Gimme the Loot

Likable Lead Performances Sell This Modestly Scaled Indie Comedy: Slight On Plot, But Appealing Nevertheless
Adam Leon's "Gimme The Loot" doesn't have an expansive plot or lofty ambitions, and that's probably a good thing. It really doesn't need them. This is a small slice of life comedy that seeks to be a raucous entertainment about two graffiti street artists looking to make their mark on the world. In order to pull off the ultimate "bomb," they've got to raise some quick cash through any means necessary. And their largely illegal misadventures fuel confrontations, near romances, multiple acts of larceny, and lots of profane banter. Newcomers Ty Hickson (Malcolm) and Tashiana Washington (Sofia) play the leads with much energy, bravado, and swagger. But in the quieter moments, the sweetness of their friendship lies at the heart of the movie. Let's be honest. These two get into non-stop illegal mischief and still manage to be likable! That's a real accomplishment to Leon's screenplay (he was the movie's writer and director). It makes these teens seem refreshingly real. For the...
Excellent and entertaining indie!
Had been hearing about this film for over a year. Finally saw it when it had a limited release here in Washington, DC and was blown away.

Had to return to the theater a few nights later to see it again. The writing, directing, cinematography and acting were all first rate! It had a loose, informal, shaggy dog tale quality that was relaxed, entertaining...and deceptive. A second viewing made it quite clear how much thought, planning and care had gone into working out every detail to make it seem improvisational when it actually wasn't.

Definitely NOT a crime drama. To categorize it, thus would be a mistake.

It is funny, adept, charming and filled with subtle well-observed behavior that make it an enjoyable character study and an EXCELLENT DATE MOVIE or film to watch with a bunch of friends. Soundtrack was an added, and astute bonus, that fortunately avoided the obvious cliche's.
Gimme a Break
Although the 2012 Seattle International Film Festival catalog calls this "a charming crowd pleaser," this crowd member wasn't charmed. It is listed as a Crime/Drama, but it was more a comedy of errors! (This review was first posted on JayFlix.net May 14, 2012.)

A pair of two-bit chiselers fancy themselves graffiti artists (using stolen paint), but by morning other taggers spray paint over their artwork. BTW this is an Alpha-male method of "marking territory." If you doubt it, ask a gang member to paint OVER a tag left by the gang leader. It will never happen! This behavior is not limited to tomcats, dogs, wolves or coyotes, it's an instinctive human one, too. Does anyone remember "Kilroy Was Here" in WWII? (Ask your grandparents!)

In this lame little endeavor, our three principals are:
* Ty Hickson ("Killer") as an inept drug dealer, would-be lover, out-tagged tagger and general loser. I couldn't find anything about this guy to root for. He spends most of...
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