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One of the most emotional segments of the annual SAG Awards ceremony is the “In Memoriam.” Netflix will live stream the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday with host Kristen Bell.

Among the Oscar winners and nominees who will have their lives celebrated are Teri Garr, Louis Gossett, Jr., James Earl Jones, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Gena Rowlands, Maggie Smith, and honorary recipient Donald Sutherland. Some of the past Primetime Emmy winners and nominees include John Amos, Dabney Coleman, Shelley Duvall, Linda Lavin, Martin Mull, Bob Newhart, and Alan Rachins,

Seesag Life Achievement award: Full gallery of recipients since 1995

There are more than 100 actors and actresses who died since the last SAG Awards ceremony:

Marla Adams

Anouk Aimée

Jean Allison

John Amos

Erich Anderson

John Aprea

Niels Arestrup

Erica Ash

John Ashton

Susan Backlinie

Barbara Baldavin

Bobby Banas

Terrence Beasor

Joan Benedict

Meg Bennett

Robyn Bernard

Mark Blankfield

Tom Bower...

Since the days of cinema classics like Ben-Hur, fantasy movies have set the benchmark for quality, high-budget entertainment, as can be seen in iconic franchises like The Lord of the Rings. From focusing on heroes embarking on epic quests to reimaginings of beloved fairy tales, the 1990s gave audiences some of the most enjoyable entries in the genre, though with an emphasis on smaller budgets, comedy, and animation.

The 1990s saw something of a slump in fantasy cinema, as the '80s had no shortage of campy flops in the genre, but still remains a great decade for family-oriented adventure. From worlds populated by knights and dragons to reboots of classic Universal Monsters, the decade is practically synonymous with adventure. With many of these movies still household names for fantasy fans, it's worth remembering some of the best the '90s had to offer.

The Phantom Revived A 1930s Comic...

Noted character actor John Capodice reportedly passed away a few days ago. Capodice was known for playing supporting roles in multiple shows and films. On TV, he was best known for his role in Seinfeld as the Laundromat Vic and in General Hospital.

Capodice has been a small but noticeable part of films like Jacob’s Ladder, the Jim Carrey-starrer Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and Wall Street. He also played the ill-fated bus driver Bob in the Keanu Reeves-starrer Speed, in which he has a cheerful conversation with Reeves’ character.

John Capodice performed with Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves A still from Ace Ventura: Pet Detective | Credits: Warner Bros.

Character actors are often the unsung heroes of cinema. What they do might not look as glamorous and important as the lead and supporting casts, but their contribution to the reality of the film is priceless. Many character...

Character actor John Capodice, whose roles included a memorable performance as a law enforcement officer in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, has died. He was 83 years old.

Capodice's death was confirmed by a post on the website of the Pizzi Funeral Home in Northvale, New Jersey. A cause of death was not divulged, though Capodice died on Monday, Dec. 30, according to his obituary. It was noted that the actor "was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him."

Born in Chicago on Christmas Day in 1941, Capodice had just celebrated his 83rd birthday. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966, he began performing as an actor on the stage. He found early success by appearing in the play Getting Out, which won two Outer Critics Circle Awards in 1979. He also performed alongside John Lithgow and George Segal in a Broadway...

Prolific character actor John Capodice passed away this week at the age of 83. But that’s no excuse for anybody to pour out a bag of cement into a washing machine in his honor.

In his nearly five decades working in film and on television, Capodice accrued an absolute laundry list of credits that includes so many all-time classics like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Boy Meets World, Speed, Independence Day and, of course, Seinfeld, on which he played the honest laundromat owner Vic whom Jerry and Kramer victimize because they don’t understand how liability works. In the classic Seinfeld Season Two episode “The Revenge,” the noxious neighbors commit an act of commercial terror, destroying one of Vic’s washing machines after falsely accusing him of theft.

Today, film and TV fans across America pay their respects to Capodice’s immense body of work, with his loss felt as dearly...

General Hospital (Gh) spoilers and updates for Thursday, January 3 tease lost opportunities, following rules, and bringing into the loop.

Next On General Hospital

Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins) is angry over lost opportunities, Charlotte Cassadine (Scarlett Fernandez) is told she has to follow the rules, and Sasha Corbin (Sofia Mattsson) brings someone into the loop.

