By Ernie Magnotta
Nick Martin (Joey Travolta, Hollywood Vice Squad, Normal People Scare Me), the leader of
a gang called the Nightcrawlers, dreams
of moving his girlfriend, mother and two brothers out of Sunnyside, Queens, but
becomes involved in a violent war against a rival gang called the Warlocks.
Beautifully directed by Night Gallery’s Timothy Galfas (who also co-wrote the screenplay with
Jeff King from a story by King and Robert Schaffel), and released by American
International Pictures, Sunnyside is
an engaging and entertaining drama/love story that carries an important message.
Although it never reached the popularity of other gang films like Walter Hill’s
The Warriors, Sunnyside is still an extremely well-done movie that I not only
feel is underrated, but that should definitely be seen.
Besides Travolta’s solid and likeable
performance, the movie also features an amazingly talented cast of actors such
as John Lansing (More American Graffiti),
Stacey Pickren (Runaway Train),
Andrew Rubin (Police Academy),
Michael Tucci (Grease), Talia Balsam
(The Kindred), Chris Mulkey (The Hidden), Joan Darling (The Troublemaker), Jonathan Gries (The Monster Squad), Peter Kwong (Big Trouble in Little China), Eric
Laneuville (A Force of One), John
Megna (To Kill a Mockingbird), Thomas
Rosales, Jr. (The Hunter), Mykelti
Williamson (Forrest Gump), John
Alderson (Against All Flags), Grand
Bush (Colors), Billy Jacoby (Bloody Birthday) and Robert Dryer (Savage Streets).
Sunnyside has been released on
a Region 1 Blu-ray and is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The
film looks great and the audio is also superb. Special features include a
terrific interview with actor Chris Mulkey, the original theatrical trailer as
well as trailers for Dirty O’Neil; Checkered Flag or Crash, and Walk Proud.
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