A Bronx Tale

Review by zeni for A Bronx Tale
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This film is an underrated gem. If you’re looking for a bloodbath mobster movie, this is not it. A Bronx Tale is a movie with heart–and it just so happens to be about mobsters. Kudos to Robert De Niro on his directorial debut (may he direct many more movies). He did an outstanding job of presenting a slice of life in the Bronx of the 1960s. Though his role as Lorenzo Aiello is rather small, its effect is felt profoundly throughout the movie as Lorenzo’s son Calogero struggles between right and wrong. Lorenzo, representing the upstanding, hardworking Everyman, wants the best for his son and doesn’t want him to choose life with the mob. Sonny, the neighborhood mob boss, also wants what’s best for Calogero, or C, as he nicknames him. The moment in the film where this struggle is most keenly felt is when Lorenzo and Calogero are at the boxing match sitting in the “nosebleed” section. One of Sonny’s henchmen invites Lorenzo and Calogero down front at ringside, but Lorenzo declines the offer. You can see how hard it is for Calogero to refuse those seats. But he is torn by the love he feels for his father, and wanting to be ringside with Sonny. The most poignant moment is when he apologizes to his father for wanting to sit with Sonny and tells Lorenzo that he appreciates his seat, though it’s far away from the ring.Another interesting, though more subtle, aspect of the movie was how Rosina, Lorenzo’s wife, questioned Lorenzo’s refusal to get involved with Sonny. You could see that she wanted a better life than the wife of a bus driver, and she didn’t seem to be too concerned with how it was achieved. That would have been an interesting angle to explore, but the movie didn’t suffer because it wasn’t explored.The element of racial tension and the inclusion of an interracial romance for C gave A Bronx Tale a more gritty feel. It wasn’t hard to boo C’s knuckleheaded friends as they harrassed blacks who passed through “their” neighborhood. The romance between Jane and C was tastefully done, and the actors who played the roles gave authenticity to the sweet, awkward relationship. Remember Sonny’s door test? Well, I was practically praying and crossing my fingers that Jane would unlock that door!But the film belonged to Francis Capra (young Calogero) and Chazz Palminteri (Sonny). The nine-year-old Capra was so convincing as a child who was perplexed by the difference between good and bad and all the gray areas in between. Palminteri really shines as Sonny, the suave but dangerous hood. The film is based on his childhood, and I think he did a wonderful job (along with De Niro) of bringing the story to the screen. Useless bit of trivia I read on another site: Palminteri’s real name is Calogero Lorenzo Palminteri.

Review by Darren Payne for A Bronx Tale
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This film was absolutely fantastic, this is EXACTLY the kind of material my Media Studies teacher would love, its not a boring film that goes from good to bad and a happy ending. Its realistic. Ive never felt so obliged after a film to write a review, but this film was so good i just had to. The Newspapers gave it 3 stars, and their information about it was totally wrong! This really is a must see film, after seeing it on TV last-night i just have to buy it and show my friends and my Media Studies teacher. I just sat there and was thinking “Yes, this is excelent”, which IS so true.
Watch, buy, rent this film, it is so good, you can’t miss it.

Review by Rob C. for A Bronx Tale
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In 1993 I saw this movie because the movie I had come to see was sold out. I don’t remember the name of that motion picture, but I will never forget A Bronx Tale. Written and directed to perfection, the characters are alive and vivid. The view sees and feel the action on the screen and this film is totally devoid of the Hollywood formulas and clichés that sink far too many offerings today. Why is this? The original play was written by one of the stars of the film, Chazz Palminteri, who one night after losing a job, sat on his bed and hand wrote the story of his young, all the while in tears. The graphic, colorful reality of his experiences shows. The execution of this film is flawless. There are no continuity errors and it is so well cast you will walk away thinking you personally know each and every character. Having touched on so many aspects of 1960′s America, this movie never disappoints and never bores the viewer. This is an outstanding movie.

Review by M. Smith for Bringing Baby Home: The Ultimate Baby Care DVD
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Bringing Baby Home is fantastic. They use actual newborns and parents (versus actors which we found in other videos). The doctors and specialists are straight forward and direct, and the information covered thorough. They talk about the basics, feeding, hygiene, sleep, car seats, possible illnesses, first doctor visits, and have segments on how the mom will possibly feel – how the dad will possibly feel – and sex after childbirth…and many other topics. Of the three videos we purchased, this one by far exceeds the others in quality and information. Highly recommended.

Review by Renee for Bringing Baby Home: The Ultimate Baby Care DVD
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A great DVD for any expectant mom. It has so many things…I always worried about jaundice and it covered that too…now, I even know the safe way to buckle my baby’s car seat.