You Got Nothin' (2002) User Reviews

A Crowd-Pleaser For Sure

[elaborate_burn · 8/10 · 5 April 2004]

Just saw this at the Phoenix Film Festival where it picked up the Best Director and Screenwriter Awards. While not my personal favorite of the entire festival, this was certainly the most likable film I saw at it. If this gets distribution, it could become a classic independent hit for sure, I think. Literally everyone I saw the film with loved it. All ages groups and races and everything. Just wonderfully acted and edited and scripted and the whole she-bang. Never dragged, never fell flat, all the humor worked effectively. Those who have never attended a film festival don't know how much of a relief it is when something like this film happens. Magnum energy all around. Just wish they could iron out the music rights so it could have a shot at distribution and the larger audience it deserves. A pure delight, if you don't mind superficial, far-fetched Gangster films...and many don't.

great fun!!

[filmcrazed-1 · 10/10 · 13 April 2004]

What a great movie!!

I attended a screening at the Phoenix Film Festival, and before entering I heard peoples comentary on how good this film was, as it had screened the day before. I had high expectations, and I must say I even got surprised with the quality of the filmmaking. The story is excellent. Acting is way above average. The technical aspects where perfect, and the ending is really great!! I don't wanna give anything away, but you will laugh really hard, unless you have no sense of humor whatsoever...

I heard later that the writers won best screenplay and the director won as the best director, even when bigger movies (in budget) were favorites.

They really deserve it, and I can't wait to see it again!!

Fantastic!!!!!

[denjoh3 · 10/10 · 22 May 2003]

I attended the Back East Picture Show in Hoboken, New Jersey and I was totally blown away!! This movie is so well done, with amazing camera work, a score that takes the great acting to new heights, and specially a great story, that makes you laugh (really hard!!) and sometimes cry... The movie actually won the award for best feature film, but it should have won all the awards, because it was light years beyond any other in this festival. I'm looking forward to see it in theaters. Don't miss it!!!

TERRIBLE!!

[bigsagua · 1/10 · 9 April 2004]

I saw this film at the Cinequest Film Festival. It was terrible. They obviously learned a lot of things. They learned a lot of camera swivels and such but it didn't work. It was trying too hard. I felt disconnected from the film. I didn't care about the characters. It wasn't funny. I didn't feel the drama. No one really had a moment. I didn't feel for anyone. The filmmakers enthusiasm was there, but the choices didn't work for the story. These people are going to get better, they seem to have observed a lot of films. But I don't want to notice the camera so much. I want to be moved and so absorbed in the story that I don't think about how they are trying to manipulate my senses and feelings. The highlight of the whole screening was nothing. Because, as I said and will continue to keep saying, with this film, You Got Nothin'. Good luck filmmakers--hope to see a better movie next time -- but I doubt it'll happen.

Very funny

[joan802002 · 10/10 · 13 April 2004]

I saw several movies at the Phoenix Film Festival, and the one I had most fun seeing was You Got Nothing. It is the funniest movie I have seen in a long, long time, and I loved the litlle girl in the movie.

I heard a lot of people talking about this movie, and if the buzz continues, it is deffinately going to fill theaters around the country.

For an independent movie, it looks like a bigger budget Hollywood movie, with really cool camera work.

But the girl is really one of the many highlights of the movie.

Check it out!!

Future hit for sure!!

[filmxprt · 10/10 · 18 April 2004]

When the movie was over, I had a hard time believing my own eyes and years. I had just seen a great movie, that in the future hopefully will be remembered as a classic independent movie turned into a big hit!!

This movie was so superior than any of the other in this festival, including the studio movies in the opening and closing nights. After the movie started, I was wondering if I was in the right theater, 'cause this didn't look at all like a festival movie, it was more like one of the bigger hollywood movies for it's superb filmmaking, great acting, and brilliant story line. I can't wait for it to get released in the theaters, I'm definately seeing it again, it was soooooo much fun.

