Gang Tapes

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Gang Tapes

R

Released Aug 14, 2002

1h 20m

Crime

Drama

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4 Reviews

71%

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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.

Film Threat

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 29, 2005

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Emily Blunt

Blunt Review

Wild documentary-like scary real film

Rated: 3/4

Feb 7, 2003

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Ron Wells

Film Threat

It's a strong, powerful work that while under 90 minutes, will take you much longer to shake off.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 8, 2002

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

it a very good movie its true thoe I stay in the hood

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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Audience Member

This movie is truly amazing. A dark and realistic look into the self destructive culture of LA gangs.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

This documentary type movie has you believing these are real gang tapes. This is some waked out shit and leaves you scared afterwards.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Audience Member

Funniest movie of the year.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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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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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