Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-23 06:27:06

OK, so not that bad

A look into the Irish-American ghetto life. Mark Whalberg portrays a good Timberland boot wearing Irishman, from which his life is threatened by other hoods in the area. When his mom starts dying, Danny Quinn must decide whether he should kill her himself, or he should commit suicide in order to stay ''real''. When a NYC Irish crime family invades South Boston, Quinn must fight for his neighborhood. Compelling and worth a look, but dont bust in your pants.

2012-05-22 16:04:29

What a great film!

This film is an excellent portrail of an Irish-working class family. John Shea has directed a masterpiece. I highly recomend this movie. The DVD is excellent becasue of the great commentary. If your looking to have a fun dramatic experiance "Southie" is a great way to spend a saturday evening.

RoseFan 2012-05-17 03:26:49

THE BEST INDEPENDENT FILM OF THE YEAR!

¤ "The hardest thing about South Boston is coming back..." Southie, wasone of the best [independent] films I have ever watched. It had a greatcast and a great story. Donnie Walhberg's portrays a young Irish manreturing home to his family ...but has to face his old demons aswell.The excellent cast includes Donnie Walhberg, Rose McGowan & AnneMeara.Each of these wonderful stars act with their full devotion ..and it shows!I would recomend this film to anyone who enjoys a good, moving film and isafan of Rose McGowan! ¤

SpringsteenRules 2012-05-16 15:26:32

A good surprise

I rented this movie because I read the box too quickly and thought itstarred Marc Wahlburg, not Donnie. When I got it home my wife asked me whoDonnie was and I realized my mistake. However, I was very pleased with mymistake. This was a very good movie. A real family, good vs. bad and evensmall time mob interests. No nudity for those interested in that sort ofthing.Rose McGowen's acting was very good. Also, she looks gorgeous even whenshe's made up to look like a white trash alcoholic. The characters'accentsdo sometimes slip in and out with the exception of Donnie who is fromBostonin real life.All in all, it was a very good movie.

QueenMag 2012-05-09 05:16:25

Realistic Depiction of Some Families' Lives

Donnie Wahlberg gives a wonderful, quiet performance as Danny Quinn, a youngman returning home after taking time away to get himself together. What hefinds is that his sister (Rose McGowan) has become an alcoholic, one of hisbrothers owes money to a mafia boss, and his mother's health isdeteriorating.Danny is a protagonist you'll find yourself rooting for because his dilemmais classic: how to avoid the problems of his neighborhood without insultinghis family and old friends? How to be respected by the people he loveswithout repeating their mistakes? I know this movie is supposed to be abouta particular neighborhood, but I found that the values and problems depictedin it could be found in many lower middle class areas. The only distraction was John Shea as the cop friend of Danny, who helpedhim get out of "Southie" (before the movie begins.) Shea did a great jobdirecting, but he ought to have cast someone else in this role because hecomes across as frantic and almost annoying. But nevermind that; his role is small. Rent "Southie." This is a greatalternative to Hollywood's usual version of blue collar life. Real clothes,real cars, real houses, real life.

Goldelox 2012-05-08 10:06:25

The story of one family in South Boston and their fight for a better life..

I saw SOUTHIE at the Montreal World Film Festival.I was impressed really, there is no other wayto describe it. This film is poignant and true tolife. The characters are believable and evoke strongfeelings. Rose McGowan's portrayal of a young womanstruggling with alcoholism was REAL, Donnie Wahlberg'scharacter Danny Quinn battling to do the right thing,when it's the hardest thing to do was REAL! Wow, youleave the theater with your heart in your hand.

CarBohm 2012-05-06 14:57:46

FLAT OUT BAD !!

I lived in South Boston for 10 Years. I wasn't born there or raised inSouthie but I had the perspective of living in the place for a long time andsome what assimilating into it's culture. "SOUTHIE" in NO WAY (Until theBack Credit Sequence) captures anything REAL about Southie. The character'sare cliched, like bad acting versions of Godfather character's with Shantyhats on. The plot is aimless, little or no narrative structure. Sure,South Boston is controlled (to some extent) by the Irish Mafia. However,Southie was a GREAT place to live because there wasn't hardly any crime andno open "violence" involving elements of those organizations. South Bostonis a great place. You have yuppies, people right off the boat from Ireland,Southie Natives, in a nice mix that makes up a genuine atmosphere. Thisfilm NEVER captures what being in South Boston really feels like visually(neither did Good Will Hunting.) They portray it as an abyss of dank rowhouses. It doesn't look like that.

