Vicious Circle (2008 film)
Encyclopedia
Plot
Set on the streets of modern day Venice BeachVenice, Los Angeles, California
Venice is a beachfront district on the Westside of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is known for its canals, beaches and circus-like Ocean Front Walk, a two-and-a-half mile pedestrian-only promenade that features performers, fortune-tellers, artists, and vendors...
, Vicious Circle is a tragic punk rock Latino love story; a raw, edgy, teenage Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
with a murder mystery twist. We first see 18 year-old RJ (skateboard star, Paul Rodriguez Jr.
Paul Rodriguez Jr.
Paul Rodriguez III , also known by his nickname P-Rod, is a Mexican-American professional street skateboarder and actor.-Early life:...
) running through the streets of LA with a blood stained shirt and a gun in his backpack, leaving us to wonder, "What happened?" An artist and skater with a heart of gold, R.J. dreams of moving to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to pursue his dream of creating comic books. His hand-made sketchbook demonstrates his unique talent and acts as a portal between fantasy and reality. A strong influence of the game of chess from RJ's incarcerated father permeates his art and life; RJ lives by the rules of the game and knows the repercussions of one bad move. Soon, RJ meets Angel (Emily Rios
Emily Rios
Emily Clara Rios is an American actress and model.Rios, a Mexican American, was born in Los Angeles, California. She was raised as a Jehovah's Witness in the city of El Monte, California. Rios was discovered while shopping in an area shopping mall. She has appeared in the short For Them and...
), a rebellious singer in a local teenage punk band. Their unexpected story of true love causes the tides to turn in both lives, and RJ reveals a secret that could cost the life of his new love.
Release
Vicious Circle made its premiere at the 9th Annual New York International Latino Film FestivalNew York International Latino Film Festival
The New York International Latino Film Festival is a major Hispanic film festival located in New York City. The festival features over sixty films, shorts, and documentaries over the course of six days, along with other events focused on Latino culture....
on July 25, 2008 at the Director's Guild Theatre.
"Vicious Circle" Wins Best Picture at 2008 HBO New York International Latino Film Festival.
"Vicious Circle" Wins Audience Award 2008 Orlando International Film Festival.
"Vicious Circle" Official Selection 2009 Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles
"Vicious Circle" signs distribution deal with Maya Entertainment in 2009.
Cast
- Paul Rodriguez Jr.Paul Rodriguez Jr.Paul Rodriguez III , also known by his nickname P-Rod, is a Mexican-American professional street skateboarder and actor.-Early life:...
as R.J. - Emily RiosEmily RiosEmily Clara Rios is an American actress and model.Rios, a Mexican American, was born in Los Angeles, California. She was raised as a Jehovah's Witness in the city of El Monte, California. Rios was discovered while shopping in an area shopping mall. She has appeared in the short For Them and...
as Angel - Trevor WrightTrevor WrightTrevor Christopher Wright is an American actor.Wright was born in Pomona, California. His breakthrough acting role was in the 2007 film Shelter....
as Fin - Robert Zepeda as Smiler Sanchez
- Richard EdsonRichard EdsonRichard Edson is an American actor and musician.-Biography:Edson was born in New Rochelle, New York. He has one brother, Steven, who resides in the Boston area, and two sisters: Andrea, who resides in Newton, Massachusetts and Jennifer, who resides in New York City. His father Arnold was one of...
as John< - Idalis DeLeónIdalis DeLeonIdalis DeLeón is an American actress, singer, and television host.-Biography:DeLeón, who is of Puerto Rican ancestry, first began her career as a member of the girl group Seduction who scored a top ten hit "Two to Make it Right" in 1990. From 1994 to 1997, she was a MTV VJ...
as Helena - Perrey ReevesPerrey ReevesPerrey Reeves is an American film and television actress best known for her role on HBO's Entourage.- Life and career :...
as Sgt. Berger - Cody McMainsCody McMainsCody McMains is an American film and television actor, best known for playing Mitch Briggs in Not Another Teen Movie....
as Alfred - Clifton PowellClifton Powell-Movie career:Powell is known for playing the role of Pinky in the 2000 comedy film, Next Friday and its 2002 sequel, Friday After Next. Powell stars also in the Indie thriller Chain Letter.In 2009 he played "Bowman" in the film Just Another Day...
as Freddy - Paul Rodriguez Sr. as Professor
- Angelyna Martinez as CeCe Sanchez
- Drew OsborneDrew OsborneDrew Osborne, a young American actor, was born March 11, 1991, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the brother of actor Brandon Osborne.He began acting at the age of twelve after attending his first audition. He flew to California to film a documentary for the SciFi Channel Monsters of the UFO and...
as Young Fin - Mike DiazMike DiazMichael Anthony Diaz is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball between 1983 and 1988, for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox...
as Sgt. Gomez - Magdaleno "Guic One" Robles Jr as friend of Smiler
Crew
- Director: Paul Boyd
- Producer: Angelyna Martinez
- Line Producer: Joseph Devan
- Co-Producer: Juliah Rueckert
- Executive Producers: Mike Martinez, Lisa Martinez, Tim Martinez, and Juan Villarreal
- Cinematography: Denis Maloney
- Editing: Shane McLafferty
- Casting: Angelyna Martinez
Soundtrack
| Title | Artist |
|---|---|
| Opening Title | Asdru Sierra |
| "The Chase" | Asdru Sierra |
| "The Wake" | Asdru Sierra |
| "Nighthawks" | Wake Up Incinerate |
| "Restless Evil" | Cowboy Robot |
| "Dog Eat Dog" | TriggerFinger |
| "Little Tokyo" | Wake Up Incinerate |
| "Mad House" | Guic One DRP |
| "Savior" | Monster In The Machine Monster In The Machine Monster in the Machine is an alternative rock band featuring Shannon Crawford on vocals, keyboards and guitar, John Chase on guitar, Jay Kuri on drums and Lats on bass.... |
| "Gravel Sheets" | Wake Up Incinerate |
| "Fight" | The Dirges |
Awards
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | New York International Latino Film Festival New York International Latino Film Festival The New York International Latino Film Festival is a major Hispanic film festival located in New York City. The festival features over sixty films, shorts, and documentaries over the course of six days, along with other events focused on Latino culture.... |
Won | Best Film | Paul Boyd |