Slam

Although it begins promisingly enough, with a documentary-like look at the options available to young African-American men who grow up in the "ghetto life," this visually polished film stumbles when it comes to actually telling a story. Gangly Raymond Joshua (Saul Williams) is obviously a talented young man -- all those shots of him thinking are the tip-off -- who's grown up in the Washington, DC, projects. He deals drugs, but you know he's got a heart of gold: Not only is he verbally gifted, but he buys ice cream for a bunch of little kids. Before you can say wham bam, his best buddy and protector has been gang-banged and Ray's behind is in the count...