Customer Reviews

Brooklyn Rules

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

**1/2

"Brooklyn Rules" is a ho-hum "Goodfellas" knock-off about three lifelong buddies (Freddie Prinze Jr., Scott Caan and Jerry Ferrara) and their involvement with the mafia. After a brief prologue set in 1974, the film moves quickly ahead to 1985, where Mikey, Carmine and Bobby, now in their 20's, are attempting to make their way in a world where a mob boss by the name of Caesar Manganaro (Alec Baldwin) rules the streets with an iron fist. Mikey, the film's narrator, is the one most torn between loyalty to the neighborhood and his pals and a desire to experience life beyond this old familiar corner of Brooklyn. Carmine is the hard-nosed tough guy who wants nothing more than to be a card-carrying member of the Manganaro clan.

Written by Terence Winter and directed by Michael Corrente, the film indulges in just about every mob-movie cliché one could possibly imagine, topped off by corny narration and banal wise-guy dialogue done in barely comprehensible dese-dem-dose accents. The movie earns a few points for at least trying to create a morally complex character in Mikey (though heavily borrowed from Michael Corleone), but the cliched storytelling, lackluster performances and dull writing rob the film of most of its impact. There's a decided lack of energy and urgency in the direction as well, making "Brooklyn Rules" a very minor addition to the mob movie genre indeed.

This story starts off with three young boys in a Brooklyn church in 1974. The three friends; Carmine, Michael, and Bobby are played by Scott Caan, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jerry "Turtle" Ferrara. At the 3 minute mark Alec Baldwin enters the movie, and immediately beats up a guy, and throws him down the stairs. Later on he is introduced as Caesar, a captain in the Gambino Family. Alec's performance is top notch in this movie, as one minute he comes across as a ferocious murdering grizzly bear, and the next minute, he's as warm and protecting as a loving big brother. Before the boys even reach their teens they become immune to the violence and crime filled neighborhood they live in. One day on the way home they come upon a car on the shore with a "wacked" man in the front seat. One boy takes the dead man's cigarette lighter, one boy takes a gun out of the glove compartment, and one boy takes a puppy. No further comment is made about the situation.

The movie then fast forwards to 1985, with Michael attending Columbia University, Bobby going nowhere fast, but thinking about taking the Postal exam, and Carmine trying to buddy up to the Mafia, and pulling off a few "strong-arm" jobs. This story really isn't a "Mafia movie", but the Mafia is always lurking on the periphery. There are a number of good quotes that epitomize the "flavor" of Brooklyn: "You invent a better mousetrap here, you get a mousetrap stuck up you're a**!" "There's a big difference between fear and respect!"

This movie is really about a coming of age of three lifetime buddies in Brooklyn. Being that my family is originally from Brooklyn, I can state un-categorically, that the director of this movie has the accents and mannerisms and swagger down pat!

Should say 4.5 stars. Great cast, great story, believeable script, soprano style action, Characters you like, and others you love to hate, add a mixture of laughs and sadness with heavy belt of drama. Why ruin this story. This is a guys flick true and true and one of the best movies out there to sit down and laugh. Well balanced in all aspects and...hey I don't want to ruin the story. This is a winner. Read my other reviews and get an idea of my taste. (I am also Italian) so if that means anything, enjoy...enjoy...enjoy!!! Why not five stars, because its great, not perfect or what I would call a lifetime best. Close enough.

An amazing piece of filmaking and a must see. The performance of a lifetime for all three main actors. Do yourself a favor and buy this DVD

"Brooklyn Rules," written by Sopranos' writer Terrence Winter, and directed by Michael Corrente, is a masterpiece in it's own right. Semi-based on the true life story of three friends from Brooklyn, NY, this picture shows the world the true meaning of friendship, struggle, and love that is almost untouchable by any other movie I have ever seen. It is brilliantly written and acted out. The stars, Scott Caan, Freddie Prince, Jr., and Jerry Ferrara capture the true culture of Brooklyn and what it means to be from the neighborhood. The supporting cast is AMAZING (Chris Caldovino's portrayal of Philly Cabrese is GREAT)! Everyone MUST see "Brooklyn Rules".

I was completely blown-away by "Brooklyn Rules," which is an Oscar caliber, skillful blending of a solid character drama with an in-your-face mob-actioner. Purportedly inspired by real life circumstances for writer Terry Winter (of the "Sopranos" fame), one can only hope that Mr. Winter fictionalized at least portions of it, or hope that the statute of limitations on prior bad acts has since expired. While audiences can always expect a solid performance from Alec Baldwin, I was especially impressed with the acting of Freddie Prinze, Jr., whose previous work in films such as "Scoobie-Doo" did not suggest the level of intensity, conflict and color that he shows throughout "BROOKLYN RULES." Tech credits -- from music to cinematography -- are tops, making this film one of the best indie films in years, perhaps of all time. This is a must-buy collectible movie, that merits repeat viewings, with new dimensions revealed each time. Director Michael Corrente is one of the best in the industry, and "BROOKLYN RULES" proves it beyond any doubt.

This comes from one of the writers of 'The Sopranos,' and it shows. There are real quality lines & a lot of things we've seen before. The performances lift it a little, though, as they are the strongest thing here.

Alec Baldwin follows his great turn in 'The Departed' with another strong turn. This is pretty good entertainment, nothing great.

Sherlock Holmes and the Flying Zombie Death Monkeys

This run-of-the-mill mob-wars centred movie is about as formulaic and predictable as it possible to be without actually being a complete copy of something else. "Brooklyn Rules" uses a standard mix of foul language, NY American-Italian patois, stock shock scenes of gratuitous violence, tacky casual sex scenes and formulaic black humour to re-tell every other coming-of-age-in-Brooklyn/escape-versus-stay-true-to-your-roots tale that has ever been told. Even its setting in the 1980s feels like nothing more that a cheap trick to make the production appeal to those of an age to be nostalgic for those years.

So, if you have a hankering to be reminded of such things as Cabbage Patch Dolls, Atari computers and assassination attempts on the Pope, and have never seen a mob movie before, this film may just be the ticket. Anyone else, however, will probably feel that they've seen it all before somewhere. And mostly better done.

Though I won't do a recap as previous reviewers have already done so, this is a thoroughly enjoyable movie that especially appeals to fans of the crime genre. Terrence Winter has done fantastic work in the Sopranos writing many of the best episodes throughout the seasons that include "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Army of One," and "Unidentified Black Males" to name a few. Fans of the Sopranos will fall in love again with the style of dialogue- a masterful balance that examines the meaning of tragedy, betrayal, and friendship. The direction is compelling and the different pieces of the cinematography, score, acting, and script blend beautifully. I suggest buy the dvd, tell your friends, as this may become the next american gangster cult classic.

A Bronx Tale meets the Sopranos meets Stand by Me: film lovers won't be disappointed.

IT WAS A GREAT MOVIE IT WAS VERY TOUCHING IT MADE ME CRY