The Gristle (2001)

Two struggling L.A. medical assistants think they've finally caught their big break when they're hired to deliver black-market human organs to a wealthy U.S. Senator. But another criminal drop off involving thousands of dollars worth of cocaine scheduled for that same night throws a wrench in their plans. Our two young heroes quickly devise a plan to outsmart everyone and get ALL the cash for themselves, but will it work? Or will our friends discover that they are as expendable as the "gristle" on a chicken bone?

The Gristle - hilarious and so much more

This movie is so funny. Carsten Norgaard, who is way under-rated, was a shining star here. It takes more than one time to watch it, to get how funny it is. Of course, it does address the topic of racial issues and is done in such a clever way. You don't even really realize that this is the entire focus and theme. The characters develop and grow in a way you just don't see anymore. No shoot 'em up stuff, special effects, only great quality dialogue and interaction. The scene in the motel is nothing short of hilarious. Norgaard's appearance here is worth watching period. This movie is worth it's weight in gold. It received critical acclaim for good reason. Watch it, you'll be glad you did. January 19, 2008

Good enough to sink your teeth into

This movie explores racism as seen by different view points and how people need to get over the stereotypes they have in their minds. In the mean time, there's high pace action with comedy, shootouts, intrigue, twists, and more. It's a gotta see if you like gritty movies. October 22, 2007

Independent Dialouge du jour!

First Off this is NOT an action movie; its a movie about eight guys, four groups of two its got two black guys, two white secret service guys, an "Oreo cookie"(black & white)drug dealers, and two latino's. This movie is basically an indy movie about how mixed up things, that should be simple, can quickly get, and deals with stereotypes of every kind, not just racism against black's, and latino's but even racism & stereotypes about white people. It contains a !tload of dialouge, in a Tarantino-esque style, that will have you laughing, while making you think at the same time, and is in my opinion an extreamly well done piece of film work for an independent piece.
This movie is for people that not only have brain's, but also choose to apply there ability to use them. Prepare your self for an entertaining hour & a half that will keep your attention, a movie worth watching at least a few times. IF you enjoy this movie, others you may enjoy are:
1. Reservior Dogs, 2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, 3. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, 4. Snatch, 5. Blood Guts Bullets and Octane.

Remember in this world only one indoctrination/
there simply ain't no need for human segregation/
simply degrading, humiliatin, hatin additudes/
is all lableing provides as it atests as it proves/
kkk and the black panthers just another form of canser/
so ask the phukin question if u aint't afraid the answer/
And Dont bite my Flow's, my skills, muh beats or muh rhymes/
case none can compete with my lines, that defeat all in your mind!/ trademarked flow to all you rippers yah you know/
whu you is an where you gotta go, so punk @$$ take it out that Phukin door! hatin biters actin like blackwidow spiders!
but yuh all that same just sum dirty girly fighters!

PEOPLE don't let apperance cloud your additudes and oppinions!! April 25, 2005

The Gristle is a "Can't Miss-le!!!!!"

I don't want to spoil this movie for those who I hope will go and rent it. I was channel surfing and came across it and once I started watching it, I realized that this was a great "find." In the first place, the wife of one of the lead characters was a full-figured black woman. THis is when I knew the movie was "for real." IN the day of the Vanessa Williams-Michael Michelle-Irene Cara light-skinned age of beauty, it is good to see a movie casting a sister that looks like most of the women we know and love.

These two brothers are tight, and they share ideas. They talk about more than just run of the mill crap. They want to make movies that uplift the black image, they understand the power of racism and want to do something about it. In other words, they care about their people. The hustle they pull is designed to free themk from their jobs as orderlies, where they find htemselves washing the scrotum of a crusty old white man who teases them and uses the "n" word every chance he gets. So the two embark upon an "assignment" and have plans to spend their money on their movie idea.

What is good about "The Gristle" is that the white character and a black character are also very close. They are both killers and both very intelligent. The white guy, being foreign, doesn't like to hear or use the "n" word,although his friend does. The white man is the black man's conscience because he cannot understand why the brother cracks on his race hte way he does. An important point that could generate some seroius discussion.

Issues of race permeate the movie, from the two Latino brothers who come in to purchase some dope, the two black men who are on their way to deliver a kidney, and the white-black killer team who are there to sell some dope. This is the way to deal with such an emotional issue in a society that is too gutless to face it head on. There is NO romance in this movie, which opens it up to concentrate on the racial discussions that each of these dyads has as separate groups, and then when they meet and interact together.

"The Gristle is a "Can't Miss-le!" October 25, 2004

Hilarious crime comedy

Now infamous as the first indie film (in fact, the first FILM) that was financed by a loan from the Federal Small Business Administration, The Gristle is a surprisingly effective crime comedy that doubles as a spoof on race.

The writing, directing, and producing is by a trio of young black filmmakers who hold forth in an extra that comes with the DVD on how the film was made, and their biting intelligence shines in both the interview and especially the film. Some of the dialogue is absolutely hilarious--in fact, a good chunk of it is--and the acting by pros Michael Dorn (remember him from Star Trek?), Barry Corbin, Orson Bean, and Richard Riehle is perfect. Even the supporting players are very good, and the two producers of the film double as actors here and do a more than credible job.

The plot concerns a mix-up of illegal kidneys and cocaine, involving two black guys (our heroes, the producers)--hospital attendants looking for the good life; a black and white duo (Dorn and a new actor, forgot his name, playing a German-American; the two are small-time hoods out for the big score as well) who are doing a coke deal with two Cubans, and two white guys (Riehle and another actor who I don't know). The characters are all very well drawn, and the lines are truly funny.

As well, a hilariously conservative white family who hates Jews, blacks, gays, and everyone else not like them, and an extremely funny gay guy in a wheelchair who is the concierge at the run-down motel where all eight of our players converge adds to the wicked humor on display here.

I was really surprised by how good this was, given the absolute drivel that can unfortunately be churned out in the reel to reel mill, whether Hollywood or indie. This one is a winner. Hey, if you like black comedy (yes, pun intended), crime comedy, wacky comedy, or just plain comedy, check it out. October 21, 2004

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