General Hospital Spoilers – An Old Friend’s Advice

During the Gh preview for Friday, Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) has a conversation with her old friend Curtis Ashford, (Donnell Turner) and from the look on her face, it seems their conversation is about Drew Quartermaine (Cameron Mathison). It’s a hard situation for both of them, being double-crossed by someone they both thought they knew. It’s doubly hard for Nina, since she’s been involved with Drew and he’s cheated on her with her own daughter!

Curtis is no doubt telling her to tell Willow...

Actor John Capodice, who was probably best known for his roles in movies such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and TV shows including Seinfeld and General Hospital, has died at the age of 83. One of those stars who has been seen by millions, even though many may not have his name on the tip of their tongue, Capodice leaves behind a body of work that incorporates over 200 acting credits.

Although Capodice never had that lead role, or long-running stint in a TV show, he certainly made his mark in the industry. That can be seen in the tributes that poured in on social media following the announcement of the actor’s passing. The news of his death was announced in a posting by the Pizzi Funeral Home, which read:

“John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him.

General Hospital spoilers and updates reveal John Capodice, celebrated for his portrayal of Carmine Cerullo from 1994 to 1996, passed away at the age of 83 on Monday, December 30, 2024. Born on Christmas Day in 1941 in Chicago, Illinois, Capodice embarked on his film and television journey in the late 1970s.

General Hospital Spoilers – First TV Role In Ryan’s Hope

His debut came with a role in Ryan’s Hope, where he captivated audiences in six episodes as Lloyd Lord. His extensive career spans decades and boasts an impressive array of guest appearances on a multitude of television series.

They include such shows as Seinfeld, Murder, She Wrote, Another World, Knots Landing, Law & Order, Will & Grace, and many others.

He amassed more than 150 acting credits throughout his career, as noted by IMDb. Capodice carved out a unique niche for himself, often portraying three distinct archetypes: intimidating mobsters, tough-as-nails police officers, and rugged working-class characters.

John Capodice, a seasoned character actor known for his dynamic roles in films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and television shows such as ‘General Hospital’ (Gh) spoilers where he portrayed Carmine Cerullo, has passed away at the age of 83. His death was confirmed on the Pizzi Funeral Home website, though the cause of death has not been disclosed.

‘General Hospital’ Alum John Capodice (Carmine Cerullo) Dead At 83

Born on December 25, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, John Capodice shared his birthday with the holiday spirit of Christmas. He later served his country in the U.S. Army during the mid-1960s, stationed in Korea. After completing his military service, Capodice moved to New York City, where he embarked on a journey to fulfill his passion for acting.

Capodice’s career began on the stages of New York’s Off-Broadway scene, where his talent and dedication to the craft set the foundation for his enduring career.

News has come out that an actor known for his work on General Hospital has passed away this past Monday. The actor had a notable career in film, stage, and television. He was 83 at the time of his death.

The Actor Appeared In A Variety Of Soaps Over The Years, Including General Hospital & Ryan’s Hope

The actor’s death, which took place this past Monday, was confirmed by a New Jersey funeral home. Notably, he had appeared in a variety of projects over the years, including General Hospital in the 1990s.

John Capodice was a veteran actor who had a career spanning decades. He had been 83 at the time of his death. At this time, his cause of death has not been revealed.

John Capodice – YouTube

As noted by TMZ, Capodice was born on Christmas Day in Chicago in 1941. Before getting into acting, he served in the U.S. Army in Korea.

John Capodice has died at the age of 83.The veteran actor - who is best known for appearing in 1994 comedy movie ‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’ and for his roles in 'Ryan's Hope' and ‘General Hospital’ - passed away on Monday (30.12.24), the website for Pizzi Funeral Home in New Jersey has confirmed.No cause of death has been revealed as of yet.The funeral home described Capodice as “a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him”.Born in December 1941 in Chicago, Illinois, Capodice began his career in the late 1970s with the ABC TV soap opera ‘Ryan’s Hope’, in which he played Lloyd Lord in six episodes.Capodice starred opposite the likes of Jim Carrey, Sean Young and Courteney Cox in the 1994 comedy movie ‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’, in which he portrayed Sgt. Aguado.Capodice’s other film...

