User Reviews

Had potential... But the acting and direction often seemed forced and clunky. Had some well known film and TV stars, however they were bound and gagged by the script. Sorry but it's a fail for me

Canal Street is not a very good movie. The narrative is incoherent due to countless plot holes to maie the story even possible. The radio segments bring very little to an already exhausted film. The ending feels rushed to the point it's confusing. The cinematography throughout feels awkward, and it feels more like a straight-to-video film versus a theatrical release.

Canal Street

While Canal Street boasts the hope for the audience to look beyond racial views, instead shoves it in your face harder than snowplow. It's a shame since in the age of films like The Hate U Give, BlacKkKlansman and other groundbreaking films like this in 2018, Canal Street lacks any of the emotional weight to hang onto.

The film tells the story of a young black male named Kholi who recently moved to the neighborhood and befriends another male named Brian. After dropping Brian off from a party, he was found dead in the middle of the street and Kholi standing over his body. Then the world will find out in a highly publicized case will another black male fall under the court's decision.

While the inclusion of having well-known radio DJ's sharing their opinions brings a sense of realism to the film, it becomes too repetitive as it cuts back and forth constantly throughout the film.

The biggest problem I have with the film lays with the reveal of how everything came to happen to Brian. When we find out who does it, not only is it very unsatisfying and left me with the belief that none of the characters learned or grew from the situation. There was no changes or growth in the development of how characters see one another.

Canal Street boasts a star-studded cast but doesn't really challenge them as it should have. Nothing was learned, nothing was emotionally felt outside of the status quo and nothing left to say after seeing the movie.

Rating: 2.8 / 10

This is being written to counter all the 10/10 review written by the friends and relatives of the above-the-line crew. This is an abysmal film built around a decent premise, that wastes the talents of pretty much every actor involved. The constant switching to talk shows discussing the crime is full of self-importance, the "twist" is annoying, and the trial is just pure, hot garbage. Honestly, without some of the actors' efforts (not the lead, though... he was terrible), this would have rated zero stars. And for those of you praising the lack of profanity... Yes, isn't that just terrific? So clean and wholesome... Oh, except for the genuine footage of a young black man being shot through the head at close range. Yeah... So good that this was free from profanity. Dull AND disgusting.

Whoever wrote this mess has never seen a real trial. There are so many plot holes this would never have gone to trial. One of the worst movies I've ever seen.

I do not understand where the low ratings came from unless they watched a different movie??? The story is true of what happens in every city in the world if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time! Please just watch the movie and ignore ALL comments! Then rate for yourself.

Low budget and very bad acting. They used 7production compagnies. Executive producers they used 21in total. No wonder the acting in this movie is so bad, they had no money left for real actors.

I thought this movie touched on things that should be brought up. The acting could have been better but over all this movie keeps you interested. I'm not sure why the ratings are so low.

Canal Street has too many factual errors and a bit too much melodrama for me to give it a high rating. I do applaud the producers, crew, players for their sincere efforts to find common ground in the USA. A country deeply divided by the cutting edge of racism.

There was a line in Inherit The Wind where the Henry Drummond character talks about the forces of fanaticism that "are forever busy and need feeding"., Some event that they can exploit.

Such as it was with the death of Kevin Quinn in this film, a popular white kid from the Cook County suburbs found shot to death on his front lawn and left with a new friend who was black Bryshere 'Gray kneeling over him.

Gray is arrested for the crime and prosecuted in Chicago. The city is deeply divided as the various clips of commentators show. Blessed are the peacemakers indeed.

The producers of Canal Street could have used a lot of watching of Law And Order and its many spinoffs. Too many factual errors here that have been caught by me and fellow reviewers to give it a higher rating.

Based on the current rating (under 4 at this point) I almost passed over this film, but curiosity overcame me. It is a very moving, very authentic presentation of America's still-present racial profiling inclusive prejudice judgment. The acting is excellent, the story well done and very reflective of today's headlines. I would highly recommend it.

