Rarely these days do we find gems in the garbage pile that is the indy movie scene. I was lucky enough to stumble upon not 1, but 2, really good dramas, both, oddly starring Chazz Palminteri.

The first movie, PUSH, is a movie about three friends who stumble upon a large bag of Ecstasy, and decide to go into the drug business, with the true owner of the product. Of course, the cliche dividing of the friends and extravagant lifestyles leads to their demise, but what is most impressive about this film, is the acting of lead Chad Linberg. Normally I believe anyone can act in a movie, but this guy really did an artful and inspirational job in his role. There is some good dialogue in the film, which was written and directed by Dave Rodriguez, as well as good acting, some action, and suspense on how it will all go down. ***

The second Palminteri film, is A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS, based upon a memoir by Dito Montiel. Dito based the book and film around his youth, growing up in New York in the 1980's. The characters are based upon people he knew, and actual events (though he admits some things were changed and events hyped up). Its a real gritty coming of age tale, with Dito having to return home to all his old ghosts, and a father that no longer loves him, and is dying. A really gripping movie, and anything that has Robert Downey Jr. is always worth watching. ***

There ya go, check em out and enjoy. I guarantee these movies are better that the regular Hollywood scene, that churns out shit like Norbit, Wild Hogs, and Stomp The Yard.