Veteran character actor John Capodice, who played Carmine Cerullo in six episodes of General Hospital in the 1990s, has died. He was 83. Capodice’s passing was confirmed by a listing on New Jersey’s Pizzi Funeral Home website. A cause of death was not disclosed. “John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him,” the obituary reads. Born on December 25, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, Capodice was a member of the US Army from 1964 to 1966, serving in Korea. After returning to the U.S., he began his acting career, appearing on stage, television, and in many films. His first on-screen role came in the late 1970s when he starred as Lloyd Lorn in six episodes of the ABC soap opera Ryan’s Hope. He would go on to appear in numerous other classic TV series, including Kate & Allie, Moonlighting, Seinfeld,...

John Capodice, whose acting credits include Ace Venture, General Hospital and Ryan’s Hope, has died. He was 83.

Capodice died on Monday, Dec. 30, according to an announcement made on the New Jersey Pizzi Funeral Home website. It did not list a cause of death. The funeral home described the actor as “a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him.”

Born in 1941 in Chicago, Capodice fought for the U.S. Army in Korea from 1964 to 1966, the website also said, before he ventured into acting in the late ’70s.

His first role was in the ABC soap opera Ryan’s Hope, where he appeared in six episodes as Lloyd Lord. He had guest roles on numerous other television series, including Spenser: For Hire, Kate & Allie, Seinfeld, Murder She Wrote, Murphy Brown, Knots Landing, Hunter, and Law & Order.

Capodice appeared on the...

John Capodice, a character actor best known for roles in “Ace Ventura” and “General Hospital,” died on Monday. He was 83.

The news was confirmed on the website for Pizzi Funeral Home in New Jersey, although no cause of death was given.

Born in 1941 in Chicago, Ill., Capodice fought for the U.S. Army in Korea from 1964-1966 before moving into an acting career in the late 1970s.

His first role was on the ABC soap “Ryan’s Hope,” appearing in six episodes as Lloyd Lord. A lengthy array of TV guest star credits would follow, including “Seinfeld,” “CSI,” “Ellen,” “Another World,” “Knots Landing,” “Law & Order,” “Will & Grace,” “Spenser: For Hire,” “Kate & Allie,” “As the World Turns,” “Moonlighting,” “Murphy Brown,” “Melrose Place,” “Mad About You,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “Six Feet Under,” “The West Wing” and “Murder, She Wrote.”

On “General Hospital,” Capodice played Carmine Cerullo from 1994-1996 in six episodes of the soap opera.

John Capodice, an acting veteran whose credits included Ryan’s Hope, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, General Hospital and Seinfeld, died December 30. He was 83.

The announcement was made on the website of the New Jersey Pizzi Funeral Home and did not list a cause of death.

The funeral home called Capodice “a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him.”

Born on Christmas Day 1941, Capodice was a character actor who starred in some of the biggest American TV shows and movies during a lengthy career. He still was voice acting as recently as 2023.

He first landed a role on ABC-tv soap Ryan’s Hope as Lloyd Lord in the late 1970s. Other big roles included Ace Ventura, in which he appeared as a detective, and General Hospital, in which he played Carmine Cerullo in the 1990s.

Capodice played a laundromat owner in...

Character actor John Capodice, known for his roles in General Hospital and Ace Ventura among others, died Monday, a listing on New Jersey’s Pizzi Funeral Home website, reveals. He was 83.

Capodice played Carmine Cerullo from 1994-1996 in six episodes of the soap opera and appeared as a police officer who was dismissive of Carrey’s pet detective in the 1994 movie.

An actor who appeared on stage, TV and film, Capodice’s other film credits include roles in Wall Street, The Doors, Honeymoon in Vegas, Speed and Independence Day.

He had an extensive list of TV show guest-star credits including CSI, Seinfeld, Ellen, Another World, Knots Landing, Law & Order, Will & Grace, Spenser: For Hire, Kate & Allie, As the World Turns, Moonlighting, Murphy Brown, Melrose Place, Mad About You, Diagnosis Murder, Six Feet Under, The West Wing and Murder, She Wrote. His first TV role was in six...