Pure entertainment...it's exactly why people go to a movie!!!!

[pangel4499 · 10/10 · 9 June 2003]

This movie should be talked about in the same light as a Swingers, Brothers

McMullen, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I saw this at the Back East Picture

Show Film Festival in Hoboken -- where You Got Nothin', deservingly so, won

the Best Feature Film. The filmmakers somehow get you laughing one moment,

and only seconds later have the ability to move you. This is truly a rare gem for the festival circuit. The acting was impeccable...especially for an independent picture. Amazing camera work as well as directing. While it's not your typical "festival" picture, this is the kind of movie everyone will want to go see. You'll laugh out loud. A great, great, great film!!!!

Excellent Excellent Excellent!

[LoanThach · 9/10 · 9 March 2003]

This movie better get a big distrubution deal! Very entertaining for all audiences! Absolutely keep a look out for this actor/writer/director guy. The cast and crew did an a fantastic job. I saw it at Cinequest and I thought it was the best film I saw there! I hope more people see it! I would gush but I don't want to give anything away--go see this film if you have a chance!

I thoroughly enjoyed this film

[Barbchill · 7 August 2004]

You Got Nothing held my interest from the opening credits to the final scene. The screen play was well written and humorous. The direction was excellent. I think this movie is far superior to most of the movies being shown today and I feel it would appeal to many different audiences. It is funny. It is meaningful. The camera work was well done and helped the story line. The actors seemed real and they all seemed to understand the characters they were playing.

I don't understand why some distributor hasn't grabbed it up. It is the type of movie that will be appealing to a wide audience. When I saw it at the film festival in Hoboken, I know that audience walked out of the theater raving about it.

If you don't see this movie...fo'get about it!

[eemc2 · 7 March 2004]

I saw this excellent film at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose last year and thought it was the best film there. I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to see all the films at the festival in 2003 because I worked in the PR department. 'You Got Nothin' is subtly hilarious, the acting superb and the camera work is literally flawless. It has a very 'Reservoir Dogs' feel to it and the dark humor is pulled off by these darling actors brilliantly. I have to say, the scene between Joey (the main character) and Nickie (his girlfriend in the film and in real life) in the restaurant hallway is my favorite! Everyone I spoke with at the festival loved this film! If you get the chance, see this incredible film!

You Got Nothing certainly has something...

[Desertdback · 4 April 2004]

I just saw this film at Phoenix Film Festival. You Got Nothing certainly has something... It was definitely the funniest film that I have seen this year so far. The actors did a superb job at acting. This was a funny movie, that truly brought out true real characters.

The two main actors also both wrote the movie, which was very unique and Joey also directed it. After the film at the festival there was a Q and A and it was funny to see how well the two main actors got along and I think it really showed in their performances on screen. It reminded me some of Jon Faverau's MADE, but with a lot less blood and shall I say a little funnier.

The film looked great and it was so well edited and put together it truly looked like a high budget film, it was shot in High Definition and look superb. The score/soundtrack was great, I loved it! I certainly hope that this film can get released to more screens!

Excellent Movie; Guaranteed Hit/Big $$$-maker; Distributors- Where Are You?

[nicolekistner · 30 June 2004]

I watched the movie at the Phoenix Film Festival and it was a tremendous success. People walking out after the film couldn't stop raving about it. The film was professionally done; the characters were real and the acting superb. The movie, filled with humor and compassion, kept you interested from the beginning to the surprise ending. At the Awards ceremony, 5 major categories were considered: Best Film; Best Acting Ensemble; Best Director; Best Screenplay and Best Audience Award. 'You-Got-Nothin' was the only film nominated for all 5 awards. It won 2 of the Awards- Best Director and Best Screenplay. This despite the fact that Rick Schroeder, of NYPD fame, was in contention for both of them. While I did not see 'Break A Leg', which won the Best Film Award, the majority of the people that I spoke to after the Award ceremony that saw both of them said that 'You-Got-Nothin' 'was robbed'. During the Q&A after the movie, the Producer was asked what his next step would be? He indicated that his immediate goal was to get a distribution deal. I find it hard to believe that any Distributor that has seen this movie can pass it up. Any Distributor that has not seen the movie has so far 'missed the boat' and better 'get on the stick'. If the audience reaction at this Festival is any indication, this film is destined to be a Sure Hit and a Big $$$$$-winner. I, for one, look forward to seeing it again and any new work that these filmmakers produce.

