Knuckle Draggers had it’s L.A. Premiere to a sold out crowd with many stars attending. Some coverage was provided by CC Perkinson of CC Variety TV. Interviews and coverage of Sean Patrick Flanery, Paul J Alessi, Brian Perry, Jolane Lentz, Justin Baldoni, and Serah D’Laine…

I recently dived into a fantastic film called Knuckle Draggers, a delightful romantic comedy…

Clifford Kiyabu – aka TCW My Thoughts: What makes a man a man? Is it measured in his self confidence, his successes or his toughness and arrogance, or is a man’s true worth of being attractive to the opposite sex measured in his inner sensitivity? whatever the answer may be the one that most men look to is: what do women really want in a man? The answer isn’t as simple as men would hope, nor is it any easier the other way around for their female counterpart which is what really divide men and women into being opposites, men want apples and women want oranges simple as that, right? WRONG! nothing is ever that simple when swimming through these waters, but as the saying goes, ‘opposites attract!’ … READ MORE

Greg Wright’s (Past The Popcorn) Knuckle Draggers Movie Review

The spirit of Barry Levinson is apparently alive and well… and living in L.A.

A cadre filmmakers led by east coast expatriates has been working together on low-budget projects for a number of years and has now turned out a romantic comedy as engaging (and still relatively wholesome and endearing!) as anything I’ve seen since, frankly, Diner. The ensemble cast is led by producers Paul J. Alessi (raised in Queens) and Amie Barksy (New Jersey); crewmembers Reuben Steinberg (cinematography) and writer/director Alex Ranarivelo are veterans of several Alessi/Barksy-produced films; and also along for more than their first ride with the producers are supporting players Brandon Olive, Karrie MacLaine, James D. Owens… and others, I’m sure.

To date, Alessi and Barsky’s oeuvre has been shorts; but clearly, they’ve not only been learning the ropes as they’ve worked their way up to their first feature-length production, they’ve also been having fun and building up a solid core of professionals with whom to work consistently. That investment has paid off, and the newcomers to the crew blend in seamlessly. I wouldn’t mind working with these folks, either, if I were in the biz—and I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing a lot more of these characters.

I also expect I’ll be watching Knuckle Draggers a few more times over the years. Hopefully, you’ll be able to as well!

At the … READ MORE

Setting up stall in the crowded rom-com market is a difficult task.

The problem facing writer/director Alex Ranarivelo is how to make your commentary on relationships speak to the audience; to make your voice heard above the myriad other groups of pretty, commitment phobic thirty-somethings trying to work their lives out.

Ranarivelo’s answer is simple: character. And this is how he, and the film, succeeds.

Knuckle Draggers is a 2009 film from Partners in Crime Films and it is an excellent way to spend an evening. Do not give in to your preconceptions of Indie Romance(TM) and let this charming film work its spell. It is surprising because it succeeds in building up the prejudices and stereotypes inherent in the genre before pulling the rug from under our feet. Don’t get me wrong – the … READ MORE

(Pt 1 – Intro at Delray Beach Film Festival)

(Pt 2 – Award Ceremony)

(Pt 3 – Interviews)

I don’t know how Paul J. Alessi does it.  Somehow, he manages to juggle acting, producing, playing sports and donating some time to charity events.  I recently had the pleasure of reviewing one of his films called Knuckle Draggers, and it was a given that after having seen such an amazingly well crafted film, that I’d jump at the chance to interview Paul about it as well as about some of the other great things he’s got going on in his career…. READ MORE