White Boy

"Whiteboy" is a must-see movie that tells a coming-of-age story in a brutally honest and realistic way. Anyone who grew up in the suburbs can identify with Brian Lovero, a good-natured kid, who finds himself on the road to self-destruction. There are a smorgasboard of everyday topics being discussed: racism, abusive relationships, police brutality, drug use/selling, loss of a parent, etc. "Whiteboy" doesn't supply the answers, but rather chooses to put the topics out there for discussion. Whether you agree or disagree with the characters is up to the viewer. John Marino does a fine job of telling a fragmented story that is as complicated as it is compelling. He has an even finer eye for talent as "Whiteboy" boasts a first-rate cast, from up and coming hunk Johnny Green to rising film star Alison Lohman (Big Fish, Matchstick Men). Add in poignant, strong and endearing performances by vets such as David Proval (the Sopranos) and Allen Garfield as well as newcomers like rap star WC of the Westside Connection supergroup and young Jonathan Avildsen and you have a strong, familiar-faced cast that you don't normally find in indie movies at this level.

I recently rented the film "Menace" as well as another video, a big Hollywood blockbuster movie filled with name actors and a star director and once again, Hollywood spends millions of dollars getting the automobiles and haircuts right, but gets all of the feelings wrong. The film "Menace" impressed me, with its modest budget, filled with real people, real emotions and the end result delivers and impressive film. The ensemble cast includes Johnny Green, Alison Lohman, David Proval, Jan-Michael Vincent, Jonathan Avildsen and character actor veteran, Allen Garfield. The film "Menace" reminds me of the films I loved in the 70's where real intelligence, real wit, and real emotions are now replaced with over the top special effects that create no insight into the human condition. Most of the Hollywood films that we see today, the filmmaker doesn't tell you or even show you about the human condition, but about what the filmmaker knows about film. Not what the filmmaker knows about life. Writer and Director John Marino has crafted a powerful story where issues of morality and self-destruction and cycles of abuse play out in this extremely well acted film.

(2002) Menace / White Boy CRIME DRAMA

Written and directed by John Marino takes a very resonating look on a typical day of Brian Lovero (Johnny Green). His dad who was forced to retire early from the police force does nothing but slumps on a chair watching TV while Brian is drug dealing. A perspective that is not about people who take drugs, but about some of the characters who're doing the selling. This includes an African American gang who are seeking retribution toward the racist cop for the death of a brother, skin heads with the leader of the group becoming very possessive as well as abusive toward his girlfriend to whom Brian is in love with which interwoven stories intermingle with one another similar to movies such as Crash and Babel. Some of the music tracks are not interesting at all, but still a fascinating take on a persons life.

I saw this movie because I know the lead actor and he is not bad at all. There are real highpoints in his performance, well, he's not the greatest actor of all time but there are similarities to Rebel Without a Cause - father/son conflict here & there you'll see. A previous comment I believe warrants this retort. Johnny? He could care less, he is always working and will continue to. The commenter who said avoid this film was whacked for it is way better than the crap they actually distribute to theaters these days for sure. Well all I can say now is rent this flick, it doesn't fail you, it holds up very well -- but its gritty & realistic so be prepared. Also, don't look upon Whiteboy as a studio movie just because Artisan now owns it. It defines what a low-budget indie is all about. Finally, it was retitled "Menace" AFTER Artisan bought it, yet Green & Lohman are above the title. Artisan was obviously trying to go for a different demo.

In the midst of all the hip hop you'll find at the end the hint of the plot from one of Alfred Hitchcock's classic films Strangers On A Train with a racial twist.

Young Johnny Green who has to hustle for every buck gets himself involved with the already pregnant Alison Lohman. She's pregnant with the fetus from skinhead Jonathan Avildsen, but she's given him the gate. But he won't let her go.

At the same time a really mean racist cop Jan-Michael Vincent in his farewell performance executes a young black drug dealer and neatly covers it up. His crew wants vengeance.

So when Green and the crew discover each other it takes a while but they do have a mutual interest. And no one forces anyone into anything.

I'm not sure how Hitchcock would have liked this. It's pretty mediocre.

Watch if you want to see how this works out for all concerned.