What a boring, stupid film. This guy Amos Poe can not direct, no clue, this isn't even a "C" for a student film. He's credited for writing this trash, too. This movie has all the cliches of any 80s movie, but without any of the excitement.
shareThat's in insult to well-meaning crap everywhere. I'm a big fan of low-budget, culty, grindhousy action films of the '70s and '80s, but this film fails on all levels except for the soundtrack by Nile Rodgers -- which is entertaining but does not fit the movie at all.
Nothing is believable here, Vincent Spano is miscast, and the action is dead on arrival. If I were to assign a letter of the alphabet to this film, it would probably be a D. 4/10 stars.
Did you ever hear of an 80's cop show called "Miami Vice?" That show basically stole it's entire look/style from THIS "crap" as you call it. Directing and writing are 2 different things. "Alphabet City" might not have a great or original script but it has a perfect look and style that has been copied many times over; the lighting, the camera editing/angles, the utilizing of music to enhance the story..it's all here. Before you judge it, remember what year this came out. It's a shame that it doesn't get more recognition.
"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'
Are you really defending a feature film that has earned only 5 IMDB posts in thirty years?!?!
Are we really equating production values of 80s series television with feature film?
If so, then:
Did you ever hear of legendary director Michael Mann? He's directing $100M films now.
Alphabet City Director Amos Poe is probably selling churros somewhere now (instead of directing actors like Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx in major studio feature films).
Alphabet City and Miami Vice came out within four months of each other, with NBC showing previews of Miami Vice in the summer halfway between them, so it is an incredible feat that a whole series was ripped off from Alphabet City in only two months. Well, Michael Mann is well known for rushing his productions together, so you're probably right, and the only person who seems to be aware that Miami Vice was ripped off of Alphabet City.
Tom Cruise? Jamie Foxx?? Okay, I see that your tastes lie firmly in the mainstream, commercial sewer of the entertainment industry. No, fans of Tom Cruise wouldn't be aware of an obscure, independent film like "Alphabet City," would they? I guess you believe that if something is popular with the sheep-like masses, then it must be "great," huh? Because we ALL know that Tom Cruise makes great, high-brow entertainment. Him and Jamie Foxx are known for creating high art. Of course, I would rather cut off my arm than watch a movie starring Tom Cruise or Jamie Foxx...but that just means I have "poor taste." If Amos Poe IS selling churros now, it is still a more respectable, and honorable job than directing Jamie Foxx movies; I mean, do we really need more excrement splattered across movie screens? Oh I forgot, Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise films make a lot of money. so they must be good products. Because we all know that mainstream masses have such refined taste, and an appreciation for art. Michael Mann? Didn't he have one good film, "Heat?" Isn't he prostituting his craft now by directing cheap tv schlock? Oh well. I have to confess, I have more respect for some guy selling 'churros' on the street corner.
"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'
There is just so little focus on what's going on. A lot of the film has Spano (pretty low-key here) running around the city, which you have little idea where he is. It's just highly-diffused, blurry images. And, a lot of the film is Nile Rogers 80's music playing as Spano meanders around the town, dealing with his coked-up dealers, stereotypical mob bosses, etc. No excuse for this film to be this inert. Oliver Wood is the cinematographer and has shot some great movies, but isn't getting the job done here. The director on this did some music videos and shorts and that is about it.
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