gogoschka-1 The kind of film that doesn't get made anymore in Hollywood. Original story, great atmosphere, wonderful acting. A somewhat quirky but still powerful human drama. Somehow, everything just fits in this film. Given the cast, it's hard to believe it is so little known. One to be re-discovered (hopefully). 8 stars out of 10.In case you're interested in more underrated masterpieces, here's some of my favorites:imdb.com/list/ls070242495

Michael Neumann It's rare for a movie to be sold on its screenwriter's credentials, as seen in the ads for this modest comedy drama, promoted as being "from the writer of Moonstruck" (to which it bears little resemblance except for its author's ear for dialogue). The story traces a day and a half in the lives of a dozen characters: teenagers, cops, and other assorted Bronx delinquents caught in the flux of changing times, circa 1963 of course: as always the watershed year for American coming-of-age movies. Director Tony Bill preserves all the rough edges of John Patrick Shanley's presumably autobiographical memories, maintaining a trace of gritty urban reality beneath the often rose-colored period detail. The film moves from bittersweet early 60s nostalgia to an exaggerated, violent climax (with disturbed ex-con John Turturro cornered on a tenement rooftop), which is then cleverly deflated by one final, almost offhand plot twist. It's a small film with lots of personality (the definition of a 'sleeper'), providing a welcome push to the career of more than one talented young actor.

perkapita I rented the film for its elements (John Patrick Shanley, Tony Bill, obviously all of the cast members...) and I wasn't disappointed. It's not your basic thriller or even your basic offbeat ...uh...I don't know that there's a noun for this type of film. Cohen-y, quirky, but darker, less ironic...I think it falls into the 'you love it or hate it' category, like "A Box of Moonlight". Hmm. I don't think I could be less articulate about this work. How 'bout this: It's violent and funny. The performances are spot on. John Turturro is especially disturbing (as usual) as the psycho. And his mother (Rose Gregorio) is so strange and, like, aggressively out-of-it it's heartbreaking. The whole thing works so well that the ending - which does, at least for me, come as a surprise (or, rather, in that wonderful way, as a perfectly expected surprise) - is a true culmination of everything that came before. I think it's a great movie. The only reason I gave it "8" and not 10 is that I felt it was unnecessarily slow at points. But there you go. I liked Box of Moonlight.

John P This film is a little gem. A very good quirky understated drama. The story is well-developed, reasonably believable, and directed quite nicely. The story is set in a New York neighborhood in the time period of early 60s - both aspects are portrayed well in the film - realistic and believable but not so hammed up as to come across as phony. The acting is superb. Tarturro is great - plays the part of a local psycho bully very well - quite edgy and frightening but not over-the-top. Both Jodie Foster and Tim Robbins also do really well in this movie and is probably the best of that time period (the 80s) for either actor. Would recommend the movie for anyone looking for a good drama or for a movie with some social commentary that does not overwhelm the story.