John Capodice, known for playing Carmine Cerullo (on and off from 1994-1996) on General Hospital, died at 83 on Monday, December 30, 2024. Capodice was born on Christmas Day, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois. He began his film and television career in the late 1970s and landed his first role in Ryan’s Hope, where he appeared […]

The post John Capodice Dies: General Hospital Alum Was 83 appeared first on Soap Opera News.

The most influential movies today are based on superhero comics. However, before the era of caped and costumed heroes, there was the age of pulp magazines. Popular until the 1950s, these magazines featured a wide range of heroes, from adventurers to noir detectives to horror protagonists. Pulp heroes were, in many ways, the precursors to modern superheroes.

After the success of Tim Burton’s Batman, an influx of pulp-inspired movies emerged in the 1990s. This era appealed to an older generation nostalgic for simpler heroes, while also embracing the stylish aesthetics of the 1930s and 1940s. Pulp-inspired movies were simpler, less flashy, and often cheesier than today’s superhero blockbusters, yet they retained a unique charm.

The Phantom was Arguably the First Superhero

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General Hospital spoilers and updates tease Carmine Cerullo, formerly played by John Capodice, returns for Brook Lynn Quartermaine’s (Amanda Setton) wedding to Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard). Actor George Russo has been cast as Brook Lynn’s Bensonhurst grandpa.

General Hospital Spoilers – If Only They Could Have Recreated Lois Cerullo’s Big Wedding

If only they could have recreated Lois Cerullo’s (Rena Sofer) big wedding, but time constraints over Gregory Chase’s (Gregory Harrison) health force them to marry as soon as possible. Right now, it looks like May 15 for the airdate because that’s when Russo appears as Carmine.

Brook Lynn has a lot of Cerullo relatives besides her grandpa and grandma, Gloria Cerullo (Ellen Travolta) who viewers saw at Christmas-no word if she’ll return.

The rest of Brook Lynn’s family includes Lois’ siblings, Mark (Richard Tanner) Louie (Tony Mangano), Francine (uncast) & Chuck Cerullo (uncast).

Their children,...

It seems that more of Brook Lynn Quartermaine’s (Amanda Setton) family is coming to Port Charles, as The Offer actor George Russo has been cast as the character’s grandfather. As reported by MichaelFairmanTV, Russo will join General Hospital as Carmine Cerullo. Long-time viewers will remember Carmine as Lois Cerullo’s (Rena Sofer‘s) father back when she was married to Ned Quartermaine (Wally Kurth). Brook Lynn is Lois and Ned’s daughter. Carmine was originally portrayed by John Capodice. He appeared on the soap on and off from 1994 to 1996, featuring in six episodes in total. Russo is set to tape his episode on Monday, April 15, according to MichaelFairman, and it is scheduled to air on May 15. This means he will likely arrive just in time for Brook Lynn and Harrison Chase’s (Josh Swickard) upcoming wedding. The role marks Russo’s soap opera debut. The veteran actor is...

Family and friends gather to celebrate Christmas on The Doctors (1967), Guiding Light (1979), General Hospital (1981), EastEnders (1986), Search for Tomorrow (1986), All My Children (1986) As the World Turns (1995), Another World (1996) and Days of our Lives (2001)."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam (Olan Soule) was relieved to learn that Janet had safely given birth to a healthy child after a grueling, perilous labor. Sam's relief was so great that he appeared to be in shock and could only respond to questions with grunts and murmurs. Janet was exhausted but ecstatically happy,...

Family and friends gather to celebrate Christmas on The Doctors

(1967), Guiding Light (1979), General Hospital (1981),

EastEnders (1986), Search for Tomorrow (1986),

All My Children (1986) As the World Turns (1995),

Another World (1996) and Days of our Lives (2001).

"History is a vast early warning system."

― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam (Olan Soule) was relieved to learn that Janet had safely given birth to a healthy child after a grueling, perilous labor. Sam's relief was so great that he appeared to be in shock and could only respond to questions with grunts and murmurs. Janet was exhausted but ecstatically happy, and moved by the fact that her baby daughter's...

NYPD Blue, the first cop show to really up the ante since co-creator Steven Bochco’s Hill Street Blues, was going strong early in season one. Bochco, along with David Milch, had brought to the small screen a procedural that also focused on character, and a spate of writers and character actors that gave the show its home-grown feel. Round five of our episode-by-episode recap is no practical joke.

