Band of the Hand

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, Can't Find It!
Review: Anyone that knows how to get a copy, please let me know

Rating:
Summary: Great 80's time capsule even if it's not great
Review: Band of the Hand is one of those movies that you can watch as a time capsule of teen-focused films of the 1980's. Rather than focus on the angst of upper middle class kids and their love lives, Band of the Hand looks at the criminal element of the era. Directed by Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky and Hutch) and produced by Michael Mann (Miami Vice), this film is more visual than visceral. The premise is only slightly realistic (and only more recently so, as rehab programs vaguely similar have cropped up in the 90's), but it's fun to watch.
The characters are sinister bad boys, but not so much so that you can't love them. There's the drop dead handsome drug dealer, a new wave looking kid who committed patricide (but only because the guy beat his mother and sister), two gang members (one Puerto Rican and one black), and a rough uneducated car thief.
We see these boys commit their crimes and then get busted - all done in a very Miami Vice sort of way. They are all relegated to a new experimental rehab program that involves them surviving on their own in the everglades. If they graduate (which you know they will) they'll move into a really rough area of Miami and learn to live in the city.

Not only do these boys succeed, they do so with flying colors. Rehab is a wonderful thing! This is obviously a liberal conscience at work - none the less it is fun to watch.

I won't spoil the film (because I do enjoy the film even if it is trite and overly empathetic to the characters), but suffice it to say there is a lot of excitement and eventually - intrigue and action in this film.

My complaint is that the film is very uneven. It seems to be bits of several films stuck together. There's a sense of a three act play at work - and the third act is where the fun is.

The acting is good and the interaction of the young and older actors is believable, even if the script is silly.

In the end, you'll enjoy this bit of escapist 80's fun.

Rating:
Summary: Great 80's time capsule even if it's not great
Review: Band of the Hand is one of those movies that you can watch as a time capsule of teen-focused films of the 1980's. Rather than focus on the angst of upper middle class kids and their love lives, Band of the Hand looks at the criminal element of the era. Directed by Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky and Hutch) and produced by Michael Mann (Miami Vice), this film is more visual than visceral. The premise is only slightly realistic (and only more recently so, as rehab programs vaguely similar have cropped up in the 90's), but it's fun to watch.
The characters are sinister bad boys, but not so much so that you can't love them. There's the drop dead handsome drug dealer, a new wave looking kid who committed patricide (but only because the guy beat his mother and sister), two gang members (one Puerto Rican and one black), and a rough uneducated car thief.
We see these boys commit their crimes and then get busted - all done in a very Miami Vice sort of way. They are all relegated to a new experimental rehab program that involves them surviving on their own in the everglades. If they graduate (which you know they will) they'll move into a really rough area of Miami and learn to live in the city.

Not only do these boys succeed, they do so with flying colors. Rehab is a wonderful thing! This is obviously a liberal conscience at work - none the less it is fun to watch.

I won't spoil the film (because I do enjoy the film even if it is trite and overly empathetic to the characters), but suffice it to say there is a lot of excitement and eventually - intrigue and action in this film.

My complaint is that the film is very uneven. It seems to be bits of several films stuck together. There's a sense of a three act play at work - and the third act is where the fun is.

The acting is good and the interaction of the young and older actors is believable, even if the script is silly.

In the end, you'll enjoy this bit of escapist 80's fun.

Rating:
Summary: "I keep asking...where's the facilities?"
Review: Classic line in a great film. My family loves it, and we have been searching for it for years. Videoflicks.com sells it but they're previously viewed, and we want new. If you find or hear anything, please let me know.

Rating:
Summary: Coming of age in Miami
Review: Coming of age in Miami is what this film represents. Its about actions,consequenses and conscience. It centers around a group of young men each stuggling with there crimes and there journey of self discovery. With the help of the everglades and a caring Indian corrections officer these young men discover what it truly means to stand up and what to stand up for. A truly meaningful movie especially for those like me who have lived in Miami and have seen it beauty and ugliness. And more importantly have found the way out.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully funky flick
Review: Don't hate on this. Many people will try to steer you away from this much-forgotten cult classic. But you will never forgive yourself if you pass it up. You'll never look at politics (or music, quite likely) the same way again.

Rating:
Summary: Band of the hand
Review: I first saw this movie when I was in jr hi. At the time I was obsesed with Miami Vice, and happened to catch this movie on tv late one night. The influence of Michal Mann, the producer of Miami Vice(and more recently Heat) is clear from begining to end, from the south Fla settings, to the story of drugs,sex, crime and violence, to the mood setting music.
After watching this movie on tv I had to run out and rent it. I watchd it endlessly. Needless to say I had a huge late fee.
As with Miami Vice, music was a big part of this movie. If you can get a copy of the sound track, do. The music written by The Reds just for this movie is every bit as good as anything that was heard on Miami Vice. Much Of the other music on the Sound track is just as good. My only complaint is that I have only been able to find it on tape in a bargin bin. A CD copy wold be much better.
If you are a fan Of Miami Vice, or Michal Mann, this is a must have.

Rating:
Summary: Classic movie
Review: I owned this movie first on beta and now on VHS. An influencing and defining film for the mid-80's. If anyone knows how to acquire the soundtrack on CD, please let me know. [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Still Impacted
Review: I saw this movie when it first came out in the movie theatre and thought it was the best movie I saw that year. It recently came on A&E and I rediscovered why I loved it so much in the 80's. I was never a big Miami Vice fan, but I found the story purposeful and the emotions and struggles real. When it came on TV once in the 80's, I watched it with my priest who thought it was great. It's nice to know I'm not alone in my appreciation.

Rating:
Summary: I love this movie
Review: I want this movie so bad, is one of my all time favorites, please let me know where can I get a copy of this movie, DVD or VHS