MovieChat Forums > A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006) Discussion > I grew up in astoria and know about thes...

I grew up in astoria and know about these guys!!!!!

posted 18 years ago by gravy31104
52 replies | jump to latest

I grew up in astoria, NY. I was born in 1983 so I was just a little kid during the lives of these guys but my brothers were teenagers and knew them from the neighborhood. Giuseppe and antonio's family lived on the corner of my block. I knew the family as a kid. I think either antonio or giuseppe smashed up his car and tried to steal it. I can tell you that the story is so true. These guys were straight out bad guys, bullies. My parents warned my friends and I to stay away from them. They always got in trouble with police. AStoria was a rough neighborhood 20-30 years ago. Alot of drug dealers around. Thats why we moved away. I still have family there and I go down there often. I am in flushing now which is about 10 min away. I know the entire neighborhood from A- Z and all the local vendors and what not. I went to catholic school at immaculate conception. I cant wait till this movie comes out because of my childhood in astoria and I actually know these guys or of them. My brother knew them well. I was so shocked to read about this movie and it hit me so fast when I saw the character names. I dont know Dito personally or that well tho but I would love to meet him and talk about life in astoria and his childohood friends. I am italian american so I grew up in italian american section of astoria which is why i know about giuseppe and antonio. When anyone sees this movie and has questions about evens or locations, post it and I will do my best to answer them. I will def see this movie.

[–] vertigo_14 18 years ago

if really filmed in astoria, maybe we'll see the famous neptune diner?

Ain't we a pair, Mr. Raggedy Man?

[–] judy48blue 18 years ago

Thanks Gravy! I love your enthusiasm. I will remember your offer after I see the movie. You should read the book!! It is fantastic! Dito is amazing!

[–] AZNPERSUASiONXD 18 years ago

luv u channing!

cool! man i would be kinda scared of the drug dealers and all but who cares it's your story

[–] michaeljordanfan101 17 years ago

neptune diner best diner in nyc voted 6 years

[–] kemicon 18 years ago

The Neptune isn't in it as far as I remember, but they shoot a scene around the corner from it.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] TheRadioStar 18 years ago

i recommend neptune diner to everyone who hasnt been... my fav diner. great service.

[–] kurveegyrl145 18 years ago

i just want to know if Antonio was as violent as they portray him in the film. how much is truth and how much is legend?

no...but something like that.

[–] FlavioV 18 years ago

Good Ol NY!!!!

This is stays true to it's word. I know there was alot og help writing the script, But it's rawness brings that sort of intensity to the Film. I Gotta admit Shia has impressed me as a Young Actor breaking the mold where he is now, To little to act. The Guy has a bright Future, and let's hope he can Get better scripts.

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[–] michaeljordanfan101 17 years ago

astoria is still pretty bad there was a shooting on steinway a couple of years ago and there are always fights there but it is better than other parts of nyc

[–] zombiefrank 17 years ago

Well one shooting a couple years ago does not make astoria that bad at all. I have lived here my entire life, I went to St. Josephs, and lived on 44th and 25th ave. I now live off of Ditmars ave. Im 25 so I was only 4 when this film takes place. Astoria now, is pretty gentrified and many hipsters have been moving into the neighborhood. Hopefully the rent dos not drive in cost.

[–] gravy31104 18 years ago

sorry I didnt see this message until now, been busy, in school....I grew up on 33rd and 24th ave.....around corner from neptune diner/ Hoyt Ave...how about u?

[–] TheRadioStar 18 years ago

astoria stand up!!

i grew up on 36th ave and 29th st. from like '83-'91... went to St. Patrick's school, right next to the old L.I.C high school... then in '03 i moved back for a stint, to 21st. and hoyt, right under the triboro.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] JuStBLaZiNG 18 years ago

Grew up in astoria aswell i lived off steinway street across the street from St. Joes elementry school. right near Fishbeins.
I was 10 years old and watched them film everysecond of
A BRONX TALE when they filmed in astoria in 92-93.
One-Two,One-Two/Ya Crews I Run Thru *beep* Karate/I Practice Gun-Fu!

[–] luke_fallon1 18 years ago

my moms grew up in astoria in the 50's and 60s,i live in Flushing FLUSHTOWN ALL DAY

Walken for prez:coming fall of '08

[–] TheRadioStar 18 years ago

yo! i remember when they filmed a Bronx Tale... me and my mom were walkin down a block, i forgot what street, but every car parked was from the 60's. all the store signs were changed to look old, the whole block long was like a time warp. awesome...

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] greatwareagle 18 years ago

I currently live in Astoria. I can see the high school out my window. Im right near the 46th street GRV stop.

When was Saints filmed here? Thereve been film crews here every so often, but I know they werent Guide Saints. I must have missed 'em.