Season 1, Episode 5

Emission Accomplished

Original Air Date: October 19th, 1993

As I’ve mentioned a couple of times now, we’re still not quite into what will become the normal groove for the show. Part of that entails three teams of detectives, working as partners, who catch cases as they come in, usually focusing on two cases per episode. Since we’re not quite there, there have been a lot of detectives just kinda wandering around the squad room, some with file folders,...

Rank the week of July 5th’s Blu-ray and DVD new releases against the best films of all-time: New Releases Hobo With A Shotgun

(DVD and Blu-Ray | Nr | 2011)

Flickchart Ranking: #3839

Times Ranked: 1526

Win Percentage: 47%

Top-20 Rankings: 7

Directed By: Jason Eisener

Starring: Rutger Hauer • Gregory Smith • Molly Dunsworth • Brian Downey • Nick Bateman

Genres: Action • Adventure • Crime • Crime Thriller • Thriller

Rank This Movie

Wake Wood

(DVD and Blu-Ray | Nr | 2011)

Flickchart Ranking: #15374

Times Ranked: 35

Win Percentage: 32%

Top-20 Rankings: 0

Directed By: David Keating

Starring: Eva Birthistle • Ella Connolly • Amelia Crowley • Aidan Gillen • Timothy Spall

Genres: Drama • Horror

Rank This Movie

13 Assassins

(DVD and Blu-Ray | Nr | 2010)

Flickchart Ranking: #2732

Times Ranked: 1084

Win Percentage: 59%

Top-20 Rankings: 8

Directed By: Takashi Miike

Starring: Koji Yakusho • Takayuki Yamada • Yusuke Iseya • Gorô Inagaki • Masachika Ichimura

Genres: Action • Ensemble Film • Period Film • Samurai Film

Rank This Movie

Bloodrayne: The Third Reich

(DVD and Blu-ray | R | 2010)

Flickchart Ranking: #17903

Times Ranked: 30

Win Percentage: 42%

Top-...

Or does he? I honestly don't know if this is real. I have no idea what it is, though it appears to be a trailer for a darkly comedic gangster film from director Nicolas Winding Refn. We've heard nothing about this until now. But here's some footage with David Proval from The Sopranos, John Capodice (the actor who is basically a walking incarnation of Jersey), and a decidedly grindhouse-style trailer narration. What the hell is going on with Vinnie & Mario? I was a bit gobsmacked to have a look at Twitch and see this trailer right at the top of the page. So was Twitch's Todd Brown, it seems, and he's usually way more in the loop about stuff like this than mere mortals. Besides, between making Bronson and Valhalla Rising and doing press for both, Refn couldn't have made another movie. Could he? "I used to make people disappear,...

Nicolas, where do you find the time?  Hard on the heels of Bronson and Valhalla Rising and with not a single word of warning that this was in the works - no listing on the IMDb or at the Danish Film Institute - a trailer has just arrived for a new action comedy from Pusher creator Nicolas Winding Refn. 

Starring veteran Us character actors David Proval and John Capodice as a pair of aging mob enforcers the picture is titled Vinnie & Mario and is slated for a theatrical release in Denmark December 26th.  Check the trailer below!

Just when you thought that Tara Reid's career was over, THR is now reporting that she has joined the cast of the indie comedy "Last Call." The new movie is a buddy film that stars Travis Van Winkle (Friday the 13th) and Ryan Hansen (Friday the 13th) as cousins forced to run a family pub. The supporting cast includes Christopher Lloyd, Tom Arnold, Dave Foley, Diora Baird, Clint Howard, John Capodice, David DeLuise and Richard Riehle. Greg Garthe is making his feature directorial debut on the film, written by Scott Donnelly and Erik Lindsay (American Pie Presents Beta House). The production is currently shooting in and around Los Angeles.

In a story from The Hollywood Reporter Tara Reid is coming aboard the indie comedy Last Call.

Also starring in this film are Travis Van Winkle and Ryan Hansen. They play cousins who have to run the family business: a pub.

