Harlem Hostel (2010) User Reviews

As bad as the 3.5 rating suggests

[vierlingjr · 3/10 · 13 January 2011]

Yes, it is low budget; yes, it has no-name actors; yes, it has low production values; AND YES, IT STINKS. I am writing this because the only other review on IMDb says that the movie is terrific and, unfortunately, that review sucked me into to giving it a chance...a decision I regretted 15 minutes into the film. In addition to having really poor acting, sets, costumes, and editing.....the story itself stinks. The dialogue was stiff and unnatural as were the characters. The slice of life storytelling did have some interesting situations (like operating an illegal hostel in Harlem), but none were brought to life. In summary, this movie is a good school project in filmmaking and is deserving of being viewed by the class instructor AND NO ONE ELSE.

Really Great Film, Lots Of Fun

[chicagopoetry · 7/10 · 7 May 2010]

Harlem Hostel brings back memories of the golden age of low budget comedy cinema, when films like Cooley High actually got played in the theaters. This piece of art has a plot and it doesn't have a plot. On the one hand the concept of a group of young adults buying an abandoned building and turning it into an illegal youth hostel is original, but on the other hand nothing formulaic or stereotypical happens here. Nobody gets killed. There isn't any gross sex jokes. The tone is generally mellow and realistic. The unknown actors do an extremely good job keeping this comedy slash drama going. There are a few moments of hilarity, such as Bill Clinton drawn in marker on someone's belly or the line "think bell hop not hip hop," but this movie doesn't resort to Booty Call slapstick or Risky Business glamor. Instead, it remains a silly, kind, gentle story about a group of friends that doesn't portray Harlem as a bad place but just another place. It's a surprisingly quiet, subtle film that I think represents the beginning of some very important careers. Bravo.

Great movie!

[Matthew12222 · 9/10 · 7 June 2010]

For the type of lower budget movie with an unknown cast, it's AMAZING! I mean there are a few areas were money and more time might have improved things, BUT overall the actors did AMAZING I'd say better than some of the generic actors in 90% of Hollywood movies. Also unlike Hollywood very little seems over dramatized. There's a very down to earth feel about things. There were little or no parts that dragged on and on.

It's a shame to see it's got such a bad reviews. What? People don't recognize actors names so they think it's bad? Doesn't have your favorite Hollywood idol? People should really go out and see this. Give it a chance it's a good story.

WOW!!! Great Flick

[cmitch318-63-563334 · 10/10 · 25 May 2011]

I just watched this flick on Netflix and was pleasantly surprised. This is a very good film...point blank. I recommend this to anyone who likes independent flicks with solid story lines and acting. The acting was way better than I expected which lended itself to great character texture. I 'believed' the actors.

The story was unpredictable; I was surprised by some of the twists the story took. All in all, it stayed on course and got its point across. The cinematography was on point as was the editing. This is just an overall great product!!

From the opening the final credits I stared st the screen wondering why I'd never heard of the film. I would love to have this on DVD in my library!! Good job Nestor and crew!!!