I watched an hour of this film. It was very boring and not very good acting either. Black lives matter did come into this a huge American movement. No i doubt if i will see the end unless it is on tv and i have nothing else to do.

It's interesting, but whenever people think that it's clever to make a movie based on race... it's usually not. It's almost always tired, worn out, hateful, misanthropic, insipid, and pointless. Like this piece. Years ago there were a lot of movies made which illustrated and celebrated differences in race. Watch one of those. Nothing made these days has any value it's just a money grab it doesn't even service societal purpose. Except to divide and demonstrate the infantile blather of also-rans who have no talent whatsoever. Take a deep breath, don't bother with this, don't hurt yourself running away and read the reviews on Internet movie database before you watch anything.

This is movie without a story. The actors perform lines from the script, but the bottom line is that nothing is being said. Too much religion, but no purpose, too much drama, but no consistent story, too many stereotypes and no reasoning. I watched the entire movie and felt empty in the end because there are no good guys, bad guys, no morality. I don't know why this movie was created. BET should do better quality control in its selection of black based theater. Not recommended.

Canal street does a superb job at not only incorporating and blending all races, but revealing how beautiful we could all be together if only we were willing to get uncomfortable.

Excellent film! A must watch for all of us.

I just finished watching this film Canal Street. I went in thinking i knew what i was going to see but the movie had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Great writing by Rhyan Lamarr and directing. Great acting by all the actors. Special shout to my Personal Mentor Kevin Mullens, your a Natural, i know you weren't acting!! The Plot twists at the end you think your ready but your not!! The Love of God will enter your Heart while watching this film. I highly recommend getting friends,family and fellowshiping together and watching this film. Your Faith will be watered. #CanalStreetTheMovie #MLKweekend #CanalStreet #CanalStreetMovie #MovieReview #breakeverychain

A stunning and realistic portrait of a black teen accused of the murder of a newfound white friend, also a teen. While the themes are familiar, the handling of the story, the plot, the characters is unique and different, with lines we might say instead of a movie character. We all may lose hope, but somewhere, from the Lord, Hope is always near enough to grab even in our darkest hours. The cast is excellent, all pros, and Bryshere Y. Gray breaks your heart as the teen jailed because he is found standing over his friend's body. Grey, aka Jazz the Greatest, also starred in the "EMPIRE" tv series and his style and effort give great credibility to the pain he suffers inside his head and far beyond the pain of being blamed and incarcerated. He is a talent that should be seen, as emotions and depth are strongholds. It is a "whodunnit," but an especially thrilling and touching great one. You will probably watch it twice - at least. You will know you can make it through anything with a stronghold of faith.

With all the current hatred in the world, this is another movie that depicts the injustices. Hopefully, we can learn and grow.

This film tackles a tough subject matter; but does so through the lens of faith, hope, and love. It also speaks to how the media plays a major role in our biases--both from a positive and negative perspective.

It is very fast paced, so there is never a dull moment; but it works and speaks directly to those who are used to getting their news from podcasts and social media.

I love that every person (ages 11 and up) I recommended watch this movie, not only saw themselves in at least one of the characters (an incredibly diverse cast); but also left feeling inspired by this film.

As an extra bonus, it was so refreshing to see a movie that did not have any curse words or sex scenes in it. I feel like that is worth repeating...not one curse word or sex scene. Taking that and the beautiful message that comes from this film into account, I give it 10 stars.

Chicago movie production is growing as it's evident that canal street is apart of that. The writers took their time on writing this one as it was able to show real world situations. It could have been longer and more in depth but still happy with the surprises.

Dope movie!! Sold out near me. I'm going back on the 24th to watch it again with friends.

I'm not exactly sure why this movie has so many low ratings. Please ignore the low ratings and give this movie a watch. I truly enjoyed it and will probably watch it again with my children. Unfortunately, this movie speaks to the crisis that minorities face everyday in this country. Some reviewers were negative about all the social media outlets throughout the movie but that's how things go every time this happens. There's no true justice. There's only the court of public opinion and the racist system that has already found you guilty just based off your race and background. Movies like this are a must watch!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.