Gimme the Loot

I really like the embarrassed little smile Ty Hickson does every time he likes a girl.

FRANCES HA is good and everything, but..... NY movie of the year right here.

Didn't really know what to expect. I'm a fan of graffiti but it doesn't put a whole lot of emphasis on it. It's more just a part of their culture and that's great, because it adds more depth to the surprisingly compelling main characters, who hustle and grind and their relationship changes and develops naturally, not movie artificially. Compelling stuff. Fantastic, unexpected yet subtle ending.

A promising start which eventually fades away. Follows the tried-and-trusted "limited timeframe to hustle our way to $X" formula, with a pleasantly chaotic series of trips around New York, and gritty streetwise characters. Not always perfectly realistic, but that doesn't seem to matter. It's a shame the quest story had to unravel, although they saved it in the end with a bit of a "we lost a lot but still got each other" life lesson. Feels a bit unpolished, but by no means a waste of time.

This movie goes in all kinds of unexpected directions. Original and wonderful.

This movie was okay. Nothing to rock the boat. The amateur actors do pretty well. Refreshing to see a small story without a flashy resolution.

Now this was just... neat.

Lively and packed with attitude.

The characters are likable and the actors are believable, and there are a couple of moments that are handled delicately and confidently, one between Malcolm and an older male friend as they discuss the friend's possibly putting moves on Sophia, and another where Malcolm and Sophia discuss, possibly for the first time, what their relationship really is. It's unlikely that this will become a classic, but it's fairly well done.

The plot is almost an afterthought - the focus here is on Sophia and Malcolm as they bullshit their way through a couple of days in the Bronx, engaging in minor hustles and talking each other's heads off. And in allowing them to stretch their legs as characters and giving priority to their friendship (and unspoken romance), it winds up being unexpectedly moving, in addition to greatly entertaining. Films minor in scope need not be minor in stature, and this is as strong a testimony as any.

Gimme the Loot's dialogue is hilarious and punchy and probably the best thing about it. The story is unexpectedly cutesy and sweet, too, so don't go in expecting The Wire. Criticker's plot summary is misleading.

Some scenes and dialogue feel calculated and do not entirely convince, directly contradicting its seemingly improvisational, episodic style. But the film coasts by on its distinct charm and humor and even tackles social issues to modest returns.

I think I let my high expectations mess with me here, so a second viewing will probably be in order. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it. A pair of young graffitists (Tashiana Washington, Ty Hickson) try to raise money to tag the Mets' home-run apple, but NYC is a dog-eat-dog town. Ultimately slight, but hugely likable, with sterling work from the two leads, and a commendably accurate balance of the humor, camaraderie, and danger of the streets. Meeko, playing a cohort of our heroes, is a real find too.

A very charming and well-written street movie with a lot of heart. It's a pleasure just spending time with these protagonists, them being so well-acted and speaking such punchy but totally believable dialogue.

Probably too inconsequential to register on the same level as say, Kids or Paranoid Park, but still striking in the same kind of way. There's something to be said about a boy and a girl, both heterosexual, just being friends and the inevitable complications that surround that. I mean, there is a budding romance here and the film kind of capitalizes on the cuteness of their missed opportunities. It's not a tragedy, just kind of cute and awkward.

Maybe I wasn't in the mood, or I am too old. Didn't grab my attention at all.

The ending was above all, unexpected and sweet. Really liked it.

I enjoyed it...interesting premise, reminded me of Kids, but without the AIDS and under age sex...

Excellent performances. Cool soundtrack.

"A nose-to-the-ground portrait of two believably aspirational protagonists and their constant hustle to make good on the movie's eponymous demand." - Andrew Schenker