Wannabes

Wannabes is a good film. It's unfortunate that so many of the reviewers started watching it expecting to see a high budget, star studded, slick corporate film. That is not what this one is.DeMeo is telling a tale as old as the hills, but it isn't the "classic gangster tale." This is a story of poverty, lack of opportunity, and minimal familial support, which drives one brother into a criminal path. His sibling knows it is the wrong choice, but ignores his instincts and tags along. They get advice and warning from their uncle, who is the only remaining parental figure they have, to keep doing honest work. In spite of instincts and advice, the brothers do end up involved with the world of organized crime, however, the essential story is deeper than becoming a gangster.The underlying message of the film could be set in any location, with economically frustrated young people from any ethnic background. Some will choose to work hard and play by society's standards, but a few will take a much rougher route to find success. This is the classic story, the ability of poverty to breed criminality, which society has yet to seriously consider, let alone solve.Having been shot with 35 mm film, instead of making use of digital cameras, the roughness of the lives being portrayed comes through in the cinematography itself. A number of reviewers complain about it not being in HD, but this seems to have been a considered choice.Wannabes isn't a perfect film, but there are many classic films that aren't perfect. If one watches it without a set level of expectation and an open mind, it is quite good.

Because there’s really nothing much to say for it. Cheaply made, badly acted, a totally by-the-numbers young gangsters on the make movie with a lot of violence, cussing and gratuitous mammaries. There are a hundred like it, some better, some worse, all full of ethnic stereotypes and tight T-shirts. Routine. Like a first outing from a film school graduate who wants to be thought of as the next Scorsese. As do they all. Those Mean Streets sure do hold an attraction for everybody who’s got a Bronx Tale to tell about some Good Fellas who are Wise Guys.But. Look, the Criterion Collection is never going to do a remastered definitive Blu Ray of “Wannabes”, OK? I get that. But honestly, did anybody at Amazon even skim this file before it was put up? Besides the VHS definition, I mean. Is anyone here old enough to remember the days of “pan and scan” conversions of wide screen content into square television format? Back when TVs were square? It was a terrible time, I assure you.The video operator would move the square cutout over the 16:9 original, selecting the part of the image where most of the action was happening, hopefully selecting the important parts for the 4:3 version. The editor would at least try to keep the speaking characters in frame, and the most interesting action. Back in those sad CRT days, it was feared (probably accurately) that the average consumer wouldn’t tolerate those accursed black bars at the top and bottom of their TV screen.Well, this “print” of “Wannabes” doesn’t even try to pan or scan. It just lops off the sides and calls it done. Doesn’t even try to scan, makes no attempt to scan. On this file, we get the middle 4:3 in a fixed, unmoving cut, and whatever else is going on in the 16:9 is just out of luck. There might be great acting and fantastic action going on out on the edges, but we’re never going to see it.To be honest, there isn’t any great acting or fantastic action going on in the center or on the edges. Is this Joseph D’Onofrio related to the good D’Onofrio, by the way? Doesn’t matter. Everybody talks real Brooklyn by way of Jersey Shore, gold chains abound, piles of white powder and pasta fazool are thrown around, guns shoot, the old order passeth, the new order is slimy and double crossing, revenge is taken. The end.

Brings back memories of when I was growing up in Dyker Heights. Played scully, wall ball, stick ball, opened up pumps. This movie brought me back ages. Now in FL we don't do that kinda stuff down here, but it was a great time growing up. So much has changed.... The people have changed. Miss the old Brooklyn..... NYC has changed so much.....Great movie for any real old timers.

Great movie reminds one of a Bronx tale; begins with narration and a pre-view of whats going to happen, I liked it enjoyed the camaraderie of the guys and the philosophy of brotherhood no matter what not seen these days. If you are like me a kockaround guy from the hood and have a few good memories of the O'le days you'll like this movie. If you are a young guy wanting to know how to get up in life you'll like it too and for you gal's there's some surprises 4 stars love or leave it.

good for Italians, I don't prescribe to these people who gave a low star rating, go chase your mainstream mobster movies somewhere else. All these italiophiles can't look past the low budget that they used to make this to see that this was a good story with decent acting.

My wife loves mafia movies. She has already watched the best, so I find her the rest, even if they're not so good. I had never of "Wannabes" until I stumbled upon it.What a great movie! Terrific acting from guys I've never seen before, but hope I see again. The story was simple and well told.Like the good mafia movies before it, you find yourself liking these bad guys. The only thing I would have preferred to see, would be an HD version, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it.

This is not a Goodfellas type of film.. this movie gives you a look into the lives of 4 young italian american men from brooklyn who desire much more in life then their going no where proffesions. They hook up with the neighborhood mafia boss("Jelly" from The movie "Analyze This") and have a growing hatered for the bosses son. There are some twists and turns with comedy,drama and action as we eventually see the men make it into the world of organized crime. I enjoyed this very much! Willam Demeo was great in this film he stared, wrote, directed and produced it.