Excellent First Effort from an Unknown Writer/Director/Actor

[nickiek · 22 June 2004]

I believe this movie has a high potential for finding an audience that will identify with the main character who "can't get out of his own way". The action and interaction between the characters is fresh and funny, and brings me back to an earlier time in my culture when kids with good hearts ended up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. They inspire us to help one another find direction in life and remind us of the need for a good friend or a helping hand. The characters in this movie are extremely likable, and I came to care about them very much. I wanted them to succeed because I was able to identify with their innate goodness despite extraordinary circumstances they got themselves into. The dialogue was cute and funny and kept my interest, as did the twisting plot. I kept waiting for a "bomb to drop" on one of them and hoped things would "work out". They almost did in the end, but at the final moment, the twist was also very true to life and well done. I highly recommend this light-hearted "first effort" because I believe it will go far. I can't wait for the actor's next movie and I hope the public will give this film a chance to shine - as I know it will.

Wonderfully executed and splendid performances. Rachel Langa is the one to watch.

[ccaines-1 · 7 November 2004]

Philip Angelotti and Steven Langa bring likable characters and beautifully executed comedy segments to their first rate debut effort. One memorable scene supports this comment nicely. Philip plays Joey, a not-so-bright debt collector for the mob. Joey is given an unpleasant assignment from his mob boss played by Joseph Cortese. The scene opens with a couple grieving over a deceased relative. The couple is in no hurry to pay their respects and move on. The camera catches the couple in the foreground of the frame and the viewing audience focuses on their performance. Seconds later, Joey's head pops up in the background of the frame as he waits impatiently to carry out his assignment. The timing is perfect and the subtle comedic element works very well.

The screenplay is better than many films that Hollywood cranks out. The story has sub plots that remain interesting and important throughout the entire run. They produced this film in digital high definition format. The DVD copy that I viewed was clear and the colors were bright and natural. It didn't appear that the lighting and cinematography were a challenge although there was no need to create stunning visuals to tell this story. Most of the scenes had a gritty urban setting.

I thought Brian McNamara was too handsome to be the bad guy in this film. His performance was good but I could not lose that pretty boy image when his character reached his lowest point in the third act. Rachel Langa stole this one. I believe she was only twelve when she played this role. This was her acting debut and she nailed it. Her father, Steven Langa, should be very proud.

I recommend this film highly. I viewed this film at the 2004 California Independent Film Festival in the beautiful Livermore wine country. Bravo to Philip, Steven, the entire cast and crew and all the staff at the festival.

Yo Buddy - See This Movie!

[jerseydoll · 31 July 2003]

I caught this darlin' flick at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose and almost bust my gut laughing. For a low-budget indie, I thought the movie had big buck production values. The lead actors had great on screen chemistry. The story was nicely woven - a great urban "buddy" film. I enjoyed the use of music within the film. The use of color in the sets and costumes was also exceptional. The break-away star of the film was the little girl, Rachel. At the festival they announced this was her first acting gig --- it will probably not be her last. I hope to see more of all the actors in this film in the next few years.

too derivative

[zimbean-4 · 5 April 2004]

I don't see this movie getting wide distribution, not because there are no big names attached but because it's just not interesting enough, uses too many recycled elements, from characters to cinematography to plot points. The acting is competent, the technical side is fine, but these can't make up for the script, which really does need some doctoring, and a fresh set of eyes, sorry guys. I think the filmmakers have become too close to the work to see its problems. I do respect the time and effort put into this movie, though.