Hollywood. Keep up the good work and don't forget us little people from your hood.

This was the absolute worst movie I have ever seen in my entire life. I sent my dad to the video store to rent Joy Ride and he shows up with Drive By! I have never seen acting so bad. My dad tossed it in and everyone in the room (5 people) was asleep within ten minutes. My advice to you is DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

LET'S HEAR WHAT STREET SAYS ABOUT STREET Latino Chicagoans tell their own story of a 1980s neighborhood which they perceive has declined from relative `brotherhood' to almost total distrust in one half of one generation: that's only 10 years! Entry level, brave indie effort, a few actors performing at level of high-school drama class. But this is not written/ produced/ directed by a bunch of Bimmer people with pools overlooking L.A. This is street talking street. So violence is minimalist (not minimal), unglamorous and brief; it comes out of nowhere like a thief in the night. Religion and family are strong influences. There is no strong, stylized rap lingo. Nobody wants to be a gangsta except the very stupid and the very dead. And fear is everywhere. Not sure the film proposes a solution; implied may be that the all we can do is be kind to one person at a time, make one decision for right at a time. Glad I saw it.

When I rented Drive By on a lark, I was aware of its Chicago setting but bracing for the worst in terms of tired stereotypes like all Mexican-Americans say "ese" and "homes" and look like California cholos. I was very pleased to find the high level of authenticity in the portrayal of its characters, the two-flat residential settings, and the more realistic wardrobe of the main characters (3/4 leather coats). As a resident of Chicago, I felt they had most of the addresses right and the neighborhood flavors down. This is one of the first movies made for a Mexican-American/chicano/Latino audience that I felt I could identify with.

An impressive debut. This is a coming of age film about a young teen boy growing up in the rough streets of Chicago. His older brother is the local gang leader and drug dealer and the boy is both horrified and fascinated by the "hood " life style.

the film has it's problems. The editing and structure of the story are odd and a bit off, and the performances are a mixed bag. Felipe Camacho who plays the gang leader and Mario Acosta as the boy provide the best performances. Felipe is intense and well schooled in the school of Brando method acting, and the young Mario is the opposite:fresh faced, innocent and gentle. The rest of the performances range from decent to bad, but what do you expect from a film that cost peanuts. Yet ,with an extremely low budget(Blair witch was Titanic compared to this), director Frausto provides a film that looks like a million bucks. What's also impressive is the ambition. There are over 30 speaking parts and at times resembles Altman in the hood. The story has an almost epic sweep to it that one wishes he had the budget and opportunity to make it the 120-140 minute running time this story deserved. In the end, it's a fine film. The flaws are apparent, but so is the passion, love and brutality of life in the streets. It's also great, that it was shot in the gritty streets of Chicago, and has a midwest style all it's own. If I see another L.A. "Hey HOlmes!" film I'm going to scream. Also, Frausto is unfraid of the realities of life in the Hispanic barrio. He's unafraid to show you the truth unlike some elitist Latino circles in Los Angeles. Case in point, check out American Family on PBS. If you liked Mean Streets or Boys in the Hood, you'll enjoy this. And I look forward to the bright future of it's director, Juan J. Frausto, and some of the talented, still unkown actors.