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Gang Tapes

2002, Movie, R, 91 mins

Gang Tapes: Review

GANG TAPES
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This faux documentary walks a fine line between raw power and amateurishness. Originally slated for theatrical release by Urbanworld Films, the film eventually went directly to video and DVD because its depiction of gang violence made it impossible to get theater bookings. Fiercely loyal to their South Central Los Angeles neighborhood, homeboys Travis (Don Cambell), Alonzo (Darris Love) and Erik (Six Reasons) can't even imagine a life beyond their ghetto turf. When drug-dealing Alonzo takes a personal interest in 14-year-old Kris (Trivell), the fatherless adolescent falls right into step with the gang. The group carjacks a tourist family and Kris steals a video camera, which he uses to document the day-to-day activities of his older confreres. Kris's mom (Sonja Marie) doesn't have a clue that the neighborhood delinquents are introducing her son to substance abuse, sex and illegal weaponry, but gets a glimpse of the hood's eye-for-an eye attitude when Alonzo picks up his buddy Cyril (Darontay McClendon) from the penitentiary. Just minutes after getting released, Cyril spots a former rival and attacks him with a tire iron. As Alonzo anticipates the birth of his first child, Travis engages in a custody battle over his daughter. In the midst of these personal crises, Kris becomes a drug courier, a pint-sized version of Alonzo. When the boys conduct a home invasion, Kris witnesses both the robbery and Cyril's rape of a housewife. However, sexual assault violates the gang's code of ethics, and Cyril's irrational behavior and inability to stick to business causes dissension in the ranks. This divisiveness enables rivals to stab Travis and fatally shoot Alonzo. Revenge must follow, and Kris will have to decide how deep into the gang life he's willing to go. Shot in hand-held style, this sporadically gripping expose unfolds like THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT in the projects. For every powerful scene like the home invasion, there are dozens of meandering shots of everyday activities that dilute the impact of the more artfully composed segments. leave a comment --Robert Pardi
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