Boulevard Nights Blu Ray Review (Warner Archive Collection)

Boulevard Nights is a 1979 crime film directed by Michael Pressman (Law and Order, Some Kind of Hero, Chicago Med, Doctor Detroit, Blue Bloods, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II, The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training, and Grey’s Anatomy). It was written by Desmond Nakano (American Me, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Black Moon Rising, and White Man’s Burden). It was produced by Tony Bill (The Sting, Going in Style, Untamed Heart, and The Little Dragons). Raymond Avila (played by: Richard Yniguez from Babylon 5, Ohara, The Shield, Hunter, and Chain of Command) is a former VGV gang member that’s trying to convince his younger brother Chuco Avila (played by: Danny De La Paz from American Me, Freejack, Cuba, and Barbarosa) to leave that life before he gets killed or arrested. Raymond has a steady job and he’s about to marry Shady (played by: Marta DuBois from Magnum P.I., Tales of the Gold Monkey, McBride franchise, and Fear) since he got away from the streets. A gang war with rival Chicano thugs from 11th Street puts him in the crossfire as he tries to keep his family safe from his past. Will it all catch up to him? or Is it too late????Boulevard Nights is the original Mexican crime and gangster feature. It definitely influenced the later ones like American Me and Blood In, Blood Out. It’s actually from the same writer as American Me so I’m not surprised that there’s a connection there. Boulevard Nights plays out more as a family drama at first before the beef starts happening. So you do have to be a little patient with this one because it’s not non stop action or violence. It’s worth the wait because it delivers what you would want from something like this. Director Michael Pressman is mainly known for television but he did a few bigger full lengths back in the day. Boulevard Nights had a lower budget but it used it wisely for this crime production. Richard Yniguez as Raymond Avila is a solid lead here. He’s trying to change, grow up, and finally be responsible. Danny De La Paz steals the show here as Chuco Avila.

He was meant for this role, he gives his best performance in his career as the ambitious upcoming thug. He does everything wrong despite his brother trying to show him the way. They have amazing chemistry as the bickering family. The rest of the supporting cast includes Marta DuBois, James Victor (Stand and Deliver), Carmen Zapata (Sister Act franchise), Victor Millan (Scarface), Gary Carlos Cervantes (Blood In, Blood Out), Daniel Zacapa (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind), Robert Covarrubias (Hill Street Blues), Carmen Filpi (Halloween 4), Christine Avila (Blood In, Blood Out), and Ángel Salazar (Carlito’s Way). Boulevard Nights has plenty of violence and tense moments towards the end. It’s a real and authentic look at street life for a Chicano. The crime and gangster sub-genre became much popular after this was released so it was definitely before it’s time. It’s honestly forgotten for the most part so it’s nice to see Warner Archive Collection give it another life on home video. It’s product of when it was produced, it takes you back to the late 70’s for this cinema time capsule. It has good replay value and it’s always entertaining, RECOMMENDED!!!!Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special feature from the Warner Archive Collection! This 1080p (1.85:1) transfer is from a brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative. Everything when it comes to the visuals are much sharper. It blows away the previous 2009 DVD, it’s the best it’s ever looked anywhere. It has an English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track on the disc. The audio is solid here, it has it’s more explosive moments during the hang tension. All of the dialogue is crisp, the street wars are elevated, and the music has a nice boost to it. It has English SDH subtitles. The only extra on here is the “Theatrical Trailer”. It’s available everywhere right now including MovieZyng.com, CHECK IT OUT!!!!