Other cast memebers are Christopher Lloyd, Tom Arnold, Dave Foley, Diora Baird, Clint Howard, John Capodice, David DeLuise and Richard Riehle.

Greg Garthe is directing this movie which was penned by Scott Donnelly and Erik Lindsay.

The film is presently shooting in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.

Tara Reid is joining the cast of the indie comedy "Last Call." The buddy film stars Travis Van Winkle and Ryan Hansen as cousins forced to run a family pub.

The supporting cast includes Christopher Lloyd, Tom Arnold, Dave Foley, Diora Baird, Clint Howard, John Capodice, David DeLuise and Richard Riehle.

Greg Garthe is making his feature directorial debut on the film, written by Scott Donnelly and Erik Lindsay. The film is being produced by Shannon Riggs and Joe Di Maio alongside Donnelly and Garthe through their Mineola Films. Executive producers are David Dobkin and Spence Jackson.

Garthe previously held the position of creative exec at Dobkin's production company, Big Kid Pictures.

The production is currently shooting in and around Los Angeles.

The Falcon Theatre presents the west coast premiere comedy Everybody Say "Cheese!", the final production in its 2008-2009 'Bringin' the Funny' All-Comedy subscription season. Written by comedy icon and founder of the Falcon Theatre Garry Marshall, Everybody Say "Cheese!" is directed by Steve Zuckerman and stars Joe Regalbuto (Murphy Brown) and DeeDee Rescher (King of Queens). Rounding out the cast are: Cyrus Alexander, John Capodice, Heather Corwin, Joel Johnstone and Roberta Valderrama.

The three filmmakers responsible for "True Friends" also play the leads in this well-intentioned but unconvincing modern drama. Made for a reported $100,000, the self-distributed feature won't make many new bosom buddies at the boxoffice.

Executive producer and co-star Rodrigo Botero was inspired by the untimely death of a close friend to fashion this episodic account of three energetic kids in the Bronx who grow up to be troubled adults.

Led by director James Quattrochi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Botero, the crew of "True Friends" sets themselves a tough task -- convincingly re-creating early 1980s New York. But avoiding the cliches of big-city memoirs is a bigger problem, and the overall light tone is only mildly engaging.

From playing stickball and stealing chickens to lying in the sun on a rooftop "beach," Joey, Louie and J.J. are conspirators in minor and major acts of mischief. They dream of going to Yankees games, fishing and girls. Life may not be grand, but it could be a lot worse.

Fifteen years later, the too-often-heard narrator informs us, the three friends are still stuck in the Bronx, playing stickball and giving up hopes for the good life. J.J. (Botero) works as a gravedigger and is into hard drugs. Joey (Quattrochi) works for a nasty local hood (John Capodice), but he's not a villain and is married to his sweetheart.

The urgency caused by expectant father Joey's unexpected terminal brain tumor drives much of the movie's final scenes. Working in the family restaurant making pizzas, Louie (Loreto Mauro) reluctantly goes along when Joey devises a risky scheme to realize their dream of owning a restaurant.

At this point, the film has already seen J.J. go through rehab with a little help from his friends, but the guys embarking on a criminal caper is one improbable development too many.

Dan Lauria is a welcome presence as Joey's sympathetic boss, while Capodice is suitably menacing. The women, including Joey's girlfriend (Jennea Sepienza) and J.J.'s mother (Bertila James), are mostly peripheral to this boys club. Unfortunately, the three leads are fairly bland, and the intended emotional pull of the material is far from overwhelming.

TRUE FRIENDS

2nd Generation Films

Director: James Quattrochi

Screenwriters: James Quattrochi, Rodrigo Botero

Producers: Danny Zavala, Darren Paskel, Joseph Paskal

Executive producers: James Quattrochi, Rodrigo Botero, Loreto Mauro

Director of photography: Jeff Baustert

Editor: Barclay DeVeau

Music: Charles Dayton

Casting: Anne Capizzi

Color/stereo

Cast:

Joey: James Quattrochi

Louie: Loreto Mauro

J.J.: Rodrigo Botero

Pauley: Dan Lauria

Big Tony: John Capodice

J.J.'s mother: Bertila James

Gina: Jennea Sepienza

Running time -- 102 minutes

MPAA rating: R...