A film that is very mainstream and mature in its sensibilities

Greg Wright’s (Past The Popcorn) Knuckle Draggers Movie Review

The spirit of Barry Levinson is apparently alive and well… and living in L.A.

A cadre filmmakers led by east coast expatriates has been working together on low-budget projects for a number of years and has now turned out a romantic comedy as engaging (and still relatively wholesome and endearing!) as anything I’ve seen since, frankly, Diner. The ensemble cast is led by producers Paul J. Alessi (raised in Queens) and Amie Barksy (New Jersey); crewmembers Reuben Steinberg (cinematography) and writer/director Alex Ranarivelo are veterans of several Alessi/Barksy-produced films; and also along for more than their first ride with the producers are supporting players Brandon Olive, Karrie MacLaine, James D. Owens… and others, I’m sure.

To date, Alessi and Barsky’s oeuvre has been shorts; but clearly, they’ve not only been learning the ropes as they’ve worked their way up to their first feature-length production, they’ve also been having fun and building up a solid core of professionals with whom to work consistently. That investment has paid off, and the newcomers to the crew blend in seamlessly. I wouldn’t mind working with these folks, either, if I were in the biz—and I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing a lot more of these characters.

I also expect I’ll be watching Knuckle Draggers a few more times over the years. Hopefully, you’ll be able to as well!

At the … READ MORE

Newport Beach Film Festival Photo of Some Cast

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27 April 2009 – Newport Beach, CA – Paul J. Alessi producer/actor, Katrina Law, Amie Barsky, Jolane Lentz and Serah D’Laine. “Knuckle Draggers” Premiere at the 2009 Newport Beach Film Festival held at Edwards Cinemas. Photo Credit: Byron Purvis/AdMedia

In this photo: Paul J. Alessi (photos), Katrina Law (photos), Amie Barsky (photos), Jolane Rae, Serah D’Laine (photos)

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27 April 2009 – Newport Beach, CA – Paul J. Alessi, producer/actor, Ross McCall and Danielle Nicolet. “Knuckle Draggers” Premiere at the 2009 Newport Beach Film Festival held at Edwards Cinemas. Photo Credit: Byron Purvis/AdMedia

In this photo: Paul J. Alessi (photos), Ross McCall, Danielle Nicolet

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27 April 2009 – Newport Beach, CA – some of the cast & crew of Knuckle Draggers. “Knuckle Draggers” Premiere at the 2009 Newport Beach Film Festival held at Edwards Cinemas. Photo Credit: Kyle Vogt/KyleClicks Photography

In this photo: Sara Sanderson, Amie Barsky (photos), Serah D’Laine (photos), Krystal White, Reuben Steinberg, Alex Ranarivelo (photos), Brandon Olive, Paul J. Alessi (photos), Justin Baldoni, James Owens, Brian Guest, Steven Gaswirth.com, Chase Jezowski