Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Fresh and Exciting

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

I have always been a huge fan of real life drama, because lets face it, some of this stuff you just can't make up. Even the best writers couldn't imagine some of the things these people have had to endure, and it makes for some amazing films. On the other side of that, there are other stories, which just aren't that unique or interesting, and in my opinion really don't warrant a full length feature film, Jamesy Boy is an example of this. James (Spencer Lofranco) is your typical rebellious kid from a single parent home. He's not poor and has a lot of opportunities, but for whatever reason, he's turned to drugs and crime. He's living the gangsta life on the streets until the inevitable happens, and he winds up in jail. Once there, James witnesses a crime, and meets a man who helps him unlock a talent he never knew he had, but will James turn to the straight and narrow or will his friends pull him back into his old life? This is a true story and newcomer Spencer Lofranco was fantastic, but haven't we seen stories like this done over and over again? To be honest the only reason I kept watching it was to see which path James chose after prison. I wanted to see how his life turned out, but either way, we've seen films like this many times before and Jamesy Boy doesn't stand out in any type of significant way. If you want to do a film that has been done over and over again, true story or not, there has to be something about it that makes it stand out from the pack, and that doesn't happen here. The bottom line, Jamesy Boy is decent and it's fine if you're just looking to kill a couple of hours. It features a pretty good up and coming young talent and some old familiar faces, but beyond that, there's nothing really special about it.

Jamesy Boy is one of the best true to life juvenile delinquent/prison films I've seen. Not only have I've seen a lot of films about guys like these that are usually exaggerated for the purpose of entertainment but I have grown up with and around a lot of guys just like James. Spencer Lofranco's portrayal for me was like looking back at the guys I hung around. Most of them got into a little bit of stuff here and there, some were worse and got sent away for a long time, but most only got juvenile detention or a few years prison. Some were really sweet but got caught up with the criminal aspect of the group so they did their time and only got into fights when they felt they had to --otherwise they weren't violent thugs and they usually cared deeply for their family {by blood and/or by choice}. Everyone in this film brought a realness to their role and didn't just put on a show and that is what makes a really good movie.If you're looking for violence and hard core thugs maybe this isn't for you...but if you have ever had a young loved one do time then find a way to get away from that life style this should be on your must see list. If you have someone like that around you now this would be good to see together and maybe they'll see there is a way out. Another excellent movie like this with a little more violence but still a good underlying message is Starred Up with Jack O'Connell who also costars with the star of Jamesy Boy in Unbroken. Both these actors deliver in their performances in both prison films in different but amazing ways. I am already spreading the word for both films and hope this helps whoever reads this to decide to give both of them a chance.

Based on ex-convict James Burns's early life, 'Jamesy Boy' makes an earnest attempt to portray a true-story, with honesty. The results are, well not always right & quite uneven too, but in totality, it's well-made. 'Jamesy Boy' Synopsis: A young gang member turns his life around in prison, thanks to the friendship he forms with a convicted murderer who becomes his mentor.'Jamesy Boy' aces in one department & that being its performances. James Woods is unbelievably powerful in his portrayal of a warden, who knows the difference between a true criminal & a man thrown into crime. The amount of depth & dignity Ving Rhames brings to his part, that being of a man behind bars for multiple murders, is something to be witnessed. Mary-Louise Parker melts your heart as James's mother. And lastly Spencer Lofranco. He delivers a worthy performance as James Burns/Jamesy Boy. Trevor White's Writing could've been tighter for sure, but he still manages to tell a story that has merit. It's a troubled story, told somewhat effectively. White's Direction, on the other-hand, is competent.On the whole, 'Jamesy Boy' isn't flawless, but it does have some pluses.

Watched this film knowing nothing about it at all. Sometimes this can be the best thing to do I feel as you have no expectations. Well I still left disappointed. James played by Spencer Lofranco is a troubled kid in America, who has a single mother Mary played by Mary-Louise Parker, thats about it. This kid leaves school, fights and is a idiot gets involved with drugs and goes to jail. In jail he has about 2 scenes with an old man (Ving Rhames) and James is let out of prison and goes straight. I have just told you everything in this film. Honestly nothing happens. This could be about 1,000,000 peoples story in America. Its not interesting and the acting is horrible. During the film the do these cut scenes from his prison to his arrest so I'm waiting for this huge turn of events, or something shocking happen, like he kills his mum or his girl. Nope he just gets jacked by the police and put in jail. The bad part is if you read the movie description it says how he is a young boy befriending an older inmate, they hardly have a scene together and when they do its not very good no chemistry or powerful words of wisdom. This is horrible from start to finish, avoid at all costs but Mary Lousie Parker is still super sexy.