2012-05-05 23:11:58

Kick Butt movie

Donnie did a out standing job on this movie. Im so glad that I got it. I have watched the movie over 10 times and still enjoy watching it. It has a grat plot and story line. all the actor and actress did a great job!

Wayne O. 2012-05-04 16:20:16

Best Movie about "Southie"

As a personal friend of some of the actors I must say that this film isgreat. I have seen this film and it is outstanding. You should have seen thecrowds on Nantucket in June of 1998 trying to catch a glimpse of this movie.The acting is superb and the sountrack is even better. After two years oftrying to get this movie on the big screen it is finally going to get itsspotlight in the theaters.

2012-05-04 05:44:52

The toughest thing about South Boston is coming back

Moody and intense 90s indie with Donnie Wahlberg cast as Danny Quinn, an Irishman returning home to Southie after taking time away to get himself together. What he finds is that his sister (perfectly-cast Rose McGowan) has become an alcoholic, one of his brothers owes money to a local mob boss, and his mother's health is deteriorating. Not a bad outing for director John Shea using what he can with a low production to capture that profane, drunken, and violent environment that a certain underbelly of the neighborhood has always been known for. Lawrence Tierney as an old Southie crime boss and Anne Meara as the Quinn mom give strong performances as well.

bkoganbing 2012-04-29 01:17:54

The Quinns of South Boston

It's too bad this independent production didn't have some of theadvantages of a major studio. The camera work is mediocre and the soundlevel is just terrible in spots. I hope that the latter is the resultof me having a bad VHS copy.Southie is not the kind of film that the late Pat O'Brien would haveappeared in. It's the story of the South Boston neighborhood, a ruggedIrish enclave as seen through the eyes of Danny Quinn and his family.It certainly isn't all Irish charm and blarney. Donnie Wahlberg, late of New Kids on the Block and older brother ofMark Wahlberg, is Danny Quinn. He's gotten in trouble with the son ofone of the two local mob chieftains vying for control of theneighborhood. So he beat it to New York for a while and now he's back.He tries to go straight, but because of the need for money due to hismom's heart condition, young Quinn gets involved again in illegalactivities. His old enemy is still around and leads to a whole lot oftragedy.This was obviously a labor of love for Wahlberg as that's where he andthe other New Kids on the Block sprang from. Too bad his neighborhoodwasn't better photographed. Lawrence Tierney as the old mob boss from South Boston and Anne Mearaas Wahlberg's mother give strong performances. This was all under the direction of John Shea, better known as LexLuthor, from Lois and Clark. Too bad he didn't have better productionvalues in what could have been a great film.

2012-04-28 16:15:45

Southie

I loved this movie from the first time I saw it at a screening. This is a great story that shows how life is in South Boston. I love this movie because you can feel the true compassion in Danny Quinn (Donnie Wahlberg). The fact that this movie was written by Southie-born actor James Cummings, who also played Joey Ward, you feel a sense of realism. A insiders point-of-view. All actors put their heart into these charcters and you can feel that as you watch this film. Donnie Wahlberg is awesome in his first leading role ... he is on his way to stardom. I highly recommend this movie to anyone.

2012-04-27 21:22:36

From the real Southie

Although while not cinematically the greatest film, this is a good film. I was prompted to review based on other reviewers, particularly those with "close ties" to Southie or who've never been there, regarding the authenticity of the way life is in Southie. This movie is so true to how "died in the wool" Southie Irish families are that I found myself at one point wondering whether I knew any of these characters from back in the day! They certainly reminded me of a lot of the guys I used to date in high school and their families. Also, the Irish mob is very present in Southie and yes, it's mostly backroom stuff. Just ask anyone who plays the numbers! They are a backroom, leather jacket, scully wearing bunch of scary guys. This is a very accurate representation of many of the families and folks in Southie (trying not to generalize of course). Also, the fact that most of the actors are from Boston helped keep the accent believable. Ya, Boston accents are annoying, but they are ten times worse when someone is faking it. So if you are looking for an independent film, a modern day gangster film that will give you a pretty true to life glimpse at the South Boston culture, you'll probably like this film.

2012-04-27 16:18:16

this movie shows donnie`s true self and independence.

