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Gang Tapes

Play trailer Poster for Gang Tapes R 2002 1h 20m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
When teenaged Kris (Trivell) carjacks a visiting family member's vehicle, he also steals their video camera and begins recording gang life in South Central Los Angeles. Kris himself is a wannabe gang member, and the young man looks up to drug dealer Alonzo (Darris Love). He also excitedly follows the violent exploits of the crazed Cyril (Darontay McClendon). As Kris becomes more deeply involved with his dangerous new friends, his loving mother (Sonja Marie) tries to keep him off the streets.

Critics Reviews

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Film Threat 12/06/2005
4/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/29/2005
2/5
Emily Blunt Blunt Review 02/07/2003
3/4
Wild documentary-like scary real film Go to Full Review Ron Wells Film Threat 12/08/2002
4/5
It's a strong, powerful work that while under 90 minutes, will take you much longer to shake off. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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03/22/2014 Gang Tapes is an ultra realistic look at the gang lifestyle and how it hooks the urban youth. It's weird seeing this so soon after seeing Snow on Tha Bluff as they are basically the same from a technical standpoint, using a handheld camera, and with their premise. Both use a robbery of tourists in order to get the camera which will present their hood lifestyle. I thinks it's fair to say that Snow on Tha Bluff used Gang Tapes as inspiration.  This follows 13 year old Kris who is friends with some local gangsters. The day one of the most respected and feared gangsters gets out of jail, one of their boys is killed. Kris asks to ride with them as they look to get revenge. After some initiations, getting the shit beat out of him and shooting someone, he's in. From there we watch as the gang lifestyle of Kris catches up to him early. While not for everyone, Gang Tapes is about as real as it gets when it comes to the hood genre of films. It doesn't shy away from everything and the filmmakers did extensive research and interviews in order to make the film feel as real as possible. Mission accomplished. See more 05/22/2013 it a very good movie its true thoe I stay in the hood See more 11/05/2011 This movie is truly amazing. A dark and realistic look into the self destructive culture of LA gangs. See more 10/30/2011 This documentary type movie has you believing these are real gang tapes. This is some waked out shit and leaves you scared afterwards. See more 08/30/2011 Funniest movie of the year. See more 02/18/2011 An interesting exercise that grows tedious by the time it's recycled it's own plot points twice. I'm also betting that it was made by a white guy. See more Read all reviews
Gang Tapes

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Adam Ripp

Director

Trivell

Kris

Darontay McClendon

Cyril

Darris Love

Alonzo

Don Cambell

Travis

Sonja Marie

Kris' Mother
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Gang Tapes

Gang Tapes (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When teenaged Kris (Trivell) carjacks a visiting family member's vehicle, he also steals their video camera and begins recording gang life in South Central Los Angeles. Kris himself is a wannabe gang member, and the young man looks up to drug dealer Alonzo (Darris Love). He also excitedly follows the violent exploits of the crazed Cyril (Darontay McClendon). As Kris becomes more deeply involved with his dangerous new friends, his loving mother (Sonja Marie) tries to keep him off the streets.
Director
Adam Ripp
Producer
David Goodman, Adam Ripp
Screenwriter
Adam Ripp, Steven Wolfson
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount, Lionsgate Films
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 14, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2016
Runtime
1h 20m
Sound Mix
Surround