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Movies / On DVD / Manito
Manito

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Manito (2003)

94%
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94 %
Reviews Counted: 31 Fresh: 29  Rotten:2 Average Rating: 7.3/10
 
Consensus: An intimate and moving picture that captures the life of one of Manhattan's neighborhoods.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 78 mins

Synopsis: Set, and vibrantly photographed, in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, Manito is the fictional story of two days in the life of two Latino brothers, Junior and Manny. Employing techniques of cinema verite, the film vibrantly captures a neighborhood and the people who live... Set, and vibrantly photographed, in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, Manito is the fictional story of two days in the life of two Latino brothers, Junior and Manny. Employing techniques of cinema verite, the film vibrantly captures a neighborhood and the people who live there.

In the 1990’s Washington Heights transformed from the crack-cocaine capital to one of the most vibrant Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S. As the drug dealers disappeared, their violent legacy continued to cast a shadow over the neighborhood and its residents. Junior Moreno (Franky G.), an ex-convict struggling to get his life back, is a product of that legacy. His brother Manny, (Leo Minaya) the Salutorian of his high school class, embodies the hope for the future of the neighborhood. On the night of his graduation party, Manny faces an ill-fated decision that could change his life forever. Junior tries to prevent his little brother from becoming another casualty of the neighborhood’s violent past.

Although it would be a mistake to think of Manito as an overtly political film, it is truly a document of the Giuliani era in New York City. While pervasive crime in neighborhoods such as Washington Heights may be all but gone, residents continue to live in the shadow of a powerful, often oppressive, police and corrections presence. -- © Film Movement [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Franky G., Leo Minaya, Manuel Cabral, Julissa Lopez, Jessica Morales

Director: Eric Eason
Screenwriter: Eric Eason
Producer: Jesse Scolaro, Allen Bain

DVD Info

Release:

May 4, 2005

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Keep Case
  • Widescreen - 1.85

Audio:

  • [unspecified] - English

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary - 1. Eric Eason - Director
  • Interviews - 1. Frankie G.- Star
  • Bonus Feature - 1. short, MORNING BREATH
  • Trailer - 1. Theatrical Trailer
  • 2. INCH'ALLAH DIMANCHE

Text/Photo Galleries:

  • Biographies

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
A-

First-time director Eric Eason's assured debut feature is a gritty urban drama shot on a shaky handheld DV camera for $25,000.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/24/06
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ratings Image
3/5

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
09/08/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image
2/4

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
07/16/05
Paul Sherman
Boston Herald
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3/4

The film shows a capsule of American urban life where few outside the community venture in. Eason hands out an invitation to do so. Accept it willingly.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/01/05
Marta Barber
Miami Herald
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2.5/5

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
07/27/03
Kimberly Jones
Austin Chronicle
Ratings Image
B-

The digital camera itself becomes a major character because it gives any director with unique connections access to previously unfilmable subjects

Full Review | comment Comment
07/15/03
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
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3/4

The movie barrels painfully through increasing misfortunes ... leaving filmgoers to walk out with the rawest of reactions.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/23/03
Alex Kranz
Premiere Magazine
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
06/21/03
David Edelstein
NPR's Fresh Air
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N/A

Ragged but intense, this compassionate little movie is stocked with enough skillful touches and sensitive moments to stir interest in Eason's future work.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/20/03
Bob Campbell
Newark Star-Ledger
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N/A

A mangy little movie that winds up -- surprise! surprise! -- leaving you genuinely moved and sadly bewildered.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/14/03
Harry Haun
Film Journal International
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3/4

A low-budget wonder.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/13/03
Edward Guthmann
San Francisco Chronicle
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3/4

A remarkably assured feature debut, Eric Eason's raw, intimate movie deftly captures the kinetic energy of its Washington Heights setting.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/13/03
Elizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily News
Ratings Image
7/10

A compelling slice-of-life narrative that draws much of its strength from its non-professional actors.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/13/03
Erich Scholz
Citysearch
Ratings Image
3/4

What Manito delivers that its cable TV cousins rarely seem interested in exploring are the tiniest details of the real urban 'hood where its stories take place.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/13/03
Janice Page
Boston Globe
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B+

A solid, touching effort.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/13/03
E! Online
Ratings Image
4/5

[Eason] has a quick-moving, incisive eye that captures little details of gesture and décor ... and also an ear finely tuned to the nuances of talk.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/13/03
A.O. Scott
New York Times
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3/4

Eason has crafted a small, independent film that has an outsized impact.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/13/03
Megan Lehmann
New York Post
Ratings Image
3.5/4

Where do the actors come from, who can walk into their first picture and act with such effortless effect?

Full Review | comment Comment
06/13/03
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Related Forums

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REEL_REVIEWER
IFP market winner MANITO scores a more prestigious nomination-
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REEL_REVIEWER
IFP market winner MANITO scores a more prestigious nomination-
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Around the Network

• Manito at Rotten Tomatoes
• Manito at AskMen
 
 
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