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Charm City Kings

Play trailer 2:13 Poster for Charm City Kings R 2020 2h 5m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
79% Tomatometer 57 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Growing up in West Baltimore, teenage Mouse (JAHI DI'ALLO WINSTON, Queen & Slim, Proud Mary, The Upside) feels the fierce pull of different forces: Between notorious ex-con Blax (Grammy-nominated best-selling artist MEEK MILL) and concerned Detective Rivers (WILLIAM CATLETT, TV's "Black Lightning"), and between the straight path set for Mouse by his concerned mother (TEYONAH PARRIS, If Beale Street Could Talk, Dear White People, TV's "Empire") and the dangers of gang life, which took his brother's life. The one truth Mouse knows is that he loves the power, artistry, and energy of "The Ride" -- the exhilarating motorized-dirt-bike scene that is both a pastime and passion on the streets of Baltimore. During one eventful summer, Mouse has to steer his way through two father figures, a first girlfriend, and the illegal but irresistible thrill of stunt-riding that makes him and his friends feel like CHARM CITY KINGS.
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Charm City Kings

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Critics Consensus

Charm City Kings falls shy of more effective similarly themed coming-of-age films, but strong direction and engaging performances make its flaws easy to forgive.

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Critics Reviews

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Tomris Laffly Time Out The spirit of old-fashioned coming-of-age fare roars in director Angel Manuel Soto's sun-dappled Charm City Kings. Rated: 4/5 Oct 14, 2020 Full Review Angie Han FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) A really engaging story worth watching for the performances. Oct 10, 2020 Full Review Max Weiss Baltimore Magazine Ultimately, Charm City Kings passes the Baltimore smell test, which is saying a lot. Rated: 3/4 Oct 10, 2020 Full Review Craig D. Lindsey Crooked Marquee TV scribe Sherman Payne's script is as predictable as they come... Rated: D Aug 30, 2021 Full Review Witney Seibold Critically Acclaimed Podcast The natural style and authentic locations add a great deal of excitement and purity to 'Charm City Kings.' I just wish the story weren't so predictable. Apr 22, 2021 Full Review Clement Tyler Obropta Film Inquiry With its challenging performances, elaborate dirt-biking stunts, evocative cinematography, and unique setting for a coming-of-age narrative, it's one of the great gems of 2020. Mar 20, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Haydn C This is a BRILLIANT movie! I enjoyed every moment of it. I'm a huge fan of the director Angel Manuel Soto. He did a Fantastic Job and made a Masterpiece! I'm looking forward to seeing his next film 'Blue Beetle'. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/10/23 Full Review Adam M Underrated gem. Surprisingly moving while also being energetic and an excellent film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/23/23 Full Review dave d Jahi Di'Allo Winston shines in a complicated role and Charm City Kings is an off the radar gem. Other than a 3rd act turn, the film is generally a completely plausible one. These types of movies haven't been made for all races and it's about time there is one focusing on the city of Baltimore and how hard it is to make something of yourself in this place called America. It's not perfect, but for a complete culture this film should have been seen by tens of millions not tens of hundreds. It is a really good inner-city coming of age drama with a few laughs to keep it going. It is based on a documentary on the dirt bike and motorbike scene in Baltimore. It is well worth the time. Final Score: 9/10 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The greatest 02 hours: and 05 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review avindu g A great movie about the youthful pursuit of genuine freedom and expression. It's a big bad world that awaits a young man. But this cleverly acted out and well made story let us witness how a young man's future shapes up when met with a web of cross roads. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Great acting, powerful story and great pace of story telling. So much better then I thought it would be. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Growing up in West Baltimore, teenage Mouse (JAHI DI'ALLO WINSTON, Queen & Slim, Proud Mary, The Upside) feels the fierce pull of different forces: Between notorious ex-con Blax (Grammy-nominated best-selling artist MEEK MILL) and concerned Detective Rivers (WILLIAM CATLETT, TV's "Black Lightning"), and between the straight path set for Mouse by his concerned mother (TEYONAH PARRIS, If Beale Street Could Talk, Dear White People, TV's "Empire") and the dangers of gang life, which took his brother's life. The one truth Mouse knows is that he loves the power, artistry, and energy of "The Ride" -- the exhilarating motorized-dirt-bike scene that is both a pastime and passion on the streets of Baltimore. During one eventful summer, Mouse has to steer his way through two father figures, a first girlfriend, and the illegal but irresistible thrill of stunt-riding that makes him and his friends feel like CHARM CITY KINGS.
Director
Angel Manuel Soto
Producer
Marc Bienstock, Clarence Hammond, Caleeb Pinkett
Screenwriter
Christopher M. Boyd, Sherman Payne
Production Co
Overbrook Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Rating
R (Some Violence|Sexual References|Pervasive Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2020
Runtime
2h 5m
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