Benny Rietveld Movies
Director Michael Corrente's coming-of-age comedy drama Brooklyn Rules unfurls in 1985, coincident with the early rise of John Gotti. Three young Brooklyn men of Italian-American heritage -- Michael Turner (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Carmine Mancuso (Scott Caan), and Bobby Canzoneri (Jerry Ferrara) -- make the pivotal, potentially irreversible choices that will determine their directions in life. The boys' periodic run-ins with a sadistic mobster type who rules the neighborhood, Caesar Manganaro (Alec Baldwin), suggest the ever-present option of drifting into a career of crime. On the surface, Michael courageously and doggedly bucks this choice, opting instead for the pre-law program at Columbia and a straight-laced romance with blonde-haired, blue-eyed coed Ellen (Mena Suvari), yet this path is not as antiseptic as it may seem, for he actually scammed his way into the law program. Meanwhile, Carmine idolizes Caesar, and his desire to emulate this thug not only compromises his own moral integrity, but threatens to jeopardize the stability of Michael's life as well by drawing him into a sticky web of criminal activity. While the first two men navigate these treacherous paths, the third friend, Bobby, stakes out safer ground with a low-key job at the post office and married life with his intended. Over the course of it all, the boys' bonds of friendship become stressed and strained given the divergence of their paths. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alec Baldwin, Freddie Prinze, Jr., (more)
- 2004
Montreux Music Festival regular Carlos Santana takes the stage with some of the most respected musicians of his generation for a historic concert entirely comprised of songs about peace and understanding. Dubbed "Hymns for Peace," the performance found Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Ravi Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and Idrissa Drop joining the regular Santana line-up to perform such songs as "A Love Supreme", "Light at the Edge of the World", and "What's Going On". Special guest performers include Steve Winwood, Barbara Morrison, Sylver Sharp, Angelique Kidjo, Patti Austin, and Nile Rodgers. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carlos Santana, Jeff Cressman, (more)
In-between rappin' numbers by groups like Run-DMC and The Fat Boys, an almost unnoticeable plot unfolds as manager Russell (Blair Underwood) desperately looks for funding to press more records for Run-DMC's first hit. This gets him into deep water when he borrows from the wrong man and then is left behind after his performers hit the charts and are off on a better life. But all is not lost, after more rap and rock by everyone, the clan returns with salvation at hand. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Blair Underwood, Joseph Simmons, (more)
