Watch Rockaway

Rockaway is a 2007 independent film that explores the relationship between four men who have grown up together in Queens, New York. The movie follows the four friends- Trane, Hector, Kerri, and Hector's cousin Santiago, who have been inseparable from childhood. The movie is set in the early 1990s, and it captures the authentic feel of that era through its characters and music. The film is a mix of gritty realism and poetic lyricism, which has drawn comparisons to other coming-of-age films like Stand by Me and Good Will Hunting.

Nicholas Gonzalez plays Trane, the heart of the group. He has always been the one to keep his friends together, even when they get into trouble. Mario Cimarro takes on the role of Hector, a talented artist who is haunted by his father's murder. Oleg Taktarov plays Vlad, the local police officer who is always on their tail, but also Jake, a Russian drug dealer who is driven to settle a score with Trane.

The story begins with Trane, who is fresh out of jail, returning to his old neighborhood to look for Hector. He discovers that Hector has been missing and decides to launch a search for him, along with his old friends. As they search, they find themselves confronted by drug dealers, corrupt cops, and other dangers lurking in the shadows of their old neighborhood.

The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the struggle to escape the past. It captures the gritty reality of life in the projects, the poverty, gangs, drugs, and violence. However, it also presents a world where people are capable of love and redemption, and how they can change their lives if they want to.

The film is well directed by Jeff Crook and Josh Crook, who also wrote the screenplay. They successfully evoke the atmosphere of the early 1990s New York hip-hop scene and paint a vivid picture of the gritty, urban landscapes of Queens, New York.

The performances in the movie are strong, with Gonzalez delivering a nuanced portrayal of Trane, a man trying to move beyond his past and reunite his friends. Cimarro is equally impressive, conveying the pain and guilt that shadows Hector's existence. Taktarov is also excellent, bringing intensity and depth to both of his roles in the film.

One of the highlights of the film is the soundtrack, which features many classic hip hop and R&B tracks from the early 1990s, including songs by Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, and De La Soul. The music serves as a powerful backdrop for the story, helping to create a sense of time and place.

Overall, Rockaway is a well-crafted film that tells a compelling story about friendship, redemption, and the struggle to escape the past. It is gritty, emotionally charged, and visually striking. The film is a powerful tribute to the streets of Queens, and it remains an authentic portrait of an era and a place that continues to resonate with people today.

Rockaway is a 2007 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.