Blast Beat

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2:19

Blast Beat

Released May 21, 2021

1h 45m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

On the cusp of the year 2000, Colombian brothers Carly (Mateo Arias) and Mateo (Moises Arias) prepare to move to the United States for their last years of high school. Metalhead Carly has his heart set on attending the Georgia Aerospace Institute and working for NASA, while his supportive parents (Diane Guerrero and Wilmer Valderrama) seize the chance to escape the political turmoil in Colombia and chase the American Dream. At first, Mateo is the only one to express any cynicism, but when the reality of their new life sinks in, the family struggles to adapt as their expectations are shattered. When events threaten to derail their future, Carly's dream becomes his only lifeline.

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Angie Han

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It's grounded in sincere emotion and very thoughtful in its exploration of the American Dream.

Jun 2, 2021

Full Review

Nick Allen

RogerEbert.com

The film wants to talk about so many topics, and yet it ends up shortchanging all of them so that it can make for one massive emotional scene after the next.

Feb 1, 2020

Full Review

Amy Nicholson

Variety

"Blast Beat" powers through its clichés by cranking up a soundtrack of Synapticide and the Eastside Boyz.

Rated: B-

Jan 31, 2020

Full Review

Josh Parham

Next Best Picture

The filmmaking aesthetics start strong, but soon the energy dissipates, and the execution is generally flat.

Rated: 5/10

Jun 5, 2022

Full Review

Rosa Parra

Latinx Lens

The sibling rivalry dynamic carries this film along with a unique element not normally associated with a Latino story, metal music. A reminder that Latinos aren't a monolith and the every immigrant story is unique.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 15, 2021

Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

The movie has some flaws (including an ending that's just a little too rushed), but Blast Beat overall will make a memorable impression on viewers of this unique immigrant family story.

May 29, 2021

Full Review

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Kyle M

One of the most earnestly resonating pictures on immigration and the struggles and dreams that follows, with unflinching realism under expressive apparatus tensely brewed by unexpected powerhouse performances from the Arias brothers discovering their peaked capabilities. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A fun ride. Characters didn't feel like movie characters I've seen in countless other films, it felt fresh.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

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Esteban Arango

Director

Mateo Arias

Carly

Moises Arias

Mateo

Daniel Dae Kim

School Professor

Kali Uchis

Mafe

Ashley Jackson

Nessa

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Blast Beat: Trailer 1

2:19

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Synopsis

On the cusp of the year 2000, Colombian brothers Carly (Mateo Arias) and Mateo (Moises Arias) prepare to move to the United States for their last years of high school. Metalhead Carly has his heart set on attending the Georgia Aerospace Institute and working for NASA, while his supportive parents (Diane Guerrero and Wilmer Valderrama) seize the chance to escape the political turmoil in Colombia and chase the American Dream. At first, Mateo is the only one to express any cynicism, but when the reality of their new life sinks in, the family struggles to adapt as their expectations are shattered. When events threaten to derail their future, Carly's dream becomes his only lifeline.

Director: Esteban Arango
Producer: Ty Walker, Charles D. King, Poppy Hanks, Erick Castrillon
Screenwriter: Esteban Arango, Erick Castrillon
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
Production Co: AG Studios, MACRO
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 21, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 21, 2021
Runtime: 1h 45m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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