Straight from the Barrio (2008)

So much average

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I've decided to write a positive comment about this movie, not because I was part of it –-actually I only re-wrote part of it and worked as AD during the first phase of the shoot, which was stopped for a while because Daddy Yankee had previous singing commitments--, but because I feel the ratings are a bit unfair, and because I enjoyed its viewing. During the break DY won a Grammy and became even more popular. But the first day I arrived on the set I had no idea who this guy with such a silly name was. Raymond (as he asked me to call him) was playing a character with my name, which he did not like, and decided to call his character "Edgar Money", so we were even in that respect. Then I discovered he was highly creative and easily grasped directorial suggestions. After I saw the final product (which did not include everything I re-wrote, like a pretty ending featuring him backed by the Children Chorus of San Juan in a huge stadium, singing a powerful composition written by a talented young man, which did not make the final cut), I thought it was fine, and I still think so. It is a popular movie, made for the people, especially DY's admirers, and I believe that in the end it delivers what was expected by its producers. Daddy Yankee as well as the scriptwriters-producers knew what they were talking about, as well as many of the cast members, reggae-ton singers themselves: a few were on parole or on "country arrest" (as Maestro in the first case, or César Farrait who had an offer to co-star in an American TV series, but could not leave the island and had to decline). Considering the extra problems director José Ivan Santiago, his production manager Leslie Colombani and first assistant director Colleen Comer had to deal with --including (most coincidentally with the plot) members of the cast and crew that were stoned more often than not-- what finally reached the screen was beyond my hopes: a honest and sincere social drama written by ordinary people who knew many tricks in the book. And more important, the Puerto Rican people enjoyed it very much. You may say that this is not a critical parameter... but I guess Daddy Yankee could not care less.

I'm a professional uploader. Who has been going crazy for the release of this movie. Not just a movie, but a great FILM. [ Coño ] It even attracted my attention since 2005. When supposibly Daddy Yankee were talking' about making a movie. Yeap - since 2005 i had been waiting for it. 2008 I had the pleasure to buy it from amazon . com. Many people were asking me " Andy where u gonna get it ? " . I was like - I DON'T KNOW.But F-I-N-A-L-L-Y I was able to watch it. AND , Oh hell CHEA !. i loved it. i WATCHED it 3 times [ 2 in Spanish and once in plain English ] . The English version is funny - the way they talked <- MAD GHETTO. Just like WE NEW YORKERS know.Now : About the movie. I give it 10/10 , 5 Stars , " Se lucio ". Daddy Yankee and Maestro. In my opinion were the main characters - of course let's not forget about the other reggaetoneros.The question you should ask yourself is: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HATTERS, who said " Daddy Yankee is not gonna make it "?

Daddy Yankee stars as the head of a neighborhood gang. Torn between the life and the possibility of something with a girl from outside, and being warn down by the violence that takes down gang members and innocents alike, he's not sure which way to go. Well made, well acted with a sense of place and time that's unlike almost any fiction film I've seen, this is a very good drama. The film more often then not feels like you're watching the home movies of the people involved rather then a made up story. Clearly the people who made this know of what they show and it helps a great deal. To be certain the film isn't perfect, there is a bit of the formula that you find in films like this(going all the way back to the dawn of film), but at the same time the sense of life and reality bleeds off the screen. I'm not sure that the film is as good as I feel it maybe but it it is good enough to warrant a recommendation for anyone who wants to see what Inde-film should be.

I seen the movie last night 7/23/2008 at The New York International Latino Film Festival. Daddy Yankee was sitting 4 rows in front of me. He said a little speech before the showing of the film. He is a very humble dude. The film was great. It was full of action , great plot and great twist. I hope if comes on in the theaters. If not on DVD. Eddie D and Voltio were in the film too. It was just a great film. Try to see the film if you hear its playing near you. It will be worth every dollar. It took D.Y 2 years to make it but its a well put film. The film is all in Spanish. Its has its serious moments and funny moments. They didn't have subtitles so the English speaking view might have a hard time understanding what is going on. but for those that speak Spanish your going to truly enjoy it. I don't want to really go into detail of the film cause I just might mess things up for viewers. I just wanted to let those who are waiting to see it that they had it for the Film festival and there might be a chance that it would go straight to DVD but know one really know. I really hope they put it in the theaters cause i would love to see it again.