The movie southie takes place in boston, a place I`ve always wanted to visit. Donnie is my favorite actor and he always will be. The movie is full of action. I consider the plot of this movie to be very interesting because it teaches you that people can change, and in order to help others, like family, you have to help your self first, even if it means going away for a while.

rileymckenna 2012-04-25 07:07:58

good

i think it is a good movie with good acting but the story isn't strong.it'sgood i think and it shows people that there is an irish mob.but it doesntshow it as truely as the mob is like.i know alot of people in boston andthey know some people who used to be and are in the irish mob.overall ithink alot of people should see it.its still good.Dont listen to that other guy.he's just mad that they didn't make it looklike the real boston or southie.and from what he says he doesn't sound likehe really know whats going on in boston.He probably isn't evenirish.:)

2012-04-24 22:02:54

Excellent!

This is another film that you sometimes overlook, but nonetheless decide to take it home and try it. I am glad I did. Southie is a gritty and emotional crime drama revolves around life in South Boston. Danny Quinn played by Donnie Wahlberg comes home after a stint in prison and decides to make a positive go at his life. He does have to deal with an alcoholic sister, and a family basically on the verge of total collapse. I'm not overly familiar with Boston nor am I Irish, but that should not a prerequisite for watching and enjoying this movie. I will say that even though this film gave me a microscopic view of Irish working class life and one which is criminal in nature due to the story, it is not an overall representative view of most Irish Americans, who from my own personal experience, are good, proud and passionate people. I will say that even though Donnie may not be as popular or successful as his brother Mark, he is an actor that has truly demonstrated that he can excel and shine in his own right. If you have seen State of Grace, Monument Ave. and similar films, you will enjoy "Southie".

2012-04-24 08:41:59

South Boston as it really is - Not as Hollywood imagines it!

This is the real McCoy! Tough, and at times unhappy and unpleasant, but a depiction by knowledgable, real "Southies," including Donnie Wahlberg. If you are looking for a "tell it like it is" tale, see Southie. It's not Hollywood's concoction structured to fit what Hollywood thinks we want to see.

2012-04-23 11:36:34

Enough with the Boston-based tough-guy films.

We get it. You Bostonians are a tough breed of pissed-off Irishmen. That doesn't mean we want to watch your movies, i.e., The Departed, Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, Boondock Saints, etc. Southie is right up there with the best of 'em, trying its darndest to take off from the nest of predictability and poorly-crafted screen writing but finding itself falling back to earth in pathetic fashion with each new failed attempt.What's funny is that Bostonian filmmakers are constantly trying to reinforce the tough guy tone that goes with their collective neighborhoods back home. Where Chicago filmmakers constantly try to portray their cities humor and New York filmmakers take every opportunity to reinforce their godlike status in the world, Boston filmmakers have a habit of flexing their muscles in every new piece of piss-poor filmmaking. We get it: you guys are tougher than us, more important than us, and more educated than us (tongue meet cheek). But, your films still suck and your inferiority complex to New York City will always keep the rest of the nation laughing. In case you are truly one of the Irish mafia, please note that this review was written out of humor, so please don't hunt me down and kill me. Thanks!

teresa 2012-04-23 02:01:10

Southie is a great film!

I think Southie is a very good film.I give it ten thumbs up.I have seen themovie once in Los Angeles,California.I saw the movie on February 19,1998.Iwaited many hours in the rain just to see this movie.I am a long time fan ofDonnie Wahlberg.I have seen all the films he has acted in.I do think thatSouthie is the best.It was well worth the long wait to see it.I flew fromRockford,Illinois to California to see this movie and I do not regret it.Isuggest that everyone should go see this movie when they have the chance.Ican relate to this movie and I feel that it helped me understand more aboutpeople's problems.I feel that this movie will inspire other people also.Icannot wait to see this movie again and I support it all the way.Thank you,Teresa Shadden

2012-04-22 03:15:42

Donnie Wahlberg's best performance ever

Southie is a true-to-life film that depicts the hardships of life in South Boston, and one man's struggle to keep his life together amidst all the temptations. Donnie Wahlberg delivers a profound portrayal of Danny Quinn, and i must say it is his best performance ever. Rose McGowan also delivers a compassionate portrayal of his sister, Kathy, who is trying to battle her own demons. I was very impressed with this film and its ability to deal with so many issues that are part of everyday reality all at once. My congratulations to everyone who was involved with this movie. Job well done.