[–] hettnet 18 years ago

AUGUST 2005

[–] yankee4754 18 years ago

I too grew up in Astoria on Steinway for a little, 22nd Ave by the park for a little, and at my grandmother's on 29th st right near Imac...It was never that bad, but then again every neighborhood has their problem childs. I was born in '86 and most of you born from like 82-85 and went to Imac either had Ms. Walicki or my mom Mrs. Prager

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] PattiBoyd 18 years ago

I was born and raised in Astoria and I'm still here. I know Mrs. Prager...the Prager Family, in fact. I graduated from St. Johns Prep and i remember when they filmed a bronx tale here and A guide to recognizing your saints. The neighborhood isn't all that bad and it's gotten even better in recent years. But, my brothers grew up here in the 80's and they claim that it wasn't as comfortable as it is today. They new Dito and his crew from astoria park. It's crazy. I'm glad there is finally a movie that was filmed in this neighborhood....that is actually ABOUT the neighborhood. Anyone who grew up here knows that the neighborhood has this funny way of keeping you in line...everyone knows everyone, at least through association and you always feel like there's a set of eyes watching you all the time. I always felt that it was like a small town in a big city atmosphere. I think that's a big part of this movie and the tagline couldn't be more true; "in the end i left everyone and everything...but they never left me"

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Ahhh26 18 years ago

i live here now i live by st johns prep, but i also go all over the place. Ala Steinway and crap... Great to see Astorians grouping up, i dident think so many people lived here o_0

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] gravy31104 18 years ago

Hey I just read this thread. I was born in 83 and had your mom mrs. prager as my second grade teacher!

[–] st3daboywonder 18 years ago

my dad went to st joes and grew up a block away but we live in jackson heights now

[–] Chad_is_Rad 18 years ago

i wish the movie delved more into about giusspie and antonio id love to hear more stories about these guys guess ill have to get the book.

[–] cgansfuss 18 years ago

Hello I just saw the movie and loved it! I would love to know about some locations. I recognize the 31st and 24th area. But where was Dito's house located and what about Antonio? I couldn't recognize where that was. Also where is the apartment that Laurie lived in or was filmed at? I currently live in Astoria and I love to locate where movies were filmes.

[–] mr_beaverhousen 18 years ago

He lives on 24th ave and 31st, around the corner. It's right under the N train at Astoria Boulevard. I live a four blocks from there and if you see the house, you can see where the spray paint used to be because they painted over it with a different shade of paint.

BTW, the characters aren't exactly real. Antonio is a mix of people that grew up around that area.

[–] magikthrill 18 years ago

hahaha ... so many people from astoria.

when i saw the deli in the film im like "hey thats where we buy our cigarettes before the beer garden."

[–] magikthrill 18 years ago

if you pass by the house there still some spray paint on it lol

[–] honeybee61190 18 years ago

laurie lived around 34th street

[–] oringes 18 years ago

Wow, I may just have to see this movie at the theater by PC Richards then. I didn't expect there'd be such a strong Astoria turnout for this movie. I live right by Astoria Park on 21st avenue. Being here as long as I can remember (born in 88), I can pretty much point out everything I see on the trailer. It's great to see the neighborhood get recognized on such a platform.

[–] kazampoumpou 18 years ago

Anyone greek or part greek from astoria?? I'm greek and i think that a lot of greek people live in astoria.

So anyone out there???????????

Xairetismata apo athina palikaria!!!!!!!!!!!

[–] Dreamcatcher9000 18 years ago

Xaire patrioti!

Molis eida tin tainia,edo Athens City.Emeina Astoria arxes tou 2002,konta sto zaxaroplasteio "Lefkos Pirgos",kato apo ton stathmo tou Ditmarts.Molis diavasa oti i tainia giristike ekei,enthousiastika.Koitousa prosextika tin kathe skini na do an giristike kammia sta meri pou trigirnaga.Sigoura perpatisa pollous apo tous dromous pou einai stin tainia,alla den thimamai kati siggekrimeno.Oloi moiazoun idioi!

[–] Dreamcatcher9000 18 years ago

I lived in Astoria very close to the Ditmars Blvd. station,but I can't remember the adress,I'm not good in numbers!
Anyway,did any of the scenes took place in that station,or somewhere there?
And is Neptune diner owned by Greeks?Because I ate a couple of times in a well known diner,and I think that was the name.It must be Greek,because Neptune is the greek god of the ocean.

I saw the film just hours ago,and I was so excited to see all these familiar streets!Astoria rules!It's so near to Manhattan,but so different...

p.s.:I was a little bit "disapointed" that I didn't see any Greeks in the movie.If I'm not mistaken,most of the residents there are Greeks (it's like Chinatown,but with Greeks...),so I expected a reference or something.Well,there is a reference about a greek-cyprous center or something when Downey Jr. is in the car with his friend,but wasn't enough...

[–] Brooke_9082 18 years ago

I was born in Astoria and lived there for about 10 years, but then my family and I moved to Port Washington where we lived for another 5 years. When my mom got pregnant with my younger brother we moved to Orlando, FL where I live now. I still go back to Astoria and Port Washington to visit during the summer. My mom just went up there but I had to stay home because of school.

I never saw the movie but I have the book. Can't wait to buy the movie.

[–] Dreamcatcher9000 18 years ago

Where's Port Washington?

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] sadie_001 18 years ago

New comer to Astoria....

Lived in Astoria since August 2006. Wow Brooke_9082 My family lives in Orlando. I was born in NYC but moved to Orlando. Now I am bac...

Glad to see all the Astorians here...ASTORIA RULES!! New yorkers overrated... ha ha

[–] therock525 18 years ago

I was born in '72 and lived in Astoria from '76 through about 2000. Went to P.S. 85 then Immac, the whole deal. I'm pretty sure it is, but I was wondering if the Giuseppe in this movie is the one who's family owned Lisa's Pizzaria on the corner of Ditmars Blvd and 31st Street. I was close friends with his little brother Luccio.