3 out of 5

Director: Curtis Franklin

For those who have seen any urban “life on the streets is tough” kind of dramas, this – at a surface level – is nothing new. And there are plenty of no-budget films that mine the same plot territory, so you just remove name brand actors, lower the film quality, and there you go. But honestly, there’s something stirring in 17000 Block that kept me interested beyond the majority of this genre, and it impressed as a no-budget entry for its avoidance, for the most part, of trying to impress. Don’t get me wrong – many of the usual eye-rollers are there, as far as the average acting and soap-operay piecemeal plot, but it’s almost all average (instead of awful) with some moments that rise above – elements of the plot that would normally go for either high morals or gritty street morals find a nice, realistic balance, and the violence and language that are present don’t seem excessive (which most of these films increase – with at least one Scarface reference – as, assumedly, a method of seeming more “true.”). Due to the intelligence laced into some plot elements, I was interested enough to listen to the interviews, and director / writer / actor Curtis Franklin (who is also Al Nuke, the lead) came across as very aware of his desires and abilities, whereas some of the other actors interviewed were mostly just interested in repping their street cred. And discovering that Mr. Franklin is also a musician – while he raps in the movie – 17000 Block mostly avoids glorifying his abilities, which was another surprisingly modest touch. So look – it’s nothing new. But if you want to see some intelligence and promise in this repetitive genre, and enjoy seeing formative talent in low, low budget productions, I would suggest this.