Mixed Blood (1984)

I first learned about this film reading "Andy Warhol's Diary" (he loved it). What makes it more interesting for me is that I've lived in Alphabet City for the last 13 years so it's fascinating to realize that the locale where "Rita" is kept hostage is ONE BLOCK from my doorman building! The film has the raw feel that is classic Paul Morrissey. It's entirely entertaining and one particular standout is Rodney Harvey. (Jose)....what a gorgeous boy who I came to learn od'd at the age of 30.To conclude, this is a gritty and very entertaining film and well worth checking out. Not Morrissey's best but I enjoyed it a lot.

I adore the music of Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon; love salsa dancing; and after 33 years in NYC, anything about my now ex-home. So when Turner Classic Movies ran this flick, I DVR'd it eagerly. Glancing over the preceding reviews, I imagine that Paul Morrissey has numerous articulate and devoted friends -- or maybe since moving out of the city, I have lost my sense of humor. About the only thing I like in this movie is the music, and its nod to the competition between Puerto Rican Fania salsa and Domincan merengue, a battle to the death that merengue won. It's not my goal to hurt anyone's feelings, so all I'll say is that the actors could have benefited from -- direction -- and maybe a few acting lessons?

OK...I was surprised at all the positive reviews...I really expected to see more reviews panning this movie. Now even though I think this movie is BAD (mainly due to horrible acting by pretty much everyone EXCEPT Marília Pêra, who is completely whacked and SO good at it.) I do have to say that I love the soundtrack, the disturbing poverty of the neighborhood with it's dilapidated buildings and drug dealers at every corner, crude dialog kind of intrigues me...and what's with Tiago?? I still cant figure out if he has a mental disorder or if his accent really is just as bad as his acting! Whatever the heck is up with this movie, I cant keep myself from watching it!! If you are a fan of "bad 80s" then you will love this movie! I may even have to buy it to add to my collection...which includes Roller Boogie...is that wrong?

I am on the fence with this movie. A lot of it made sense - the community of family sticking together and defending their home (or gang territory).What I didn't understand was the complete lack of fear these "kids" had. I mean - the majority of them were teenagers - babies - and they are going around selling drugs, shooting at each other and throwing kids off rooftops. It was totally insane.Also, in every scene - everyone had their hands in their coat pockets while they were walking down the street - or just leaning against a building. It was like the director told them all the same thing and they did it the same - in every scene.Also the tight a*(&^ jeans on these kids. I just don't get it. With kids these days - it's either the tightest jeans you could wear so that every bulge you have shows or the complete opposite, where they wear the low rider jeans and they are so dropsy at the waist line, that you see their underwear or their butt crack and the jeans are half way to their knees. Then when they want to run from the cops - their jeans are either to tight or too dropsy that they can't run properly.I will have to watch this movie again to understand it a little bit more, before I can truly judge it.