First-time director Eric Eason's assured debut feature is a gritty urban drama shot on a shaky handheld DV camera for $25,000.

| Original Score: A- | Jun 24, 2006

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 6, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 8, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jul 16, 2005

The film shows a capsule of American urban life where few outside the community venture in. Eason hands out an invitation to do so. Accept it willingly.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 1, 2005

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jul 27, 2003

The digital camera itself becomes a major character because it gives any director with unique connections access to previously unfilmable subjects

| Original Score: B- | Jul 15, 2003

The movie barrels painfully through increasing misfortunes ... leaving filmgoers to walk out with the rawest of reactions.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 23, 2003

Ragged but intense, this compassionate little movie is stocked with enough skillful touches and sensitive moments to stir interest in Eason's future work.

Full Review | Jun 20, 2003

A mangy little movie that winds up -- surprise! surprise! -- leaving you genuinely moved and sadly bewildered.

| Jun 14, 2003

A low-budget wonder.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 13, 2003

A remarkably assured feature debut, Eric Eason's raw, intimate movie deftly captures the kinetic energy of its Washington Heights setting.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 13, 2003

A compelling slice-of-life narrative that draws much of its strength from its non-professional actors.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Jun 13, 2003

What Manito delivers that its cable 온라인카지노추천 cousins rarely seem interested in exploring are the tiniest details of the real urban 'hood where its stories take place.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 13, 2003

[Eason] has a quick-moving, incisive eye that captures little details of gesture and dcor ... and also an ear finely tuned to the nuances of talk.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 13, 2003

A solid, touching effort.

| Original Score: B+ | Jun 13, 2003

Eason has crafted a small, independent film that has an outsized impact.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 13, 2003

Where do the actors come from, who can walk into their first picture and act with such effortless effect?

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 13, 2003

Manito packs a visceral punch; it grabs hold and doesn't let go.

Full Review | Jun 12, 2003

Eason balances the clichs of a fairly standard story with convincing realism and a powerful momentum that never flags.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 12, 2003