A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

this movie was made in a busy and poor neighborhood. this movie also shows the characters personality very well. this story is told from multiple characters. the sexual parts really didn't have to be in this movie because it didn't tell anything about the character. this movie showed teenaged life in multiple was. i also think the father is too abusive to these boys so they hate when someone yell at them.

As someone who lives in the area of the movie was filmed I can properly say if this movie is representing Astoria as it should be. I think the way this movie was represented from the book I think was done beautifully. The way It switches to past to present when something important happens to one of the characters we see them how that leads them to the future in the neighborhood.One thing I didn't like about the film was one death that they did. The death of Mike O'Shea. They killed him right after the reaper had died and his friend with the gun kills him. Why was he looking for them specifically, why would he be looking for them and not Antonio. The relationship with Dito and his dad is a little dysfunctional. His dad felt bad for Antonio because of his situation with his dad. He wanted to help someone without a dad by being their father figure.

Troubled, successful writer Robert Downey Jr. (as Dito Montiel) is called back to his old Astoria, Queens, New York City neighborhood to say farewell to a dying father he left behind in hatred. Home, he finds himself haunted by friends and family from the past; as you might expect, he comes to realize they were his life's inspiration. The majority of the story is told in flashbacks, with Shia LaBeouf assuming the title role. Mr. Montiel, the character they portray, is the film's writer/director.There are at least three and a half excellent individual stories contained, even cramped into the running time; the supporting characters are so beautifully performed, you crave more of them. From opening with the Dianne Wiest to the closing with Eric Roberts, the supporting cast commands your attention.Even more intriguing than the main character (Montiel/LaBeouf/Downey Jr.), are his relationships with friends like Channing Tatum (as Antonio), Martin Compston (as Michael O'Shea), and Melonie Diaz (as Laurie); along with mother Wiest and father Chazz Palminteri (as Monty) - all of whom emerge, thanks to superb performances, as more interesting characters than the auteur; though, possibly, this is justifiable and/or intentional. Perhaps, Montiel will develop these characters in future projects.But, hopefully without too much of the often misunderstood and misused wobbly camera movements so prevalent in films of this time. Eric Gautier's photography is fine, and the shakiness isn't too distracting, but the scene involving Mr. Palminteri's epileptic attack is particularly insufferable. (Someone save the original footage.)Others acting up a storm and/or making strong impressions include "Blood on the Tracks" brother Adam Scarimbolo (as Guiseppe), a mysterious soul who participates in one of the film's most memorable segments; Peter Tambakis and Scott Campbell (as Nerf), a foul-mouth dude who hides insecurity by basking in the shadows of others; Anthony De Sando (as Frank), a self-medicated seer who's also ahead of the both the curve and the curb; and the relatively well-adjusted Rosario Dawson (as older Laurie).If that's not enough, note that extraordinary 1960s "Dark Shadows" alumni, "Helter Skelter" (1976) star, character actor, and highly qualified teacher George DiCenzo takes a well-deserved bow (as Uncle George). Including Mr. DiCenzo in your picture is always good for bombast and believability.For anyone growing up on the razor's edge, the film should resonate, despite skipping many of the hardcore mean streets Montiel must have been familiar with. Nobody even thinks to stick a safety pin in their skin and make the trek to CBGBs? Queens had more punk. Montiel's realizations are nothing new, but they are written and performed with admirable verve, spontaneity, and skill. The film is easy to recommend, and will be remembered as a high point in the careers of all involved.Saints preserve us.******** A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (1/20/06) Dito Montiel ~ Shia LaBeouf, Channing Tatum, Martin Compston, Robert Downey Jr.

The story of our lives begins in youth, and no matter how far we walk into time, those moments of our life walk with us. And hard choices will be made and never taken back, and we will struggle ahead, never knowing what lies down the road. And we will always look back to remember the ones that touched our lives, filled our soul with inspiration, and gave us the strength to continue on.And the door to the past swings open, and we are led into the life of Dito Montiel. And through his pen do we witness a dramatic story of one living on the hard streets of Astoria, Queens, and as the camera rolls, we follow his journey from past to future. And with heart and soul do the actors bring characters to life, memories of those carried forever, and the depth of one revealing the fabric of his being, his definition echoes deep through the talented Robert Downey Jr . and Shia Labeouf. And inspiration meets us in the end, and love, friendship touches our heart. And the bitter sweetness of life are the tears that slide down our skin and fall like shooting stars across the night, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints.